Looking to go to Napa next fall. We are open when it comes to dates but if possible would like to go early October. I have read mixed things about the best times to go.

Ideally, I want it to be a touristy enough time where we don't run into closed vineyards or restaurants (I'm doubting this is a thing there but it's important if it is). I want the weather to be warm-ish but not too hot or too cold. And I have read about prices being higher during harvest (May through October if I remember correctly).

I've read a lot so I was hoping to get personal opinions and experiences.

Also open to hear about must eat restaurants and wineries - open to all price points.

I've been in early Oct before and it was great. No issues with places being closed. It was cool but not cold.

October is awesome out there. Especially when the leaves on the vines change colors. That might not be early October, though. Since it is the end of harvest, it will be busy, and can be expensive to stay, depending on your tastes. I'd book restaurants now, if not sooner.

one of Thomas Keller's restaurants in Yountville is a start.

Forget Napa and go to Healdsburg.

Forget Healdsburg and go to Yountville.

Forget about Yountville and go to St. Helena

Austintm said:

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Forget about Yountville and go to St. Helena

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Forget Yountville and go to Sonoma.

Vernada said:

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Austintm said:

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Forget about Yountville and go to St. Helena

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Forget Yountville and go to Sonoma.

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Depends on what they like wine-wise.

To the OP what varietals do you prefer, and what price point?

Second Sonoma. We pretty much ignore Napa and hang out there for our wine fix. Sonoma Inn is awesome, but pricey. If you stay out toward 101, there are lots of relatively affordable places to stay, a nice Hampton Inn in Rohnert Park, a Doubletree and a number of other chains. If it is not sold out, Bungalows 313 is a cool little B&B in downtown Sonoma. Book early.

Good wineries - Cline is one of the best and as of last year, did not have a glass charge. Jacuzzi is right across the road and is owned by the Cline family and has some good stuff as well. Gloria Ferrer is a sparkling wine place just north of those two that has a lovely terrace to enjoy a glass of bubbles on a warm fall day. Just north of town is Glen Ellen and Kenwood, which are good stops. Further north you have Kunde and St. Francis, which were good stops as well. North of there... there are hundreds of wineries.

Right around the main square in Sonoma are dozens of really good restaurants. El Dorado Kitchen for Med cuisine, Oso Sonoma for some small plates. My wife loved the Girl and the Fig, but it was not my kind of food. Lots of good eats there, hard to go wrong.

TL/DR - Sonoma is a better value than Napa.

Even though I don't drink a lot any more, I still go to the wine country to check in on my favorite producers and visit friends, who also happen to make wine. I like to stay in Yountville when I'm in Napa County and I'll stay in Healdsburg when in Sonoma. Both are charming towns with great restaurants, and are very walkable. Yountville is much smaller and Healdsburg is pretty densely packed (for the places you want to be) . If I had to choose, I'd go with Yountville for the quality of the restaurants. I'm not saying Healdsburg is a slouch by any means, I just think the chefs in Yountville take it to another level as a whole. I also like Cabernets so when I can taste, i visit the Napa producers more because I think better cabs come from Napa. If I'm in a Pinot mood, I'll hop over the range to Sonoma.

But since the OP asked about Napa, here are my favorite Napa restaurants:

Bouchon, at least twice a trip
As Hoc or Addendum
French Laundry
Bistro Jeanty
Bouchon Bakery for a snack
Cook
Mustards
Press
Farmstead
Charter Oak
La Toque

BSD said:

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Even though I don't drink a lot any more, I still go to the wine country to check in on my favorite producers and visit friends, who also happen to make wine. I like to stay in Yountville when I'm in Napa County and I'll stay in Healdsburg when in Sonoma. Both are charming towns with great restaurants, and are very walkable. Yountville is much smaller and Healdsburg is pretty densely packed (for the places you want to be) . If I had to choose, I'd go with Yountville for the quality of the restaurants. I'm not saying Healdsburg is a slouch by any means, I just think the chefs in Yountville take it to another level as a whole. I also like Cabernets so when I can taste, i visit the Napa producers more because I think better cabs come from Napa. If I'm in a Pinot mood, I'll hop over the range to Sonoma.

But since the OP asked about Napa, here are my favorite Napa restaurants:

Bouchon, at least twice a trip
As Hoc or Addendum
French Laundry
Bistro Jeanty
Bouchon Bakery for a snack
Cook
Mustards
Press
Farmstead
Charter Oak
La Toque

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Good list. I would add Goose & Gander and Market in Saint Helena. Oh definitely get lunch (fried chicken) at Addendum.

We like Saint Helena (easy starting point for wineries), but Yountville is great as well. Either way, staying up valley, out of the city of Napa, is the way to go.

Also, if you are looking at early to mid October, you'd best get the hotels now. As in today.

If you like Japanese food, add Kenzo to your Napa restaurant list.

It's as great an experience as French Laundry.

Forgot I even posted....

I'm a huge Pinot Noir fan with cabs being a close second. I'd like to attempt exploring whites more but they're never my drink of choice.

For whoever mentioned booking NOW - we are looking at fall 2020. I hope you meant book now for fall 2019.

Also, we are VERY open to location as long as we are in that general area. We've already narrowed it down from basically anywhere in the world and I'd prefer a few less options!

As of now the only "must" on my list is to visit Terra Valentine for sentimental reasons.

Of the restaurant recommendations, are there any you would LOVE to have a celebration? Like an anniversary or a big birthday?

We always stay at the Poetry Inn just outside of Yountville. It's a little pricey, but they have a fantastic service, it's in a great location (with incredible views of the valley) and is a really special place to stay if you are looking to celebrate and relax.

Poetry Inn

We really enjoyed Sonoma as well - stayed at The Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance since it's a Marriott property but I've heard really nice things about Sonoma Inn.

We liked the more boutique wineries in the area and loved getting to know some of the owners and hearing first hand about what it's like to own a small winery in wine country.
Biale, Andretti and Anaba were our favorites.

The last three times we have used vrbo and found some great houses. If this is a group trip, I can't recommend vrbo enough. By the time multiple couples pay for a room, a house will almost certainly a better deal.

Uber is available out there, but finding a car service or someone to drive your vehicle may be worthwhile. DWI's are not cheep.

There too many vineyards to see in a lifetime. Some of the more memorable we have been are

Schramsberg
Nickel and Nickel
Quintesa
Artessa
Rochioli
Bouchaine

I'm sure others can comment on other places.

I just got back yesterday - stayed at the Archer hotel for my 25th ann.
Let me know if you have any specific questions. email in profile
We love wine and had a great time but we've checked that box now:-)

Will add my usual recs:

Caldwell
Frank Family
Cliff Lede - underrated cab IMO

Hit any boutique. Typically a better time and more personal.