Darcy Storms

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When I give wine recommendations for the valley, I usually ask what kind of wine drinker you are (novice, drinker, thinker), what you like (white, red, bubbles, style of wine, etc), and if you're there for a reason (to learn, to socialize, touristy, to do novel experiences, etc). But if I'm just going on pick three wineries that never fail, these would be my three. Two of these wineries I've had the incredible honor of working at, and I've spent many an afternoon at the third (my family has a sizable club membership there).  

HISTORICAL WINERY: Stag's Leap Wine Cellars 

For my money, if you want Napa wine history, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars is the place to go. Home to the first Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard in the Stags Leap District, it is most famous for winning the 1976 Judgment of Paris which put California wine on the map. I was fortunate enough to work there for many years, and it houses a special place in my heart. Serving some of the valley's most iconic (and delicious) cabernets: FAY, S.L.V., Cask 23 and Artemis, it's also a great place to get CRISP white wines, too (these are not butterball chardonnays). The tasting room, designed by Spanish architect Javier Barbara is an architecture lover's dream, with huge glass windows offering views of FAY vineyard and the Stags Leap promontory.   

BEST WINE EXPERIENCE: Conn Creek Winery Barrel Blending Experience 

Conn Creek is a lesser-known winery located at the Napa marathon halfway point on the Silverado Trail. Its Barrel Blending Experience is one-of-a-kind and the best way to learn about Napa's 16 sub appellations. You get to blend, label and cork your own bottle of wine from 13 barrels of varying Napa sub appellations plus the 5 Bordeaux blending varietals. It's where I send any visitor I get to Napa, from wine pros to people who just like their wine to be red and ready-to-drink. It's a great group activity, especially if you can get together with that same group in 3 to 6 months to do a blind tasting to see whose blend wins. PACE YOURSELF at this experience, and I recommend spitting AND having a meal.

BEST PALATE-CLEANSER (BUBBLES!): Mumm Winery 

My family loves bubbles. In a valley best known for making your teeth purple, a sparkling wine tasting is a great way to end your day and cleanse your palate (and de-purple) your teeth. It's also one of my favorite tastings to do with people who haven't explored all the different types of sparkling wine there is: brut, demi sec, blanc de noir, etc. For my family from my cousins all the way up to my 90-year-old grandma, it's the DVX that gets opened first at home. The tasting room looks out onto beautiful vineyards, and they have a pretty fantastic gift shop. I highly recommend buying a sparkling wine wine stopper while you're there, if you don't already have one, in case you're a household that doesn't finish your bottle in one sitting (or doesn't finish the second or third..., but I have a big extended family). 

Entrecot: You know those rare restaurants that you eat at that you can tell it was somebody's personal dream and passion to bring it to life? Here's one. This Argentinian restaurant on the Napa Waterfront is obviously an outward extension of the love of its owners. We were there on a Friday night and they were understaffed, but I would have passionately waited much, much longer if I knew how good it was all going to be (and just ordered a second cocktail to wait). Authentic, innovative, and fun. Excellent cocktails. Just an exquisite place to go, and I can't wait to go back.  

The Q: Great barbecue, awesome salads, and amazing mac n' cheese. The back patio is fantastic, and the staff are all so nice. It's on the edge of downtown, so it doesn't get as much foot traffic, which means you can normally get in without a reservation. I highly recommend a side of whatever veggie they're doing seasonally to share with the table, which is a weird thing to say, but you won't regret it.  

Kitchen Door: They've got a very eclectic menu from pizzas to bahn mi and lettuce wraps. Their menu seems to be some version of "we have something there for everyone and every type of food need from picky kids to fussy grownups". There's a lot of seating and some outdoor seating too. Always an easy go-to.  

Don Pericos: Casual and local Mexican food restaurant downtown that won't break the bank, but everything from their enchiladas to their chicken tortilla soup is great. Definitely helps to soak up wine, too.

I love a morning walk up in Alston Park, browsing through Oxbow Market, or going to the Napa Farmer's Market where you'll find everything from fresh fruits and veggies to incredible baked goods (with too many to name, grab an Ohm Coffee, then the Cocina Milonga empanadas, West Won Bread and there's a place that does raw desserts which to somebody who likes dairy sounds crazy - but holy smokes, what is in them? Probably magic.)

OHM Coffee: I love liquids. So coffee is a must. Ohm Coffee is founded by Napa local Derek Bromley. He and his wife Jen are both musicians and have a band called Mama Said here in Napa. Ohm is a reference to music (amps), but his background in wine means that the tasting notes for his coffees read like wine notes. You'll find the coffee truck on Tuesdays and Saturdays at the Napa Farmers Market (and can buy bags of beans there too), but they're just opening their roastery, and you can do a cupping there (think the wine tasting of coffee).   

Jeffries General: This is a great place to pick up items for a picnic, and the owner is so amazing and helpful. When I want to buy a thoughtful gift, this is where I go. It's not full of touristy chatchke, but what locals would select for themselves or their friends. It's also located next to Monday Bakery, which doesn't hurt.    

Napa Bookmine: Book lovers, this one is for you! This local Napa bookstore sells new and used books, and their new location also has a coffee shop there too.