Thirty miles north of the city of Napa sits St. Helena, where Wine Country small-town charm is on full display. Highway 29 on this stretch becomes Main Street. You’ll find your car flanked on both sides by shops, restaurants, bakeries and markets — oh, and a couple of places to taste wine, too.
If you’re planning to visit lots of wineries on this side of Napa Valley — in Calistoga, Howell and Spring mountains and more — you might opt to stay in St. Helena and carve off the extra half-hour of driving to downtown Napa. What’s more, St. Helena claims some of Wine Country’s best restaurants, like Press Napa Valley, Charter Oak, Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch, Meadowood and Napa Valley’s signature burger joint, Gott’s Roadside.
1. Long Meadow Ranch
It’s worth stopping at Long Meadow Ranch to have lunch at its excellent restaurant, Farmstead, but also to taste their excellent wines, especially the Sauvignon Blanc.
2. Young Inglewood Vineyards
Roam through the organic gardens at this small, family-run winery that requires advance reservations.
3. Corison Winery
The by-appointment-only wine tasting experience is a quiet spot off the bustle of Highway 29. Winemaker Cathy Corison is known for making some of the most restrained, elegant Cabernet Sauvignons in the valley.
4. Heitz Wine Cellars
If you’re doing a walk-in tasting, expect approachable offerings like Napa Cabernet Sauvignon and Ink Grade Vineyard Zinfandel.
5. Merryvale Vineyards
Make Merryvale a last-minute stop if you have time. It’s right off Highway 29, and you can walk in until 5:30 p.m., later than most wineries.
6. Ladera Vineyards
This tasting room has been open to the public by appointment since late 2017. The general tasting includes an outdoor tasting of four wines with an option to add a cheese plate for an extra fee.