Napa is the epicenter of New World wines. It puts United States on the international wine map with its stunning geographic beauty and arguably some of the best Bordeaux blend wines in the world. In contrast, the vibe in Sonoma County is much like Oregon’s Willamette Valley—low key compared to its neighbor Napa, approachable, and user friendly. Napa-Sonoma is an area where both the wine geek and the novice feel right at home.

Modern Napa is certainly not the place it was 20 years ago, nor do we really want it to be. Yes, we long for the “good old days” when traffic was light, wine tastings were free, and visitors didn’t drive luxury cars matching their dogs and designer jeans. We remember when you didn’t have to make restaurant reservations six months in advance (French Laundry, for example) and when you could easily buy a case of premium wines for less than $150. Well, those days are over and won’t be back!

There are more and better wines being made in Napa and Sonoma than ever before. In this guide, we’ll visit places where corporate American hasn’t taken over the few remaining family-owned and operated wineries, the ones that produce under-the-radar wines that are well worth seeking out.

Food and wine scene

Napa and Sonoma also offer visitors more and better restaurants than ever before, competing with the cutting-edge food scene of any major city in the world. Locals pride themselves on “farm to table” dining, where everything you eat and drink has provenance (AOC) and credibility.

The area’s vibrant food scene offers diversity not often found in such a small geographic area. In the hands of some of the world’s greatest chefs, the bounty of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, and baked goods consistently exceeds our dining expectations.

This trip will affirm that the Napa Valley and Sonoma represent the best of America’s winemaking.