The journey begins as you cross the Napa River and turn onto the iconic Silverado Trail, once a route for silver miners and now the heart of California wine country. Along the way, you’ll visit four unique wineries that capture Napa’s spirit—from bold reds to sparkling wines, from a hilltop gondola ride to the legendary Chateau Montelena, where California Chardonnay made history. Between tastings, stroll through Calistoga’s charming streets and enjoy the scenery of vineyards and oak-dotted hills. With special perks and warm welcomes at each stop, this is the perfect way to experience the best of Napa Valley....

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Slip into the rhythm of Napa Valley as the city fades behind you and the Silverado Trail opens ahead. Follow the scent of summer strawberries and the shimmer of sun on the vines as fifth-generation grower and “tractor pilot” Chris Morisoli guides you through the valley’s secrets — its perfect Mediterranean climate, its rise, fall, and rebirth after Prohibition. Learn how to taste like a local: See, Swirl, Sniff, Sip, and Savor. From oak woodlands to world-class wines, this is where Napa’s story takes root — rich, earthy, and intoxicating in every sense.

At the edge of the Silverado Trail, Clos du Val stands as one of Napa Valley’s founding landmarks — where French heritage met California ambition. Founded in 1972 by John and Henrietta Goelet with Bordeaux winemaker Bernard Portet, it embodies balance: the structure of Bordeaux blended with Napa’s sunlit power. Their Cabernet Sauvignon became legendary after triumphing in the 1986 “Judgment of Paris” rematch, earning global respect for Napa wines. Today, Clos du Val remains elegant and understated — a place to pause, sip, and feel the moment when Napa first stepped onto the world stage.

As we drive north on Napa’s iconic Silverado Trail, every vineyard tells the story of how wine is made in Napa Valley. Fifth-generation grower Chris Morisoli explains the full Napa vineyard cycle — from winter dormancy and precise pruning to spring’s rapid shoot growth and cover crops that enrich the soil. In summer, vines enter veraison, when grapes shift from green to gold or purple, slowly ripening in the valley sun. By early fall, Napa’s grape harvest begins at dawn to preserve flavor and freshness — marking the start of each grape’s journey from vine to winery to world-class Napa wine.

Here's to Yountville — the culinary heart of Napa Valley. Founded in the early 1800s by George C. Yount, Napa’s first Euro-American settler, this charming town was home to the valley’s first wine grapes, planted in 1839. By the 1850s, Yountville thrived with a hotel, blacksmith, and school, serving as a hub for local farmers. Today, it’s world-renowned for fine dining, led by The French Laundry, a global destination for food lovers. Whether sipping wine, exploring boutiques, or enjoying coffee on its walkable streets, Yountville captures the true flavor of Napa Valley.

As you turn left onto Washington Street, you’re entering Yountville, Napa Valley’s jewel of food, wine, and easy living. On the left sits Mad Fritz Tap House, a craft brewery known for its small-batch ales — open Thursday to Sunday. But the true icon awaits ahead: The French Laundry, a three-Michelin-star restaurant by Chef Thomas Keller, famed for its 12-course tasting menu and months-long waitlist. Subtle stone exterior, culinary perfection inside. For a more casual indulgence, stop by Bouchon Bakery, Keller’s beloved patisserie serving croissants, baguettes, and macarons daily. Then continue right onto California Drive — next stop, Domaine Chandon Winery....

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http://www.purelydomesticwinereport.com/worth-noting/2011/7/2/visiting-the-uc-davis-oakville-experimental-vineyard.html In 1884, the U.S. government chose Napa Valley as the site for a home for aging veterans, drawn by its healing air, sunlight, and serenity. That legacy continues today at the California Veterans Home, a striking hillside landmark of white walls and red-tile roofs. Just beyond lies another Napa icon — Domaine Chandon, founded in 1973 by Moët & Chandon. Here, the French méthode champenoise meets California sunshine, creating bright, elegant sparkling wines. Visitors can enjoy terrace tastings, gardens, and Napa views — a perfect pause for history, wine, and reflection before rejoining Highway 29 or visiting the Napa Valley Museum. ...

