Should you visit Napa in winter? If you want smaller crowds, better deals, and some of the coziest scenery you’ll find in all of Northern California, then YES!
The months between mid-fall and early spring—when the grapes have been harvested, the temperatures have dropped, and new vintages are aging in cellars throughout the valley—are known as Cabernet Season here in wine country, and they are a truly magical time to explore this region.
Downtown Napa in the winter is especially enchanting: the crowds thin out, the pace of life slows down, twinkling white lights decorate tasting rooms and shop windows, and fires roar in the hearth of every restaurant and hotel lobby.
I’ve visited California’s wine country in every season, and while I love sipping chilled rosés on a warm summer afternoon, there’s perhaps something even more special about slipping on my coziest cashmere sweater and enjoying hearty red wines by a crackling fire.
To put it simply: Downtown Napa in winter is an absolute dream. If I haven’t convinced you yet, here are five reasons I recommend visiting this iconic wine destination during the heart of Cabernet Season.
It’s Ridiculously Cozy
Napa in winter is the ultimate definition of “cozy.” Winters here tend to very mild, albeit somewhat dreary; think 40-60 degrees Fahrenheit, cloudy skies, and drizzly rain.
Now, picture that weather outside, while you’re inside a tasting room, sidled up to a gorgeous bar and sipping a big glass of Cabernet Sauvignon.
All of the tasting rooms in Downtown Napa that we visited were incredibly inviting and intimate; the type of place I could easily spend all day cozied up inside while the winter rain drenches the streets outside.
And it’s not just the tasting rooms that exude warmth and comfort; Downtown Napa’s bars and restaurants were exceptionally cozy as well. I recommend Ristorante Allegria for its welcoming and homey ambience.
After drinking, dining and shopping to your heart’s delight, end the day with a soak in the jacuzzi or with a final glass of wine by the fireplace at a your hotel. Voila, you’ve just had the perfect winter day in Napa!
Romance Is Easy to Come By
On that note: where there’s coziness, there’s usually romance too.
Fine wine, elegant tasting rooms, hearty food, enchanting local shops, historic architecture, charming hotels—yes, Downtown Napa in winter certainly ticks all the “romance” boxes for me!
Derek and I spent our weekend here sipping award-winning wines, nibbling on high quality chocolate and pasta dishes, and generally enjoying life’s little luxuries and one another’s company.
Sophisticated, yet low-key; my ideal romantic getaway.
Our stay at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Napa Valley upped the romance factor, too. When we checked in, we were greeted with a crackling fire in the lobby and a complimentary bottle of local Napa wine waiting in our suite.
You Don’t Need Tasting Reservations
One of the best reasons to visit Napa in winter is that the crowds are much smaller than they are in summer. Not only does this mean you won’t be bumping shoulders with people in the streets, but it also means you’ll have an easier time getting seated for wine tastings without a reservation.
We didn’t make reservations or call ahead at any of the three tasting rooms we visited, and were able to be seated right away at all of them. Not only that, but most of the time, we actually had the entire tasting rooms to ourselves!
This allowed us to spend a lot of one-on-one time with the wine professionals we met. We were able to have some really in-depth conversations about wine culture and history, and had the opportunity to ask dozens of questions during each wine tasting.
We spent nearly two hours chatting with Ben at Alpha Omega Collective, learning about their wines. This was a much more intimate and personalized experience than we’ve ever had at the busy vineyards up in the valley, especially during peak season.
It was almost like having our own private tasting, but at standard tasting room prices. Such a steal!
It’s Easier to Get Seated in Restaurants
Similarly, we didn’t need to make reservations at any of the restaurants we visited. After a long day of wine tasting, waiting an hour for a table while my empty stomach is rumbling and grumbling is not my idea of fun. Fortunately, that’s highly unlikely to be a problem when visiting Napa in winter.
Granted, Downtown Napa does have an abundance of excellent eateries, which likely helps to spread out the crowds no matter when you’re visiting. Still, we dined at some of the city’s most popular restaurants, and were always seated immediately—not a guarantee in a foodie city like Napa.
It’s More Affordable
From the celebrity chef-owned restaurants and award-winning tasting rooms to the boutique shops and gorgeous hotels, Napa has certainly earned its reputation as a luxury travel destination. That said, there are a few tricks to having a more affordable experience, and visiting Napa in winter is one of them.
Like many destinations, the hotel prices in Downtown Napa drop during low tourism season. Over the course of a short weekend stay, you could save hundreds compared to visiting during peak season.
This wasn’t my first time visiting California’s wine country during Cabernet Season, but it was my first time staying in Downtown Napa in winter. Between the festive Christmas decorations, cozy ambience and complete lack of crowds, it’s a destination I would love to revisit every winter.
Thank you to Downtown Napa and Embassy Suites by Hilton Napa Valley for hosting my stay! As always, all opinions are 100% my own.
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Have you ever visited Downtown Napa? Would you like to visit Napa in winter, or do you think you’d prefer to stick to peak season?
This sounds like the perfect time to go, to me. Also, I saved that Italian restaurant on my Google maps when you shared the location on Insta…it looks so good that I’ll definitely check it out if we ever make it out there!
Emily recently posted…The Past Decade
Oh it’s SO good, definitely worth a visit if you ever visit Napa!