Explore Wine Country

Wine Country isn’t just about wine, though it’s hard to convince visitors of that sometimes. Rushing from one winery to the next, it’s easy to lose track of all the other amazing things—hot air balloon rides, hikes through local parks or evenings by a cozy fireplace—that make living here such a spectacular experience. The best Wine Country experiences take into account all that is great about this region—from the food and wine tasting on board the Napa Valley Wine Train, to breath-taking views of the Carneros and events that even the kids can enjoy.

>>2006 Winners in the Exploring Wine Country Category

	Best Balloon Up, up and awaaaaaaaaaaay. High above the valley floor, hot air balloons silently float along, far away from traffic jams and looming deadlines. Napa’s Balloons Above the Valley is a favorite ballooning experience, lifting riders several thousand feet into the air and giving a birds’ eye view of the vineyards and wineries below. With nothing but the roar of the jets to break the silence, the ride is both exhilarating and relaxing at the same time—unlike afternoon traffic jams along Highway 128.
	Best Scenic View In a photo-album region with breath-taking views around nearly every bend in the road, there are a handful of places that make everything else pale and wither in comparison. Artesa Winery was very purposefully built to create just that kind of dramatic visual impact everywhere you turn. On the terrace, there are sweeping views out onto the Carneros; below, fountains spray gracefully and the sculpture garden blends the line between nature and art—what is merely beautiful and what stirs our very souls. Oh, and the wine’s pretty darned tasty, too.
	Best Family Outing Dragging the kids to do errands on Saturday doesn't really count as family time. Neither does a sing-a-long on the way to soccer (though it certainly doesn't hurt). Local folks know that a little fresh air goes a long way toward familial bonding. Each weekend, hundreds of families haul the kids, the dog, Aunt Marilyn and Grandpa Peter down the road to the Bale Grist Mill State Park for a little tete-a-tete with Mother Nature.
	Best B&B High up on a hill in the valley sits a curious Victorian house that can’t help but inspire wonder. With only a small sign announcing its presence, Castle in the Clouds Bed and Breakfast is a retreat you have to know about to, well, know about. Draped with silks and satins in the most decadent of styles, the handful of rooms fairly drip with opulence, though they tend to pale a bit in comparison with panoramic birds’ eye view of the valley laid out below. Just prepare to delight the gate-guarding Bacchus below in order to gain access. A moderately-priced Merlot should do the trick.