Undoubtedly, this is the most talked about wine-tasting/growing area in the US, or northern hemisphere (SIDEWAYS was in Santa Barbara). Visitors to Napa can spend a week or two relaxing and indulging to their heart’s content, or, like me, explore for just 2 days while trying to absorb the high points, hoping some of the culture rubs off.A pleasant drive anywhere in the valley, most wineries and the main wine-tasting route are clearly marked, but you might want to pick up a brochure, either in your hotel lobby or at the tourist information center. That way, you can make a plan of action the night before. The brochures have helpful hints, like whether it costs money, hours of operation, phone numbers, if you need to make an appointment for a tour, etc. If you have time, give the winery a call, as they might be temporarily closed.
The softly rolling hills hide many treasures; I know, as I passed quite a few tasting facilities without a glimpse. A more romantic, perhaps safer, course of action might be to take a bike tour to your favorites. Although the wine route is fairly long, it’s not completely out of the question for a bike tour, but don’t let this be the first time in 10 years that you’ve ridden.
I recommend trying to hit as many wineries as possible. Take only one or two tours, one of the vines and one of the winery, and then go straight to the tasting rooms. Coppola is one of the more popular ones, with a beautiful entrance reminiscent of old successful wineries in Italy. For a small fee, you taste and leave with a glass. BV offers free tasting for military members. As a rule, and I don’t mean to be crass, but I would check to see about the military discount in as many places as possible; it never hurts.
So take the day to taste wine until your eyes are a reddish-purple, know your limits, and bring a friend. There is some shopping available in Napa, with an outlet mall and a few cute shops downtown, but no one goes here to shop; buy wine, not clothes.