Beer – NapaValley.com

Best Craft Breweries and Distilleries in Napa and Sonoma

Julia Chang — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 17:38:53 +0000

Wine isn’t the only wonderful, carefully crafted drink worth imbibing while visiting Wine Country. A little known fact about Napa Valley and Sonoma County is that there are several artisan distilleries and small-batch breweries also available for tours and tastings (and some that offer bites to go with those libations). If you’re looking for a bit of a break from vino on your next visit, here are the best local brews and craft spirits with which to tempt your palate.

Grape-Based Organic Vodka

Hanson of Sonoma Distillery

Photo Courtesy of Hanson Distillery | Nat and Cody Grantz

This family-owned craft distillery in Sonoma focuses on creating organic, grape-based, gluten-free, and non-GMO vodka. Typically, vodka today is made from sorghum, corn, rice, rye, or wheat. Hanson Vodka is made from grapes, which means the distillery turns grapes into wine, and then wine into vodka (the perfect fit for vodka made in Wine Country). Their infused vodkas are flavored with real, organic ingredients, and feature flavors such as cucumber, ginger, mandarin, habañero, boysenberry, and espresso. Reserve a spot in a vodka tasting, cocktail tasting, martini and caviar pairing, or try their introduction to mixology course with Hanson craft cocktails. Best of all, you get to enjoy it all in their beautiful, spacious tasting room, amid a library of color-coordinated vodka bottles.

22985 Burndale Road, Sonoma, CA 95476, (707) 343-1805

A Bustling Brewery at Oxbow

Fieldwork Brewing

Photo Courtesy of Fieldwork Brewing

Founded in Berkeley, CA, this local brewery has a beautiful taproom in the bustling Oxbow Public Market in downtown Napa. Fieldwork Brewing features a rotating tap list of fresh releases, which can be enjoyed by sampler flight, by the glass, or to-go in cans, growlers, and Crowlers. Order food to enjoy with your beer, or grab something from one of the top-notch vendors in the Oxbow Public Market; you’ll have plenty to choose from to pair with your drinks.

610 First Street, Napa, CA 94559, (707) 266-1582

Speakeasy Spirits

Napa Valley Distillery

Photo Courtesy of KQED

The first distillery to open its doors in Napa Valley since the end of Prohibition, this family-owned and operated distillery offers educational distillery tours, followed by tastings of flights of their award-winning products. With two locations for you to choose from, you can customize your craft spirit experience. Transport yourself back to the Roaring Twenties with a tasting at the Grand Tasting Salon, which is one part art deco speakeasy, one part tiki room, and all parts tasty spirits and education. Reservations are suggested, so be sure to book early to guarantee a spot. If you’re already headed to Oxbow Public Market (where there is no shortage of options for food, drink, and people watching), visit Napa Valley Distillery’s tasting bar, replete with mahogany wood vibes and brandies galore. Taste through a flight, and don’t forget to check out their bitters collection — the largest collection on the West Coast.

Grand Tasting Salon: 2485 Stockton Street, Napa, California 94559, (707) 265-6272

Tasting Bar at Oxbow Public Market: 601 First Street, Suite 8, Napa, CA 94559, (707) 226-9269

Urban Winery Meets Vegan-Friendly Brews

St. Clair Brown Winery & Brewery

Photo Courtesy of St. Clair Brown Winery & Brewery

This boutique urban winery, nano-brewery, and culinary garden is located right in Napa a few blocks from the main hub. The brews are made on-site in small batches, featuring 14 different offerings of beer, with more developing all the time. The beers tend to be unfiltered and more malt-driven, favoring a less bitter or ‘hopped’ profile for friendlier food pairings. And vegans, rejoice! With the exception of their Honey Wheat Ale, all other brew offerings are vegan. For those ready to take their beer love to the next level, St. Clair Brown offers their own Beer Boot Camp, where you can learn tastes and semantics at a technical beer tasting, enjoy a beer paired lunch, and brew beer with Brewmaster Elaine St. Clair herself.

816 Vallejo Street, Napa, CA 94559, (707) 225-5591

A Taste of Italy in a Bottle

Prohibition Spirits

Photo Courtesy of Facebook: Prohibition Spirits

For a truly unique tasting experience, head over to Prohibition Spirits in Sonoma to try some of their Italian craft spirits. Located on the Sonoma Plaza, Prohibition Spirits is known for their award-winning Limoncello (an Italian lemon liquor), but also offers tastings of their other speciality spirits, such as their gins, rums, and whiskeys. The Groth husband and wife team fell in love while exploring Sonoma, then decided they wanted to bring Limoncello (what they affectionately term ‘sunshine in a bottle’) to Wine Country. So they moved from Boulder, CO to Sonoma County and started producing California’s first organic Limoncello. Prohibition Spirits offers tastings and light bites in their tasting room, as well as group experiences and a traveling cocktail bar for private events.

