wine country
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA STYLE
From 95+ point wines to falconry experiences— discover what sets us apart.
of LAND
PLENTY
An insider’s guide to Napa and Sonoma.
By Jonathan Cristaldi
If the oenophile meccas of Napa and Sonoma were siblings, they would share a last name—but not a wardrobe.
Napa would don crisp couture, a sophisticated getup for world-class wineries and upscale hotels, while Sonoma would carry an effortless air in linen, the perfect attire for breezy vineyard walks. Of course, both destinations are equally matched in beauty, and together, they comprise California’s most compelling wine country escape. Here’s how to sip, savor, and indulge in the best of both.
Napa Valley
SIP
ANTINORI
The dramatic winding drive to this Atlas Peak hillside estate sets the tone: You’re headed somewhere extraordinary. Helmed by the 25th generation of the Tuscan winemaking Antinori family, this winemaking sanctuary has a new tasting room that’s elegantly appointed and lavishly scaled. Sweeping panoramas of vines echo the wines themselves, which are profoundly structured, volcanic-born revelations.
AXR
A hidden gem on St. Helena’s historic Silverado Trail, AXR blends bold contemporary wines with storytelling rooted in Napa’s past. Swiss-born, French-trained winemaker and partner Jean Hoefliger crafts irresistibly expressive wines that anchor the experience. Tastings are held in a restored Victorian farmhouse tucked beneath ancient
redwoods, where the hosts’ easy warmth makes you feel instantly among old friends.
LOLA
Lola’s relaxed Calistoga tasting room is beloved for its approachable charm and bright, food-friendly wines. Known for pinot noir and chardonnay crafted with true finesse by owner-winemaker Seth Cripe, this boutique label offers an easygoing, convivial experience that contrasts with Napa’s grander estates. Tip: Ask about Cripe’s passion project—Cortez Conservas, the first U.S.-made bottarga.
JARVIS ESTATE WINERY
An underground marvel carved into the Vaca Mountains, Jarvis offers an immersive cave tasting that feels theatrical yet serene. With estate reds crafted from classic Bordeaux varieties to rich, old-vine chardonnays aging deep within its natural stone walls, the seated experience in its Tasting Chamber is a must.
BOUCHAINE VINEYARDS
The Carneros District’s oldest continuously operated winery, Bouchaine has the same view it had when grapes were first planted here in the 1880s: overlooking rolling hills where fog drifts in on bay breezes. Sustainability drives its winemaking, with chardonnay and pinot noir capturing coastal freshness. The hospitality is warm, pairing wines with sweeping vistas of 87 acres of vineyards and occasional falconry demonstrations.
Sonoma’s Scribe Winery hosts picnics and other membersonly events among its picturesque vineyards.
SAVOR
BEAR
At Stanly Ranch, Auberge Collection, Executive Chef Anthony Stagnaro and Farm Director Nick Runkle present a seasonal menu that celebrates Northern California bounty with elemental cooking techniques. Expect hearth-fired dishes (don’t miss the wood-fired oysters spiced with annatto), market vegetables, and such covetable options as a cowboy-cut rib eye dry aged for 28 days. Set within Auberge Collection’s most contemporary Napa property, indoor and outdoor seating invite comfortable lingering, while the wine list spans both local treasures and remarkable international finds.
CICCIO
A Yountville favorite with a cult following, Ciccio is guided by managing partners Chris and Martina Kostow (of Michelin-three-starred
Meadowood fame), whose warmth and vision infuse the restaurant with a convivial spirit. Wood-fired pizzas and rustic Italian plates headline the menu, while the wine list is a treasure trove of well-priced global gems that make every visit feel like an insider’s discovery.
CHARLIE’S NAPA VALLEY
This buzzy St. Helena newcomer blends seasonal California cuisine with a lively, modern ambiance. Charlie’s is as much about gathering with friends as it is about inventive food—think Regiis Ova caviar with potato skins and caramelized onion dip, and to-die-for hearth breads, like Hawaiian rolls brushed with charred-pineapple pork fat.
