The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in Napa Valley

Last year I began a blog series based on United Airlines’ in-flight magazine that included a monthly feature that I loved called “Three Perfect Days in (insert city here)” where they would highlight the best things to do, the best places to eat, and the best places to stay in each city. I am stealing that idea to share my own travelogue with you about some of Laurie’s and my favorite places to visit over a long weekend. First up was the Willamette Valley, and next up is Napa Valley!

Truchard Vineyards

Like everyone else, Laurie and I have our favorite places in the world that we love to visit, and revisit time and again! Our list includes Rome, Paris, New York City, Hawaii, New Orleans LA, San Francisco CA, the Willamette Valley of Oregon, and Boulder CO to name a few. But my mecca, my favorite place in the world to visit, is Napa Valley CA. When the fires aren’t raging (a more recent unfortunate event due to global warming), there are few places more beautiful and relaxing than Napa Valley. Oh, and the food and accommodations aren’t bad either!

So, for my second installment of “The Perfect Three-Day Weekend” blog series, I’ll share some of our favorite places to visit, eat, and stay in Napa Valley over a three-day weekend – let’s get started!

Day 1

Arriving from San Francisco airport, take the long way to Napa Valley via the Golden Gate Bridge – it’s worth the extra time to take in the beauty of San Francisco and the bay, Sausalito, Sonoma, and Carneros. You’ll be hungry after your peanuts and pretzels on the plane, so stop by quirky and quaint downtown Sonoma Square for lunch at The Red Grape and enjoy a homemade thin-crust pizza before heading on into Napa Valley.

Sonoma Square

Now it’s time to taste some wine, so a visit to Etude Winery in Carneros is next. This winery specializes in Pinot Noir wines but also makes great Cabernet Sauvignon and a rare and beautiful grape-based brandy that’s only available at the winery. Best to make an appointment for a guided tasting to get the most out of this visit. After a bit of wine, it’s time to head to where you will be staying over the weekend, The Poetry Inn off the Silverado Trail in Napa Valley.

Etude Winery – Wall of Wines

The Poetry Inn is one of our all-time favorite luxury inns, anywhere! Nestled in the hills of Napa Valley, this five-suite inn is famous for superb service, accommodations, and food. I’m not going to lie to you – this place ain’t cheap, but aren’t you worth a splurge every once in a while? Of course you are! Settle in on your deck overlooking the Napa Valley while sipping wine from the complementary bottle provided by the inn.

Poetry Inn in Napa Valley

Now that you’re relaxed, it’s time for a short drive to St. Helena for dinner at Press, a fantastic tasting-menu restaurant that features wood-fired steaks and seafood and an extensive list of wines from Napa Valley. The vibe is casual and modern, and the food and service are absolutely superb!

Press Restaurant in St. Helena – best food in Napa Valley!

Day 2

Wake up early and head to the main lounge of Poetry Inn so you can be seated out on the balcony overlooking Napa Valley to enjoy your gratis 3-course breakfast. Then it’s time to head out for some morning wine tasting (the best time to visit wineries in Napa Valley – not only are things quieter but it’s cooler as well).

Three course breakfast at the Poetry Inn

First up is Pride Vineyards, located north of St. Helena and up on the mountain top where Sonoma and Napa counties meet. In fact, the winery straddles the two counties, setting up interesting challenges in adhering to the rules and regulations for winemaking from two different American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). Make an appointment for either the Reserve or Summit Room tasting experience to enjoy some of the best wines made in the country!

Pride Mountain Vineyards Arch

Next up is a second wine tasting back down in Napa Valley at Gargiulo Vineyards, but before we go there, we need to fuel up at Gott’s Roadside right off the main drag in Napa Valley, Highway 29. This iconic restaurant (formally known as Taylor’ Refresher) has great burgers, sandwiches, and fries – find a picnic table in the shade and enjoy the people watching while you chow down on your lunch! Then head to Gargiulo.

Gott’s Roadside

Gargiulo is a boutique winery that makes limited bottlings of fantastic Cabernet Sauvignon as well as Sangiovese, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris among other grape varieties. My first visit to Gargiulo decades ago was when they were first starting out – the wine tasting was in the owner’s home at the kitchen counter since they didn’t yet have a tasting room. Their best cabernet sauvignon retailed for about $35 at the time – now it’s over $200 a bottle and worth every penny! They have a beautiful tasting room and deck – make sure to make an appointment for the best tasting experience – ask for Sharon Hull and tell her Mark Geis sent you!

Gargiulo Vineyards

Now it’s time to relax a bit so head back to the Poetry Inn and settle in by the pool and spa for a swim and a nap. For dinner, head to Torc in downtown Napa for a casual dining experience along with an eclectic menu that includes creative takes on pasta, seafood, and steaks.

Torc Restaurant in downtown Napa

Day 3

Start your day with breakfast at the inn, and then head to downtown St. Helena to stroll the quaint streets while shopping for gifts to bring home for yourself and friends and family! You can find everything here – artisanal olive oils, homemade soaps, clothing, art galleries, and more along with some fantastic restaurants as well.

Downtown St. Helena

Unfortunately, it’s probably time to head to the airport to catch your flight back home but before you do, make a final stop in Napa Valley at Oakville Grocery to pick up a homemade artisan deli sandwich for the drive back to the city. They also have a great selection of unique pantry items that you can’t find anywhere else so stock up on those as well!

Oakville Grocery in Napa Valley

Of course, we only scratched the surface of this fantastic wine and food destination, so we’ll return at some point in time in the future with another blog post for a second perfect 3-day weekend in Napa Valley!