Savor Cabernet Season with a Stay in Napa Valley this Winter
Wintertime in Napa Valley exudes a cozy, quiet kind of magic. Known as Cabernet season, it arrives as the temperature drops, the crowds thin, and the last of the grapes have been harvested and set to slumber in their barrels. The fall foliage fades and is replaced with carpets of yellow mustard flowers blooming between the vines. Wisps of low clouds cling to the hills and occasionally give way to glorious sun breaks that bathe the vineyards in a golden light. Spas beckon visitors with therapeutic hot springs, warm mud baths, and cocoons of pampered luxury. Strands of twinkle lights lend a festive air to the tasting rooms and restaurants (where it’s far less crowded and far easier to snag a reservation). And all around the valley, roaring fireplaces and fire pits draw visitors to snuggle up to the hearth with a glass of wine or a hot toddy.
Cabernet season is also the time for great deals. Napa Valley Restaurant Month runs January 6 – February 2, 2025 and offers exclusive deals on inventive epicurean meals and experiences from Napa Valley’s world-class restaurants. Through February 9, 2025, Calistoga’s Winter in the Wineries Passport program provides complimentary tastings at 19 wineries for just $80 per person.
Napa Valley’s luxurious boutique hotels and cozy bed and breakfast inns are also offering their lowest prices of the year. Pack your sweaters and book a stay to savor Cabernet season in Napa.
Where to Stay
Stanly Ranch
Nestled on a 712-acre historic ranch and vineyard, this boutique resort hotel is a destination unto itself. Designed with warm and welcoming natural finishes, the private cottages and guest rooms invite the outdoors in and feature lounge seating areas, fire pits, and outdoor showers. As a working ranch, the culinary program at Stanly Ranch creates sustainably sourced and seasonally driven menus. The resort’s wellness spa, movement studio, pool, golf course, and trails add to the experience.
The George
Downtown Napa’s newest boutique hotel looks as though it’s torn from the pages of an interior design magazine. Housed inside of a grand, elegantly renovated Victorian, The George remains true to the building’s historic architectural details while creating gorgeous interiors steeped in modern style and luxury. The dreamy beds, heated bathroom floors, plush amenities, and keyless entry systems are only surpassed by the hotel’s warm and generous hospitality.
R Inn Napa
R Inn Napa is an unexpected oasis of modern design in downtown Napa. Inspired by small European art hotels, the inn features bold original artwork, sleek décor, and every high-tech comfort imaginable. The stunning two-story loft suites and courtyard guest rooms offer automatically adjustable beds, remote-controlled bidet toilets with heated seats, large QLED smart TVs, gas fireplaces, rainfall showerheads, and complimentary bottles of wine.
Churchill Manor
Nestled on an acre of lawns and gardens near downtown Napa, Churchill Manor is an architectural treasure listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The grand Second Empire mansion features elegant parlors with beautifully preserved woodwork, European antiques, cozy fireplaces, and a wide, wraparound porch. Evening wine and cheese and a multi-course breakfast are served with convivial hospitality from long-time owners Brian and Joanna.
Cedar Gables Inn
Designed by Ernest Coxhead, who was one of San Francisco’s most prominent architects in the late 19th Century, the Cedar Gables Inn is a one-of-a-kind Arts & Crafts mansion near downtown Napa. The 10,000-square-foot inn features original redwood interiors, leaded glass windows with gothic flourishes, and 11 unique guest rooms with an eclectic mix of antique and modern furnishings. Stays include a complimentary three-course breakfast served each morning.
Candlelight Inn
Secluded in a wooded creekside setting just a short drive from downtown Napa, Candlelight Inn exudes romance. Built in 1929, the English Tudor-style estate enchants guests with its beautifully tended gardens, swimming pool area, and dreamy guest rooms featuring Jacuzzi tubs and private decks. Guests can relax poolside beneath a wisteria-draped arbor or enjoy lawn games in the yard. A multi-course gourmet breakfast is served each morning.
Milliken Creek Inn
Completely redesigned in 2021, Milliken Creek Inn is an exclusive hideaway tucked along the banks of the Napa River. The tranquil, three-acre setting offers sleek fire pits, trickling fountains, a koi pond, and intimate seating areas. The luxe interiors were designed with modern furnishings and muted color palettes that play off the verdant views to create a serene ambiance. Guest room highlights include deep soaking tubs and in-room iPads for ordering breakfast, wine, and more.
The Cottages of Napa Valley
Enjoy your own private cottage in Napa wine country. Nestled along cobbled pathways under mature trees, eight vintage cottages have been beautifully renovated with luxurious creature comforts such as heated tile floors, gas fireplaces, and soaking tubs. Each also has its own wood-burning chiminea on a private patio for roasting s’mores. Pedal the Vine Trail between Napa and Yountville on complimentary cruiser bikes and enjoy fresh pastries delivered to the door.
Lavender
Just two blocks from the famed French Laundry restaurant in Yountville, Lavender is an intimate bed and breakfast inn combining the warm colors of Provence with contemporary design elements. The historic main house features a wraparound porch and an enclosed veranda where breakfast is served daily. Surrounding the main house, enchanting courtyard rooms feature vaulted ceilings, fireplaces, and private patios, many of which also have outdoor spa tubs.
Maison Fleurie
Built in 1873, Maison Fleurie in downtown Yountville is Napa Valley’s oldest hotel. The historic main house resembles an inn plucked from the south of France. Profuse gardens, handcrafted furniture, and an exposed brick dining room with a fireplace add to the enchantment. The bed and breakfast inn also features a pool, jacuzzi, and rooftop deck with views of Napa’s rolling hills. The inn is within an easy stroll to several tasting rooms and Michelin-starred restaurants.
Embrace Calistoga
Built in 1873, Embrace Calistoga is a five-room luxury inn at the entrance to downtown Calistoga. The elegant guest rooms feature a harmonious blend of styles incorporating Asian antiques, luxurious fabrics, touches of contemporary glamour, and original art collected from travels around the globe. A wide, welcoming, wraparound porch is the heart of the experience where guests gather for breakfast, happy hour, and watching the world pass by.
Calistoga Wine Way Inn
Built at the turn of the century and lovingly restored, Wine Way Inn is Calistoga’s oldest bed and breakfast and is one of the town’s finest examples of Craftsman architecture. The inn’s eight guest rooms range in size and price, but all are furnished in period style and include thoughtful amenities. A multi-level redwood deck with beautiful gardens and a fire pit climbs a steep slope behind the inn to offer sweeping views of Mount St. Helena and the Palisades.
Craftsman Inn
Calistoga Wine Way Inn’s sister property, the Craftsman Inn, is located just two blocks down the road. Innkeepers Nick and Gillian Kite are only the second family to own the home, which was built in 1912. After a two-year renovation, they opened the five-room inn in 2007. The elegant rooms feature unique period architectural details; a few also offer two-person Jacuzzi tubs. A sunny wraparound porch overlooks grapevines in the front yard.
The Atlas
The sophisticated wine country cottages at The Atlas in Calistoga blend a modern aesthetic with Zen-like tranquility and historic charm. Every detail was selected with the discerning traveler in mind – from the curated artwork to the designer furnishings and from the luxurious beds to the plush robes. The cottages feature fully stocked kitchens, cozy fireplaces, and sun-dappled outdoor seating. Staying at The Atlas is like having your own private Napa Valley hideaway.