If you’re planning a trip to Napa in the fall, you probably have questions like: Is this the best time of year to visit Napa Valley? What should I pack? And how do I choose between Napa vs. Sonoma wine tastings?
We’re here to tell you not to worry: Autumn is a magical time to spend among the vines of Napa and Sonoma. With harvest festivals to celebrate, fall colors to soak in, and countless other things to do, fall in Napa Valley — or Sonoma County — will not disappoint.
The arrival of fall in Napa marks the start of harvest season. Wineries are in full swing — and at full capacity — for the most exciting time of the year. As the season moves on, the leaves turn, the nights get cooler, and Napa and Sonoma transition into the slow season. Wineries are again able to offer one-on-one attention and you may even snag a deal on a hotel.
Whether you plan to visit Napa for the harvest rush, or the after-harvest hush, here are the best things to do during autumn in wine country.
- Celebrate Harvest
- See the Fall Color
- Fill up on Food, Festivals, and Wine
- Take a Tour in Napa or Sonoma
- Napa in Falls FAQ
Celebrate Harvest
Harvest is the most popular time in California wine country. The grapes have ripened all summer and are now bursting with flavor and potential. The first thing you’ll notice is the warm scent of fermenting fruit, as the light of late summer and early fall drapes across the vines in a golden honey hue.
The busiest time of the year for the wineries can also be the most exciting for visitors. Vineyard workers race to pick and press the grapes at peak ripeness in order to produce the world-class wine the world has come to expect from the region. This time culminates with get-togethers in celebration of yet another successful season in wine country.
There is no wrong way to celebrate harvest in Napa. If you want to hop from tasting room to tasting room for a classic trip to wine country, you’ll find the experience as delightful and delicious as always.
You will notice more crowds, though, so our number one recommendation is to plan ahead and make reservations. Trust us – reservations will make or break your harvest-time trip to Napa or Sonoma.
If you’re looking for something special, consider one of the seasonal harvest experiences below. Check out these lists of Napa Valley events and Sonoma County events for even more ideas.
Harvest Balls and Parties
Napa Valley wineries pull out all the stops during harvest and host fabulous celebrations. One of the most famous is at the V. Sattui Winery. Their annual Harvest Ball in September is the event of the season. Guests dress up for a night of wine, food, and dancing on V. Sattui’s perfectly-manicured grounds.
Hands-on Harvest Experiences
Celebrating the harvest season isn’t all about getting dressed up and sipping wine — sometimes it can involve getting your hands (and feet) dirty! If you’ve ever wanted to try stomping grapes yourself, this is your chance to do it.
Crush It at The Estate Yountville is a harvest celebration that includes a grape stomp and BBQ feast. Bouchaine Vineyards hosts an annual Crush Party with a picking contest, grape stomp, sneak peek vintage sips, and a paella feast.
In nearby Healdsburg, Alexander Valley Vineyards hosts Let’s Crush It, a day of grape stomping, BBQ, and wine bingo on the Wetzel Family Estate.
Harvest Festivals
For a more relaxed and casual vibe, head to Sonoma County. The Sonoma County Harvest Fair is two days of family-friendly fun celebrating the county’s agricultural prosperity and cultural resources. Watch the judges narrow down the winners from over 900 local wines during the grand tasting.
Or, visit downtown Sonoma for the Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival. This multi-day event is more than just a harvest celebration, with live music, a 5K fun run, a blessing of the grapes, and grand tasting.
Exclusive Muir Woods, Napa & Sonoma Valley Wine Tour
The only wine country tour to combine three Napa & Sonoma Valley wineries with a morning excursion to San Francisco’s stunning Coast Redwood forest – Muir Woods.
Small Group Napa Valley Reserve Wine Tour
This small group Napa Valley wine tour from San Francisco features seated wine tasting at 3 of Napa’s best-loved wineries, including the 13th century-style castle at Castello di Amorosa.
