What is the Best Month to Visit Napa Valley?
One of the most common questions we get from our clients: what is the best time of year to visit Napa? Well it’s a bit of a trick question because really every season has it’s perks! And The Valley Girls are here to break them down for you.
May-October is typically considered “high season”. This is when the leaves are full on the vines, and there is much less chance of rain, so outdoor tastings are a good option. May/ June are considered spring months, all the flowers are blooming and everything is still very green from the winter. While days are warm, usually in the low 80s, the nights are chilly, and evening events should be held indoors. July, August and September feel more like summer here, when the hills turn "golden” against the green of the vineyards. The days are long and warm, with sunset times around 8pm, so these are the perfect months for al fresco dining!
When to visit Napa.
Harvest
Around mid-September, the grapes are ready to be picked, the time known as “Harvest”. This is a very involved process which lasts well into November. It’s an exciting time to visit a winery, as you can see some of the more technical aspects of winemaking, like grape sorting, fermentation, and bottling. Harvest remains the most popular time of year to visit, but a word of caution for groups visiting: wineries need to use this time to focus on winemaking, so often times indoor event spaces and staffing are unavailable.
The end of October into early December is true Fall in Napa, when the leaves turn every shade of autumn. It’s truly a spectacular time of year and not to be missed!
Off Season
December through April has historically slowed down in terms of travel, all though the secret seems to be out - Napa is still gorgeous during the winter! While the weather tends to be cooler and can be rainy, off-season travelers are rewarded with misty, green vistas that resemble the hills of Ireland. Hotel rates are much lower compared to high season rates, which leaves more in the budget for wine! Luxury winery appointments are much easier to secure as well. Our favorite winter tastings are in gorgeous interiors, next to a fireplace or on a covered patio with a cozy blanket!
A napa for every season
So basically the answer is: every month in Napa is beautiful! The most important thing is to design your itinerary based on the weather. We know which experiences are better in the summer vs. the winter, and which wineries you have to sit outdoors vs. which ones have amazing caves and great interiors. Reach out to us to help plan your next group trip in Napa!
A boutique travel planning firm that curates itineraries for groups traveling to Napa & Sonoma
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