Looking for a fun-filled girls weekend destination? Look no further than the Napa Valley. With some of the country’s best food and wine available, it is the perfect mommy getaway location!
View from the backyard of our VRBO rental in St. Helena.
A couple of weeks ago, several friends and I, most of whom are mothers, pushed that mom guilt to the side and did something 100% for ourselves. We went on a mommy getaway.
It was glorious, it was perfection… No cooking for anyone, no cleaning up after anyone, and drinking wine from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm if desired. 😉
Now, before you start thinking that we drink too much, I have to tell you where we were… California’s Wine Country, Napa Valley.
For years my girlfriends and I have talked about planning a trip to Napa, and this year we made it happen. 6 of us set aside our husbands, work, and children. We took 5 days to spend with friends, food, and wine.
Keep reading to find my suggestions for must-do wineries and restaurants when visiting Napa Valley. It is the perfect mommy getaway.
So sit back, grab your favorite glass of wine, and enjoy a stroll through Napa…
Napa Valley Lodging
Find lodging for a large group in Napa is a bit challenging, most are meant for couples. We found a VRBO property in St. Helena which we fell in love with.
Our home away from home was surrounded by a vineyard with both older vines and newer vines, and it was beautiful.
Harvest Time In Napa Valley
September and October is harvest time in Napa, but our trip dates had us missing harvest by a couple weeks.
To our delight, the temperatures rose to 110 degrees during the days and dropped into the 60’s at night. This meant the grapes had to be harvested early! The high temperatures would force the grapes to start losing their liquid/sugars, hence, turning to raisins.
Grape Harvest Methods
Different wineries harvest grapes in different ways. Some hand pick the grapes, while others use machinery to pick the grapes. Grapes are harvested when the temperatures are cooler, pickers use lighting in the fields at nighttime to get some of this work done.
We got to experience grapes being harvested right in our front yard. Check out the video I took:
Get A Tour Guide
My biggest recommendation when visiting Napa is to find a qualified tour guide. The good ones will plan your day, drive you, and provide education on both the wine industry and wine tasting.
We toured boutique wineries with Bruce at Wine Country Safari. If you want to learn about wine and visit some of the best gems in Napa, call Bruce! It was my second tour with him, and I have learned so much.
5 Must-Visit Boutique Wineries In Napa
Frank Family Vineyards
While sitting on Frank Family Vineyards amazingly beautiful patio, we learned about sparkling wine and how to properly taste wine.
Wine Tasting Tip: Make sure you don’t tuck your tongue behind your teeth when tasting wine.
The tip of your tongue picks of the fruit flavors of the wine. It’s a habit many of us have. Do a test taste while tucking your tongue and then while not. The flavor difference is sure to surprise you!
Bremer Family Winery
Grape Tip: Grapes grown on Howell Mountain are some of the highest-priced grapes in the area. This is because the soil is so nutrient DEPLETED.
Yes, depleted. These hills are covered in volcanic ash. Winegrowers want to deprive the grapevines so all the energy is put into growing the grapes, not the vines.
Taplin Cellars
The view from inside the tasting room. A glass-enclosed room set in the middle of the vineyard, with spectacular wine. And a dog named Rodger 🙂
The owner was kind enough to do our tasting, gave us a tour of the vineyard, and told us the winery’s story.
The Taplin property started as a family farm. Check out how the farm equipment and tree grew together.
The family sadly lost their sister to breast cancer. All proceeds from Melinda’s Rose’ are donated to Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation. Melinda designed the label, named the wine, and helped develop this amazing Rose’. I highly recommend you check it out!
V Madrone
At 134 years old, V Madrone knows how to make great wine.
This winery recently changed hands and we got to learn the storied history of this wonderful winery. I visited V Madrone on my last visit to Napa. Since then, the house has been renovated and it was really neat to get inside.
If you are a chardonnay fan, check this one out. The other wines are amazing as well, but this a stand out.
Delgadillo Cellars
How many barrels are produced from each vintage at Delgadillo Cellars? 10. Just 10.
Because their storage facility that was just around the corner from us, we got a special tasting there. We loved the atmosphere, it was certainly memorable. Delgadillo Cellars has 2 wines. Yes, just 2. And the second was even better than the first.
We filled the next 2 days with food and more wine tastings but at larger wineries. While we had a blast tasting at those too, they are not the same experience as the small, private tastings.
Other Recommended Wineries To Visit In Napa Valley
Del Dotto
Make a reservation here to do the cave tour and barrel tasting. It’s a really unique experience and is really beautiful.
T- Vine
Make an appointment for the wine and cheese-paring. T-Vine has a small winery vibe, you’ll really enjoy the experience. And make sure they have grandma’s candy pecans on the cheese tray. Amazing!
Castello de Amorosa
When in Napa you have to visit it’s only castle right? Do the tour and tasting, it’s really fun to see how they build a medieval castle in modern times.
While on tour, we got to see winemaking in progress. Check out the video!
Sterling
Book a reservation and take the areal tram up the mountain – the winery is at the top.
Rombauer
Climbing the mountain to reach Rombauer is certainly worth it. The views are spectacular and their wines are equally as good.
