Yountville

World-Class Dining

Yountville, founded in 1855 as Sebastopol, was renamed in 1867 in honor of George C. Yount, a pioneer widely credited with planting the first wine grapes in Napa Valley. Tiny and charming, the town has long counted just a modest population (3,500 today), growing slowly even with the arrival of the railroad and eventually becoming an incorporated town in 1965.

Over the past few decades, Yountville has evolved into arguably Napa Valley's most celebrated culinary hub, and its main street, Washington, is often bustling with visitors strolling its pedestrian-friendly confines. Many of the city's oldest buildings have been preserved and repurposed, including V Marketplace. Built in the early 1870s as Gottlieb Groezinger Winery, this large stone complex in the center of town is now dedicated to shopping and dining. The French Laundry, a Grand Award winner and the city's most famous restaurant, resides in a home built in 1900 that was initially a saloon and then a steam laundry business, from which the restaurant created its name.

Yountville makes a good home base for a quintessential Napa Valley vacation, offering visitors a jumping off point in the heart of the valley (15 minutes to either St. Helena or downtown Napa). Yountville's small-town charm blends seamlessly with its several luxury hotels and concentration of top-notch dining options. Totaling just 1.5 square miles, it is an entirely walkable town, and while restaurants dominate the scene here, there are more than enough downtown tasting rooms that one could happily visit over the course of a few days and never have to get into a car. Oak Knoll is the closest neighbor to the south, with Stags Leap District just east of town adding yet more choices to your itinerary.

Yountville and its nearby AVAs include more than a dozen tasting rooms, and when you butt up against Stags Leap District and Oak Knoll to the east and south, respectively, there's an abundance of wineries within a few minutes' drive. These southern appellations are influenced more by San Pablo Bay, bringing fog and cooling breezes that yield an elegant style of Cabernet Sauvignon. The climate also favors other grapes, including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and more.

What Yountville lacks in size, it more than makes up for with its assemblage of exciting culinary options. Home to chef Thomas Keller's The French Laundry, a Grand Award winner since 2007, the Thomas Keller Restaurant Group also operates Best of Award of Excellence winner Bouchon Bistro, plus Bouchon Bakery, Ad Hoc + Addendum and RO Restaurant & Lounge. Packed into city limits are another dozen or so eateries, including Best of Award of Excellence winner Bottega, and Lucy, an Award of Excellence winning restaurant within the Bardessono Hotel.

Despite its compact size, Yountville offers an array of lodging options, from boutique B&Bs to lavish, luxury hotels. In general the options lean toward the lavish, with the average rate around $500–$600 per night during winter months and as high as $800–$900 in summer.

The Estate Yountville is by far the biggest complex, a 22-acre village within the town spanning most of the west side of Washington Street and including two separate hotels (Vintage House and Hotel Villagio), plus a private five-bedroom villa along with shopping, restaurants and a spa. Bardessono and North Block also offer luxe accommodations, with resort amenities such as an on-site spa and restaurant. For something smaller, there's Maison Fleurie's 13-bedroom southern-France-inspired B&B (directly behind Bouchon Bakery). It's also among the lower-priced options, but without skimping on style and comfort.

Stewart Cellars

Passersby may first be lured by the charming stone building and courtyard while strolling down Washington Street, and then pleased to discover the lineup of wines available for tasting inside. This Ken Fulk and Arcanum Architecture designed tasting room is polished, with an eclectic residential style that includes vintage furnishings and quirky paraphernalia. The light-filled tasting hall and surrounding courtyards welcome casual wine lovers, who can walk in without a prior reservation. Yet it's also a place for shrewd collectors as Stewart sources from several high-profile vineyards, and its Nomad Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting held in the NOMAD Heritage Library, a cozy private room filled with books and boasting a fireplace, takes guests on a deep dive into single-vineyard Cabernet bottlings, one each from Andy Beckstoffer's famed sites including Dr. Crane, Bourn, Las Piedras, To Kalon, Georges III and Missouri Hopper.

