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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use points to book Napa hotels?
Some Napa properties participate in points programs. Auberge du Soleil is bookable with Chase Ultimate Rewards through the portal. For the best rate and perks, booking through a Fora advisor beats any points portal redemption at these properties.
What is the Judgment of Paris?
A 1976 blind tasting in Paris where California wines beat French grand crus in both red and white categories, judged by a French panel. It put Napa on the global wine map. The 50th anniversary is being celebrated across the valley in 2026.
Do I need a car in Napa?
Yes. The valley is spread across 30 miles and the estates are not walkable between. Designate a non-drinking driver or book a private driver for any day that involves serious tasting.
When is harvest season in Napa?
Harvest typically runs from late August through October depending on the varietal and the vintage. September and early October are the most active weeks for private crush experiences.
5-Day Itinerary
Five days is enough to cover the valley floor from Napa town north to Calistoga, spend time with two or three estates properly, and eat at the restaurants worth going to.
Day 2
Yountville and Stag's Leap
Where to stay:
Auberge du Soleil
What to do:
Private tasting at Stag's Leap, afternoon in Yountville, dinner at The French Laundry if booked
Day 1
Napa town
Where to stay:
Las Alcobas
What to do:
Arrive, Oxbow Market for a late lunch, evening in downtown Napa
Day 3
Rutherford and St. Helena
Where to stay:
Auberge du Soleil or Meadowood
What to do:
Beaulieu Vineyard, Inglenook estate, lunch in St. Helena village
Day 4
Calistoga
Where to stay:
Meadowood
What to do:
Castello di Amorosa mid-morning, volcanic mud bath, evening at Meadowood
Day 5
Sonoma to San Francisco
Where to stay:
Depart
What to do:
Drive through Sonoma, lunch at the plaza, afternoon flight from SFO or OAK
Want the Full Version?
This itinerary gives you the shape of the trip. The hotel bookings, restaurant reservations, private guides, and transfer logistics are where the difference is made. Reach out and we will put it together for you.
Don't Miss!
A private harvest experience at a small family estate during crush season in September and October. You pick, you sort, you watch fermentation begin. Most visitors drink Napa wine. This is what it takes to understand it. It requires advance planning and a direct connection to the estate. This is exactly what a good travel advisor provides.
Top Attractions
What to See and Do
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars private library tasting: the Cabernet Sauvignon that won the 1976 Judgment of Paris against French first growths. Book a private session with the estate team rather than a walk-in tasting.
The French Laundry, Yountville: Thomas Keller's three-Michelin-star restaurant. Reservations require planning months in advance. Worth it once. Book the garden room.
Oxbow Public Market, Napa: the best food market in wine country. Duck confit, oysters, charcuterie, and a natural wine shop all under one roof. Start most days here.
Booking through a Fora-affiliated advisor unlocks perks that are not available at the standard rate. No extra cost to you.
01
Meadowood Napa Valley, St. Helena
A private estate resort set on 250 wooded acres in the hills above St. Helena, with a three-Michelin-star restaurant and the most serene setting in the valley. The standard for Napa luxury.
Fora Perks:
Breakfast daily
resort credit
upgrade
private vineyard access
croquet lawn
02
Auberge du Soleil, Rutherford
The original Napa luxury property, perched on an olive grove hillside above the Rutherford Bench with panoramic valley views and a restaurant terrace that has been one of the best seats in wine country for decades.
Fora Perks:
Breakfast daily
$100 resort credit
upgrade on arrival
complimentary wine tasting
03
Las Alcobas, St. Helena
A contemporary boutique hotel on the main stretch of St. Helena, with a winery on the ground floor and a spa that draws on local grape-based ingredients. The most stylish in-town option in the valley.
Fora Perks:
Breakfast daily
welcome amenity
room upgrade
late check-out
Luxury Hotels
Where to Stay
Napa Valley
Napa at Its Best: Estate Stays and Private Tastings
Napa Valley is one of the most famous wine regions in the world and one of the most frequently done incorrectly. The tourist version is a tasting room crawl with expensive parking fees. The real version is estate lunches with winemakers, private library tastings of vintages you cannot buy, and a handful of extraordinary properties that make wine country feel like the Burgundy of California it was always trying to be. 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the Judgment of Paris, the blind tasting that placed California wines above French grand crus. The valley is celebrating. The timing is good.
When to go
Best time to visit
Peak Season
June through August. Warm, lively, and well-priced for activities but accommodation books out early.
Sweet Spot
September and October. Harvest season. The vineyards are at their most active and the private crush experiences are available. March and April are quieter, the mustard is blooming between the vine rows, and the estates are easier to access for private visits.