Yountville or Napa in February??
 

I am planning a 3-4 night stay in the Napa area mid February with my boyfriend. We are very into both food and wine, and are looking for accomodations in which are within walking distance to the wineries. I'm trying to to at least narrow down my search and need some input as to where the better wineries are and which are within walking distance - in Napa Valley or Yountville? Or should I be looking elsewhere?

As far as lodging, $100/night and less would be nice. I'm not sure if any lodging places are actually situated on a vineyard, or anything that resembles "Tuscan". Being both Yountville and Napa have walkable distance tasting rooms, where would you suggest I stay so that we could walk to dinner?

I would like to do at least one tour. I side more with whites (riesling, viognier, albarino), but am slowly getting into reds (pino noir, malbec). If scheduling appointments is needed, that's fine. That would make or break the decision to visit a winery.

Overall, I'm looking for Tuscan-like scenery and reasonablly close (driving distance) wineries to do tastings (and possibly a tour) by day, and to be able to have great restaurants and bars within walking distance by night.

Thank you for your help :)

$100 or less...hahahahahah

You'll get a lot more response over on this forum. But now, re your budget >>As far as lodging, $100/night and less would be nice. <<

Oh my, yes $100 a night would be wonderful! But it really isn't a $100-a-night sort of region. Even in Feb which has probably the lowest room rates of the year (except for the holiday weekend which will be higher). For that price you will most;y be relegated to a low-ish end motel and I personally don't know which. And almost definitely not walking distance to a winery. Maybe someone has an idea.

Walking to most wineries isn't a good option--you really need a car, as they're very spread out.

Not only are they spread out, they're spread out along unwalkable roads.

And it is winter, our rainy season.

You can find some tasting rooms in Napa or Yountville that you can walk to. In St. Helena there might be a couple where you can park downtown and walk to. But as noted, most of them are well spaced and I wouldn't feel safe walking most of the roads.

Also, Yountville is in Napa Valley, as is the town of Napa--it's a bit confusing.

I do agree that that budget is unrealistic unless you can Priceline something at the last minute, and not on a weekend, for sure. You could probably find something close to that in, say, Petaluma or Santa Rosa, in the Sonoma Valley, but it will be a chain motel on a busy road, not in a vineyard and not reminiscent of Tuscany. Still, you'd be within budget and could drive to scenic spots in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys

There are tasting rooms in all of the towns in the Valley, as well as bars and restaurants you could walk to; the wineries are easy driving distance from the towns and from each other. Some require appointments, most don't.

I found this place when I was researching our last trip to wine country:
http://www.christophersinn.com
It's close to your budget if you're a AAA member. I have NO experience with it--just found it online.

The Christopher Inn looks like a real find. I just plugged in 3 nights over Valentines Day and got an AAA rate of $116 inc tax. for the 'Classic' room (higher for other rooms). That seems like a super deal in Calistoga!

Christopher's is lovely but
in Calistoga a far cry from Napa and/or Yountville or St Helena.
Not as convenient for walking around.
Also the Feb prices for 2 were much more like $180 +with tax even for AAA>

wow Janisj where did you get that AAA rate? Best I saw was $180.
It's still not in the thick of things.

We were just in Calistoga on Sunday and i was shocked to see how many places had shut down. It used to be the hub for relaxing etc but a lot of shops have closed, the few restos are either expensive hotel restos or very casual places. It really seemed run down compared to a couple of years ago.

>>where did you get that AAA rate? <<

On their website -- and I chose Valentines Day/Presidents Day weekend just to make sure.

I got that rate on the website, too--I checked before posting the link. It's not hard to find lodging under $200, but $100 is tough. I agree that Calistoga isn't ideal, but it's in the Napa Valley and the price is right...

Check El Bonita in St. Helena. I've stayed there many times and they have always been at the low end of the price range. Also, within walking distance of all of the St. Helena spots.

That aside, I've loved Calistoga and would stay there in an instant. Sad about what newtome says in above post.

I agree -- for sure I'd much rather stay in Calistoga than IN Napa

1) You will need a car for any serious wine tasting. The driver can spit.

2) $100 is almost certainly not doable in Yountville. You'll come closer in Napa, but still have trouble getting down to that number. Tuscan-like scenery at the hotel is not possible in your price range.

3) I would not stay in Calistoga.

thank you for allthe replies! I've narrowed it down to 2 places: 1) The Napa Inn (B&B) and 2) Embassy Suites Hotel Napa Valley. Suggestions??

