California Wine Country

Best time to visit California Wine Country

Both Napa and Sonoma experience a Mediterranean climate (less than 2% of the world gets to experience this) so it’s pleasant nearly all the year round. Daytime temperatures average from about 13°C during winter to 25°-30°C in summer although it can get warmer. April, May, and October tend to be milder but it’s still warm.

If you're interested in outdoor activities like hiking or biking, you'll want to visit during the warmer months. If you're interested in wine tasting, you can visit any time of year, but spring and autumn are particularly beautiful. Prices tend to be higher during peak season of summer.

Napa Valley hosts many special events throughout the year, such as the BottleRock Napa Valley music festival and the Harvest Wine Celebration. If you're interested in attending a specific event, you'll need to plan your trip accordingly.

Ultimately, the best time to visit Napa Valley is a matter of personal preference. Consider your priorities and do your research to determine the best time for your trip.

Discover California Wine Country

With more than 480,000 acres of vineyards, California accounts for 90% of the wine produced in America. In fact, its output is so impressive that if California were a country, it would rank as the fourth largest wine producing nation in the world. Each year, the state’s 1,200 wineries - ranging from small boutique wineries to large corporations - produce more than 650 million gallons of good quality table wines with an increasingly large volume of high-quality vintage wines. 

California’s proximity to the ocean and sheltered valleys combine to create the perfect climate for growing grapes and whilst clusters of vineyards flourish throughout the state, when the term “Wine Country” is used, we are generally drawn to the warm and sunny hills of Napa and Sonoma valleys.

The vineyards of Napa and Sonoma are all about the quality rather than quantity, all in all they’re responsible for only 5% of the entire state’s production. But what California’s premier wine region does do, it does well, earning its well-deserved reputation among the world’s elite.

Things to do on holiday in California Wine Country

Napa Valley

Set in the folds of northern California’s rolling hills, Napa Valley is a 35-mile sliver of flat land with a series of small towns cradled by vineyards. Blessed with the perfect environment to cultivate some of the world’s finest grapes, more than 400 wineries scatter the hillsides and valleys, some dating back to the early 19th century. The culinary scene offers a wide variety of unique experiences from a visit to one of the many farmers’ markets and local food festivals to hands-on cooking classes at local wineries and the famed Culinary Institute of America at Greystone.

Balloon Rides

Add the thrill of adventure to your wine country sightseeing with a hot air balloon ride. Flights are available in both Napa and Sonoma. You will be able to get an excellent perspective of the towns, the valleys, the rolling hillshills, and the vineyards; and on a clear day see the Pacific Ocean and even the high-rises of San Francisco.

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Sonoma Valley

The crescent-shaped Sonoma Valley nestles a tapestry of towns, orchards, hills, country roads and more than 6,000 acres of stunning vineyards. Despite its world class reputation, Sonoma still retains a certain old-fashioned charm; life is more laid back and rustic in nature than in cosmopolitan Napa. With a variety of appellations to explore, wine tastings at small, family-owned wineries and gourmet farm and vineyard dinners ready to tempt you, Sonoma Valley guarantees to delight discerning palates and chalk up awards for its dazzling vintages.

Wining and Dining

It’s as important to spend as much time planning your next meal as it is to select your next winery and wine tasting visit. If you like good wine, there’s a good chance that you like good food and both Sonoma and Napa stand as a top food destination. There is a wealth of restaurant options available, offering a variety of cuisines with chef-driven kitchens, Michelin-starred dining and casual bistros that offer serious comfort food at good value.

Napa Valley Wine Train

The Napa Valley Wine Train is one of the most unique dining experiences in the region. You will travel through stunning Napa Valley wine country on-board a restored vintage Pullman rail carriage which recalls the glory days of luxury train travel in the early 1900s. You will be able to relax as you enjoy a freshly prepared, multiple-course gourmet meal while taking in the beautiful surrounding scenery, with winery tour options also available.