My finacee and I are looking for somewhere to go on our annual December/Christmas trip and we have not been to Napa in a couple years. Is it worth a trip in December, probably around the second week, and do the wineries go all out on decorating? I would hate to go out there and a lot of the producers I’d like to visit not be hosting tastings. TIA!
Hi Brooks, I’ll be in Napa the second week of December. I haven’t had any issues with wineries being closed or unable to host during that time. Unless folks are off doing some winter sports, vacationing or recovering from the holidays and/or harvest, most places seem to be open and available.
Hope that answers your question!
Are you going the week of Christmas? I imagine the smaller producers might be shut down that week. Larger wineries and tasting rooms that are well staffed should defiantly be open.
I actually really enjoy Napa when its cold gloomy and rainy!
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I was there the second week of December last year. Things were decorated a bit but it didn’t seem over the top to me, but I live in an east coast suburb where people decorate their homes like it’s a competition. No issues doing tastings and the weather was pretty nice when it wasn’t raining. Not a typical “Christmas” experience but I wasn’t looking for that at all so I loved the trip.
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I scheduled tastings on the 2nd week of December, business as usual. You should inquire with the wineries and pack for rainy weather. We get pummeled with atmospheric rivers in NorCal late fall-early winter usually.
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@moderators Move to Travel please
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I bet you’re like the neighbor that calls the HOA on everyone and everyone avoids.
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If it offends you that I care about future users being able to find information easily, insult me all you want. Searches are hard enough as it is.
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My experience is it’s not the best time to go. Sure you will find places to taste, but things are largely winding down for the year. If you’re gonna go to Napa, there are better times to go and there are better places to go that time of year.
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The weather can be really iffy in terms of rain and grey. So, not the prettiest time of year.
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I’d rather go to Hawaii or Aspen in Dec.
If you want to spend time in Napa, December is a great time to go. We try to visit Sonoma every year in December (but it’s a short drive for us). Weather can be anything from glorious to overcast or rainy, but in california your odds are pretty good for glorious. You’ll know what the weather is going to be a week ahead, storms come in from the Pacific and forecasts are pretty reliable.
Crowds will be down, still some fall foliage, hotel prices are lower, restaurants less crowded. Probably the only time I wouldn’t go to either Napa or Sonoma are the two weeks after Christmas and NY.
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California winter is glorious. We get way more chilly sunny days in the December than June.
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Came here to say this. As long as there’s not a storm, you’ll have a cold and clear morning that gives way to mid-60s in the afternoon. December - February is probably when I go to Napa the most.
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https://www.sfgate.com/weather/article/la-nina-california-winter-forecast-21092506.php
We are getting bipolar weather in NorCal this winter.
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Normally I’d assume La Niña should have nicer winter weather on tap, but winter 2023 showed it can go either way…
From south Florida - it’s my favorite time of year to go to Napa. Very quiet and usually cold morning and night and 60-72 during the day. Absolutely love it
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was thinking this same thing. I was there the first week of December once, and it wasn’t fun.
There isnt a better place to be on a rainy day then holed up at bistro jeanty in yountville for lunch
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I prefer Homestead at LMR, but point well taken 