If you live in San Francisco or are planning a trip there, we recommend taking a detour to Napa. It’ll only take an hour and a half drive to feel like you’ve traveled to a faraway country across the world. Home to a collection of hundreds of the finest wineries, you’ll find Napa’s lush countryside is the perfect getaway from the city.
Whether you decide to take a day trip or a weekend trip from San Francisco to Napa, it can be overwhelming to select which wineries to visit out of the hundreds in the valley. To make your planning process easier, the team at Theorem Vineyards has put together the ultimate guide for your San Francisco to Napa Valley getaway.
Transportation Options
There are a few transportation methods you can take to Napa Valley if you don’t want to drive there.
- Shuttle Bus: Paying for a shuttle bus to Napa Valley from San Francisco is also perfect if you’re going with a large group of friends or for a bachelorette party.
- Driving Services: Another popular method of transportation from San Francisco to Napa Valley is with a private driving service. These are comfortable and easy—and there are several fantastic options for those looking for them in the local area. Two that we recommend include WhySpit, which offers private Napa Valley tours, and Eclectic, another great option for private wine tours.
- Flying: Although flying to Napa Valley isn’t common, it is an available option. The Napa Airport doesn’t have any commercial airline services, but there are charter options available. Another option is the Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport, which is located just 7 miles northwest of Santa Rosa and offers commercial flights.
Must-Visit Wineries Throughout Napa Valley
If you’re taking a day trip to Napa Valley or you’re going on a weekend getaway, you might not know where to start. Our team at Theorem Vineyards has arranged must-see vineyards to visit as you make your way through Napa Valley. The vineyards and wineries listed below are within five to twenty-five minutes apart—making multiple winery visits easy and making your trip unforgettable.
Fantesca is a boutique winery located on Spring Mountain, near St. Helena. Fantesca Estate & Winery encompasses 10 acres of vineyards, nine of which were planted in 1997 to Cabernet Sauvignon and one acre to Petit Verdot. Now they produce a variety of wines, including Chardonnay, Red Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir. The vineyard also has excellent views, sceneries, and delicious wine to enjoy with your loved ones. At Fantesca you get to experience a private tasting experience along with a beautiful winery garden, fireplace, and winery caves. Wine tastings are available by appointments.
Established in 1995, Lokoya Winery produces 100% Cabernet Sauvignon on four different mountain appellations, including Mount Veeder, Howell Mountain, Spring Mountain, and Diamond Mountain. They provide great tasting experiences at their Spring Mountain estate, and they’re available prior appointment only. Lokoya Winery is a great place to enjoy delicious wine with friends or your significant other.
The Revana estate was founded in 1997 in Saint Helena, an area known for excellent Cabernet Sauvignon. Hillside erosion creates a gravel-rich, well-drained soil; combined with moderate climate and clear mornings, the Revana estate possesses the ideal conditions for growing Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyard is nine acres made of nine one-acre blocks, each one planted with vines matched to each block’s unique soil. The Revana wine philosophy is committed to perfecting the Cabernet Sauvignon; as a result, the vineyard produces only that wine. The vineyard was initially guided by well-known winemaker Heidi Barrett, who was succeeded by Thomas Brown—the resident winemaker at Theorem Vineyards.
Richard Thornton Boswell established his winery 40 years ago with an idea: create a small lot, French Style winery that sold directly to the client. Today, Chateau Boswell remains one of a handful of privately-owned family wineries in Napa Valley (a short list that also includes Theorem Vineyards). The vineyard grows Cabernet Sauvignon as well as other varietals in Saint Helena along the Silverado Trail. The 10-acre winery includes a stone building made of hand-hewn stones and boasts a diverse terroir of volcanic ash, volcanic red soil, and obsidian. A little more than 3 acres is devoted to growing vines; most of the land is still untamed forest land and rugged hillside. One of the most incredible features of the vineyard is a 14,000-square-foot wine cave and tunnel built into the hillside, which features exposed volcanic rock on its walls.
Come Visit Us at Theorem Vineyards
Theorem Vineyards is nestled on the northern slope of Diamond Mountain in Calistoga. It is approximately 1,100 feet above sea level, so it gets a unique blend of minimal fog, rich sunlight, and volcanic soils. Our vineyard spans 20 planted acres of hillside land, where we grow Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, and Chardonnay. At Theorem, we seek to create wines that tell a story of the site and the soils they are produced from.
Along with our winemaker, Thomas Rivers Brown, our philosophy is to allow the site to dictate the wine. The wines produced from our Diamond Mountain and Moon Mountain District estate are unique, complex, and captivating. We provide tours of our beautiful vineyard, along with an unparalleled winetasting experienced where you get to taste timeless wines. Join us in our journey of discovering more about our enchanting vineyard.
As you plan your San Francisco to Napa Valley getaway, contact our team at Theorem Vineyards to schedule an appointment to visit us soon: (707) 942-4254.
