Napa & Sonoma Valley Adventure

Napa Valley is home to more than 400 wineries and some of the world’s most coveted grapevines – but those who visit the Napa just for the vino are missing out. Sprinkled between the vineyard-covered hillsides are many charming destinations with entertaining and delicious things to fill our days!

Maybe you’ve been to Napa before. Or maybe this is your first visit to Northern California’s legendary wine country. No matter if it’s your first time or your fifteenth, the best part will be the discovery of your senses…Cruising the rows of grapes during the golden hour, that magical time just before the sunsets, spending hours on a laid back patio with a crisp white in your hand “on a Tuesday”, watching the scenery unfold from a vintage train, or whirling past the vineyards on your bicycle as the morning fog burns off the valley floor, that’s the experience you can look forward to.

Whether it’s a bottle of newly discovered Cabernet or a locally inspired dining experience, you will discover your senses on this adventure!We’ll travel back in time on a historic passenger train to experience the glory days of train travel. We’ll bike right from our hotel to a select group of premier vineyards and tasting rooms.

Later in the week we move to Sonoma County and settle ourselves into the historic town of Healdsburg. Here, we’ll participate in a walking food and tasting tour and we’ll learn how to cook inspiring food while washing it down with region’s best grape. For those craving more action, we have an organized hike, more biking options and even a trail running session with long-time ultramarathoner, Suzanna Bon. The variety of experiences will be staggering and so might you be!

Itinerary at a Glance

• Arrive San Francisco and shuttle to Archer Hotel in downtown Napa
• Meet at Sky & View for cocktails before dining in-house at the Archer’s esteemed restaurant
• Explore the Napa countryside by bike, tasting wines as we go
• Hop aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train for a sumptuous day tour of the region
• Return to Napa in time for a casual dinner at Gott’s Burger and Wine Bar
• Transfer to the charming town of Healdsburg and settle into your new accommodations
• Explore Healdsburg on a walking and tasting tour lead by our resident “fine wine & foodie” expert
• Dine at Dry Creek Kitchen, one of Healdsburg’s most celebrated restaurants
• Visit the Relish Culinary Center for an incredible gourmet cooking experience
• Cycle, hike or hang by the pool for the afternoon before our final dinner at Campo Fina
• Board the 9am or 12 noon shuttle back to San Francisco for flights home

What to Expect on the Napa & Sonoma Valley Adventure

Day One: Arrive San Francisco & transfer to Napa

Today is your arrival day into San Francisco International airport. There will be two shuttles departing SFO to downtown Napa. The first van will depart at 1pm and the second will depart at 5pm, so please coordinate your flights accordingly. This trip has been designed so you do not need a vehicle as our activities and events will be proximal to our hotels in both Napa and Healdsburg. You can sit back and relax while sampling the forbidden fruits that await.

Please note: Those arriving outside these times will be responsible for their own transportation to Napa Valley. The return shuttles on October 16th will depart at 9am and 12 pm, putting you back at SFO around 11am and 2pm, respectively, for outbound flights. Those wishing to extend their stay should contact ROAM as early as possible so we can secure you our preferred pricing.

The city of Napa owes much of its look and feel to the Napa of the 1840’s. Because of the river that bisected town, Napa began as a trade and transportation hub. The city was developed in the 40’s and some of the first downtown buildings were a saloon and general store. Wealthy ship captains, bakers and tannery owners built Victorian mansions downtown, and many have been restored and are still there. Today, downtown Napa has become a destination in its own right, home to dozens of wine tasting rooms, hip hotels and top-notch restaurants.

Upon Arrival at the Archer Hotel in downtown Napa, you’ll be checked into your luxurious accommodations and given an overview of the evening plans. Cocktails will be at 7pm in the Sky & View bar and dinner will be in-house at the Archer’s esteemed restaurant, where we have a private dining area for us exclusively. Welcome to Napa!

Overnight Archer Hotel, Napa

Day Two: Explore the Napa Valley by bike

Breakfast will be available for 7am to 9:30am but don’t linger too long as today we have an exciting adventure planned by bicycle. Departing right from the hotel, we will spend a glorious day exploring Napa Valley by bike. The riding is not challenging but may become more adventurous after we visit a few tasting rooms. For that reason, and to carry any of your wine purchases, we will have a sweep vehicle along with us at all times. The ride will culminate after a delicious picnic lunch and a peddle back to the hotel.

