Where to Find Romance in Napa Valley

  • Lodging
  • by DAISY BARRINGER
  • on FEBRUARY 1, 2021
  • 12536
  • 0
Lodging

Where to Find Romance in Napa Valley

By Daisy Barringer February 1, 2021

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and what better place to put a little love in your heart than in Wine Country? From romantic resorts to adventures that will set hearts aflutter to fantastic wine and food that will awake the senses, Napa Valley is the perfect spot to write your own love story.

Of course, Cupid isn’t out in full force right now due to COVID-19, which definitely puts a damper on stolen kisses thanks to constant mask-wearing, but love birds can still find magic in this enchanting Northern California region; it just involves a little flexibility with the existing guidelines. (More on that below). Even if you don’t plan that big Napa rendezvous with your Valentine this month, you can still use this guide to plan another romantic getaway, whatever time of year, because Napa Valley’s weather makes it easy to visit each and every month. After all, after waiting patiently to visit Napa Valley again, you’ll certainly deserve it.

COVID-19 Note: Napa Valley is again welcoming visitors! Please note that existing regulations limit some activities, like wine tasting and in-person dining, to outdoors only. Be sure to confirm hours and guidelines with each of these businesses before visiting, and check out our pandemic news page for further information.

Where to Stay

Carneros Resort and Spa

Carneros Resort and Spa
Photo Courtesy of Carneros Resort and Spa

A stay at this luxurious resort in the heart of Wine Country should come with a warning: You’ll find it almost impossible to pull yourself away from the picturesque estate, which for a romantic weekend is perhaps actually perfect. Truly, there’s no need to leave as the resort has everything one could possibly want: charming secluded cottages with private front porches and backyard gardens, fire pits and fireplaces, and outdoor soaking tubs; two pools with hot tubs (one which sits atop a hill with vineyard views and is adults-only); a full-service spa exclusive to guests; and three farm-to-table dining experiences. If you do manage to venture away from the grounds, you’ll find plenty of world-renowned wineries nearby, as well as outdoor activities, like golf, horseback riding, hiking, and kayaking. But if you decide to enjoy breakfast in bed before making your way to a chaise lounge for the day (interrupted only by your couples massage), no one will judge you.

WineCountry Perks: Book using code ‘WINECOUNTRY’ to receive a complimentary bottle of wine and $100 spa credit to use at the Spa at Carneros.

4048 Sonoma Highway, Napa, CA 94559, (866) 860-2328

Poetry Inn
Photo Courtesy of Poetry Inn

Romance is the name of the game at this hillside escape, perched above the Silverado Trail in Napa’s Stags Leap District. Offering both privacy and serenity, Poetry Inn pampers guests with luxury amenities and personalized hospitality, from the spacious suites with private terraces and wood-burning fireplaces, to the customized concierge services, to the gourmet three-course breakfasts served each morning. Enhance a stay with a romantic spa experience, like a side-by-side couples massage or couples spa shower treatment, and no doubt you’ll be rekindling the flame in no time.

WineCountry Perks: Make a reservation using the code ‘WINE’ to enjoy a complimentary cheese board upon arrival, as well as complimentary wine tastings at nearby Cliff Lede Winery.

6380 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558, (707) 944-0646

What to Do

Getaway Adventures

Getaway Adventures
Photo Courtesy of Getaway Adventures

Set pulses racing with an outdoor adventure that will allow you to experience Wine Country in a whole new way. Getaway Adventures has something for everyone, including tours where you’ll bike and wine taste in the morning and kayak in the afternoon, sip and cycle through Calistoga, or hike through the hills and valleys of Napa Valley. If you’d prefer to cruise around at your own speed, you can also rent a hybrid, e-bike, or road bike and enjoy the feel of the wind in your hair as you hit the open road.

61 Front Street, Healdsburg, CA 95448, (800) 499-2453

Napa Valley Aloft
Photo Courtesy of Napa Valley Aloft

Soar to new heights in your relationship (literally and metaphorically) during a hot air balloon ride over Yountville. Napa Valley Aloft balloon rides fly above the valley floor with panoramic views of Mt. St. Helena, the Mayacamas Mountains, and, if the weather cooperates, glimpses of the San Francisco skyline and the Sierras. After you safely land, you’ll enjoy a post-flight Champagne brunch where you can toast to more adventures to come. Most flights have around 8 to 12 passengers, but if you’re celebrating a special occasion and want to splurge, you can reserve a basket built for two.

6525 Washington Street, Yountville, CA 94599, (707) 944-4400

Where to Eat

Press Napa Valley

Press
Photo Courtesy of Press

If the way to your loved one’s heart is through their stomach, then don’t miss dining at Press, known for its award-winning (and extensive) wine list and its selection of Prime beef, free-range poultry, local lamb, and fresh local seafood, all cooked on a custom-built, wood-fired grill. Everything about this fine dining experience is utterly enjoyable, from the food to the moody, romantic ambiance, and makes for the perfect date night out.

587 St. Helena Highway, St. Helena, CA 94574, (707) 967-0550

Angèle Restaurant & Bar
Photo Courtesy of Facebook: Angèle Restaurant & Bar

Transport yourselves to France while sitting in an old boathouse on the Napa River. Angèle is a charming restaurant in downtown Napa that has become a staple for locals and tourists alike. Enjoy wine and oysters on the heated patio overlooking the water or, on colder nights, tuck into some French onion soup or crispy duck confit in the rustic and cozy dining room.

540 Main Street, Napa, CA 94559, (707) 252-8115

Where to Taste Wine

Stags’ Leap Winery

Stags' Leap Winery
Photo Courtesy of Stags' Leap Winery

There’s just something extra romantic about sipping wine with your loved one at a historic winery in Napa, especially if said winery offers nostalgic details, sensory gardens, fruit trees, and sweeping views. Constructed in 1890, the Manor House on the estate is the ultimate place for Cupid’s arrow to strike. With its original stonework, English Renaissance style, and romantic history as a summer retreat for one-time owners, the Chase family, this picturesque building makes for an idyllic place to sample a mixture of the winery’s current release and library wines.

6150 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558, (707) 257-5790

Hall Wines
Photo Courtesy of HALL

HALL Winery in St. Helena pairs world-class wine with intriguing art for an experience unlike any others you’ll find in Wine Country. As you roam the lush 33-acre property, you’ll come across over 35 impressive pieces of contemporary art, including the famous metal “Bunny Foo-Foo” sculpture at the entrance. You can wander the grounds alone and steal kisses in the Olive Grove, but if you’d like a more in-depth look at the wine and the art, reserve the Wine and Art Exploration experience where you’ll be guided through the collection while sipping on some of HALL’s best wines.

401 St. Helena Highway South, St. Helena, CA 94574, (707) 967-2626