5 Things to Add to Your Napa Valley Bucket List

Kick off the new year with a new experience. Creating a definitive Napa Valley bucket list is no easy feat, thanks to the plethora of options and activities at your fingertips. Wine country is full of incredible hikes, world renowned restaurants, and tons of adventures just waiting for you. Get started by building your Napa Valley itinerary with this bucket list of things to eat, drink, see, and do.

Climb a Mountain

Whether you want to complete your bucket list with just one, or aim to conquer them all, there are three mountains in the Napa Valley with summits that will make you work for them. Visit the highest peak in California wine country with a hike up Mount Saint Helena, walk the redwood-lined trail up Coyote Peak, or take a guided tour up to the small volcanic dome of Duff peak. Our Napa Valley Summit guide will tell you all you need to know for an excellent outing.

If a mountain trek is too intense, we have plenty of Napa Valley hiking guides, no matter your skill level. From easy, no-impact strolls to picturesque waterfall excursions, there’s no excuse not to get outside and up close to the beauty of the valley.

Attend a Grape Stomp

You’ll have to wait until harvest season to get stomping, but a chance to participate in this ancient tradition is not to be missed. Check out our Grape Stomp guide for a what-to-wear checklist and a list of participating wineries, including Grgich Hills Estate (who has been honoring the tradition since the 70s), Peju Province Winery, Schweiger Vineyards, Sterling Vineyards, and more.

Create your own Bottle of Wine

Live out your vintner dreams by attending one of the Napa Valley’s make-your-own-wine classes. The Wine Foundry in Napa is an excellent long term hands-on experience that lets you choose your own grapes and vineyard and follow the growth progress. When your grapes are ripe, visit The Wine Foundry during harvest season to sort, crush, ferment, punch down, and press the fruits of your labor. Work with their experienced winemaking team to create your own unique blend and custom label.

Of course, there are simpler blending classes you can complete in only a few hours. Visit Raymond Vineyards in St. Helena for their ‘Winemaker for a Day’ class to blend your own red wine from the grapes of nearby appellations. Following the blending seminar, take home your bottle of special blend featuring your custom label. Attend a Bottle Blending Session at Judd’s Hill Winery for a day camp. Under the direction of their expert guides, enjoy a personal tasting and blending session. Create your own Bordeaux-style blend using four red varietals. Hand-bottle, label, and seal your bottle to take with you.

Dine at a Michelin-starred Restaurant

There are a total of 35 Michelin-rated restaurants in the Napa Valley, so you don’t have far to look for exquisite dining. Visit Auberge du Soleil, Bouchon, Kenzo, and La Toque - all of which are one-star Michelin rated. For the best of the best, dine at the world-renowned three-star Michelin eateries - The French Laundry and The Restaurant at Meadowood. For more fine dining options nearby, visit our St. Helena Fine Dining guide.

Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride

Get a bird’s-eye view of wine country with a ride in a hot air balloon. Keep an eye on our special offers for our exclusive Up, Up and Away package which includes hotel pick up and drop off, pre-flight breakfast, a fly over the beautiful Napa Valley with a certified FAA pilot, and a post-flight champagne brunch at Domaine Chandon Winery.

Let Wine Country Inn help make your Napa Valley dreams come true. Our boutique hotel delivers comfortable amenities and authentic accommodations set right in the heart of the Napa Valley. Check out our special packages for year-round exclusive offers for an enjoyable stay in wine country.