EXPERIENCE
OXBOW PUBLIC MARKET
A hub of artisanal energy, Oxbow brings together local purveyors, from cheese
Above, from left: The glamorous tasting room at St. Helena’s AXR; wood-fired pizzas and rustic Italian favorites at Ciccio in Yountville.
mongers to coffee roasters. Ideal for grazing or sourcing gifts, it captures Napa’s thriving culinary culture in one bustling marketplace.
BIKE THE VINE TRAIL
Cycling through Napa Valley offers fresh air and vineyard views at your own pace. The Vine Trail connects towns with scenic paths, making it a perfect way to balance indulgence with heart-healthy movement.
Sonoma
SIP
FLOWERS VINEYARDS & WINERY
Along Westside Road in Healdsburg, Flowers Vineyards & Winery offers an experience as stylish as it is serene. Outdoor cabanas frame vineyard vistas, while the interiors imbue a warm and welcoming aesthetic. Among Sonoma oenophiles, Flowers is known for chardonnay and pinot noir with deep character framed by crystalline purity and freshness.
CONVENE BY DAN KOSTA
Located at Bacchus Landing, Convene is a fresh chapter from pinot noir legend Dan Kosta (co-founder of cult icon Kosta Browne). In the bright and airy tasting room, you’ll experience site-driven pinot noir and chardonnay from Kosta and his longtime winemaking counterpart, Shane Finley. Be sure to ask about the single-vineyard DK Grail bottlings.
ARGOT WINES & DONELAN FAMILY WINES
These neighboring producers in Santa Rosa’s industrial quarters craft deeply expressive wines. Argot focuses on bold, age-worthy Napa cabs and full-bodied syrah, pinot noir, and chardonnay from Sonoma. Donelan, meanwhile, highlights some of the best syrah from the United States, along with off-thecharts pinot noir and chardonnay. Together, Argot and Donelan offer adventurous tastings off the beaten path—well worth a detour.
The tasting room at Lola in Calistoga is a laidback alfresco spot for sipping pinot noir and chardonnay that reflects the Napa Valley terroir with finesse.
SCRIBE WINERY
Scribe’s hacienda estate draws a young, creative crowd. Picnics, rosé on the lawn, garden-driven Hacienda menu, and a free-spirited ethos make it a quintessential Sonoma stop. There’s just one caveat: You must be a member. Trust us—join up. The fee includes up to 12 bottles a quarter and members-only dinners at the estate.
LANDMARK VINEYARDS
Landmark offers two quintessential Sonoma estates. The Hop Kiln property, set along Highway 12, features expansive lawns and bocce courts you can reserve with tastings. Personalized experiences are elevated with charcuterie boards and hand-painted chocolates. The Kenwood Estate has a similar charm—bocce included—and both locations are peaceful, family-friendly havens for savoring chardonnay and pinot noir amid serene landscapes.
SAVOR
VALLEY BAR & BOTTLE
Set within a historic adobe structure, Valley offers soulful, seasonal fare with global influences. Natural wines complement a vegetable-forward menu that feels intimate and quietly trendsetting with dishes like duck breast served with cherries and wild greens.
ENCLOS
Michelin-lauded Enclos captures Sonoma’s terroir through hyperseasonal tasting menus. Dining here feels immersive and poetic, blurring the lines between food and landscape.
BARNDIVA
Whimsical yet refined, Barndiva celebrates local farmers and artisans. With a lush garden setting and vibrant cuisine, it epitomizes Sonoma’s farm-to-table spirit.
LEFT: MIKE BATTEY; RIGHT: JIMMY NARDELLO
Above, from left: Donelan Family Wines produces some of the best syrah from the United States; Barndiva’s fresh corn soup.
EXPERIENCE
SOUTH SALMON CREEK BEACH
Sonoma’s rugged coast invites exploration, and South Salmon Creek Beach is among its most tranquil spots. Long stretches of sand and dramatic Pacific views make it ideal for a meditative walk.
