Some journeys are full of details that shape, curate, and perfect your experience from the second you set foot out of your door until the moment it closes behind you when you arrive home. Any trip that takes you through Napa and Sonoma should be one of these: meticulously planned so that the experience itself is completely seamless and luxe in the extreme…not hard when you’re visiting luxury destinations that are already so good at making you feel great! These sun-drenched destinations are made for slow living, taking time to smell the roses (and the vintage), and making pampering yourself a lifestyle.
These spa and vineyard destinations in both Napa and Sonoma are the best of the best, and this pre-made itinerary (including travel plans, locations, and a travel-time-saving directional itinerary) will have you sailing through them without a care in the world.
Travel Advice: Wine Country By Air
This trip is meant to be all about pampering, indulgence, relaxation, and sipping on some of the best vintages in the country. The simple fact is that flying commercial, even for such short flights, will not foster the atmosphere of luxurious care and calm that you’re after: enter private airlines. Let’s unpack what you’re offering yourself when you book a private jet:
- A calm, stress-free check-in and boarding experience. If you’re using a private airport, this will be increased, but even using a commercial airport will provide you with private desks and boarding gates.
- Privacy and space to relax in the air. This is a vacation, so every minute should be a relaxing or enriching one. Private aircraft give you your own space to enjoy in whatever way you please!
- Smaller, private aircraft can land at smaller local and private airports, getting you closer to your terminal destination than most commercial ones can, saving you time and effort that you can spend in better ways.
To make the most of a multi-stop trip like this, there are a few travel tips that will help craft and curate the experience to perfection.
- Reserve all of your winery appointments at a minimum 6-8 weeks in advance, especially if you’re traveling during harvest season.
- Don’t engage in more than 2 tastings per day so that you have time to fully enjoy and be present for each experience.
- Book your spa treatments for later in the afternoon so that all of the day’s activities are over, and you can truly relax.
- If you’re planning to purchase wine to take home, make use of the direct shipping services that many better wineries offer so that you aren’t traveling home with extra luggage.
Your Destinations
This is a “broad strokes” travel itinerary that you could follow by private jet.
- Los Angeles to Napa County Airport: 1 hr 20 min flight time
- Las Vegas to Napa County Airport: 1 hr 30 min flight time
- Scottsdale to Napa County Airport: 2 hrs flight time
- Seattle to Sonoma County Airport: 2 hrs flight time
- Dallas to Napa County Airport: 3.5 hrs flight time
Day 1: Arrive in Napa
Your flight arrives at Napa County Airport, and a luxury SUV meets you right on the tarmac for the short, comfortable, air-conditioned drive to Auberge du Soleil: Napa’s premier destination. Spend the afternoon getting accustomed to your surroundings, having a cocktail or mocktail or cuppa tea, enjoying a signature spa treatment (many of these are inspired by the botanicals of the local area). The evening calls for one of your best dresses as you treat yourself to a Michelin Star dining experience (because this is not just dinner) at The French Laundry.
Day 2: Legends of Napa
Now it’s time to enjoy some of the finest wines in the country. In the morning, you’ll head to Opus One Winery, where you will indulge in a private estate tour and tasting. A picnic lunch (or chef’s special) arranged through the concierge will follow in a delightfully pastoral setting, after which you’ll proceed to your next stop. The afternoon is for Joseph Phelps Vineyards, which is famous for its Insignia Bordeaux blend and the mind-blowing valley views that visitors can enjoy.
Post tasting, head back to the compound and treat yourself to the À la Champenoise spa treatment: an antioxidant-rich soak, followed by an aroma-infused massage, and finished with a revitalizing facial. Soak up the sunset by the pool and dream of tomorrow’s excursions.
Day 3: Sonoma Slow Luxury
It’s off to Sonoma for a slow-lived experience and a collection of exceptional Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. Your Sonoma experience will be a day-trip one as it is so close to Napa, but your travels may be reversed if you elect to start and stay in Sonoma and do a day trip to Napa instead!
Your morning will be blessed by a trip to Flowers Vineyard and Winery, where you’ll immerse yourself in the calm and quiet and enjoy elegant tastings with gorgeous panoramic views. Lunch will take you to the historic Sonoma Plaza for dining alfresco. In the afternoon, you have some options:
- Three Sticks Wines for a refined tasting in a gorgeously maintained historic home
- Jordan Vineyard and Winery for a taste of elite Sonoma food and wine pairings
- Hamel Family Wines to indulge in Estate Cabernet and rich Rhône varietals with stunning views
Day 4: Pre-Wheels-Up Wow Factor
Begin your last morning with a leisurely yoga class and a mineral pool soak, then gear up or have one last sip. Once you’re all packed and ready for wheels up, take yourself to one final destination. Your options are:
- Schramsberg Vineyards. A chic historic sparkling wine house that also offers stunning cave tours.
- Jarvis Estate. A remarkable underground winery (is this a theme?) offering one of Napa’s most unique and opulent tasting experiences.
- Chappelle Winery. Gorgeous mountain views that overlook Pritchard Hill.
And Just Like That…
After a final leisurely winery experience, it’s back to the PJ and off to slip back into reality. While we all wish we could live in the idyll of places like Napa and Sonoma wineries all day every day, experiences like your trip wouldn’t be as fun or as special if we could. Cheers!