23592 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, CA 95476, (707) 933-7507

Unique Libations in Santa Rosa

Cooperage Brewing Company

Photo Courtesy of Cooperage Brewing Company

Brewer and founder Tyler Smith likes to focus on variety at Santa Rosa’s Cooperage Brewing Company, experimenting with different yeasts, hops, bacteria, and barrel types to develop unique libations. Take your time sipping and tasting here; there are TVs showing sports games for your viewing pleasure, but if that’s not your speed, there are also plenty of board games on hand to make a few beers with friends even more enjoyable. A rotating schedule of food trucks each week completes the experience.

981 Airway Ct., Suite G, Santa Rosa, CA 95403, (707) 293-9787

Post Up With Your Pup

Lagunitas Brewing Company

Photo Courtesy of Lagunitas Brewing Company

A local favorite, this Petaluma establishment has a huge, ever-rotating selection of sours, ciders, ales, and stouts. Post up in their taproom or nab one of the many picnic tables outdoors. It’s pet-friendly, so there’s usually a handful of dogs enjoying the sun while their humans listen to the live music in the beer garden. And with a food menu of nachos, burgers, chicken wings, and other tasty pub fare, you could easily while away an afternoon here. In fact, we recommend it.

1280 North McDowell Boulevard, Petaluma, CA 94954, (707) 778-8776

Northern California in a Bottle (and Can)

Fogbelt Brewing Company

Photo Courtesy of Fogbelt Brewing Company

This craft brewery and gastro-pub celebrates the North Coast and even names each of their beers after a prominent coastal Redwood tree only found in the ‘fog belt’ — the area along the Northern California coast that’s typically covered in fog, which produces a unique ecosystem. At their original brewery and taproom in Santa Rosa, you’ll find stately brews available on tap, local and seasonal fare, and a rotating selection of events each month. Their second location in Healdsburg, known as Fogbelt Station, is a beer garden next to the historic train station, offering both brews and food. Too early for beer? The Station café is open in the mornings to serve coffee, espresso, and pastries.

1305 A Cleveland Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95401, (707)978-3400

The post Best Craft Breweries and Distilleries in Napa and Sonoma first appeared on NapaValley.com.

Napa Guides: Where to Go, What To Do For Every Type of Traveler

freelance — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 08:00:16 +0000

Napa Valley is full of diverse activities, making it a great destination for many types of travelers. If you’re wondering what to do on your trip to Napa Valley, we have some ideas: whether you’re looking for an outdoors adventure, a food-filled vacation, a romantic couple’s trip, or a weekend in the city, Napa Valley’s abundance exceeds far beyond the wine.

For the Outdoors Enthusiast

Where to Stay

The boutique Napa Winery Inn is a fine place to base during your outdoor adventures. This lovely inn is right next to the Vine Trail, a jogging and biking trail that goes throughout Napa Valley. If you want to cool down after your bike ride, you can take a dip in their pool.

Where to Get Breakfast

Grab breakfast at the rustic Napa General Store. They offer dishes made from local ingredients, including breakfast scrambles, brioche French toast, and build-your-own omelets. If it’s a nice day, ask to be seated outside on their patio.

What to Do in the Morning

After breakfast, rent bikes at Napa Valley Bikes and hop onto the Vine Trail. You can ride this trail through downtown Napa and up to Yountville, and if you’re hoping to check out some wineries, the trail will take you past plenty, including St. Clair Brown in downtown Napa and Jessup Cellars in Yountville.

Where to Get Lunch

For lunch, try Gott’s Roadside in Napa. This restaurant offers inventive burgers, including a kimchi burger and a green chili cheeseburger. They also serve classic milkshakes and soft serve ice cream.

What to do in the Afternoon

In the afternoon, go kayaking on the Napa River. If you need to rent a kayak, head to Napa Valley Adventure Tours in downtown Napa. Then, take your kayak over to one of their three launch sites: Oxbow Market, Kennedy Park, and Moore’s Landing.

Where to Get Dinner

For dinner, there are several restaurants to check out in downtown Napa. We especially like The Grove at CIA Copia which offers a relaxed vibe and with cuisine that is Mediterranean in spirit.

Insider tip: Channel your inner child and swing over the valley. Check out Westwood Hills eastern ridgeline path where you’ll find an awesome(and secure) rope swing tied to a large Coast Live Oak.

For the Foodie

Where to Stay

The 1801 First is a great landing spot for a foodie tour of Napa Valley. This luxury inn is located in downtown Napa, walking distance from many of the city’s best restaurants. The inn offers deluxe suites, and it also has private cottages available.

Where to Get Breakfast

Begin your culinary tour of Napa at Oenotri. This Southern Italian restaurant serves a delicious brunch, with 80 percent of their food harvested from their own garden and the Napa Chefs Co-Op Garden.

What to do in the Morning

After breakfast, head over to Oxbow Market and check out Uncorked. This cozy tasting room is located in a historic bungalow, and it offers Ahnfelt, Carducci, and Provocative wines with chocolate and cracker pairings.

Where to Get Lunch

For lunch, check out Angele. This bistro has a beautiful patio right on the Napa River, and it serves rustic French cuisine, including nicoise salad, quiche, and a croque monsieur sandwich.

