10 Best Shopping in Napa and Sonoma, California

Ceramicist Richard Carter fires up his minimalist line of dinnerware at his 85-acre Pope Valley ranch, where he also creates sculptures and other works on display at his downtown store. Thoughtfully curated kitchenware, home-design items, and hand-crafted clothing by other artisans are also for sale.

Sweet Pearl carries the latest in women's fashions in a space that makes dramatic use of the section of the historic stone building the shop occupies. Celebs find bags, shoes, jewelry, and outfits here—and you might, too.

Part general store, part gift shop, Acres sells bulbs, gardening implements, and home decor items "for the well-tended life." Bucking a brick-and-mortar retail trend, this smart shop has doubled in size.

Inside the Star Building (1900), this gallery exhibits contemporary American, European, and Latin American paintings and sculptures.

Gary Fisch owns four New Jersey stores selling gourmet groceries and international wines but has such a soft spot for the Napa Valley that when the Dean & DeLuca chain abandoned this location, he swooped in and set up shop. The wine selection is as good as ever, and the prepared foods and deli items will ensure you'll picnic in style.

St. Helena's treasured Main Street Books was headed for closure when the folks behind Napa Bookmine in downtown Napa rescued the indie. The tiny shop's specialties include Napa and Sonoma titles.

"There's a crazy little shack beyond the tracks," the song goes, but in this case the 1870s barn east of the railroad tracks sells tickle-your-taste-buds olive oils and vinegars, along with cheeses, meats, breads, and other delectables to take on the road or enjoy at picnic tables outside. This is no-frills old Napa with a shout-out to old Italy.

The French Laundry, Four Seasons Napa Valley, several wineries, and Martha Stewart herself rank among the fans of ceramicist spouses Nikki Ballere and William Callnan III. The two create artworks and dinnerware ceramics—and exhibit the works of other local artisans—in their studio east of St. Helena in Angwin. It's worth the 6-mile trip halfway up Howell Mountain to see what Ballere and Callnan, who also conduct lively classes, are up to. 

This fun store sells cookbooks, kitchenware, and many other things related to cooking.

Elaborate confections made on the premises are displayed like miniature works of art at this shop that resembles an 18th-century Parisian salon.