What's New in Napa Valley 2024

Fall & Winter 2024 – Harvest to “Cabernet Season”

Experience Napa Valley during the heart of harvest season and beyond. As winery crush pads empty and famous barrel rooms fill with 2024 vintages, this premier wine country offers new – and classic – reasons to visit.

Napa Valley is a four-season destination, but with midday temperatures averaging 60 – 77°F and 1.5” average rainfall, its Mediterranean climate is near perfect in fall – and autumn sunsets put on a spectacular show.

Whether you’re after the latest in Napa Valley’s outdoor experiences — sound baths, stargazing yoga, and twilight tastings — eager to catch a legendary harvest party, or looking to delight in what’s new and notable, Napa Valley is a magical fall destination. As days grow short and nights get cozy, winter continues to offer can’t-miss events. Napa Valley has truly mastered the art of the off-season escape.

Harvest Notables
Wine & Culture Scene
Stargazing & After Dark
Cabernet Season Preview

Harvest Notables

As city nights become cooler, downtown hotspots will welcome you in with a cozy atmosphere and open arms. JaM Cellars continues to amplify Napa Valley’s music scene with vibrant live performances in downtown Napa’s bustling West End district. Join in the fun with JaMFest – a six-band performance event at its Wine & Music Studio with no cover charge.

Stretches of vineyards and native trees along the valley floor and hillsides are turning brilliant shades of gold, crimson, and orange – and the sweet fragrance of newly-fermented wine is in the air. Experience it all with a morning cruise along Highway 29. Head to wineries like St. Supéry for unique fall experiences, like the Harvest Live! Tour, where guests learn first-hand how the wine team makes picking decisions, sorts fruit, ferments wine, and more. This tour and tasting experience immerses guests in live harvest activities on the crush pad and cellar.

Take a crossroad and drive along Napa Valley’s eastern Silverado Trail for equally stunning fall views, where you can stop in for harvest experiences at dozens of wineries, including Clos du Val. This year, the winery brings back its beloved Clos du Val Harvest Farmer’s Market, where guests receive a limited-edition Clos du Val branded wine tote they can use to gather a selection of vegetables, a small floral bouquet, and more. This is one of several fall activities in Napa for the entire family.

Nearby in the Stags Leap District, Chimney Rock’s Harvest Dinner returns this November. This glamorous and educational party focused on the renowned Stags Leap Cabernet vineyard features a four-course gourmet meal hosted by winemaker Elizabeth Vianna.

Discover these harvest events and dozens more.

Alfresco dining (CREDIT: Bob McClenahan for Visit Napa Valley)

Bring Your Harvest Appetite

This fall, CIA at Copia continues to screen food-centric movies, pairing films with chef’s dinners and conversations with the people behind the lens. You never know who will join the party – a writer, a director, an actor, or all three. Plan for star sightings with upcoming films: The 20th Anniversary of Sideways (Oct 12th), Diana Kennedy: Nothing Fancy (Nov 2nd), and The Truffle Hunters (Dec 7th).

Bask in the glow of stunning Stanly Ranch, Napa's acclaimed Auberge property, spanning 700 acres with stunning hillside views and award-winning cuisine. If you’re looking for a reason to visit, head to this new generation Napa resort on Nov 17th for The Mascot Festive Dinner – a party for a cause – paired with wines by The Mascot. A portion of all ticket sales benefits Jameson Humane, Napa Valley's non-profit animal rescue and sanctuary.

Chef Rogelio Garcia, Executive Chef at Auro at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley, brought Calistoga its first Michelin Star – twice. Now this decorated chef is celebrating the release of his first cookbook, Convivir. Join Chef Garcia at Copperfield’s Books in Calistoga for a spectacular launch party on Oct. 5th featuring tasty pours, gourmet bites, an author Q&A and book signing.

Auro’s neighboring restaurant at the Four Seasons, TRUSS Restaurant + Bar, welcomes guests in for TRUSS Nori Nights on Fridays and Saturdays this fall for curated chef sushi sets and a vibrant atmosphere.

Embark on a culinary adventure with The Head Tilt Tasting at Picobar at Solage. This Omakase-inspired, eight-course experience is infused with vibrant Mexican flair and features artisanal tortilla-inspired creations playfully referred to as "Head Tilts,” like delicate tuna and caviar flautas, uni and crab tostadas, and the luxurious blend of lobster with green garlic butter.

Solbar at Solage (CREDIT: Solage)

Wine & Culture Scene

Stop into Nikki & Brie Garcia’s recently launched Bonita Bonita tasting room in downtown Napa – now open to walk-in guests. In addition to offering tasting flights, charcuterie, and wines by the glass and bottle, Napa’s newest speakeasy tasting room will also host a series of Murder Mystery events this autumn.