SINGLETHREAD FARM STORE
A charming extension of the acclaimed Michelin-three-starred restaurant, SingleThread’s Healdsburg farm store offers produce, preserves, and flowers—but it’s the Farm La-Yu almond, garlic, and chili oil spread you need to take home (two jars, at least).
E. R. SAWYER JEWELERS
A heritage jeweler with modern sensibility, E. R. Sawyer pairs craftsmanship with
curated design. It’s an elegant shopping stop that feels distinctly Sonoma.
STAY
STANLY RANCH, AUBERGE COLLECTION
A modern retreat where vineyards meet wellbeing, Stanly Ranch offers private cottages, holistic spa treatments, and immersive dining. Beyond keystone restaurant Bear, guests can linger at Gavel café for coffee and pastries or bask by the resort pool with vineyard views and craft cocktails. It’s Napa luxury with a relaxed, sun-kissed ease. Be sure to ask about the Grange Harvest Dinner Series: Each autumn at Stanly Ranch, this event turns the chef’s garden into a seasonal stage—inviting guests to savor multicourse feasts paired with acclaimed Napa vintages under the open sky. With so much to enjoy, you may never want to leave—and you don’t
Above, from left: Auberge du Soleil, Auberge Collection’s 33 acres of heritage olive trees set the stage for the resort’s Gathering in the Grove: Olive Harvest dining experience; Stanly Ranch, Auberge Collection’s Harvest Grange Dinner Series, set in the chef’s garden.
have to. The Villas and Vineyard Homes at Stanly Ranch present a rare ownership opportunity: modern, two- to six-bedroom luxury residences nestled among vineyards, offering expansive indoor-outdoor living and full access to Auberge resort amenities.
AUBERGE DU SOLEIL,
AUBERGE COLLECTION
An icon of wine-country luxury, Auberge du Soleil offers timeless residential-style design, Michelin-starred dining, and sweeping valley views. Its cellar is among Napa’s most extensive with over 15,000 bottles—a masterful mix of local legends and global benchmarks. Here, the wine list can feel like a journey through the world’s most storied vineyards. This November, don’t miss the annual olive harvest, Gathering in the Grove, where 33 acres of heritage olive trees set the stage for an Olives Six Ways tasting menu and hands-on learning moments. Every May, the resort turns Rosé All May into a monthlong, blush-tinged celebration with daily tasting events, thematic cocktails, rosé-paired dining, and spa rituals inspired by the season’s signature hue.
SOLAGE, AUBERGE COLLECTION
Laid-back luxury defines Solage, with geothermal pools, a destination spa, and contemporary casitas. Its signature restaurant, Solbar, delivers vibrant, globally inspired cuisine that balances light, delicate flavors with bold, soul-soothing dishes, all crafted
from farm-fresh Napa Valley produce and cross-border influences (recent dishes have included miso-carrot dip, shrimp tartare, olive oil–poached halibut, and an herbed pork schnitzel). Dine indoors or on the chic patio, where firepits and garden views set the stage for refined yet relaxed indulgence. Every Tuesday evening at Picobar, Solage serves an exclusive eight-course Head Tilt Tasting—a lavish, artistic taco feast by chef Gustavo Rios featuring inventive, tortilla-inspired creations elevated with accents like edible gold leaf and caviar.
At Auberge du Soleil, Auberge Collection, Rosé All May celebrates the beloved wine for 31 blush-tinged days.
DISCOVER EXPRESSIONS OF PLACE
I mmerse yourself in the artistry and innovation of HALL Napa Valley.
At HALL Rutherford, descend into our Chandelier Room, where the light from Swarovski crystals creates a spectacular prelude to world-class Cabernet Sauvignon.
At HALL St. Helena, stroll through grounds adorned with bold, modern art installations that transform the stunning property into a captivating gallery.
Along the way, sip our powerful, expressive wine from vineyards spanning nearly every appellation in Napa Valley. Each glass is a reflection of the land and the vision that defines HALL.
SCAN HERE TO BOOK YOUR VISIT
HALL RUTHERFORD WINE CAVE
BUNNY FOO FOO AT HALL ST. HELENA