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As you merge north onto Highway 29, you’re driving through the heart of Napa Valley’s wine legacy, where ambition, rivalry, and terroir shaped an empire. It all started with Robert Mondavi, the visionary who transformed California winemaking — after famously punching his brother Peter during a dispute over their family winery. Robert founded Robert Mondavi Winery, introduced Fumé Blanc, and helped put Napa on the global stage. His partnership with Baron Philippe de Rothschild birthed Opus One, the valley’s first true luxury wine. To your left lies To Kalon Vineyard, “the highest beauty,” and one of Napa’s most prized — and contested — plots of land. Beneath your wheels runs a geological mosaic of volcanic, marine, and alluvial soils that give each appellation its flavor. In Rutherford, that translates to the fabled “Rutherford Dust” — a cocoa-powder texture and fine tannin that define the region’s world-class Cabernet Sauvignon....

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Rolling north through Rutherford, you’re in the heart of Napa’s soul. On your left, Niebaum Lane — home to the Morisoli family vineyard, where fifth-generation grower Chris Morisoli grew up working summers in the vines, staking rows with plastic knives, and trying to keep the famous Rutherford Dust at bay. His family helped shape this tiny town — from the old general store to the volunteer fire department that once answered calls from his great-grandfather’s phone. Keep heading north, and Napa’s golden history unfolds. In 1880, a young Robert Louis Stevenson honeymooned here — broke, sick, and enchanted — capturing it all in Silverado Squatters, where he famously wrote that “wine is bottled poetry.” His words still echo through the hills. Pass through Zinfandel, tap your fingers to the Silverado Pickups’ “Wine Country Cowboy,” and glide into St. Helena — a town of stone walls, vineyard air, and good living....

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As you roll north from St. Helena, the valley starts to breathe again — fewer houses, more vines, and that sense that Napa’s land is meant to stay this way. That’s no accident. In 1968, locals passed the groundbreaking Agricultural Preserve Ordinance, protecting Napa farmland from suburban sprawl forever. As grower Chris Morisoli explains, the law limited development to 40-acre minimums, keeping the valley focused on farming — not housing tracts or strip malls. Even so, the balance keeps shifting. Wealthy newcomers buy wineries like vacation homes, while small family vineyards fight to keep the valley authentic. From Frog’s Leap to Opus One, Napa still has room for everyone — big or boutique, bold or quiet — as long as the grapes come from Napa soil. Past Larkmead Lane, pull over at the Welcome to Napa Valley sign, then look right — those glowing white buildings on the hill? Sterling Vineyards, complete with gondolas and a view that earned its legend....

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As you turn right onto Highway 29, you’re entering Calistoga — one of Napa Valley’s oldest and most character-filled towns. Founded in the 19th century by Samuel Brannan, Calistoga became famous for its natural hot springs and volcanic mud baths. Brannan once drunkenly called it the “Calistoga of Sarafornia,” and the name stuck — along with his dream of creating a resort paradise. Today, Calistoga keeps that relaxed, welcoming vibe with top restaurants like Sam’s Social Club, Solbar, and Lovina, plus world-class spas such as Indian Springs, Dr. Wilkinson’s, and Golden Haven. Turn right onto Lincoln Avenue to cruise through its charming downtown. ...

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As you leave Calistoga, the road leads not just north — but back in time, to one of Napa Valley’s most defining moments. In 1976, British wine merchant Steven Spurrier hosted a blind tasting in Paris, pitting California wines against France’s finest. Everyone expected an easy French victory — until Napa stunned the world. Clos du Val placed among the top reds, while a Chardonnay from Chateau Montelena took first place, forever changing global wine history. As Chris Morisoli explains, that single event — the Judgment of Paris — turned Napa from underdog to icon. The French judges’ disbelief became California’s triumph, proving the valley’s wines could rival Bordeaux and Burgundy. Turn left on Tubbs Lane, and look for Chateau Montelena on your right. Its serene Chinese gardens and still lake remain as timeless as the moment Napa claimed its crown....

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As you leave Chateau Montelena and turn right, you’re nearing the end of your Napa journey — but not the end of the story. On your right sits the Old Faithful Geyser of California, erupting every 90 minutes with two stories of steaming water. For $15, you’ll find picnic areas, a petting zoo, and that untamed Napa spirit that’s been bubbling here for generations. Not ready to head home? Explore the Sharpsteen Museum or Calistoga Depot, hike Robert Louis Stevenson State Park, or wind south along the Silverado Trail through the vineyards you now know by heart. And when you’re ready for more adventure, Wayfarer Audio Tours continues beyond Napa — through Yolo County’s farmland, Modesto’s almond orchards, and Los Angeles’s golden hills. Thanks for riding with us, Wayfarers. Until next time — may your glass stay full, your road open, and your stories worth telling....

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