If you’re afraid of heights you shouldn’t be in the balloon in the first place! Otherwise, look ahead at the endless panoramic in front of you.

Our pick for the best hot-air balloon company is Balloons Above the Valley. While staying at the hotel,  just walk a few steps to the Napa General Store and let the adventure begin! Note: This adventure will begin at precisely 5:30AM (time of year depending). The wind conditions are normally the calmest and safest in the early morning. You can literally roll right out of your comfy bed and into the main parking lot.

Once you meet your party, you will be transported by van to a designated departure location. Once there, file into groups and choose a basket. Watching the actual balloon fill up is incredible! They may look tiny in the sky, but those balloons are huge. No matter what time of year, I would suggest wearing layers. The mornings here can be chilly year round.  Hats are recommended for anyone that doesn’t like their head getting too warm. The heat from the flame of the balloon can be a little hot. Other than that, enjoy! Most rides last about forty-five minutes to an hour in actual fly time.

Once you land in the picturesque countryside, you will be transported back to the Napa General Store here at the Historic Napa Mill.   From there you will be treated for your bravery with a delicious champagne brunch with the staff and pilots. Bon appétit and enjoy the rest of your morning!

Special values are available through the hotel front desk.  The typical full price rate is around $199-$230 per person. Although, prices can change with the season. Balloons Above the Valley requires a 48-hour cancelation policy.

If you’d like to view some of our balloon packages, visit our main site at www.napariverinn.com.  Also check out www.balloonrides.com for more information or give them a call at 707-253-2222.

 This is by far one of the best transportation companies in the valley. Beau Wine Tours makes it easy. They will meet you in the hotel lobby on the day of your scheduled tour. They can also create a fun-filled itinerary according to your tastes, a few wine words, or simply by saying, “This is my first time in Napa!” Let your experienced driver do the rest. If you are a wine connoisseur, you can simply drop your pre-planned itinerary into your driver’s hands and they will get you on your way.

 You may also be in interested in a group tour. Get to know other visitors while you share a day of wine tasting and friendship. The group tours also leave daily from the hotel and transport you in a limousine. Prices vary, but this option is usually much less costly than renting a private car and most guest’s love hanging out with other like-minded people for the day.  They typcially keep the groups small so it’s still a very imtimate experience. 

 I would suggest wearing layers on your tour as well as closed-toe shoes in case you take a vineyard tour. Remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Your driver will have bottles of water waiting for you in the car (and,  ahem, for those of us who like to get started early, a bottle of sparkling wine!) .

Did you remember to drink plenty of water? Wine-tasting fatigue is a common ailment suffered by Napa Valley visitors. It can occasionally (extremely rare) carry over to the next day in headache form. Don’t say we didn’t warn ‘ya! As you inch closer to lunchtime, those riding the daily tour will be presented with a delicious picnic lunch. It’s best to eat a light lunch while tasting and these guys know how to picnic. You can expect fresh fruit, sandwiches, and a sweet treat to awaken those Gewürztraminer taste buds.

 Just beware that the price you pay for the tour does not include tasting fees. Your driver can instruct you on what to expect given the wineries you will visit. Some tastings are complimentary, while others can range on the higher end at $25.00 or more per person. 

Beau Wine Tours can be reached at 707-938-8001 or on their website at www.beauwinetours.com. The hotel concierge is also always available to make arrangments for you.  They offer private and group tours daily. 

Nestled in beautiful Napa, McKenzie Mueller is a family-owned winery with dogs to boot! You can park once you pass the private house and be sure to head around back towards the tasting room.

Julius Mueller, a third-generation Napan and son of namesake Robert Mueller, offers family tales and wine bits galore! Having grown up around the family winery, Julius could tell you a thing or two about the land, the grapes on the land, and even the history of his family on that land. During our visit, we tried about 12 wines. Be sure to pace yourself-the road is long and delicious! I especially enjoyed the not-too-buttery Chardonnay.

This winery is definitely a must see for anyone that loves the “talking with an old friend” feeling. Or, anyone that wants a new tasting experience without feeling that experience in their pocket book! The tasting fee is $15.00 per person, but they will waive that if you purchase a bottle…or two.

Tastings are available daily and by appointment from 10am to 4pm. Visit www.mckenziemueller.com for more information.

Skyline Wilderness Park is  located about 10 minutes away from the hotel by car. Before you set out, be sure to bring lots of water, as well as sunscreen and snacks.  The terrain can change drastically, so dress accordingly. I went on a morning hike in mid February and was greeted by gorgeous sunny rays. As soon as our hike ventured into shaded territory, the temperatures dropped incredibly. You may consider wearing several layers (Mt. Shasta stlye!) for your hike.  If you’ve ever attempted to climb Mt. Shasta, or attempted and failed like me, hiking in layers may be  second nature to you. After I stop shaking my fist at that mount, I’ll be back with a vengeance!  One of the great things about climing at Skyline is that you can take the same trail many times, but end up in many different locations. Part of the fun is discovering where that side trail actually leads. There are plenty of trail maps at the visitor area, so getting lost won’t be an option. There is a small fee for parking, which helps support trail maintenance and park preservation.

