Sleep Above Historic Vines at This Dreamy Napa Valley Getaway
At one secluded St. Helena resort, experiencing wine culture does not require changing out of your robe.
Courtesy of Alila Napa Valley
There’s no shortage of exceptional wine experiences in Napa Valley, from scenic tastings to the historic wine train that runs from Napa to St. Helena and back. What those experiences have in common is some amount of hopping from vineyard to vineyard for tastings, lunches, and hikes. One luxurious wine experience, however, allows you to stay put exactly where you are, and you can soak up Napa Wine history without changing out of your robe.
Guests at Alila Napa Valley in St. Helena, California, have the luxury of next-door proximity to Beringer Vineyards. Many suites overlook the historic vines, with oversized balconies and fire pits for prime viewing, no matter the season or weather. Beringer Vineyards, founded in 1876, is considered the oldest continually operating vineyard in Napa Valley and is an official California Historic Landmark.
Courtesy of Alila Napa Valley
During the harvest season, lucky guests staying in the Alila’s vineyard-facing suites can watch the grape-picking process from their lounge chairs. On a recent visit to the resort this exceptionally rainy winter, I spent most of my time on the balcony with the firepit blazing, unfazed by the precipitation because I could enjoy the view and fresh air from my protected perch. (All rooms come stocked with Beringer wine made from these exact vines, available for purchase.)
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Alila guest experience managers can arrange winery visits and tasting experiences throughout the Valley, and plenty of wine-related activities on property – including a grown-up sip-and-paint class with exceptional local wines, hosted by a guide from local cooperative Nimbus Arts.
Courtesy of Alila Napa Valley
Of course, you don’t have to drink wine. The resort’s restaurant and bar Acacia House serves a salt foam margarita with cult-like status among locals and exceptional non alcoholic cocktails made with herbs and botanicals from the chef’s garden. (The wine list, though, is very good.)
If you’re a touch more active than I am, you can explore Beringer Vineyards beyond just staring at the vines, all emo. The garden-filled estate and winery hosts tastings at its historic Rhine House, which many Alila suites can also view from their balconies (some of which have outdoor soaking tubs). While rainy weather on vacation can feel like bad luck, if you have a dry, warm place to sightsee from your balcony, there’s nothing cozier. Bonus points if a really, really good burger is on the room service menu.
