Best Views In Calistoga

WineCountry Collective — Wed, 24 May 2017 08:00:05 +0000

When the hustle of everyday life gets in the way, we prefer to take a moment to bask in the lush environment and stunning views that make California wine country so memorable. Tucked away in the Northern end of Napa Valley, Calistoga is a quintessential escape destination to recharge and relax. Surrounded by old oak trees and Napa’s mountains, Calistoga has no shortage of breath-taking and life-affirming vistas to give you pause.

So, the question is, where should you go to take in the best views of Northern Napa Valley? We’ll tell you:

Sterling Vineyards
1111 Dunaweal Lane
Calistoga, CA 94515
(800) 726-6136
TripAdvisor: 4 stars; ‎1,267 reviews

Newly renovated and a staple for Calistoga visitors, Sterling offers one of the most scenic winery experiences in the area. With a gondola ride taking you up to the winery perched upon a hill and a picture-worthy patio, this is a must-do if you’re in the mood for a sip and stroll with incredible views.

Insider Tip: For more than a self guided tour with wine, You can also enjoy a separate tasting called the “silver experience” which includes three higher quality wines accompanied with cheese specifically paired to each wine.

Tamber Bey Vineyards
1251 Tubbs Ln
Calistoga, CA 94515
(707) 942-2100
TripAdvisor: 4.5 stars; 172 reviews

Tamber Bey is a unique escape from the typical winery experience. Located on a working horse ranch, spend an afternoon strolling the winery’s onsite stables and getting to know the property’s horses, all while tasting their delicious wine. With a rich history and lovely grounds, you can see why it’s a must-visit in Calistoga. Lounge on their outdoor patio and get a taste of the luxurious ranch life. Be sure to try the wine and cookies tasting, which they bake specifically to pair with their unique varieties. Who can say no to homemade cookies and wine?

Insider Tip: Join Vintner Barry Waitte for a private tour of the Tamber Bey Winery and Sundance Ranch followed by a retrospective tasting of Tamber Bey’s past vintages from Barry’s library when you book this exclusive WineCountry Experience.

Davis Estates
4060 Silverado Trail N
Calistoga, CA 94515
(707) 942-0700
TripAdvisor: 5 stars; ‎11 reviews

This picture-perfect winery has a refurbished, century old barn nestled at the foot of lush rolling hills, which provides a fantastic view of their vines and garden. Find yourself relaxing here on their terrace with a glass of delicious, rich Calistoga cab, watching the farm windmill turn and the fog roll in.

Insider Tip: Be sure to book a reservation prior to your visit as the winery does not take walk-ins.

Oat Hill Mine Trailhead
2082 Oat Hill Mine Rd
Calistoga, CA 94515
(707) 942-4575

Originally formed as a carriage route to transport goods and travelers through the Napa Valley, this is an easy trail with a range of stunning views. Great for all-ages and skill levels, bring your kids and your dogs to explore up tol 8.3 miles. With a good uphill slope, you’ll get those Calistoga vista views and a light workout.

Insider Tip: Mid-way along the trail is a homesteader’s log cabin dating back to 1893. Explore parts of the stone wall from the barn and a few old fruit trees remain today.

Chateau Montelena
1429 Tubbs Ln
Calistoga, CA 94515
(707) 942-5105
TripAdvisor: 4.5 stars; 473 reviews

Chateau Montelena hosts another picturesque estate and has an expansive landscape to explore and enjoy. Boasting a pond with turtles and swans, as well as a gorgeous Japanese garden, this is the ultimate tranquil destination, wine of course included.

Insider Tip: Remember the film Bottle Shock? Yep, this is the place that inspired the story. Watch it again to recreate your favorite wine moments while strolling the property.

Bio: Tiffany Bukowski is a Northern California native and specializes in brand marketing in San Francisco. She enjoys red blends, fancy cheese boards, and talking with her hands.

The post Best Views In Calistoga first appeared on NapaValley.com.

Napa Valley Events For December

blogger — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 18:09:57 +0000

December is one of our favorite months for great, festive events around Napa Valley. Celebrate the holiday season with some of our suggestions of the best things going on including a parade, a Santa train ride and a holiday gift bazaar.

Calistoga Winter In The Wineries
Now-Through February
1133 Washington St.
Calistoga, CA
(707) 942-6333

Passport holders will delight in swirls and sips in celebration of Winter in the Wineries, the leading up valley event in the storybook city of Calistoga. Participating wineries include Chateau Montelena, featured in the 2008 Hollywood film, “Bottle Shock.” Another well-known stop to take on the trail is Sterling Vineyards, where guests can take a tram ride to taste and take in breathtaking views, while a wine tasting at Castello di Amorosa, the authentically-styled 13th-century Tuscan castle, will entice aficionados eager to taste wines rated 90-plus points in Wine Enthusiast magazine.

Insider Tip: Additionally, passport holders will receive special restaurant offers and discounts at several of Calistoga’s lodging properties and downtown shops.

A Taste of HALL- Party Pairings, Stags Leap Cab & Chef Polly Lappetito
December 11, 12-2pm
HALL Wines
401 St. Helena Highway
Helena, CA 94574

It’s never easy to host holiday parties, especially if you’re cooking. Perfect holiday party wine pairings is the theme of HALL Wines’ monthly cooking and wine workshop, A Taste of HALL. Chef Polly Lappetito will teach attendees how to cook a three-course meal featuring the 2013 HALL “Stags Leap District” Cabernet Sauvignon in the winery’s fantastic demo kitchen. Founded and owned by Kathryn and Craig Hall, HALL specializes in “crazy good cabernets” crafted by winemaker Steve Leveque. He creates 15 different Cabernet Sauvignon wines for each vintage.

Insider Tip: Riedel stemware is sponsoring and everyone gets to leave with a free Riedel wine glass. Attendees will also learn which stemware is best used with varietals.

Santa Train-Napa Valley Wine Train
1275 McKinstry Street
Napa, CA 94559
800-427-4124

The Napa Valley Wine Train’s annual Santa Train is a family tradition featuring music, an interactive experience, hot chocolate, cookies and wine on a picturesque train ride through the valley. Guests are given “magical wristbands” that light up at points during the train ride and “transform the experience.” The train journey is so popular that it runs seven days a week from November 19 through December 29 (it won’t run December 24 and December 25). The train runs nightly at 5pm and 8pm. Rides start at $55 and Napa Valley residents get special prices Mondays through Thursdays with an ID.

Insider tip: Visitors can tour Napa Valley vineyards while eating and drinking on vintage Pullman train cars on the Napa Valley Wine Train. A professional photographer can take pictures of families with Santa Claus at the station before the train leaves and the photos can be purchased at the end of the ride.

The Nutcracker at the Lincoln Theater
December 17 (2pm and 7pm performances) and December 18 (2pm performance)
Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater
100 California Drive
Yountville, CA 94599
707.944.9900

It’s not the holidays without taking in a performance of the Nutcracker. The iconic music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and the talent of the dancers of the Napa Regional Dance Company will delight audiences of all ages. This is the dance company’s 16th annual production of the classic ballet. The Lincoln Theater is home to Symphony Napa Valley and hosts a variety of world-class touring artists. The theater is also very active in arts education in local schools.

Insider tip: The theater is in close proximity to Yountville which is filled with fantastic restaurants. Discover our favorite Yountville restaurant picks.

The post Napa Valley Events For December first appeared on NapaValley.com.

Chateau Montelena – NapaValley.com

Best Views In Calistoga

Napa Valley Events For December