See the Fall Color
California isn’t known for its fall foliage — but keep an open mind, because the fall colors of Napa and Sonoma might surprise you. The grape vines, big leaf maples, black oaks, and ginkgos provide reds, yellows, and oranges to create a stunning display amongst the evergreens of the valley. Some say the scene rivals the fall display on the East Coast, but we’ll let you be the judge of that.
If your goal is to see the fall color in Napa and Sonoma, you should plan for a trip later into fall. The leaves begin to change in mid-to-late October, typically peaking in early November. The exact dates can vary, but the valley usually holds onto its color through the month of November.
The best way to experience the fall color in wine country is to get outside and explore. There are scenic drives, beautiful hikes, and even balloon rides.
Scenic Drives
So much of the beautiful fall foliage in Napa and Sonoma is visible from the road, if you know where to go. Whether you choose a car or a bike, having access to wheels will help you see more in the time that you have.
The Silverado Trail (Highway 121) is the most famous scenic drive in Napa. Connecting Carneros to Calistoga, this stretch of road is a feast for the eyes. Another drive great for fall foliage is Oak Knoll Avenue near Napa.
For a classic road trip in Sonoma County, look no further than Hwy. 12, also known as the wine road. This trip showcases the best the area has to offer, and invites you to stop at wineries along the way to savor the views and, of course, the wines.
Many wineries have spots on their properties that are particularly beautiful in fall. These include the ginkgo-lined driveway at Far Niente Winery, and the elm tunnel at Beringer Vineyards. Both make for fabulous fall photos.
One of the ways to enjoy Napa in fall is the Napa Valley Vine Trail, a 12.5-mile car-free walking and biking path between South Napa and Yountville. The goal is to complete the 47-mile route connecting all of Napa Valley. For Napa Valley bike rentals, look for a shop with easy access to the trail in downtown Napa.
Hikes
To get up close and personal with the fall color, why not go for a hike? There are too many options to list them all, but here are a few of our favorites:
For Napa Valley fall colors, don’t miss Bothe-Napa State Park. This 1,900 acre park has over 10 miles of hiking trails which immerse you in oaks, madrones, maples, and coast redwoods.
If a town walk is more your speed, take a walk through downtown St. Helena. The tree-lined streets will fill your heart with fall magic — and your shopping bags with treasures. There is something especially cool about admiring the Victorian houses in fall too, especially during spooky season.
Sonoma County also delivers on the fall walks, and one of the best places to go is Spring Lake in Santa Rosa. Join a naturalist-led family hike to further explore and understand the wilderness of the park, offered Saturdays through the Environmental Discovery Center.
Another fabulous park to visit in Sonoma County in fall is Jack London State Historic Park. It offers over 20 miles of trails for all fitness levels. Take some time to explore the historical relics in the park, or enjoy a live theater or music performance in the old winery ruins.
Balloon Rides
If you want a bird’s eye view of the fall color, hop in a balloon and take to the skies! Several companies offer hot air balloon rides in Napa, including Napa Valley Balloons. They offer a range of experience packages to complete your balloon ride, including champagne breakfasts and bike rentals.
Keep in mind that Napa balloon rides are sunrise affairs. They will be chilly, even if the day is forecasted to be hot, so remember to take a warm layer.
Food, Festivals, and Wine
Fall may be focused on harvest events and fall colors, but it is really so much more! Seasonal food favorites bring fresh excitement to restaurant plates, the annual Napa Film Festival brings Hollywood to the valley, and so much more.
Seasonal Food
California wine country is well known as a foodie destination. Home to several Michelin-starred restaurants, it isn’t hard to see why. These establishments pride themselves on offering rotating seasonal menus that celebrate the season and local produce.
One example is SingleThread in Healdsburg. Farmer and co-owner Katina Connaughton focuses on celebrating the micro-seasons of Sonoma County, guaranteeing the freshest seasonal ingredients for a truly elevated dining experience.
