Travel
The Finest Inns, Tasting Rooms, Wineries, and Meals Outlets to Go to in Wine Nation Now
The Finest Inns, Tasting Rooms, Wineries, and Meals Outlets to Go to in Wine Nation Now
Whether or not you’re planning a visit to Napa, Sonoma, or the Central Coast, listed below are the highest spots in wine nation to place in your itinerary. (Don Riddle)
Wine nation journey all the time indexes large within the Sunset Annual Travel Awards, and in 2023 it was a banner yr for resorts, eating places, and tasting experiences in our favourite vinous California locations.
From sprawling luxurious resorts to your non-public manor, right here’s the place to e-book a room among the many vines.
1 of 8 (Courtesy of Meadowood Napa Valley)
Meadowood Napa Valley
This iconic, unique resort of cottages nestled in wine country has actually risen from the ashes after the restaurant and different elements of the property have been destroyed by the Glass Hearth in 2020. And it’s higher than ever, with Howard Backen–designed restaurant Discussion board (pictured above), expanded wellness and tennis packages, and revived Wine Heart.
2 of 8 (Courtesy of Lodge Ynez)
Lodge Ynez
3 of 8 (The Genevieve)
The Genevieve
Elegant and polished but unstuffy, this Victorian-style boutique inn in Santa Ynez has an extremely spectacular whiskey library for these searching for a break from vino. The keep is first-class from the beginning, with Champagne at check-in, a sweet station for noshing, and a connoisseur restaurant with top-notch brekkie to gasoline you for a day of tasting.
4 of 8 (Thomas J. Story)
Stanly Ranch
Napa Valley’s newest luxe retreat improves upon the wine nation resort with fashionable cabins surrounded by vines, a number of swimming pools, a Scandi-meets-California-cuisine restaurant with a top-shelf bar, and an on-site vegetable backyard. Add bespoke native outings and this property encapsulates all that we love about wine country.
5 of 8 (Dina Dwyer)
Francis Home
Think about you had a personal manor within the Napa Valley and also you’re near envisioning what Francis House in Calistoga is all about. This seven-room resort presents luxurious lodging for vacationers searching for a communal expertise with every day shared meals, an on-site spa, and expansive grounds permitting for a serene, right-sized respite.
6 of 8 (Don Riddle)
4 Seasons Resort and Residences
Situated on a working winery close to Calistoga, the Four Seasons is a refined expertise due to its suites, villas, and personal residences that increase the bar on rustic luxurious. And don’t overlook the a number of eating places, swimming pools, and holistic spa therapies—this wine nation retreat simply will get extra refined.
7 of 8 (David Tsay)
The Landsby
In Solvang, a city recognized for its throwback Danish heritage, Scandinavian modernism is alive and nicely at this boutique hotel. All of the rooms are nicely appointed, however attempt to e-book a collection with a patio on the restaurant courtyard for a stunning indoor-outdoor expertise.
8 of 8 (Courtesy Skyview Los Alamos)
Skyview Los Alamos
With views of the vineyards of the Santa Ynez Valley and the foodie city of Los Alamos, this revived hilltop motel presents non-public patios, a pool, and a restaurant that includes native produce and wines and craft cocktails. It’s the proper stability of a cool mid-century fashionable aesthetic and nation appeal.
These consuming institutions, bakeries, wineries, and extra show that Western wine nation is much more of a scrumptious vacation spot than ever earlier than.
1 of 12 (Thomas J. Story)
Bar Le Côte
With trendy design and a menu that marries the produce and seafood of the Central Coast, this is the coolest new restaurant to open in Los Olivos. The entire fish is a must-order, and the wine record all the time contains gems from wineries within the surrounding Santa Ynez Valley.
2 of 12 (Rob Stark)
Hitching Publish 2
Followers of Sideways will acknowledge this famed Pinot purveyor, which serves up a number of the greatest Santa Maria–fashion barbecue within the area. Seize a glass of Cork Dancer, a complete grilled artichoke, and a minimize of the valley’s most interesting beef and benefit from the view.
3 of 12 (Courtesy of the Auberge Resorts Assortment)
Inn at Mattei’s Tavern
A newcomer to Los Olivos, this upscale inn can be residence to a number of the Santa Ynez Valley’s most pleasant eating experiences (all housed in a transformed 1886 stagecoach cease): wood-fired meat and produce on the Tavern, traditional cocktails on the cozy Bar, and craft espresso at Felix Feed & Espresso.
4 of 12 (Emma Ok. Morris)
Quail & Condor Bakery
Run by Michelin-pedigreed cooks Melissa Yanc and Sean McGaughey, this thrilling bakery serves items constituted of naturally leavened dough, croissants, and distinctive desserts crafted from Northern California’s most interesting produce, dairy, and sport.
5 of 12 (Emma Ok. Morris)
Troubadour Bread and Bistro
Simply up the road from its sister bakery Quail & Condor is that this one-stop culinary shop. You’ll discover espresso and contemporary baked bread within the morning, Francophile sandwiches for lunch, and a prix-fixe French bistro at evening at this unassuming boulangerie. Don’t miss out on the peerlessly accomplished canelés, which can whisk you proper again to France.
6 of 12 (Ali Beck)
Bob’s Effectively Bread
A hub of the Santa Ynez Valley, Bob’s bakes up the valley’s greatest boules every morning for its two indoor-outdoor cafés serving the realm—the unique in Los Alamos and a second in Ballard.
7 of 12 (Courtesy of Marin French Cheese)
Marin French Cheese Co.
The country’s oldest cheese company produces distinctive cheese however can be a group hub and vacation spot in and of itself, with a property residence to myriad cattle, a vegetable backyard, an elementary faculty, and a hearth station.
8 of 12 (Courtesy of Atlas Imagery)
Alma Rosa Vineyard
Based in 2005 by California business pioneer Richard Sanford, the primary vintner to plant Pinot Noir within the area, Alma Rosa is now recognized not just for its gorgeous Santa Rita wines however for its distinctive programming. This yr, the vineyard launched two new mountain climbing excursions and tasting experiences for guests at its historic El Jabali property, the primary certified-organic winery within the nation.
9 of 12 (Courtesy of Heitz Cellar)
The Salon at Heitz Cellar
Situated on the unique St. Helena property that Joe and Alice Heitz bought in 1961, the salon consists of a grand tasting room, a personal tasting room, the Quartz Creek Backyard, a veranda, and a chef’s larder designed by famend architect Peter Fleming.
10 of 12 (Donald S. Hicks III)
McEvoy Ranch
To style olive oil at this 550-acre, family-owned farm in Petaluma is to style California meals historical past. A pioneer within the olive oil industry, McEvoy invitations guests to expertise the complete vary of award-winning oils whereas gazing out on the rolling hills of Marin County. Friends can even tour the property, together with orchards and the olive oil mill, and go to the store for wine and pantry necessities.
11 of 12 (Tubay Yabut)
Frank Household Vineyards
An previous trustworthy within the Cabernet scene, the yellow Craftsman tasting room is one among Napa Valley’s most recognizable buildings. Including to a storied repute, this yr they opened a brand new Howard Backen–designed house for tastings and meals pairings, together with a small-bites program by chef Christina Machamer.
12 of 12 (Trevor Gordon)
Presqu’ile Vineyard
If nuanced, cold-climate Pinot Noir is your jam, this family-owned winery in the Santa Maria Valley is a should. For the quintessential bucolic-vineyard expertise, pull off the 101 to their hilltop lounge, the place you’ll nibble on mezze constituted of their on-site natural backyard whereas tasting world-class wines.