Maybe you've heard, Napa Valley has gotten expensive, really expensive if you aren't careful with your bookings. It is the most expensive wine region in the country to visit. Here are some ideas on how to keep things in check for those of us that aren't part of the one percent. This piece inspired by a Northbay Business Journal article on Napa's "approachable luxury." Yeah, I love that term, too.
High-season
Summer, of course, is quite busy so lodging is going to be higher priced. The real high-season, though, is during the grape harvest, running from about late-August into early-October. Remember that the prices are higher because there are more people, so you've got big crowds, especially on weekends, to go along with high prices. Low-season is considered November through March. I consider the sweet spot for Napa travel to be early November and March.
Lodging
Not every room is $400-up as there are your basic motels at what I'd call semi-normal California prices. If you avoid the cutesy towns of Yountville and St. Helena you will save on lodging and eating. Some people stay to the south in American Canyon or even Fairfield and drive into Napa Valley or stay upvalley in Calistoga.
Wine Tasting
You will want reservations for tastings almost everywhere. There are wineries that on certain days of the week and certain times of the year where it won't be a problem if you just drop in. I'd suggest one late morning tasting reservation, allow plenty of time for lunch, then an afternoon tasting. If you feel you still can stop at one more, then look for somewhere to drop in. Just be ready to get turned away if they are full or near closing.
Tasting fees are definitely more expensive than just a couple of years ago. The average fee is something like $58! This means there are lots of places under $58. You can also ask to share a tasting. A few wineries offer 2-for-1 coupons -- check online and at check-in at your hotel. There are options like the Priority Wine Pass that gives deals at some wineries.
Many won't charge you for tasting if you buy a certain amount of wine, often something like "buy two bottles, get a tasting fee waived." This is incentive to not only look for tasting fees you are comfortable paying, but look for wineries where you can afford to buy a few bottles of wine instead of paying a tasting fee.
Eating Out
There are plenty of trendy high-priced, maybe Michelin-starred restaurants, and there are many reasonably prices ones, too. Look into where the locals go. They know what's good without paying $300 for dinner.
Visiting on a Budget
For lodging, look at motels in American Canyon. Just be aware the roads into Napa Valley from the south, Highways 29, 12, and 121, are known as Bottleneck Junction for a reason. For eating, look at Mexican, burger, and BBQ restaurants. Downtown Napa has quite a few tasting rooms, many are reasonably priced, and it's quite convenient. Upvalley, near St. Helena and Calistoga, look into Bennett Lane, Nichelini, Rombauer, the Tank Garage, and Tedeschi. There are others with reasonable prices, you just have to look around. Napa's classic cheap eats are at Gott's Roadside and Buster's BBQ. For a reasonable sit-down meal, the classics are Rutherford Grill and Tra Vigne.
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| If you don't need a fancy experience, you don't have to pay fancy prices image from NapaWineProject.com |
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