Attractions

If it seems like everything from produce to politics has “gone green” recently, it’s probably because it has. Thanks to a heightened awareness of human impact on the environment, more and more people have turned to sustainable practices that use the earth’s resources more efficiently. Napa is no exception.

Most visitors to Napa come to the region expecting to see the quintessentially beautiful wineries for which the valley is famous. But amid the ubiquitous vineyards and sprawling wine estates, the region is also home to lush castles, elegant palaces, and genuine chateaus exotic enough to make even the most routine visit to Napa Valley feel like a visit to another place and time.

While some of the finest wineries in Napa were designed and built by famous architects in honor of the region’s rich history, Napa Valley is also home to properties with cutting edge architecture. Wineries like Opus One, Quintessa, and CADE aren’t just innovating the winemaking process – they are also revolutionizing the ubiquitous wine estate image through their unique architecture. Part 3 in a series of 4 articles.

Napa Valley isn’t just for wine connoisseurs. Yes, the region produces some of the world’s finest wines, yet it is also full of architectural gems built by notable architects – modern masterpieces that feature cutting edge innovation, and classic icons that honor the valley’s history. Part 2 in a series of 4 articles.

A trip to Napa Valley in July is a feast for the senses. You can savor the taste of a great Cabernet, revel in the feeling of the warm sun on your face, and even marvel at the sight of some of the world’s most spectacular winery architecture. From cutting edge modern structures to bona fide castles, Napa Valley is full of wineries with architecture as rich and diverse as the wines they produce. Part 1 in a series of 4 articles.

Castello di Amorosa is one of Napa’s top tourist attractions, transporting visitors to another land and time. The castle is also the setting for several Festival del Sole concerts every summer.

Historic Ehlers Estate, built by Bernard Ehlers, sits on a small knoll in the middle of 40 acres of Biodynamically farmed vines. The property was once part of Dr. Edward Turner Bale’s giant holdings; historic Bale Mill, where farmers milled their grain, still stands nearby. Wine grapes have been growing on this rocky, loamy, northern St. Helena bench land since the mid-1800s.

Nestled within some of your favorite wineries is a tradition that’s being excavated from centuries past: wine caves. Nearly 100 Napa wineries have built caves in recent decades, meaning there’s no place better than Napa Valley to go spelunking for fine vintages. Here are a few of the larger and more unusual offerings.

It’s hard to think of anything better than spending an afternoon wine tasting in Napa Valley. Thanks to its renowned wineries and vineyards, Napa has earned a reputation as one of the world’s top viticulture areas. But look beyond the grapes that made the region famous and you’ll find that Napa offers other attractions too fabulous to be overlooked.

Napa Valley is home to several luxury resorts whose elegance and privacy attract discerning guests, including work-weary celebrities and VIPs. At Calistoga Ranch that privacy is ensured by the resort’s location at the end of an obscure road through a narrow canyon in the valley's eastern hills.

Napa is known for its breathtaking natural beauty, cultural gems, and world-class restaurants and wineries. Yet the region’s history also teems with trivia – interesting facts, places and personalities known to few, but which have immeasurably shaped the valley.