If you head north on highway 29, exit at First Street and look for Westwood Hills on the left. I would recommend this hike for families, or those looking for a nice view without too difficult terrain. The trails are much milder and not as demanding as those at Skyline. Always bring water and snacks, and a light jacket if hiking in the late afternoon.  There are picnic tables at the bottom of the trailhead and the trail is large enough for groups to walk together. Follow the trail up and up until you reach some mildy-steep rocks. Climb over these and keep pulling yourself up the hill. The view is well worth the struggle! From atop the hill, you can see all of downtown Napa. Try and find the hotel while you’re up there.

If you’re headed up valley from the Silverado Trail, stop at Mount St. Helena on your way.  One catch -  there is limited roadside parking. The trail starts in a lush and cool environment as it winds its way up the side of the mountain.  Once it opens up to the fire road, the temperatures can get pretty warm in the summer months.  I was last there in October and the weather was breezy all afternoon.  I would again suggest wearing layers, bringing plenty of water, and snacks. The road winds around and around offering magnificant views from each side. You may be lucky enough to see some gliders catching the high winds. There’s even a rock wall that many climbing enthusiasts attempt each time they visit. If you’re interested, be sure to bring your own rope. This hike lasts about two hours each way…unless you’re sprinting. The top is a great place for a victory picnic!

Now for your reward. If you’d like to celebrate your hiking accomplishment in true Napa style, stop for a mid-afternoon cap nearby each trailhead. In St. Helena, visit Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen for an appetizer, a beer, wine, or maybe just some ice water. Near Westwood Hils there’s a  grocer called Browns Valley Market that’s sure to refill your empty stomach or quench your thirst.  Just a short drive from Skyline Wilderness Park is the Oxbow Public Market. Here you can find food, drinks, gifts, cheese and more to celebrate your return to the living.

January

I had a girlfriend visiting and we thought it would be nice to get away and spend some time – just the two of us.  We knew we only had a few hours to hit the wineries and we wanted to hit a few places off the beaten path.  It was sprinkling but the weather was actually pleasant and not windy or cold.  

11:00 am

Etude  

With a beautiful new tasting room – this winery is a fantastic place to take a group of friends and walk around.  Etude is also  home to one of my favorite pinot’s.    They have a wonderfully friendly tasting room staff and were happy to answer our dozens of questions.  Try their food and wine pairing for an extra treat!  I need to go back and do a full tour…

11:45 am

Rubicon Estate

Formerly the Inglenook Winery and Neibaum Coppola, Rubicon is one of the most beautiful historic wineries in the Napa Valley.  I know I’ve included this one before but this time we skipped the tour and just did the Coppola Tasting.  How did I not know about this before?  You’re ushered into a very posh private area and are assigned to your own table (ask for one of the bench seats).  A server brings you an array of wines to taste and they are paired with  local cheeses and bread.   It was a very relaxing and comfortable way to taste Rubicon’s high end wines.   Before we knew it we’d been there almost two hours and we had to dash off to the next place.  We left with several bottles and it was well worth the $50 tasting fee.

2:00pm

Pina Napa Valley

We  planned to go to lunch but were full from stuffing ourselves with cheese and bread – and we were pushed for time – so we headed to Pina a bit early.  This place is tiny…and by tiny I mean the bar you taste at can only fit about 3 people. It’s a small, locally owned and operated winery that features some of my favorite red wines.  The tasting room is in the middle of their actual operations inside the winery.  Their family history is truly amazing and they have been here since the mid 1800′s.   If you want to see what it’s really like behind closed doors – head here.  An unexpected surprise was their delightful Chardonnay that I didn’t even know they offered!  Pina is so small that it’s by appointment only, but they are really accomodating if you just call a few minutes ahead and they aren’t too busy. 

3:00

Frogs Leap

Our last stop of the day was at Frog’s Leap.  Their patio is available year round and it overlooks their garden and vineyards.   A spectacular view, it’s a great stop to sit ouside with a good  friend and relax.  Their staff is friendly but unobtrusive – only interrupting for some friendly chatting or to bring your next taste of wine.  They were also very flexible with our requests to switch out certain wines on our tasting list to others they had open.  It was a perfect ending to our day.  Tasting fees are $20 per person. 

A quick day – but still a perfect one in the Napa Valley.