Tips for planning your trip to Napa Valley

Make your schedule and plan ahead
Choose the wineries that you simply must visit, and be sure to make advance arrangements with the winery. Some wineries offer special tasting or tour experiences that are only available by appointment. For example, guests to HALL St. Helena are welcome to drop-in any time for a tasting of our latest releases, however for a tour of our HALL St. Helena or HALL Rutherford wineries, you must make an appointment ahead of time. Many winery tours often fill up weeks or even months in advance during peak travel times, so be sure to make your arrangements as far in advance as possible.

It might also be helpful to check the wineries websites for special tasting offers and events. We host numerous events throughout the year that offer unique experiences for our guests. Another great idea for day trippers - bring a cooler to keep in the car to keep your wine cool.

www.napavintners.com and www.napavalley.com are excellent places to find listings of Napa Valley wineries as well as special tasting offers.

Staff picks (aside from HALL St. Helena and HALL Rutherford, of course!):
• Duckhorn (St. Helena) "Great wines and a beautiful tasting room. If weather permits I would suggest doing your tasting on the porch." -Katie Sieu, HALL St. Helena Tasting Room Manager
• Schramsburg (Calistoga) "An amazing genuine cave experience and the unique opportunity to taste sparkling wine in Napa Valley made in the traditional methods used in France." -Jeff Zappelli, Wine Club Director
• Lynmar (Sebastopol) "Amazing organic gardens and even more amazing wine." -Jessica Koehnen, Guest Relationship Coordinator

More tips!
-First time winetasting? Check out this short video for a few tips on winetasting
-Also, check out these tips from The Napa Valley Destination Council.

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Stay Over
There are many wonderful places to stay in the Napa Valley, from amazing hotels to luxurious bed and breakfasts. It's wise to plan ahead when making overnight accommodations, as the more popular locations fill up quickly, especially in the Summer months. It's a good idea to check the website for special offers and promotions. Also, some wine clubs have special arrangements with local hotels and can offer preferred rates for members. HALL members enjoy special rates at La Residence Luxury Inn (call for more details 707-967-2631).
The Napa Vintners website is an excellent resource for overnight accommodations.

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Eat Well
Napa Valley is famous for it's extraordinary cuisine. From Thomas Keller's French Laundry, to Michael Chiarello's Bottega Ristorante, to Gott's Roadside (Formerly Taylor's Refresher - same owners), you can find the perfect experience to pair with any occasion. Just like anything else, the more popular restaurants tend to book up as far as 12 months in advance for private dining, especially in the peak summer months. Try our staff picks or visit the Napa Vintners website for a list of wonderful restaurants in the Napa Valley.

Staff Picks:
• Bouchon (Yountville)"The best oyster and seafood bar in town! This french bistro transports you to Paris!" -Katie Sieu, HALL St. Helena Tasting Room Manager
• Oenotri (Napa) "A great new Italian restaurant that offers something completely different than the other Italian restaurants in the Napa Valley, and the best pizza by far in wine country." -Todd Kerlin, Wine Educator
• Bottega Restaurant (Yountville) "Tuscan style decor. Great big "family style" tables. Incredible food." -Marilyn Ferrante, Wine Educator

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When is the best time to visit Napa?
This is a very common question, and it really depends on the type of experience you are looking for. In the Spring you won't find grapes on the vines, but the vineyards are still vibrant with blooming mustard plants! It can be one of the most beautiful times of the year and you won't find too many crowds.

While the Summer months offer plenty of sunshine, warm weather, and a lively vibrant atmosphere, it's also the busiest time of year in the Napa Valley. You'll want to be sure to make your arrangements in advance and be flexible.

In early Fall you are sure to see ripening grapes on the vine and temperatures are still warm enough for outdoor picnics. In late Fall you are likely to see harvest crews picking fruit for the next vintage and delivering grapes to the wineries. If your looking to see winemaking in action, Late Fall is your best bet. We highly recommend our HALL St. Helena production tour for a first-hand look at a working state-of-the-art winery.

The Winter months can be an excellent time to visit the Napa Valley. The valley is far less busier than the Summertime and you are more likely to find reservations at the more exclusive hotels and restaurants. Some hotels also offer special rates during the winter time so be sure to check their websites. As the valley gears up for the holidays, tasting rooms are festive, and many restaurants and hotels offer fire places for guests to enjoy.

Staff Picks:
• Fall "Cooler temperatures and beautiful scenery" -Jamie Miller, Sales and Marketing Coordinator
• Summer "There are so many great events happening all throughout the valley and it's warm enough for picnics." -Joe Reeder, Marketing
• Anytime! "Every season has something beautiful to see whether in the vineyards, on the river, in the countryside or in town." -Jessica Koehnen, Guest Relationship Coordinator

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Don't overbook yourself
Some eager guests try to visit up to 10 wineries in a day. While we know some have been successful in visiting nearly a dozen wineries in 8 hours, this is probably a bit too ambitious for most. For a comfortable schedule, plan to visit 3-4 wineries in a day. Choose your favorite wineries ahead of time and make reservations. It's also a good idea to ask your winery host for suggestions of similar wineries nearby that might be open for drop-in tastings if time permits. Most tasting room hosts will be familiar with almost every winery in the valley and can help you find new experiences that match your taste. Again some excellent resources for mapping out your visit are www.napavintners.com and www.napavalley.com.

Questions? Email us at info@hallwines.com  or call (707) 967-2626 and we'll be happy to offer suggestions and recommendations for your next trip to Napa Valley.