INSPIRATION TO BOOK A DREAM GETAWAY

Summer lends well to leaving your schedules and structure behind and leaning into sunny days of exploring new places. In these strange times, we may not be able to travel to the French Riviera, but Napa Valley has it all and it's only 75 minutes from San Francisco. It's a perfect time to get to know California like never before. Any day of the week, you can easily get to Napa Valley and find beautiful new places to power off and get back in touch with your wanderlust. Imagine green trees gently blowing in the breeze, hundreds of acres of well-manicured vineyards, wide open spaces for your gaze to rest upon and stunner sunsets. With farm-to-fork nibbles and artisanal wine at your call, my only question is why wouldn't you take a trip to Napa Valley?

While there are many activities in Napa Valley, we are focusing on the most beautiful wineries in the area. Be sure to call the wineries you want to visit and make reservations. The days of spontaneously wandering through wine country and walking in for a wine tasting are on hold. Wineries are only providing outdoor experiences, so be sure to have sunscreen and bug repellent handy. In the summer you will of course want to bring light clothing that breathes, as well as a layer for the cool evenings and mornings. The warmest times of the day are always between noon and six. Along with your mask, you may want to bring a cute hat to shade your face from the late afternoon sun. Staff are as gracious and accommodating as ever. Enthusiastically working under tough conditions, It goes without saying, to treat them well and be grateful to be there. Ready to hear our list of the most beautiful wineries to visit in Napa Valley? Let's go!

Owned by the legendary director, Francis Ford Coppola, Inglenook (Rutherford) is a place you cannot miss. I seriously mean that. Do not go to Napa Valley without experiencing this historical and enchanting winery. Founded in 1886, Inglenook is considered a crown jewel in Napa Valley. You will pass through the elaborate gates, drive down the long, tree-lined driveway and arrive at a sprawling shady courtyard. With ample bistro seating, a glorious fountain and wooden boats to play with, you will discover that there is probably nowhere else on earth better. As you sip on estate wine made to perfection, the Chateau will be watching over you and imparting its worldly wisdom. The winery also has a quaint café (the Bistro), where you can get nibbles, espresso and in the summer the most-lovely lemon granita! Locals and visitors alike, enjoy the surprisingly quiet estate year-round. I hope to see you there soon!

HALL St. Helena is another great place to be outdoors and appreciate the beauty of the landscape, the wine and the art world. Peppered with outstanding art installations throughout the property, you will find much to discuss and ponder, while you sip on a coveted glass of Catherine Hall Cabernet. My favorite place to sit is on the Adirondack chairs, facing the vineyard, by the infinity fountain. There is something so Zen about the juxtaposition of elements. However, with new and innovative outdoor seating, there are many nooks to explore. At Hall St. Helena, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Hall has 20+ wines to choose from and trust me, not one of them will disappoint. Both family and pet friendly, you can stay here all day and never want for more.

Beauty comes in all shapes and forms. For many, beauty elevated is defined by a breathtaking view. I can't recall who said, life isn't about the number of breaths you take, but rather life is about the moments that take your breath away. CADE Estate Winery (Angwin) is a special find. If the levity of the landscape doesn't take your breath away, the wine certainly will! The state-of-the art winery is a perfect blend of architecture that compliments the land. Situated high above the Napa Valley floor, on Howell Mountain, CADE beams with stunning views from every vantage point. What better way to appreciate the Napa Valley than from above? It's no wonder that this magnificent space was transformed in 2005. The dream team (Gavin Newsom, Gordon Getty, John Conover, Juan-Carlos Fernandez) rose above the fog line to create a little (54 acres) slice of heaven, for all who visit to partake. The experience at CADE Estate Winery will stay with you long after you have returned home.

Speaking of views, there is another winery that we must share with you. Located in the Los Carneros region of the Napa Valley, is a gem of a place called Artesa Winery. Recently voted winery with the best view, Artesa sits high atop a 500-acre vineyard and offers a 360 view of the Bay Area. From this perspective, you can easily see how the Napa Valley sits amidst the elements of nature all around. Codornu, Spain's oldest winemaking family, made the acquisition of a lifetime in 1991. Searching for a place to plant new roots, Artesa was born. Since then, the winery has been featured in many Hollywood films and is truly a popular place to visit. Not to diminish the very drinkable wine, the multiple water features, pyramid-like architecture and lush greenery onsite, offer a relaxing shroud from the rest of the world.

Explore the hills above St. Helena and you will no doubt be enchanted by a very special winery called Schramsberg. You may have already heard of Schramsberg, as it's been around since 1965. The infamous Davies Family stumbled upon this run down winery and carefully restored it to its original glory and beyond. Trust us, they spared no detail or expense. I might add that the entire estate is bio-friendly and considers the delicate relationship between nature and man. The minute you begin your ascent up the mountain, you can feel the harmony and joy all around you. Schramsberg is an oasis for everyone who visits. Nestled in a woodland sanctuary, the 155 acre estate may very well hold the golden keys to the wine kingdom. Magical in every way imaginable, the Davies Family and the Schramsberg team have passionately developed stunning grounds and exceptional sparkling wines, as well as still wine. Each bottle is a representation of the hands that created it.

We have all heard the sentiment beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and in the context of beautiful wineries, it couldn't be more accurate. Hopefully after reading through our list of the most beautiful wineries in Napa Valley, you will be inspired to visit a few of them and discover some new places of your own. With 500+ wineries in the Napa Valley, you have a lot of ground to cover! We would love to hear all about your adventures, so please circle back and share your experiences with us. Living in the heart of Napa Valley is a great thing, but there is always more to learn and new places to explore. Happy Summer!