Just a two-hour drive north of San Francisco, Napa Valley is not only California’s best-known wine growing region – it’s internationally-renowned and produces world-class wines that are widely considered on par with vintages from France. Despite being just 30 miles long and five miles wide at its widest point, its diverse soils and microclimates (16, to be exact) lend themselves to the cultivation of a range of varietals. The region is best recognized for its sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon, but Napa Valley is home to nearly 500 wineries producing thousands of different wines.
Schubach Suggests:
STAY Five-star Meadowood is a 36-room bespoke ultra-luxury estate in the heart of Napa Valley, it reopened in 2021 after being impacted by the 2020 Glass Fire. The Relais & Châteaux property’s lush 250 acres encompasses hillside hiking trails, three pools, state-of-the-art fitness center with complimentary classes, award-winning spa, five tennis courts (offering private expert instruction), and more. Plus, the Forum restaurant and Terrace Café featuring bounty from the resort’s sprawling garden and nearby farms.
DRINK Get your fill of Blanc de Blanc at sparkling wine house Schramsberg Vineyards, founded in 1965, although the vineyard’s first act dates back to 1862 under original owner Jacob Schram – making it one of Napa Valley’s oldest and most respected vintners. Become familiar with the next gen of Napa Valley winemaking at Ashes & Diamonds, which opened in 2018. The winery’s low intervention offerings, showcasing the nuances of the region, harken back to the Napa of the ‘60s and ‘70s, exemplary of the region’s “old school” producers, like Robert Mondavi, Mayacamas, and Inglenook. The winery has already made its way onto the wine lists of some of the country’s most notable restaurants.
DINE Wine may be the main draw to Napa Valley, but the region is renowned for its exceptional dining – counting Michelin-starred restaurants and James Beard Award-winning chefs among its culinary offerings. Restaurants including Chef Thomas Keller’s iconic three-Michelin star French Laundry, three-Michelin Star Japanese-influenced SingleThread restaurant, and James Beard award-winning Chef Christopher Kostow’s The Charter Oak, are are all emblematic of the region’s hyper-seasonal and local cuisine that stems from its historically agricultural roots.
DO The annual Napa Wine Fest returns each July, to showcase the region’s top vintners and wineries. August to October marks the annual grape harvest, known as “crush,” It’s an exciting time to visit Napa Valley, with harvest parties, celebrations, and special experiences abound.
How to get there:
Napa Valley is the ideal weekend getaway destination or – with a private jet charter – a day trip. Land at the Napa County Airport (APC), the closest to the heart of the region at just five miles south of Napa County. Get there in just 1 hour and 30 minutes in our spacious CJ3 private jet, with space for up to six passengers.
