Visitors have long enjoyed Napa Valley's iconic cabernets and laid-back country vibe with equal enthusiasm. With more than 400 wineries spread across its bucolic landscapes, farm-to-table restaurants and elevated boutique hotels, it's a perfect weekend getaway and a popular option for girls' trips, honeymooners and, of course, food and wine lovers. “There's never a bad time to visit, but spring is very special,” says Linsey Gallagher, president and CEO of Visit Napa Valley. “The new growing season is well underway and, with the vines a vibrant, verdant green, it’s a fairytale-book beauty. Plus, it’s packed with live musical performances from world-renowned artists spanning all musical genres,” she adds. This Memorial Day weekend, the 11thth annual BottleRock Music Festival will take place with headliners including Ed Sheeran, Stevie Nicks and Norah Jones. Thomas Keller will also unveil his seasonal pop-up restaurant Addendum-a more casual version of Ad Hoc, serving classic American comfort food (a great alternative to its famous restaurant, French laundrywhere tables can be difficult to find).
Long weekends are always a popular time to visit, so you'll need to plan your visit in advance and arrange your mode of transportation (whether that's a guide or private driver). But with such a wide range of options, choosing priorities can seem difficult. Our main recommendations? Explore one of the area's design-focused wineries, such as Faust House, Ashes and diamondsAnd CADÉalongside the most renowned establishments: Quintesse, Clos Pégase, Cardinale, Harlan EstateAnd canto— one of the oldest and most grandiose in the valley. And for a different tasting, The Auberge du Soleil Guest Services Manager Sharon Wyatt recommends a visit to one of the area's nearby olive oil producers. “Napa Valley's Mediterranean climate is not only ideal for viticulture, it's also perfect for olives, and early summer is a wonderful time to take a shady walk through the orchards and discover the other iconic culture of the region and taste how olive oils can enhance flavors,” she says.
