Napa Valley on a Budget – It can be done The recent announcement by Heitz Cellars of their $1000-per-person wine tasting experience, and the recent opening of Napa’s Stanly Ranch ($1000-a-night rooms), triggered a bevy of news reports on the high cost of visiting the Napa Valley. Lettie Teague wrote in the Wall Street Journal: … Read more
Napa Valley Wine Tasting Index Planning trip to the Napa Valley? Be sure to include wine tasting fees in your expenses. Realize that wine tasting fees will take a big chunk out of your budget. For 2022 we’ve seen a significant increase for travelers to sit down and taste wine at a winery. Many wineries … Read more
Why we like Mustards Grill Yountville is one of the best restaurant cities in the entire U.S. Most restaurants in Yountville are on Washington Street in the downtown area. Mustards Grill is on Highway 29 just north of the business area. Travelers can easily miss Mustards Grill. That’s fine for the locals, less waiting time … Read more
I originally posted this article in 2017. As of this month in 2021, there are limited wine tasting opportunities in the Napa Valley. We can enjoy Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley and learn a few facts about these “Big Three” grapes at home. Napa Valley’s Big Three – Chardonnay, Merlot, and … Read more
Legend of Stag’s Leap and the land of Cabernet Sauvignon Stag’s Leap legend tells the tale that the Native Wappo would marvel at a stag that was able to make incredible leaps over the jagged rock formations pictured above. Specifically, the Wappo would witness the stag leaping over the u-shaped rock formation in the center of … Read more
Many of us are cooking at home. We are learning, creating, and wine pairing. One of our favorite ways to discover recipes and match with a bottle of wine are recipes from wine country. Many wineries provide fantastic recipes on their Websites. We will start with the Napa Valley and see which dishes are worthy … Read more
We established the Napa Valley Wine Tasting Fee Index in 2014. Each year we see an increase in what it costs a person to taste wine in the Napa Valley. Because of the COVID pandemic, we are not keeping an Index for the 2021 season. Tasting fees are in a fluid state. Walk-in tastings are … Read more
Fun Things to Do in the Napa Valley Now! Updated as of December 1, 2022 December and January are the slowest months for tourism in the Napa Valley. That is why it is a good time to travel to the Napa Valley. There are many beautiful days in December. The vines always look lovely when … Read more
2019 Napa Valley Wine Tasting Index We started the Napa Valley Wine Tasting Index Fee in 2014. Back in 2014, the average tasting fee on our Index was $18.50. Today it is $30.50. We are using ten wineries along Highway 29. These wineries allow drop-in visitors to the tasting room. We are using the cost … Read more
What is the difference between the Napa Valley and Sonoma? Should I travel to the Napa Valley or should I go to Sonoma? What is the difference between the two wine regions and which one is better? Main differences between the two wine regions We travel to Napa Valley and Sonoma regularly. Wine country travelers often … Read more