Napa Valley

On our only free day, we picked Napa Valley as our destination. This was an unlikely choice (neither of us is a wine aficionado, and we both like natural than cultivated landscape), but we had been to many places around the Bay Area (such as Monterey, Point Reyes, Big Sur etc.), and this was a very windy day so we wanted to avoid the coast. Thus, Napa Valley became our destination by process of elimination.

(Click on each image to see the high-resolution version)

We first went through the town of Napa. Although windy, this was a crisp autumn day, and a stroll in town was nice enough without the peak season crowd.


Bull


Mural

Our walk led us across the Napa River and railroad where the Napa Valley Wine Train was parked.


Napa River


Napa Valley Wine Train

At the Oxbow Public Market we browsed local products.


Distillery


The Olive Press

Then began our winery tour along the main thoroughfare of Napa, Highway 29. Our first stop was to be at Robert Mondavi Winery. I've drank their wines before, now I finally saw the building in their trademark.


Robert Mondavi


Fountain

Our second stop was at V. Sattui Winery. This is a very popular place, largely because of its deli shop and picnic ground. We in fact bought our lunch here and had a picnic, and we were to stop once more on the way back to buy our only bottle of wine.


V. Sattui Winery


Sattui Wines


Sattui Wines


Sattui Wines

The most spectacular establishment is the faux-Italian castle at Castello di Amorasa. Being at a high vantage point at the northern end of the valley, it also offers good views of Napa Valley itself, and the white buildings of Sterling Vineyards across the valley.


Castello di amorasa


Castello di Amorasa


Napa Valley


Sterling Vineyards

Hall Wines was the last winery we stopped at. This new comer to the Napa Valley is very modern in style, in sharp contrast with almost every other wineries, it is also decorated with modern artworks inside and out. I quite like it for its uniqueness.


Hall Wines


Artwork of index cards at Hall Wines


Statue at Hall Wines


Rabbit artwork at Hall Wines



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