A Romantic Itinerary in Napa Valley

Day 1

This itinerary starts at the northern end of the valley, in Calistoga, and works its way south, to the City of Napa. Calistoga has a number of boutique hotels designed with romance in mind, including downtown’s brand-new, luxurious Brannan Lofts.

This five-room hotel offers spacious lofts with plush furnishings and a serene color palette promoting 24/7 rest and relaxation – the perfect retreat where couples can detox the hard work week, taste the good life, and repeat.

If you prefer the intimacy of an elegant B&B, the 5-bedroom Chateau de Vie, also in Calistoga, is a good choice. The inn sits amid formal gardens planted with lavender and roses and two acres of vineyards planted with Bordeaux grapes; rooms come with Egyptian cotton linens and l'Occitaine products. Each morning, you can start the day with a fresh, seasonal breakfast, perhaps after a swim in the 40-foot lap pool or a soak in the hot tub.

Before you make the journey to Napa, you will have hopefully picked out a class at the Culinary Institute of America's Greystone campus that you want to attend. While the institute has trained some of America's leading chefs and offers degree and certificate programs, the one-day classes some of which are only several hours long cover topics like wine pairings and California cheeses. It's a good introduction to your Napa Valley experience, and can be an opportunity to figure out with your partner what wines you like best. You can then focus your winery visits in the days ahead.

In this part of the world, one of the most often repeated quotes from author Robert Louis Stevenson (who spent his honeymoon in 1880 in the Napa Valley) is, "Wine is bottled poetry." At the Schramsberg Vineyards, the poetry has some bubbles in it, as Schramsberg specializes in sparkling wines. The tours (by appointment only) include the romantic wine caves, lined with oak barrels.

Dine tonight at Solbar at Solage Calistoga, a Michelin-recommended restaurant that is more festive than stuffy. The menu focuses on contemporary California fare using local produce. Tip: Request one of the especially enticing poolside tables.

Day 2

With its legendary hot springs, Calistoga has been a spa destination since the 19th century. Travelers continue to come here drawn both by the mineral waters, as well as the volcanic ash used in the area's famous mud baths. There are a number of spas to choose from. For couples, Indian Springs Calistoga is a good choice—it was a favorite of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, as well as other Hollywood duos. Call ahead to reserve one of the outdoor treatment rooms. Have lunch at Sam's Social Club which serves salads, flatbread pizzas, and spa-inspired cuisine.

A walk around downtown Calistoga can feel like a step back in time, with its late 19th- and early 20th-century gingerbread cottages and other historic buildings. The main street, Lincoln Avenue, is lined with tasting rooms, galleries, and cafés.

If you want to step even further back in time, the romantic Castello di Amorosa, just outside town, is a castle inspired by 13th-century Tuscan ones that has somehow ended up in Northern California. Explore the 100-plus rooms and take in the views from the castle walls before sampling the Italian varietals grown at the winery.

Day 3

Spend this morning exploring some of the wineries in the Rutherford area, known for producing wines that have distinct fruit and herb flavors, said to be the result of the so-called "Rutherford dust" found in this former riverbed. Inglenook is among the valley's oldest wineries and it is definitely one of its most picturesque ones. Director Francis Ford Coppola bought Inglenook in 1975, and he has meticulously restored the property's 19th-century chateau and its formal gardens. (Advance reservations for tastings are strongly recommended.)

After your visit, enjoy a long leisurely lunch at one of Napa's Michelin-starred restaurants. The Restaurant at Auberge, on Rutherford Hill Road practically next door to the winery, overlooks the valley below. Tasting menus showcase the Mediterranean cooking of Executive Chef Robert Curry whose dishes are perhaps the only thing that could compete with the view from the deck.

Then head to St. Helena for a sunset dinner and stroll. First, enjoy an enchanting, coursed menu at Violetto at Alila Napa Valley.  Nestled among old vines and fertile land, ripening grapes, and dusky evening skies, Violetto pays homage to the history of the Napa Valley and the Italian-French influence on the region’s viniculture and cuisine.  

Next, explore the luxurious shops along St. Helena’s Historic Main Street Shopping District to take home a little piece of Napa Valley. After all, you’re going to want to remember this trip forever. 

Day 4

Spend some time exploring the City of Napa on foot, with its art galleries—as well as installations of public art, art studios, and downtown shops which also offer a unique selection of the valley’s best fashion, home decor, and gifts. Head to First Street Napa in Downtown Napa to stroll by eye-catching art, peruse the trendy and innovative boutiques, and while you’re at it, pop into one of the tasting rooms or restaurants to satisfy your palate!  

Don’t miss a stop at the Napa Valley Welcome Center Mercantile, where you can choose from a beautiful array of locally-crafted artisan gifts. 

After a heady day, retreat to Calistoga and spend a day at the spa, where you might soak in one of four outdoor soothing mineral pools at Calistoga Spa Hot Springs or enjoy a detoxifying treatment at Spa Solage (and don't forget to check out the Boutique for some soothing bath and luxury skin care products). Afterwards, enjoy a glass of wine and relax at Solbar's cozy fire pit.