Napa: Not Just About the Wine

Although Napa Valley is best known for its grape libations, many of the wineries offer other opportunities aside from just tasting. The Castillo di Amerosa, also knows as the castle of love, in Calistoga offers a scale replica of a 13th century Medieval castle. The castle has 6 levels including a torture chamber and dungeon. Tours of the castle are $35.00 per person; the tour does finalize with a tasting and takes about 90 minutes. 

Sterling Vineyards, also in Calistoga, has an aerial cable car, which transports you from the vineyards themselves into a majestic mountain winery. The views and photo opportunities of both these wineries make them desirable in addition to producing wine. 

Continuing North beyond Sterling and Castillo di Amerosa is the Petrified Forrest on Petrified Forrest Road. Beyond that, country roads that take you into the Russian River area, most known for its Steel Head Trout fishing and gateway to Armstrong Woods State (GIANT Redwoods) Park, and the north coast highway, that will lead you to Bodega Bay, (the sight of Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds), Tomales Bay (home of Tomales Bay Oyster farm, and onward to Point Reyes State Park Light House. 

Napa valley also has several state parks that offer hiking; Bale Grist Mill dating from the mid 1800's still has milling demonstrations on the weekends and Di Rosa Preserve which showcases local artists’ works in the form of film media, sculptures, etc. 

Oxbow Market in downtown Napa offers hands on cooking classes that include a 3-course lunch. If shopping is your interest, downtown is also a bounty of shopping, from art galleries, jewelry stores, home furnishings, unique toy stores and clothing boutiques, there is something for everyone!