Also, from reading some other posts, I undestand that it is extremely difficult to narrow hundreds of wineries down to 4 or 5. With that being said however, which wineries do you suggest in mid-February that still offer spectacular views/scenery? I was looking into Joseph Phelps, Domaine Carneros, Robert Mondavi, Bravante, and Artesa. Any suggestions would be greatly apprecited! What time do the wineries open/close?

ohh, I also am deciding between the Best Western PLUS Elm House Inn.

There really is not any lodging within walking distance to wineries. Wineries are in the agricultural areas. I think Calistoga is a charming little town, but it is fairly quiet at night. You could certainly walk to some restaurants and find wineries a short drive away.

Unfortunately, most hotels are pricey. Calistoga and the city of Napa are your best bets for lower-cost lodging. The valley is not that big, so you can drive from Napa to Calistoga in 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the time of day. Napa has changed quite a lot. There are numerous excellent restaurants in walking distance of downtown as well as bars, music lounges ( like Silo's), and other theater/music venues like The Uptown and the Napa Valley Opera House. There are also many, many (almost too many) tasting rooms in town where you can sample a variety of wines. No town has a Tuscan feel, but you can get to that feeling within a ten-minute drive.

There are numerous B&Bs in Napa Valley. A number of them have less expensive rooms, usually the smallest room or with a shared bath. Try Washington Street Lodging, Beasley House, McClelland-Priest, Ink House, and others. Best Western Elm house and Embassy Suites are close to the freeway but not noisy and people seem to like them. They are within walking distance of good restaurants.

February is a beautiful time to visit. The mustard will be in bloom.

Embassy Suites is often full of families so if you're looking for a more romantic few days this might not be your best bet. February esp if it's Valentines weekend might be fine but as a couple, we've stayed away from them . The free hot breakfast brings out hordes of (sometimes) ill mannered children....
The Elm House inn is a lovely older building taken over by Best Western so it might be more of what you are looking for.
Wineries that are open to the public are usually open 10 AM-5 PM or so. You will need to look at individual wineries for details.

I'm not sure what the scenery aspect is for oyu but February might be cold and rainy with no chance to sit outside.

what about the Villago Inn and Spa in Yountville?

OK so what is your actual budget? Villagio is quite upscale, will be at least 250/night probably more if it's for Valentines Day?

My husband and I went to Yountville every February for about five years to celebrate our anniversary. We would stay at the Lavender Inn http://www.lavendernapa.com/

They have a "stay one night, get the second night free" deal that we would always book. They also have two other B&B's in the area with the same deal. Check out the website.

Yountville has many good restaurants within walking distance. Many times Lavender Inn will have wine tastings right there. Check to see if you will be there during the "dining week" where many restaurants offer special menus for a good price.

Have a fabulous time!

We were just spent a weekend in Napa (we're from SF) and stayed for around $100 a night in Napa at the Wine Valley Lodge. It's a pretty basic motel, but was clean and well-situated in Napa.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...alifornia.html

You may be able to walk to tastings if you stay in a hotel near a downtown area if you are OK with tasting rooms, but there is not going to be any place in Napa Valley that is really going to offer walking distance to wineries. You'll need a car. If that's not an option you can book a van/limo tour, take cabs, or do the wineries along the Napa Valley Wine Train.

If you are looking for additional things to do in Napa you can check out this article:

http://independenttravelcats.com/201...-without-wine/


Good luck!

Not sure where you are visiting from but here are my recommendations for February 2014:

Cut your trip in half and double your budget. You will still have a great time.

February is holiday month (Presidents/ Valentines). If you are not holding something (place to lay) as you read this, you may need to move your dates.

The Lavender Inn is not within your budget, nor will it be with the black out dates for the above mentioned promotion. However, things change, so give it a try.
It is right around the corner from The French Laundry (also not within your desired budget) which makes it popular for those who can get a reservation months in advance.

Finally, you may do well to try and select wineries that do not charge a fee or where you can present a two-for-one tasting coupon. The Visitor's Bureau for Napa may be able to assist you with info.as for how/where to seek these vouchers out.

Having said that, you mention tasting rooms with views. I think you may want to prioritize if you want tasting rooms(walking distance in two Napa Valley towns), or if you want budget ones (car), or if you want ones with views (car).

Also is it the views or the wine you wish to see? Of course you can do both, but maybe give this some additional thought.

If you are going for cheapie or free tastings, factor in the increased amount of time you will spend waiting to be poured--each wine.
You will not be alone or in some intimate setting. Think crowded... The freebie folks are a different type of wine taster. Not good or bad, just different.

