A Long Weekend in Napa
If you’re looking for the perfect long weekend getaway in Napa Valley, the fall harvest season is hard to beat. My husband and I recently celebrated our anniversary with a four-day trip to Napa in October, right in the heart of harvest season, when the vineyards are buzzing with activity, and the valley feels especially alive.
Why October Is the Best Time to Visit Napa Valley
October is one of the most exciting times to visit Napa. The grape harvest is in full swing, wineries are processing fruit around the clock, and the vineyards glow with beautiful fall colors. The worst of the summer heat was gone, but it was still a warm escape from Chicago’s already chilly fall weather. We stayed at the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley and had a spectacular view of their own on-property vineyard. As the sun began to set each night, the rows of grapes were lit up by workers’ headlamps as they carefully harvested the fruit that would eventually become the resort’s own Cabernet Sauvignon.
Our Napa Valley Winery Itinerary
With just a long weekend, we focused on visiting a few iconic Napa Valley wineries, each with a different style and experience. I recommend limiting tastings to 2-3 per day so you can fully enjoy the wines. Stop at Oakville Grocery for a delicious sandwich to keep your stomach full between tastings. Our favorite wineries were Frog’s Leap, for a relaxed atmosphere with beautiful gardens, and Chappellet. At Chappellet, we opted for an off-road private tour that stopped for tastings at points of interest across the property. Perched high on Pritchard Hill, Chappellet offers some of the most stunning views in Napa Valley. We enjoyed the experience (and the wines) so much that we became members. And of course no trip to Napa is complete without the obligatory check-ins at Caymus and Silver Oak!
The Highlight of the Trip: Dinner at The French Laundry
Planning Your Own Napa Valley Long Weekend
If you're planning a Napa Valley weekend getaway, harvest season is an incredible time to visit. Between the winery tastings, beautiful fall scenery, and unforgettable dining, it’s easy to see why Napa is one of the best weekend destinations in California. We stayed at the Four Seasons Napa Valley, which deserves its own detailed review (read here). But its location made it a great home base for exploring the valley. Contact us here if you are interested in booking a trip to Napa Valley.
The true gold star of our Napa Valley anniversary trip was dinner at The French Laundry in Yountville. Consistently ranked among the best restaurants in the world, dining here is more than a meal — it’s an experience. Securing the reservation was an experience in and of itself, but we won out in the race with alarms set and multiple devices ready to refresh the website when they opened (plus luck). Over the course of the evening, we enjoyed the restaurant’s famous tasting menu featuring beautifully plated, seasonal dishes. The oysters and pearls lived up to the hype, and I still think about the chocolate truffle chest on a regular basis. The sommelier for the evening was a gem, and he elevated the meal to a level we couldn’t have imagined. We opted to do a wine pairing for the tasting menu, gave him a budget, and he asked a few questions about his preferences. The pairing allowed us to try so many delicious and unique wines that we would never have otherwise been able to, some simply because the wines aren’t distributed elsewhere in the world. It was the perfect way to celebrate our anniversary and easily one of the most memorable dining experiences we’ve ever had.
