What is the Napa Valley Vine Trail?

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The Vine Trail is a trail system that, when completed, will stretch for 47 miles from Vallejo to Calistoga. If you’re interested in experiencing all the Vine Trail has to offer, we’ve collected nine interesting stops that are all just off of the path. Strap on your helmet or lace up your jogging shoes to start your journey.

An Urban Winery

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Image Source: Yelp

St. Clair Brown Winery
816 Vallejo St
Napa, CA 94559
(707) 255-5591
TripAdvisor: 4.5 stars, 179 reviews

The St. Clair Brown Winery is located in downtown Napa, right at the Vallejo Street entrance to the Vine Trail. This small urban winery makes about 200 cases of each wine they produce, and each bottle is hand-crafted, guaranteeing some serious quality. Grab a table in the garden eatery, located in a greenhouse filled with local plants, and snack on small plates paired with some of St. Clair Brown’s delicious wines.

Insider tip: If you have a sweet tooth, get an order of the rich Pistachio citrus chocolate bark with your wine.

Winery Overlooking Napa Valley

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Image Source: Yelp

Laird Family Estate
5055 Solano Ave
Napa, CA 94558
(707) 257-0360
TripAdvisor: 4.5 stars, 30 reviews

The Laird Family Estate is located off of the Oak Knoll section of the Vine Trail, and you can reach it by crossing Solano Avenue. This estate features an elevated, modernly decorated tasting room or an outdoor patio, which both provide great views of the surrounding Napa Valley. Relax at the tasting bar and enjoy five types of wine as you gaze out at the beautiful Napa Valley.

Insider tip: If you have a group of six or more people, you’ll need to make an appointment for a wine tasting. Otherwise, you can just walk in.

Wine with a View

Silenus-Winery
Image Source: Yelp

Silenus Winery
5225 Solano Ave
Napa, CA 94558
(707) 299-3930
TripAdvisor: 4.5 stars, 21 reviews

Just north of Oak Knoll, you’ll find Silenus Winery. To reach it from the Vine Trail, simply cross over Solano Avenue. Once you’re there, enjoy the modern tasting room with floor to ceiling windows, which grant amazing views of Silenus’ vineyards. You can have your tasting on Silenus’ outdoor patio, or you grab a seat inside by the fireplace. Silenus’ tasting menu includes six wines that are switched every two weeks, allowing for a new experience with each visit.

Insider tip: Don’t miss the bocce ball court and the beautiful garden grotto, located behind the tasting room.

Sip Sparkling Wines

domaine-chandon
Image Source: Yelp

Domaine Chandon
1 California Dr
Yountville, CA 94599
(707) 944-8844
TripAdvisor: 4 stars, 582 reviews

Right before you enter Yountville, you’ll reach Domaine Chandon. Stop into the visitor center, and sign up for one of Domaine Chandon’s tours or tastings. If you want to sample some of Domaine Chandon’s delicious wines, go for a wine tasting with small plate pairings, served on Domaine Chandon’s lovely terrace, which is surrounded by greenery and oak trees. Or, sign up for the Sparkling Tour and Tasting, where you’ll get an in-depth look at how Domaine Chandon makes its signature sparkling wines.

Insider tip: Grab a bottle of wine from Chandon’s store and a few snacks from their café, and have a picnic on the sunny lawn.

Fire Pits and Fresh Sushi

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Image Source: Yelp

R+D Kitchen
6795 Washington St
Yountville, CA 94599
(707) 945-0920
TripAdvisor: 4.5 stars, 493 reviews

R+D Kitchen is located in a modern building with high ceilings, and features stunning views of the surrounding vineyards in Napa Valley. Visitors will be greeted with an outdoor seating area with fire pits—ideal for a chilly day in Napa Valley. The restaurant serves fresh sushi, and also has tasty sandwiches, burgers, and steak: this chic restaurant is located on the north end of the Vine Trail in Yountville.

Insider tip: Be sure to save room for the three-layer carrot cake with Mascarpone icing.

Unique Filling Station

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Image Source: Yelp

Kelly’s Filling Station & Wine Shop  
6795 Washington St,
Yountville, CA 94599
(707) 944-8165
TripAdvisor: 5 stars, 2 reviews

From the outside, Kelly’s Filling Station may look like a typical gas station. But once you walk through the doors, you’ll see a brick interior with art displayed on the walls that transform this humble structure into a hip café. There are rows of wine for sale, and a seating area filled with wood tables and bright red barstools beacon guests to sit for a spell. This filling station and wine store is on the corner of Madison Street and Washington Street, right at the end of the Vine Trail.

Insider tip: Grab a latte and a freshly baked scone from the front counter.

Wine in an Art Gallery

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Image Source: Yelp

Jessup Cellars Tasting Gallery
6740 Washington St
Yountville, CA 94599
(707) 944-8523
TripAdvisor: 4.5 stars, 169 reviews

If you like a little art with your wine, Jessup Cellars Tasting Gallery is a must-visit spot. Located on the intersection of Washington Street and Madison Street, Jessup Cellars offers tastings of small-lot, hand-crafted wine, but if you’re hungry, they also offer cheese pairings. When you’re done, take a stroll through the gallery to get a close-up view of all the carefully curated art collection.

Insider tip: For private tastings, make an appointment, though walk-ins are welcome at the tasting bar.

Wine Tasting with a Homey Feel

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Image Source: Yelp

Silver Trident Winery
6495 Washington St
Yountville, CA 94599
(707) 945-0311
TripAdvisor: 4.5 stars, 14 reviews

The Silver Trident Winery is located in a Tuscan-style house, and features luxurious furniture by Ralph Lauren. There are three tasting rooms—the living room, dining room, and library. Reclining on the couches in this elegant home is an intimate and comfortable experience that gives the impression of enjoying wine at a friend’s place. Silver Trident Winery is located in downtown Yountville on Washington Street: if you’re on a bike, use the Class 2 bike lane to reach the winery.

Insider tip: After your tasting, head across the street to The Countryside Gift Shop to pick up unique home and garden decorations.

Eclectic Decorations

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Image Source: Yelp

Hill Family Estate
6512 Washington St
Yountville, CA 94599
(707) 944-9580
TripAdvisor: 4.5 stars, 56 reviews

At the Hill Family Estate, visitors are greeted with a salon-style tasting room filled with eclectic decorations, including a wooden surfboard, antique furniture, and baseball bats that are stained with wine. You can choose four wines to sample from a list of six, and can add tasty cheese pairings if you’re so inclined. Hill Family Estate is located on Washington Street in Yountville—cyclists can reach it by using the Class 2 bike lane.

Insider tip: From June 1 to October 1, sign up for the Secret Garden Tour. This tour boasts an up-close look at the vines, flowers, and fruit trees on the 1.3 acre Hill Family Estate.

A bike ride or a walk down the Vine Trail is a perennial way to experience some of the best wineries, restaurants, and historical sites in Napa Valley. As you ride down this picturesque trail, take advantage of all of the great local sites, and breathe in the Napa Valley air.


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