Dine among the vines: the best restaurants in Napa Valley

Don’t miss Napa Valley on your next San Francisco holiday. Ground zero when it comes to California wine culture, the hugely popular growing region has produced wine since the 19th century. But nowadays, in addition to its vinous reputation, Napa Valley is one of the state’s top gastronomic destinations, too.

For instance: did you know that Napa Valley has more Michelin-starred restaurants per capita than any other wine region on Earth? World-famous restaurants like The French Laundry in Yountville have helped cement Napa’s culinary reputation.

And yet, for those who want to combine their wine-swilling with their dining, it’s an unwelcome surprise to learn that many area wineries are barred from serving food on-site; local regulations insist that wineries make wine production their primary focus, so food is often viewed as a distraction. Luckily, though, there are a few that have escaped the net — and we’ve selected the best winery restaurants in Napa Valley for vino-loving foodies.

Located in the heart of Napa, St Clair Brown Winery is an “urban winery.” That means that all aspects of its small lot wine production take place in its downtown Napa facilities — and that only 200 cases of each wine are made. Savour the special vintages, then, at St Clair Brown’s Greenhouse Tasting Room, located just across the street from the winery, and poised in the middle of its culinary garden. Expect a deliciously fresh menu of “garden-to-table” cuisine, then, including the likes of duck confit salad and meyer lemon hummus. The winery also has plans to expand with a full-service restaurant — and even a craft brewery.

^{St. Clair Brown Winery, 816 Vallejo Street, Napa, CA 94559}

^{Image credits: 
Long Meadow ranch © Kristen Loken photo
Cakebread Cellars © Terry McCarthy
Meat dish © Robert Sinksey Vineyards}