Unearth The Voyage
Napa Valley is more than just wine country, it’s a playground for romance. Rolling vineyards, candlelit dinners, and adventures built for two make this northern California gem unforgettable for couples. Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, planning a proposal, or simply escaping together, these experiences will create memories that last a lifetime.
1. Ride (and dine) on the Napa Valley Wine Train
Step aboard a journey that feels like time travel. The Wine Train whisks you from Napa to St. Helena in restored vintage Pullman cars, complete with white linens, sparkling crystal, and multi-course menus crafted by talented chefs.
Candlelight flickers as vineyard rows blur past your window. Multiple dining experiences are available, from gourmet dinners to winery-stop tours that let you explore estates along the route.
Old-school elegance meets valley beauty on this rolling date night. Dress up, order a second bottle, and let the scenery do the rest.
2. Float at sunrise in a hot-air balloon
Few experiences top the magic of watching dawn break over wine country from a thousand feet up. Operators like Napa Valley Balloons lift off early, when the air is calm and the light turns everything golden.
Book a private basket if you’re planning something extra special, proposals happen up here all the time. The silence is surreal; you hear birds, the burner’s occasional roar, and your own heartbeat.
Weather permitting, daily flights run year-round. Bundle up, bring your camera, and prepare for a moment you’ll both replay forever.
3. Tour the fairytale castle at Castello di Amorosa
Yes, there’s a real castle in Calistoga—complete with a moat, drawbridge, and 107 rooms. Castello di Amorosa took 14 years to build using centuries-old techniques, and walking through it feels like stepping into a Tuscan dream.
Guided tours reveal frescoed ceilings, a torture chamber (don’t worry, it’s historical), and barrel cellars carved into bedrock. Tastings happen by reservation and are capped at around 75 minutes.
Bring your inner knight and princess. This place was literally built for romance.
4. Glide up to a hilltop tasting on Sterling Vineyards’ aerial gondola
Sterling is the only winery in the valley where you take a gondola to reach the tasting room. The four-minute ride climbs 300 feet, offering sweeping views of vines, mountains, and the town of Calistoga below.
Once you’re at the top, wander the self-guided tour through barrel rooms and terraces before settling in to sip. The white Mediterranean-style buildings and bells add an almost Greek-island vibe.
It’s playful, scenic, and totally unique. Plus, the ride down is just as good as the ride up.
5. Savor the views at Artesa
Perched on a Carneros hilltop, Artesa feels like an art gallery that happens to make wine. Minimalist architecture, rotating sculptures, and 360-degree views create an atmosphere that’s both sophisticated and serene.
Grab a flight and settle onto one of the terraces. On clear days, you can see all the way to San Francisco Bay.
The vibe here is calm and contemplative—perfect for couples who want beauty without the crowds. Bring a light jacket; the breeze up here is part of the charm.
6. Pop bubbly at Domaine Carneros’ chateau terrace
Domaine Carneros looks like it was airlifted from Champagne, France. The chateau’s grand staircase and manicured grounds set the stage for sparkling wine done right.
Book a seated tasting on the terrace (open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) and linger over bubbles paired with cheese or oysters. Recent additions include an oysters-and-bubbles lounge that’s become a favorite for special occasions.
Dress code? Whatever makes you feel fabulous. This is one of those places where clinking glasses feels like a celebration all by itself.
7. Picnic among the vines at V. Sattui (St. Helena)
V. Sattui is one of the few Napa wineries with legal picnic grounds, and locals have been coming here for decades. The newly renovated artisan deli and marketplace lets you build the ultimate spread—aged cheeses, cured meats, fresh bread, olives, and more.
Grab a bottle, claim a shady spot under the oaks, and unpack your feast. Outside food isn’t allowed, but you won’t miss it.
Weekends can get busy, so aim for a weekday visit if you want a quieter vibe.
8. Take a couples’ cooking class at CIA at Copia (Downtown Napa)
Located in Napa’s Oxbow District, the Culinary Institute of America’s public campus offers hands-on cooking classes for all skill levels. Single-day sessions and multi-day bootcamps run year-round, covering everything from pasta-making to wine-country cuisine.
You’ll chop, sauté, and plate alongside your partner, guided by professional instructors. Then you get to eat what you made, which is half the fun.
Check the live calendar for upcoming sessions and special events. It’s a delicious way to bond—and you’ll leave with new skills for date nights at home.
9. Soak in Calistoga’s geothermal mineral waters
Calistoga sits on a geothermal hotspot, and soaking in its warm mineral waters is a valley tradition. Indian Springs’ historic pools stay open late for hotel guests and welcome day visitors during set hours.
For a more private experience, book Spa Solage’s geothermal bathhouse circuits and couples treatments. You’ll alternate between hot pools, cool plunges, and cozy relaxation nooks.
The volcanic mud baths are legendary, too. Yes, you’ll look ridiculous. Yes, it’s worth it.
10. Cave-tour tasting for two (Del Dotto, Jarvis & more)
Going underground adds drama to any tasting. Del Dotto’s Piazza location offers daily barrel tastings by reservation in hand-carved caves lined with French and Hungarian oak.