Tonight’s dinner will be conveniently located next door to the Archer Hotel at Compline Wine bar. This restaurant has a delightful selection of meal choices, which will be paired with a host of sensational local vintages.

Overnight Archer Hotel, Napa

Day Three: Napa Valley Wine Train

Today we’ll have another wonderful breakfast at the Archer. Soon after, we’ll zip over to the conveniently located Napa Valley Wine Train for an engaging and memorable experience that echoes back to the glory days of train travel, with fine dining service, multicourse meals cooked to order and a variety of stops to experience legendary wineries along the rail line.

Rolling back into the station in late afternoon, there will still be time to roam around downtown Napa before a casual dinner at Gott’s Burger and Wine Bar. A relaxed dining affair, the burgers and food are heavenly and can be paired with craft beer or an exceptional wine selection.

Overnight Archer Hotel, Napa

Day Four: Napa to Healdsburg walking and tasting tour

After breakfast we’ll need to be organized for a 10am check out as we journey from Napa to Healdsburg. If you’re ready to immerse yourself in every aspect of the wine country lifestyle, the charming town of Healdsburg has it all – excellent wine, farm-to-table cuisine, interesting history, art of all types, beautiful music, small-town charm, intriguing shopping, and pampering spas.

Upon arrival, we’ll join our resident “fine wine and foodie” expert for a walking and tasting tour as we explore the charming and historic downtown area of Healdsburg. We will introduce you to the art of wine and food pairing, appellation and varietal comparisons, and so much more! You’ll enjoy exclusive private seated tastings at boutique tasting rooms, which may include beignets with bubbly, spiced teas, Cabernet with honey drizzled St. Augr blue cheese atop bosc pears, port with chocolates, freshly baked breads, olive oil, and much, much more!

After lunch, and several tastings, we will check into the sensational Hotel Healdsburg and get mentally prepared for an outrageous dinner at one of Healdsburg most celebrated restaurants, Dry Creek Kitchen where you’ll relish chef Charlie Palmer’s culinary wizardry.

Overnight Hotel Healdsburg, Healdsburg

Day Five: Gourmet cooking experience at Relish Culinary Center

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, participants will head to the Relish Culinary Center for an incredible gourmet cooking experience. Here we will meet our guest chef, who will lead us through a participatory cooking class and unparalleled four course hands-on dining experience.

There will still be time this afternoon to take advantage of the hotel’s complimentary bicycles, explore the open markets or simply kick back by the pool. For those wanting a little more exercise we have organized afternoon hike or if you really want to burn some calories after this indulgent week, you can join Sonoma-based and legendary ultramarathon runner, Suzanna Bon, for the run of your life. The choices are yours!

Tonight, we’ll stop by the Spoon Bar for some eclectic cocktails before we dine on wood-fired pizza, homemade pasta and have a bocce tournament at a favourite Italian haunt, Campo Fina. A classic Italian joint, you can choose old world wines to get you prepared for VAST’s next Italy trip or savour more of the local wines you’ve fallen in love with this week!

Overnight Hotel Healdsburg, Healdsburg

Day Six: San Francisco and flights home

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, participants will board either a 9am or 12 noon shuttle back to SFO for flights home.

Accommodations

The Archer, Napa

Downtown Napa’s newest boutique hotel has created a luxe wine country retreat with a distinctly urban beat. With six unique design palettes of soothing cream, gray and gold mixed with native trims at every turn, this hotel offers 144 luxe guest rooms, and 39 spacious suites with private balconies overlooking downtown Napa’s urban buzz. Mix in thoughtful details and daily turndown treats, and every stay in one of Archer’s Napa boutique hotel rooms is an experience all its own. Downtown Napa is in full renaissance, and Archer Hotel brings a uniquely Napa, luxury boutique hotel to this gateway city.

Hotel Healdsburg, Healdsburg

Hotel Healdsburg embodies Sonoma wine country simplicity and charm. The Hotel is set on the western edge of Healdsburg’s historic town plaza and guests can enjoy some of the world’s finest vineyards, restaurants and shops within minutes of the front steps. Beautifully appointed guestrooms, country gardens, and a luxurious spa provide a tranquil setting for guests to relax on the hotel grounds.