While you’re in Napa, hop to Tonewood & Courage, a destination music shop and performance space. Owned by professional bass player and self-proclaimed “jazz nerd” Brian Courtney, this multi-purpose venue boasts over 100 guitars and will feature live music three times a week by local and touring national singer-songwriters—plus regional wines and fresh pies from San Francisco-based Del Popolo pizzas.

Gracious hospitality meets exceptional quality at Materra Cunat Family Vineyards. This new Napa winery space features multiple private tasting rooms, incredible views of the Oak Knoll District, and exceptional wines from winemaker Chelsea Barrett.

And up valley, Bella Union Winery, the newest winery in the iconic Far Niente family, opens for several intimate tasting experiences. Reserve the Jewel Box Tasting to enjoy the wine and culinary delights in the winery’s soaring, glass-walled room with sweeping views of the famed Rutherford district. Adding a cultural layer, Bella Union features an Artist in Residence program. Harold Mendez debuts – a first-generation American artist of Mexican-Colombian descent.

Bella Union Estate Winery

B Spa at Bardessono (CREDIT: Bardessono Hotel & Spa)

Stargazing & After Dark Events

What’s new in Napa Valley experiences? Wine and bites by candlelight, stargazing meditation, unique spa treatments, vibrational sound baths, and pool dips – all with a dark, twinkling sky in sight. Various tasting rooms and spas now offer calming moonlit events in wine country.

Dine under the stars at a famous sparkling house. CHANDON’s seasonal seven-course dinner program features a meticulous selection of limited release sparkling, cellar and still wines alongside artfully designed, seasonal bites – at night. (Oct 18th, Nov 15th, and Dec 20th).

When the sun sets at Bardessono Hotel & Spa, guests can enjoy various wellness activities through B Spa’s “Wellness After Dark” offerings. Guided activities include “Sound and Stars,” “Celestial Bathing,” and the “Sacred Space Cacao Ceremony” – all calming activities under the stars. Other wellness activities offered in the moonlight include Restorative Yoga, Tai Chi, and Chakra Balancing.

Alila Napa Valley invites resort guests and the community to embark on guided Redwood Forest hikes in Bothe State Park, experience new moon yoga, and indulge in astrology readings after dark.

Napa’s StudioBe invites guests in for communal sound baths at dusk, using crystal singing bowls, gong, chimes, crystal harps to release stress and reveal rejuvenation.

Spa Solage now offers an after-hours bathhouse experience – right after the sun sets – complete with moonlit-inspired cocktails, a unique “after dark” version of their signature mudslide treatment, access to five inviting geothermal pools, and a nighttime cold plunge, all beneath a breathtaking sparkling sky.

Cabernet Season Preview

Grapevines may be in their dormancy phase during winter, but in Napa Valley, the brisker months (read: balmy temperatures of about 60°F) are one of the best times to visit.

Headed to wine country for the holidays? Starting in November, you can celebrate the most wonderful time of the year as The Meritage Resort and Spa transforms into a spectacular winter wonderland with "Merry Meritage,” complete with a nightly tree lighting ceremony and snow, an enchanting seasonal ice-skating rink, s’mores fire pits, cozy VIP igloo experiences, and special activities like Bubbles and Blitzen. Fun and free activities span all five towns, including Calistoga’s Annual Lighted Tractor Parade, a triumphant, glittering show featuring decorated vehicles and floats; St. Helena’s Festive Holiday Wine Barrel Tree, made from 109 wine barrels donated by Beringer Vineyards; Yountville’s Town & Tree Lighting; and Downtown Napa’s Christmas Parade. Those eager to experience Napa Valley on foot can sign-up for Napa’s annual Turkey Chase along the Napa River Trail or American Canyon’s Reindeer Run, an annual 5k and 10k race through stunning Napa Valley wetlands trails.

Through winter, visitors can get a taste of newly released Cabernets while taking advantage of the region’s slower pace and wider access to winemakers and new tasting experiences – not to mention, nabbing reservations at Michelin-starred restaurants during Restaurant Month. New in 2025, Napa Valley's celebrated Restaurant Week program will expand to a full month of culinary offers, town-by-town. Kicking off in January, each week will highlight must-try dining in a single town. Be sure to also mark your calendars for the 7th annual Napa Lighted Art Festival (Jan 18th - Feb 16th, 2025), which attracts around 70,000 visitors with mesmerizing light installations that utilize cutting-edge technology.