My wife and I have a week in February and are nervous about planning a Napa/Sonoma Valley vacation during this time. We hear lots about rain. Any thoughts?

Mike, no guarantees. With NorCal weather, you could be in for a week of rain, or it could be sunny and 60s every day. It will be chilly at night regardless. Even if it rains, you should have periods of the day when it stops, and probably days without rain if you are hear a whole week.

I think the possibility of a bit of rain is far outweighed by the fact that there are not NEARLY as many people visiting that time of year, and it is really pretty and green (because of the rain!) plus the wild mustard growing in the vineyards is gorgeous!

Michael,
It will most certainly be cool and possibly rainy during February. Book a room with a fireplace at one of the better inns and it'll be cozy. By February, the winter rains in Northern California will have accelerated the greening of the hills and there will some early wildflowers as well as the mustard blooming. Previous comments about this being a relatively quiet time in the wine country are correct - I think you'll have a pleasant experience, with uncrowded highways and winery staff having more time to spend with you. Drive some of the back roads in Napa, toward Pope Valley and Lake Berryessa - the scenery is beautiful in early spring. If you are exploring the wineries in the Russian River area, the redwood groves in that area will be at their most glowingly moss-covered, although very damp!

The talk of February being the "rainey season" in wine country is amusing. I think it was a 'warning' started by locals or other tourists who want to keep the crowds away so they can have the area to themselves!

The average rainfall is 4.7 inches in Napa Valley in February and the average high temperture is 64 degrees. So there is a chance of rain (which there isn't in the summer) but the odds are still that in a week you will have 5 nice days and two with some rain (NOT torrential). Plus remember, wine tasting is an indoor sport! It gets down into the low 40s at night, so book a nice B&B with a fireplace, hot tub, and down comforters. And I echo what has been previously posted, the crowds are nil, so you can get into the restaurants and wineries that you want. Go for it!

Hi Michael,

We (girls) just went the last weekend in Feb this year. Stayed at the Lodge at Sonoma, which is within easy distance from the town center and some very good wineries. Though I was not with my spouse, Sat was just a little drizzly but in a very romantic way and did not interfere at all in our wine tasting. Sure would have been fun to return to our room with the fireplace afterwards!

Friday and Sunday were beautiful days though, sunny and warm. It's hard to predict. No crowds though. Good luck and take a nice big umberella just in case.