My husband is attending a business gathering at the Napa Marriott this week and wants me to come along. I have been so busy that I haven't done any planning for these 3 days (I am an over planner). We will be eating at Mustards Grill one night, and would like to do some shopping downtown Napa but other than that, I have no plans. Will have our car.

If you can give me any suggestions, I would be most appreciative. I have been readying posts with suggestions here. I don't really care to do wineries by myself but need to find William Harrison (to buy a bottle for a friend). Additionally, would like to go to Mumm Napa as my daughter is getting married next June. Do you think I can find a better price on Champagne at the winery than I can on sale at the supermarket? Thanks so much.

Most wineries will offer a discount on cases, and often multiple cases bring a bigger discount - so it really depends on how much champagne you'd like to purchase.
Your hotel can help you plan your activities when you arrive. This time of year is slower in the Valley and you can easily wait til you get here to decide what you would like to do. Dinner reservations can also be made when you arrive; there are so many wonderful options.
Some wineries (like Peju in Rutherford) group people together for tastings, so it can be more fun that way. All the Napa posts have multiple restaurant suggestions. I would skip the hotel restaurant, though. You are a short drive from great places like Bistro Don Giovanni, Zare, many Yountville restaurants, and some excellent ones in the town of Napa.

Yes, I was hoping to take it easy and just relax a bit. Only going to need a few cases of champagne since it is a small wedding. Thanks for you input.

The wineries don't undercut their distributers, so prices will not be cheaper there...but you can get very good deals on wine that is produced in too small a quantity to be distributed. This wine would only be available at the winery itself.
I would also head North up the vally to St. Helena for shopping. Its a cute town. Just North of St. Helena is a very good outlet mini-mall.

St. Helena sounds good. Also been reading the another thread on Napa with restaurants, etc. Bistro Jeanty in Yountville sounds good to me. Cassoulet! Ymmmm.

If it were me, I would take some sort of transportation (bus, limo???) to Calistoga and enjoy a day at one of the spas--mud baths. Then, have hubby meet me for dinner at Wahoo's, and drive my noodle-like body back to Napa. I'd make it worth his while (and you do, catch my drift!).

My absolutly favorite restaurant in Napa is the Foothill Cafe, located in a strip mall off the beaten path.

It is a real local place, local winemakers are always in abundance. I had my wedding rehearsal dinner there after Wine Spectator called it the best place in Napa (I may be exaggerating this a little). Anyhow, it is casual, has fabulous ribs, and the seasonal cobbler cannot be beat.

DH and I travel from LA to Napa every year for a 3 day weekend and eat 2 nights at the Foothill Cafe.

Hi Ronda! I wouldn't nix completely popping into a couple wineries by yourself. Some have great gift shops and are just a destination in themselves. I'm always telling people to go to Hess...but GO TO HESS!! LOL! It's a beautiful place with an incredible 3 story art gallery. Not too far from Napa. Gorgeous drive. You don't even have to taste..the place is amazing! William Harrison is great. They have a stuffed bear in the tasting room. They make great wines, but it's the history that will fascinate you. Look at the pics and talk to them...the ancestors were the first Italians in Napa Valley. It's off the Silverado trail, here's a good link:
http://www.silveradotrail.com/map.html
Don't worry about driving. It's very easy to get around. Traffic usually moves at a snail's pace on the main drag...sometimes there are crazies on the Silverado Trail, but go your own pace and let them pass you. I'm not crazy about Napa, the town, but love St Helena and Calistoga. About that champagne...you might find another brand that you enjoy as well! However, ask about joining the winery club. We've done this at several places and we get additional deals and discounts on cases., sometimes as much as 25 %. After the wedding, you can cancel your membership. However, I've only cancelled one of mine (Viansa) and the UPS man has better biceps thanks to us. Have a great time! Oh, btw, once you get there there will be publications with maps, discount coupons, etc to help you find things to do. Plenty to keep you busy...cheers!

THANK YOU THANK YOU for all the wonderful tips. I printed out the map with all the wineries, and have more restaurant recommendations than we have days!

Linda, my daughter had told me about joining a wine club but I sort of poopooed the idea but perhaps it could make cents. Pink and green are her colors and she would like to have pink champagne. We had a "tasting" lol over Thanksgiving and everyone liked the Mum the best. Another would do but if we can get the Mum at a reasonable price, will do. She had a cake tasting this week and called me so excited because she and her fiance just LOVED the pink champagne cake with strawberry filling.

Well, I have to find William Harrison to buy my friend a bottle of cabernet because at Thanksgiving he brought a bottle and my adult children drank it before my friend got a glass. arrr Sounds like I need to go to Hess, too.

Maven, you naughty girl. There is a spa at the Marriott so just may try something there, have a glass of wine in the room, and then.... FALL ASLEEP.

Foothill Cafe - will look that up right now. GREAT TIPS.

Should I bring my Christmas cards and address book??? Naaaa

I'd book a tour of Schramsburg champagne cellars...they might have a "blush" champagne that you would like. I don't think you can just walk it..the tour of their caves, however is really interesting....

Check out Cliff Lede Vineyards in the Stags Leap District. These guys, even when they were under a different name/ownership (S. Anderson Wines) produce some of the best sparkiling wines in the valley.

I'm not anywhere close to being a sparkling wine expert, but their Brut Rose had been a hit with our guests whenever I have the opportunity to serve them.

http://www.cliffledevineyards.com/