When is the Best Time to Visit Napa? A Winter Wine Tour of Napa Valley
“When is the Best Time to Visit Napa? A Winter Wine Tour of Napa Valley
Though considered the ‘off-season’ in our little valley, winter in Wine Country can be a magical experience nonetheless. In fact, there are not only ample reasons that a winter wine tour can be more relaxing, but also a surplus of opportunities only available during these colder months.
Is Napa expensive?
Affordable Experiences: Napa can be one of the most expensive places to find room, dining, and activities in California, which is already a costly state to begin with. These financial barriers only get higher during the peak season, as one might expect. However, when Napa Valley goes into its quieter months, it’s much easier to find great deals on everything from hotels to local experiences and more. If you’re looking to experience the best of the valley while on a budget, winter is far and away the best time to plan your stay.
Is Napa busy in the winter?
A Hassle-Free Holiday: Any Napa resident will be the first to inform you that traffic along our two major roads – Highway 29 and Silverado Trail – can be downright inhospitable during the busiest times of the year. During the winter, however, not only will you be able to travel up and down the valley unencumbered, but you’ll also have your choice of the various activities that the Napa Valley offers. Forget to make tasting plans, or prefer a more go-with-the-flow travel style? No worries! Most wineries are happy to accommodate a last-minute reservation – an exceedingly rare occurrence outside of the winter months.
What’s Napa weather like in winter?
Forgiving Winter Weather: Winter weather in Napa Valley, while not especially warm, will certainly offer a reprieve for those traveling from snowbound states and cities. A light rain is usually all you’ll need to contend with, and even then, they usually occur infrequently and are interspersed with sunny days. As far as temperatures go, the average for January (the coldest month) always hovers around 50 degrees Fahrenheit, with highs sometimes reaching the low 60s. Those accustomed to blizzardy winters are sure to have a chuckle when you hear Californians complain about the “freezing” 55-degree weather!
What is there to do in Napa in the winter?
Unique Experiences: Because the winter months are a sort of break in the Napa Valley tourism machine, you can often find all kinds of interesting seasonal events that most visitors never have the chance to experience. We at Grgich Hills Estate are not short on offerings ourselves this winter!
Mustard Season
Though most people visit Napa Valley after the rains have stopped and heat has caused most of the native, lush greenery of the vineyards to dry and die, in the mid to late winter season, you’ll see all sorts of flora thriving in between the vines. The most famous of these plants is, of course, mustard! This popular cover crop (that’s not only great for the soil but also for those Instagram-able vineyard shoots) blooms in excess each year, before the heat causes it to wither.
The whole of Napa celebrates this beautiful time of year with the annual Napa Valley Mustard Celebration, with special events being offered throughout January and March. At Grgich Hills, we’re offering a specialty Croatian wine and food tasting, featuring authentic Croatian fare paired with some of our best wines.
Valentine’s Day Event
Organizing a wine country getaway for the most romantic day of the year? Grgich Hills has you covered this Valentine’s Day, whether your better half is a fan of savory or sweet, red wines or white! From February 9th-14th, you can reserve a romantic Napa Valley tasting for you and your significant other, featuring a special selection of wines paired with either chocolate or cheese and charcuterie. Make your reservation here.
Fireside Tasting
If you’d still like to enjoy the crisp, clean valley air as you sip and enjoy our selection of Napa Valley wines, we’ve got just the cozy tasting option for you. You and your guests will be seated at the plush lounge under our outdoor awning, where a roaring fire pit built into your table will keep you toasty as you savor both the stunning scenery and some delicious wines.
Do note that space at our fireside tasting is extremely limited, so please call in to our reservation desk at (707) 963-2784 to ensure that you’ll be able to enjoy this experience. “