Napa CA California
Frequently Asked Questions
At a marina upriver, south of the city, in a landscape of masts and boat sheds. Small river ships come up the Napa River from San Pablo Bay to reach it.
No. The landing is a starting point, not a destination: there is no town square or shopping street at the end of the gangway. Downtown and the vineyards are reached by coach as part of the line's shore excursions.
Winery visits fill most of the day: a guided tasting, a walk through the facilities and photo stops among the vines. If your excursion includes downtown, the Oxbow Public Market and the riverside walk round out the morning nicely.
It is half the pleasure. Past San Pablo Bay the river narrows into meanders lined with wetlands where pelicans and raptors keep the ship company. Onboard lecturers recount the era when steamers and hay barges made this waterway the county's commercial artery.
Plenty. Winery architecture, gardens and local agricultural history easily fill a visit. The Oxbow Public Market gathers around twenty artisan counters — cheesemongers, roasters, oyster bars, bakers — with terraces overlooking the water.
A blind tasting in which Californian wines outscored leading Bordeaux, establishing Napa Valley's international reputation. Winery guides bring it up readily; it is the founding moment of their modern history.
The US dollar, and cards work everywhere: wineries, the Oxbow market, restaurants and shops. Some cash is handy for tips, which are customary in California.
Harvest, from late August through October, shows the vineyards at their liveliest, smell of crushed grapes included. Spring has its own charm, with wild mustard flowering between the rows. Summer is hot and dry in the valley, even when the bay stays cool.
Only moderately. Wineries are not designed for children and some do not admit minors in tasting rooms. The Oxbow market and the riverside walk, with its kayakers and herons, suit a family outing better.
A set of vintage rail cars that has carried seated passengers through the vineyards since the 1980s. You may cross paths with it during your excursion; some lines offer it as an option.