Napa Valley Olive Oil MFG
When in Napa you MUST stop at Napa Valley Olive Oil MFG. Their olive oil is top-notch and their pricing is cheap. It is a hidden gem located in the middle of a neighborhood. They now have a website up and running as of last week! Go check it out!
Create Kids Club made the business card wall at Napa Valley Olive Oil! 🙂
Gotts Roadside
If you read about recommend places to eat while in Napa, Gott’s makes all the lists. It is a fantastic burger, great garlic fries, and the atmosphere is not to bad either!
Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen
Eat at Cindy’s Backstreet and order the chicken. It’s been on the menu for the past 23 years. 23 years can’t lie.
Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch
You have to check out Farmstead. Great food, even better atmosphere. There is a large outdoor bar area with great seating, and the decor inside is so fun.
Graystone at the Culinary Institute of America
At the Graystone, students prepare the food, wait tables, and serve food. It is outstanding, I especially loved the food and wine pairings with a meal.
The restaurant moved about a year ago to a location just down from the school. With enrollment growing, the room was needed to expand.
Featured below is cold roasted corn soup. It was amazing – I will be trying to recreate this one soon.
Everyone needs a break from time to time, I hope you take some me-time, gather the girls, and plan a trip out to wine country soon!
Tara Pittman says
Girl trips are the best! I have one scheduled next month to see my sisters
Create Kids Club says
They sure are, Tara! Enjoy your time with your sisters! 🙂
Shannon Gurnee says
This looks and sounds like it was an amazing trip! I love wine tasting! Love the looks of those grapes!
Create Kids Club says
Aren’t they beautiful, Shannon? It as fun seeing how they are grown!
Betsy says
I actually have a getaway planned with my girls for next week (although I don’t think we’ll be drinking any wine!). It looks like you had a blast… thanks for the reminder that we need to take a little time to ourselves every now and then!
Create Kids Club says
Enjoy your getaway Betsy! I always feel like a better mom when I come back refreshed and ready to start “momming” again! 😉
Ave says
Wow! Looks like you and your friends had an amazing mommy getaway! We all need some time off and what a better way to do it than with wine, good friends, and amazing views.
Create Kids Club says
I agree, Ave! Living in the midwest, it is beautiful, but in an entirely different way. It was great soaking up the sights!
Ashley Grant says
Hubby and I went on a cross country road trip last year, and we only had time to stop at one winery in Napa – the Charles Krug winery. I’d love to go back to Napa some day soon and check out all the ones you mention in this post!
Create Kids Club says
How fun, Ashley! Someday I want to do a cross country road trip – it’s on the bucket list! 🙂
Adaleta says
Talk about an amazing time! That is so awesome that you enjoyed yourself and got to spend 5 days trying wines and having amazing girl time!
Create Kids Club says
I am always amazed at how rejuvenating it is spending time with friends 🙂
Cecilia says
Wow, what a great place to visit. Love the photos and the harvest film! This is a place I hope I soon get a chance to visit!
Create Kids Club says
I hope you plan a trip, Cecilia! It is one of my favorite places 🙂
Nina says
I can’t help melting for these pictures, the Napa valey was so much beautiful. I have wished to travel to a grape farm like this for several times, but still waiting chance…. Your trip encourage me so much to try to manage a journey to Napa.
Thanks for your sharing!
Create Kids Club says
You would love it, Nina! The rolling hills covered in vines is the most beautiful sight!
anne@Craving Something Healthy says
OMG I’m SO jealous! My friends have been wanting to do a trip like this, and now I’m really motivated to start planning it! Thanks for sharing all of this info and great photos 🙂
Create Kids Club says
Anne my advise is to get planning! It took us about 10 years to actually decide to go ahead and book- I wish we wouldn’t have waited so long. Our husbands all finally told us to just go! So we did. 🙂
Francis Angelito says
That was such an exciting adventure. I am sure you learned a lot from your experiences. That was a great way to spend some time off from motherly duties.
Create Kids Club says
Thanks Francis, I did learn a lot and it sure is not to take that time away sometimes!
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says
OMG Jodi, it’s like you read my mind. I have been talking to my mom friends about doing this next year, and now we have a great resource for planning our trip! Love the shot of you hiding the wine stained teeth. Ha ha.
Delaine says
Looks like a beautiful place to visit. Thanks for sharing
Create Kids Club says
It sure is beautiful. Glad you enjoyed 🙂
Jenna @ Make Healthy Easy says
T-Vine is one of my very favorite wineries. This post makes me so nostalgic to go back to Napa. Glad you had such a fun weekend.
Create Kids Club says
We were so happy we took the recommendation and headed there. Beautiful tasting room, and even better wine! 🙂
Katie says
You hit some of my favorite Napa spots…and gave me some fun new ideas. I need a girls’ getaway!
Create Kids Club says
I would highly recommend, if you haven’t been already, hitting Taplin and the patio at Franks Family. I wish I could have spent more time at each! Hope you get to plan a girls getaway soon! 🙂
Charles says
Hi lad, I am quite enjoying writings on your site. They are made cleanly, easy to digest and understand, despite English being my third language. Cheers.