What to do in the Afternoon

In the afternoon, go for a tasting at the Vintner’s Collective. This tasting room is shared by more than 20 boutique wine producers in Napa Valley. You can choose between two tasting options: three of Vintners favorite wines, or a customized tasting with six wines to fit your palate.

What to do for Nightlife

After dinner, take a short walk over to La Taberna for classic tapas, including jamon iberico, patatas bravas, and crispy pig ears. They also have a sizable drink menus, with local wines and sherries, and cocktails including rebujito, sherry mule, and porto tonico.

Insider tip Join Oxbow Market for Locals’ Night starting at 5 pm every Tuesday when many of their merchants have special items and offers on the menu.

For the Romantic

Where to Stay

During a romantic couples’ trip to Napa, stay at the White House Napa Valley Inn. This boutique hotel has 17 modern-styled rooms, each of which is decorated with bright green chairs, a white desk and bedspread, and a dark blue carpet. They also all have lovely electric fireplaces that make the room feel warm and cozy.

Where to Get Breakfast

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the White House Napa Valley Inn. From 8am to 10am, the White House Napa Valley Inn offers delicious small plates of hot food and baked goods. Their menu changes frequently, and it often includes seasonal items.

What to do in the Morning

After breakfast, sign up for a couples’ massage at White House Napa Valley Inn’s spa. White House Napa Valley Inn offers deep tissue massages, heated stone massages, massages with facial treatments, and more.

Where to Get Lunch

For lunch, opt for one of the most romantic dishes. Some of the best oysters in Napa Valley are served at Hog Island Oyster Bar in Oxbow Market. Their menu always includes fresh-caught oysters from around the West Coast, and they also offer small salads, shrimp dishes, and mussels.

What to do in the Afternoon

After lunch, head to Mark Herold Wines to sample wines paired with chocolates. Located next to Oxbow Market, this small tasting room features eclectic decorations and paintings from local artists. Order the wine flight and chocolate pairing that comes with six chocolates, and get ready for a delicious experience.

Where to Get Dinner

For an easy, intimate dinner, it’s hard to beat the Italian fare offered at Azzurro Pizzeria & Enoteca. This Italian restaurant is housed in a modern brick-walled building, and it has unique art displayed on the walls. If you’re a pizza lover, be sure to get an authentic Neapolitan pie to share. For dessert, try a scoop of organic gelato.

What to do for Nightlife

End your night up high at the Andaz Hotel’s rooftop bar, the Mercantile Social. Choose from a list of hand-crafted, seasonal cocktails made from local spirits, or pick one of Mercantile Social’s innovative wines or craft beers. Cozy up next to the fire pits, and toast to a wonderful, romantic day in Napa Valley.

Insider tip:At Ca’Momi Osteria, try the spinach gnudi (gnocchi)—it’s a patron favorite.

For the Urban Adventurer

Where to Stay

The Westin Verasa is the perfect place to base yourself for your city tour. Located in downtown Napa, the Westin is within walking distance from many of Napa’s most popular restaurants and shops, including the Oxbow Public Market and Napa’s Riverfront.

Where to Get Breakfast

Begin the day with breakfast at the Bank Café in the Westin. The chic café offers breakfast on the weekdays and brunch on the weekends, and almost all of their produce, meat, and eggs are locally sourced, providing the freshest meal possible.

What to do in the Morning

After breakfast, head over to Jam Cellars for a wine tasting. The owners of Jam Cellars combined their love of music and wine to create a unique tasting room that features vintage “Rolling Stones” covers on the wall, a state-of-the-art-sound system, and music-themed wines.

Where to Get Lunch

For lunch, walk over to Bounty Hunter Wine Bar & Smokin’ BBQ. This restaurant serves some of the tastiest barbeque in Napa Valley, including their famous beer-can chicken. The restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere, with brick walls and communal tables with wine barrel bases.

What to do in the Afternoon

Once you’ve had your fill of barbecue, walk to the Napa Valley Distillery to try some local craft beer. To see how Napa Valley Distillery makes their beer, sign up for a 45-minute distillery tour, and afterwards, try to sample some freshly brewed beer in the grand tasting salon.

Where to Get Dinner

For dinner, head over to Torc. Torc is housed in a modern, airy room with stone walls and an open kitchen. They serve farm-to-table dishes with global influences, including pakora, jamon ibercio, lobster risotto, and much more.

What to do for Nightlife

End your day at the Cadet Bar. This wine and beer bar offers local craft beers and wines from throughout Napa Valley, served in a bright, modern room with large windows that give great views of downtown Napa. If you’re feeling hungry, you can get a cheese or salami plate with your drink.

Insider tip: Check out Napa ARTwalk, an outdoor museum with sculptures located throughout Downtown Napa. You can pick up a map showing all of the sculptures’ locations at the Napa Valley Welcome Center. No matter what your travel style is, you’ll find a variety of exceptional activities in Napa Valley, structured for outdoor enthusiasts and city dwellers alike. The above itineraries are pretty thorough, but don’t forget to make some room for the surprises you’re sure to find along the way.

The post Napa Guides: Where to Go, What To Do For Every Type of Traveler first appeared on NapaValley.com.