Napa Wine Tasting Itinerary: Calistoga

It’s a simple fact — sometimes, we all need a good getaway. And maybe we’re biased, but there’s just nothing like a weekend of Napa wine tasting to reset and rejuvenate you for the week ahead. However, with so many areas to choose from in Napa, where should you focus your time?

Located in northern Napa, Calistoga is a small city filled with charm, culture, and some of the best wineries in the world. It’s the perfect spot to spend a few days, and with so much to see and do, you’ll find yourself ready to come back before you know it.

Our Ultimate Napa Wine Tasting Itinerary: Calistoga

Are you ready to plan the perfect weekend in Calistoga? We’re here to help you get inspired and think through each detail to make your time here a success. While there’s always room to leave time to explore and play without restrictions, you’ll also want to plan much of the trip in advance — you’ll need reservations for many of the wineries in the area, and you want to make sure to save your spot before they’re booked.

But don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. Keep reading for our expert guide to planning the perfect Calistoga weekend itinerary.

A Weekend in Calistoga – Day 1

Your trip has begun, and it’s time to make the most of it. For your first day in Calistoga, discover the wide array of sights and experiences the area has to offer. From culinary delicacies to world-class wineries and beyond, let’s plan an unforgettable day.

Enjoy Brunch at Picobar

Whether you made it to wine country the night before or are just arriving, the perfect weekend in Calistoga begins with brunch. Located at Solage, an Auberge Resort, Picobar is one of our favorite local spots for an unforgettable meal. Open daily at 11:30am, you’ll experience an incredible fusion of coastal Mexican cuisine and fresh wine country ingredients.

Pro tip: The tacos at Picobar are to die for, and you can never go wrong with the Tres Leches Toast.

Experience a Cave Tour & Tasting at Davis Estates

After brunch, it’s time to begin getting a true taste of why you came to Calistoga to begin with — the world-class wine. Your tasting journey begins at Davis Estates with the estate’s iconic Cave Tour and Tasting experience.

This tour takes visitors back in time through the development of Davis Estates’ historic property. You’ll see the beauty of the estate’s Calistoga vineyards before venturing down into 11,000 square feet of wine caves. There, you’ll be seated in the main tasting room or the historic barn, where you’ll enjoy a flight of Davis wines alongside carefully crafted seasonal bites, expertly paired by the estate’s Executive Chef.

Tour and tasting experiences are available daily — visit our website to make your reservation.

Sip, Shop & Dine in Downtown Calistoga

No trip to Calistoga, California is complete without time spent exploring the culture, shopping, and dining of the downtown scene. You can easily spend hours wandering local shops and boutiques on Lincoln Avenue (Field Trip is a plant lover’s dream, and the cozy Copperfield’s Books) is proof that independent bookstores remain the heart of so many communities), as well as perusing galleries and enjoying the local art.

In addition to the wide array of restaurants featuring cuisines from across the globe, there are also a number of tasting rooms to be found in downtown Calistoga. August Briggs Winery is a favorite downtown spot!

Photo Credit: Visit Napa Valley

Dinner at TRUSS at Four Seasons

End your day with dinner at TRUSS Restaurant & Bar, located at the Four Seasons Resort. Here, you’ll enjoy some of the finest menu options in Calistoga, served in a sophisticated, welcoming atmosphere. From pizzas and pastas to seafood, filet mignon and more, TRUSS is one of our favorite dining experiences in the area.

If you dine before 6pm, you’ll be able to take advantage of the TRUSS’s exclusive Golden Hour menu, so consider planning accordingly. And be sure to check online to see if your visit coincides with one of the restaurant’s monthly Fireside Chats, where guests are invited to unwind and savor fine wines and delicious bites in an intimate setting that celebrates the best of the winemaking community.

A Weekend in Calistoga – Day 2

For your second day in Calistoga, plan to take advantage of the many wineries in the area. Each winery is unique, and you’ll want to fit as many stops in as you can while still enjoying a relaxed and leisurely day. Tour the vineyards and see the very vines from which your favorite wines were crafted, and experience a whole host of flavors curated for your palate.

Enjoy a Private Tasting at Larkmead Vineyards

Begin your second day of Napa wine tasting with one of the best exclusive tastings in Calistoga — a private wine experience at Larkmead Vineyards. The tasting room at Larkmead Vineyards is available by reservation only, so you’ll want to be sure to plan this portion of your trip well in advance — but trust us, it’s worth the effort.

One of the oldest family-owned establishments in Napa Valley, a visit to Larkmead Vineyards is steeped in history. The winery’s vineyards feature a wide soil diversity, yielding grapes that the winery’s expert winemaker crafts into some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc in the area.

Visit The Vineyardist and Experience Stunning Views

Next up on your wine tasting itinerary? A trip to The Vineyardist. Available by reservation only, private tours at The Vineyardist are intimate and personal, with only your immediate party in attendance. 

Nestled in the Diamond Mountain, the breathtaking vineyard views would be worth a visit alone, but the experience doesn’t stop there. The winery crafts limited quantities of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc, which can only be purchased by club members. One taste of their curated flight will leave you clamoring for the waitlist.

Taste the Difference at Sterling Vineyards

The final stop on our list of Napa Valley wineries that you can’t miss when visiting Calistoga is Sterling Vineyards, a winery experience like no other. When visiting Sterling Vineyards, guests will embark on an aerial gondola ride to the winery’s mountain top tasting room, where breathtaking views of all there is to discover in Napa Valley will leave you speechless.

Once you’ve made it to the top, there are a number of different tastings and wine pairing experiences to choose from. Explore the grounds with a self-paced stroll, enjoy world-class food and wine pairings, or relax with a leisurely terrace tasting.

Dinner at Calistoga Depot

For the final meal of your Calistoga weekend, you can’t go wrong with dinner at Calistoga Depot. You’ll enjoy handcrafted food and spirits while dining in the second-oldest train depot in Calistoga. Learn about the building’s local lore, play a game of pool, and take in the live music that is so frequently the soundtrack to a meal at Calistoga Depot. This fun, flexible, and laid-back environment is the perfect choice for any party size.

FAQs: Everything You Need to Know Before Booking a Napa Wine Tasting Weekend

Are you feeling inspired to plan your wine tasting trip to Calistoga? Here are a few of the most common questions we receive to assist you as you plan your itinerary.

Where is the best spot to enjoy an indoor wine tasting Napa style?

Davis Estates is the perfect spot to enjoy a tasting on your next visit to wine country. Make an appointment to visit our tasting room to experience an assortment of our finest wines, or embark on a tour of our wine caves.

How long does a wine tasting last?

A standard wine tasting generally lasts 60-90 minutes. We recommend checking the websites of each winery you plan to visit and taking note of each tasting’s length to ensure a smooth itinerary.

What are the benefits of joining the Davis Estates wine club?

If you join our wine club while enjoying your weekend in Calistoga, your tasting fees will be waived — an exclusive benefit available to all wine club members. Additionally, you will receive first access to a variety of Davis Estates’ wines, admission to exclusive events, and more. We invite you to become a part of the Davis Estates family — contact us for further details.

Experience the Best Napa Wine Tasting at Davis Estates

At Davis Estates, we invite you to experience the best of wine country with us. Explore our variety of different American Viticultural Area (AVA) wines, best enjoyed alongside fresh seasonal bites crafted by our Estate Chef. Be sure to visit us on your next trip to Calistoga — we would love to host you. Need somewhere to stay while you’re in the area? Check out our Calistoga hotel guide for all of our favorite spots.