And if you’re thinking of visiting Napa for Thanksgiving, you won’t go wrong. Many eateries — from family-friendly buffets to Michelin-starred restaurants — offer special Thanksgiving spreads to remove the holiday stress and help you focus on spending time with your friends and family.
Festivals
Harvest festivals aren’t the only celebrations to enjoy in Napa in fall. There are annual festivals celebrating bluegrass, beer, films, and more.
Hollywood meets wine country for the annual Napa Valley Film Festival, held each November. Choose from over 100 independent films at screenings and wine tastings are held at venues across the valley.
Wine
In all of the fall festival excitement, don’t forget about what lies at the heart of Napa and Sonoma – the wineries! Scheduling tastings and tours at wineries is a must-do experience for any trip to Napa or Sonoma in any season.
Every winery has its own character, so picking just a handful of tasting rooms for a trip can be nearly impossible. Use our Ultimate Guide to the Best Napa Valley Wine Tours and Tastings to help you narrow it down.
Take a Tour in Napa or Sonoma
Although you can explore wine country on your own, one of the best ways to visit Napa or Sonoma in fall is to take a tour. If you’re new to the region, leave planning behind and let the experts show you the best of wine country! Tours come in every size and shape, for all interests and availability.
For example, you can take a full-day or half-day tour from San Francisco that showcases the best of the area with an itinerary full of great wine, history, and views. This Half-Day Wine Country tour includes transportation to and from wine country with an expert guide, and visits to two wineries in Sonoma.
There are also tours that include nearby destinations, like this Redwoods and California Wine Country Tour that includes time to explore the breathtaking Muir Woods National Monument before jetting off to wine country.
There are also behind-the-scenes tours offered at some wineries that will treat you to insider knowledge from the winemakers themselves — not to mention fabulous wine and food pairings. These experiences are special during harvest, when the workings of the winery are in full swing.
Autumn may even be the best time of year to ride the Napa Valley Wine Train, which allows you to see some Napa Valley fall color from the comfort of a vintage train car. Choose from various durations and styles, including a Thanksgiving meal trip.
Finally, there are small group and private tours to wine country. These will cost your group more, but will deliver unbeatable experiences, one-on-one service, and customizable itineraries for unforgettable trips.
One advantage to a guided wine country tour is the built-in designated driver. Wineries in Napa and Sonoma are spread out, and someone always needs to be safe to drive in between them. Taking a tour with included transportation allows the entire group to enjoy tastings to the fullest.
Napa in Fall FAQs
When can you see fall colors in Napa Valley?
The leaves in Napa begin to change in mid-to-late October, and tend to be at their peak in early November. This can shift either way depending on the year, so if your heart is set on seeing the fall colors, aim to visit in early November and keep a close eye on social media to see the latest conditions.
Is Napa good to visit in the fall?
Absolutely! Napa in fall is a time of changing colors, harvest celebrations, and generally pleasant weather. Whether you prefer the hustle and bustle of early harvest season, or wait to visit Napa in October or November, your fall trip to Napa or Sonoma will be one to remember.
Fall in Napa can be crowded, however, so be sure to make reservations for popular tastings and meals.
What is the weather like in wine country in fall?
The weather in wine country is pleasant in the fall, with sunny days but cooler temperatures than the peak of summer. Expect average highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s. All outdoor activities (including wine tastings) are just as, or even more, enjoyable as in summer. Many visitors think the weather in wine country is the best in the fall.
What to wear and pack for fall in Napa Valley?
The key to dressing correctly for fall in Napa and Sonoma is to dress in layers. Bring a warmer coat than you think may be necessary, because the nights can be chilly once the sun goes down (despite the heaters on winery patios).
If you’re visiting in the second half of fall, bring an umbrella and all-weather shoes. You may not need them, but you’ll be prepared if you happen to be there for the first rain of the season.