Transportation by taxi, limo, limo-bus, etc. will cost you triple your hotel budget--per day.

I can't get into your dining options as your budget and updated decisions will guide that for you.

However, as self admitted foodies, you know you have to have money to partake. Mind you, if it come to this,any and all of the burger places along 29 are considered excellent and affordable. You have to really work to have a bad meal in the valley.

Finally, The Napa Valley Wine Train does not stop at wineries. Please go to their website if this is of interest to you. It will snatch a full day to get from your hotel and back. Traffic will be significant in February unless you stay away from the holidays and weekends.

I hope this helps if this trip is still in the works or if not, may those who are looking to travel to this area find the replies of use as they plan or ponder.

Enjoy!

We were in the Napa & Sonoma area in Dec/Jan one year and really liked it. It was cooler and rained some days, but when the sun came out it was gorgeous. There were almost no tourists so it was quiet and un-crowded. The vines were cut back so the plants were bare.

As I recall Napa and Yountville were only 10-15 miles from each other. Both are trendy and expensive areas, but you'll be going in the off season so you may get better deals.

I personally liked Yountville better. I would splurge and eat at The French Laundry - it is one of the best world class restaurants and would be a fun experience. I think the same owner owns Ad Hoc just down the street which is a little "cheaper."

http://www.adhocrestaurant.com/
http://www.adhocrestaurant.com/

opps, meant to add this instead of a second ad hoc web site.


http://www.frenchlaundry.com/

BIG fan of Youtnville and the funky Railway Inn. Off season so the rates might be high 90s/low 100s but walking distance to all the restos in Y'ville. Across the street to Hurley's, Bouchon's, Bouchon's Bakery. Next door to Bottega and Pacific Blues Cafe.

Short walks to Bistro Jeanty, Redd, Ad Hoc, Addendum, Redd Wood, and the two newbies in the old Gordon's Wine Bar and Napa Valley Grille.
Groezinger's used to have wine tasting and if you find one of the "young gun" owners in a good mood they may open a bottle or two.

I think Bottega's Micheal Chiarello's <i>Napa Style</i> has wine tasting and there might be a bizz in Vintage 1870 marketplace that also offers it. Jessup Cellars also has a place there but it's all Jessup stuff.

OK, sure a lot of folks are going to get mad at me for saying this, but in downtown Napa, there are several walking distance tasting rooms, as well as several wine bars and places like "Bounty Hunter" - now it is not ideal, but they exist. Yountville also has a few high end wineries in town, but again, if you seek bucolic, you will likely be disappointed.

Also, unless one of you is going to be a "designated driver" I would not recommend the car route - the local police and CHP take over imbibing in a tasting room just as serious as any other DUI. As someone mentioned, getting a wine tour and/or a driver is a nice option, but that too, as also mentioned, will likely set you back at least $300-$500 and more...

On lodging, sadly, I can only echo what others have said - we used to stay frequently in Wine Country, but have cut back because of the costs. But to stay at any of the Napa hotels, you are looking at closer to $300 a night. But good luck!

Are you going to get mad because people don't seem to be mad at you? :-))

We stopped in "Downtown Napa" a few mos ago and they have done/are doing a pretty good job in revitalizing the area.

Stopped at the Downtown Joe's Brewery for lunch. Nice riverfront area. Great walking, biking and kayacking area.

Love to see a show at Uptown Theater.

Still might have a prob getting inexpensive lodging in that area.

Avoid Napa- nothing worthwhile there. We stayed at the Villago Inn and Spa in Yountville. It is a good choice. Really nice breakfast included. There are several restaurants you can walk to and many more in Rutherford and St Helena. You can find better deals that booking through the hotel. We used Hotels.com and saved a lot.

If you have a car you can go to dozens and dozens of wineries within 30 minutes from Yountville. Don't forget that it is winter and there will not be any grapes growing. You will need a reservation at most.

mrt, I don't think you will necessarily need reservations for many wineries as Jan is an off season. We visited in late Dec/Jan one year and there were only a few people at each winery we visited. It's always a good idea to have reservations at the more popular restaurants though.

I prefered St. Helena and Yountville rather than Napa.

You absolutely need reservations in January to taste. If you have found ones that don't take reservations, then you will clearly be just fine.

It is Restaurant Month in January in Napa. You need reservations since this is the time where folks fine dine for a fraction of what the normal cost is.

<i>You absolutely need reservations in January to taste.</i>

Huh? You don't need reservations to taste at most wineries, no matter the month. If there are some smaller wineries that only do appointments, then make them a week in advance and you will be fine.

:-?