A Taste of Napa Valley
Napa Valley Vine Trail
Just blocks from The Watermark, the Napa Valley Vine Trail winds through wine country for 12.5 miles. You can hike, bike, or walk among some of the region’s most breathtaking scenery. Stroll past bucolic farmland, through forests, and stop at a winery or two along the way.
di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art
This home to Northern California art features several galleries, a sculpture park, and a 35-acre lake perfect for contemplative strolls. You’ll also find educational programs for all ages and contemporary exhibitions sure to make you think.
Hot-Air Balloon Rides
Napa Valley is impressive enough from the ground—but from the air? Set aside a few hours and depart just after dawn for the most breathtaking sunrise of your life. You’ll get a gorgeous view of the coastline, too.
A History of Napa Valley
Wild grapes thrived in Napa Valley long before the first settlers came. The pioneer Charles Krug established the first commercial winery in 1861, and within 25 years, the local winery business exploded.
But this auspicious start ground to a halt at the turn of the 20th century. First, surplus grapes drove down prices. Then a plague of phylloxera (insects with a taste for grapes) devastated local vineyards. Not long after, Prohibition shut down production for an incredible 14 years.
Fast forward to 1976, when local vineyards were thriving again. But, more importantly, a blind taste test in Paris pitted Napa Valley wines against the best of Bordeaux and Burgundy. Napa wines walked away with top honors. Today the Valley is home to more than 500 wineries offering varietals revered around the world.
