OK—so maybe not the Santa Barbara County of Sideways, but we’re back in California’s famed Napa and Sonoma wine country, and honestly, it never gets old.
We made a slight detour further south to revisit one of our all-time favorite places: Napa Valley. This time, we focused on exploring more of Sonoma, and chose to base ourselves in the charming town of Calistoga. Most people we know have been to Napa at least once in their lives, but if you haven’t—put down that glass of grocery store Chardonnay and start planning your trip!
Over the years, we’ve noticed that Napa has become a bit less snooty. The old air of wine snobbery has softened—though every now and then, we still find ourselves at a tasting where we feel underdressed, underserved, and overcharged. Fortunately, those moments are fewer and farther between.
A few wineries we highly recommend—whether you’re visiting in person or shopping for bottles at home—include Sonoma-Cutrer, known for consistently excellent whites, especially their Chardonnays, and Orin Swift, famous for bold reds and arguably the best wine labels in the business, each with its own story and stunning design.
In Calistoga, we discovered Summers Vineyards, where we were welcomed by Andy, a super-friendly host who poured us a delicious rosé and made us feel right at home.
Just down the road is the legendary Chateau Montelena, made famous by the film Bottle Shock. More importantly, this winery—alongside Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars—helped put California wines on the global map by winning top honors in the 1976 Paris Tasting, also known as The Judgment of Paris. We toured the original Montelena castle, built in the late 1800s, and learned that it has had only three family owners in over 130 years. Their wines are pricey, yes, but the legacy and quality are undeniable.
Our stay at Calistoga RV Park just happened to land between two big events at the nearby fairgrounds: the Mexican Rodeo and Calistoga Raceway Weekend. Neither was on our travel itinerary, but they made for great people-watching.
In the midst of all the tastings, we managed to sneak in some much-needed self-care—we both got haircuts! It’s funny how the smallest things can feel so luxurious when you’re on the road. A fresh cut, a good pedicure… it’s often the little indulgences that bring the biggest satisfaction.