Jarvis Estate, tucked into the hills east of Napa, takes it further with an appointment-only tour through a subterranean labyrinth complete with a waterfall and tasting chamber. Visit Napa Valley curates other cave experiences, too.
The cool air, dim lighting, and rich aromas make these tours feel like secret adventures. Perfect for wine lovers who want more than just a tasting room.
11. Stroll, snack, and sip at Oxbow Public Market
Oxbow Public Market is Napa’s culinary playground. Wander between vendors slinging oysters, wood-fired pizza, artisan chocolates, tacos, and cupcakes, then grab a seat on the river deck to watch the world drift by.
Open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., it’s perfect for a lazy breakfast, a quick lunch, or an early-evening snack-and-wine crawl.
Share a few things. Steal bites off each other’s plates. This is grazing at its finest, with zero pretense and maximum flavor.
12. Bike the Napa Valley Vine Trail (Napa ↔ Yountville)
The Vine Trail is a mostly flat, car-free path that connects Napa and Yountville—ideal for couples who want fresh air without the sweat. Rent e-bikes near the trailhead and cruise through vineyards, past tasting rooms, and alongside the river.
Stop for a long lunch in Yountville, or time it for a sunset ride back with golden light spilling over the vines.
No Lycra required. Just helmets, good company, and maybe a backpack for a bottle you pick up along the way.
13. Kayak the Napa River
Glide through downtown Napa from a whole new angle. Outfitters like Napa Valley Paddle and Napa Valley Kayak rent tandem kayaks and offer guided trips right from the docks.
The water is calm, the birdlife is abundant, and the scenery blends city charm with vineyard views. You’ll pass under bridges, drift past waterfront restaurants, and maybe spot an egret or two.
It’s a quiet, active date that doesn’t require experience—just a willingness to get a little wet and work together. Teamwork makes the dream work, right?
14. Walk Yountville’s Art Walk (free)
Yountville’s one-mile main drag doubles as an open-air gallery. Public sculptures rotate seasonally, so there’s always something new to discover between tasting rooms, boutiques, and cafes.
Grab a printed map at the Welcome Center and wander hand-in-hand. Some pieces are whimsical, others thought-provoking—all are Instagram-worthy.
It’s free, easy, and a great way to stretch your legs between meals. Plus, Yountville is one of the prettiest towns in the valley, so even the walk itself feels special.
15. Historic estate romance at Beringer Vineyards
Beringer is Napa Valley’s oldest continuously operating winery, and stepping onto the property feels like visiting a grand estate. The 1884 Rhine House, with its stained glass and carved woodwork, hosts tastings that pair history with world-class wine.
Guided tours take you through hand-dug caves where barrels have aged for more than a century. The grounds are lush, shaded, and perfect for photos.
Beringer proves that some things only get better with age—wine, architecture, and romance included.
16. Hike to Lake Marie at Skyline Wilderness Park
Just minutes from downtown Napa, Skyline Wilderness Park offers more than 25 miles of trails with big views and hardly any crowds. The hike to Lake Marie is a local favorite—moderate effort, rewarding scenery, and a peaceful spot to rest at the top.
All trails are open as of October 2025, though hours vary seasonally, so check the website before you go.
Pack water, snacks, and a camera. This is Napa without the tasting fees, and the quiet beauty is worth every step.
17. A table with a view: The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil
Auberge du Soleil’s terrace is one of those places where the view does as much work as the chef. Perched above olive groves and vineyards, the Michelin-starred restaurant serves refined California cuisine with a side of golden-hour magic.
Reserve a sunset dinner, or opt for weekend brunch if you prefer daylight drama. Either way, the setting is unforgettable.
Lunch and dinner are currently offered, and the dress code leans upscale-casual. Splurge on the wine pairing—you’re already here, after all.
18. Make it a Michelin night in Yountville (The French Laundry)
Thomas Keller’s three-Michelin-star temple of cuisine is the ultimate splurge. If you can snag a reservation (bookings open months ahead via Tock), prepare for a multi-hour tasting menu that’s equal parts art, science, and theater.
Every course is a revelation. Every detail is intentional. And yes, you’ll want to dress up—this is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of night.
Celebrate an engagement, an anniversary, or just the fact that you’re together in wine country. The French Laundry doesn’t just serve dinner; it creates memories.
19. Date-night jazz (through Dec 31, 2025): Blue Note Napa
Catch a live show at Blue Note Napa while you still can. Housed in the historic Napa Opera House, the club hosts intimate performances from jazz legends and rising stars through New Year’s Eve 2025.
After that, the club will relocate, though Summer Sessions will continue elsewhere in the valley. For now, the Opera House setting adds old-world charm to every note.
Order cocktails, sit close, and let the music do the talking. Some nights are made for dancing; others are made for just listening together.
20. Treat yourselves at PRESS (St. Helena)
PRESS is where serious wine collectors and serious romantics meet. This Michelin-starred St. Helena spot is known for its deep Napa Valley wine list, dry-aged steaks, and moody, candlelit atmosphere.
Nightly dinner service runs year-round, with occasional closures for holidays and a brief winter break. Reservations are strongly recommended.
The lighting is low, the booths are cozy, and the wine selection is world-class. Dress up, order something you’ve never tried, and toast to the good life.