6752 Washington Street

stewartscellars.com

Clos du Val

Among the six from the Judgment of Paris tasting, Clos du Val lost its way a bit over time, making lackluster wines and growing into a large-volume brand in the 1990s. But in 2014, the Goelet family began scaling back on production and investing significant time and money in the vineyards and winery, including the tasting room. The magic that captivated founder John Goelet and French winemaker Bernard Portet to bet on the Stags Leap District is evident in the contemporary, warm Hirondelle House where tastings are held. High ceilings and west-facing windows let natural light fill the space. When weather permits, a tasting on the patio, surrounded by lush gardens and overlooking the estate vineyards, is not to be missed. Each tasting experience traces the winery's momentous history with modern wines, but a retrospective tasting allows guests to chart the winery's stylistic evolution while sampling 10, 20 and 30-year-old releases.

5330 Silverado Trail

closduval.com

Lewis Cellars

It's rare for a winery to change its location, but when the Wonderful Company, owners of Lewis since 2021, purchased the former Robert Sinskey Winery and surrounding property in Stags Leap, it became a full-circle moment to relocate from Lewis' Oak Knoll winery, as the first vintage, 1992, was made at Robert Sinskey. The tasting room opened in October 2025, and the vibe is a little bit opulent and a little bit archetypal Napa, befitting Lewis's wines. Evoking the 19th-century drawing room of English artist William Turner, the space feels luxurious and inviting, yet playful, with custom furniture and textiles from London's House of Hackney juxtaposed against vibrant, mixed-media commissioned art by Zachary Scott. Perched on a hill, the winery's outdoor terraces are ideal for soaking in some sunshine, and there's a range of tasting experiences, including a five-course food and wine pairing.

6320 Silverado Trail

lewiscellars.com

Hendry

Hendry is an old-school, under-the-radar gem that delights without a grand château or pomp and circumstance. The ranch at the base of Mount Veeder, which today includes 114 acres planted, dates to 1859 and has been under the Hendry family's stewardship since 1939. The vibe is intimate and casual, with tastings hosted on a porch or inside a simple farmhouse-style building (from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.-ish, by appointment), and it is all about the wine. Hendry's knowledgeable staff pours a selection of estate-grown wines while sharing details of the family and its history on the ranch. Time a visit right and you can reserve the "Hike with Hendry" experience, held four times a year and hosted by third-generation farmer and winemaker Mike Hendry, who discusses and demonstrates the seasonal happenings in the vineyard, followed by a tasting flight.

3104 Redwood Road

hendrywines.com

Trefethen

Trefethen is one of Napa Valley's many remarkable historic estates. Erected in 1886 amid a grove of ancient oak trees by Captain Hamden McIntyre, who also built Inglenook, Far Niente, Greystone and Beaulieu, the winery is built entirely out of wood and remains the only surviving three-level, gravity-flow winery from the era. Revived by the Trefethen family, who came to Napa in 1968, it nearly toppled during Napa's 6.0-magnitude earthquake in 2014. The Trefethens meticulously restored it and it continues to be a destination for visitors. The rustic wooden interior, with exposed beams, high ceilings and pendant lighting, lends a rich, warm glow, enhancing the sense of history, while rugs and leather seating add a cozy feel. Several of the flights feature food, including "Taste the Estate in the Villa" (where bites are prepared using seasonal produce from the winery's estate gardens), hosted at Eugene and Catherine Trefethen's former Craftsman-style home adjacent to the winery.

1160 Oak Knoll Avenue

trefethen.com

More Yountville Tasting Rooms

Ad Hoc + Addendum

There's rarely a lull at Ad Hoc, a mainstay on the south end of town. Locals and visitors alike have been piling in since its opening in 2006 for an opportunity to sample chef Thomas Keller's food in a more affordable setting than his French Laundry down the street. It doesn't hurt that it's also one of the best three-course prix fixe meals in the valley ($59 lunch; $69 dinner), with a family-style menu of American comfort classics such as barbecue, osso buco and fried chicken rotating daily and supplemented by the likes of French onion dip and kettle chips, with an indulgent caviar bump. For something more casual, Addendum is a seasonal walk-up shack offering fried chicken and BBQ ribs, which can be eaten on site at picnic tables or taken to-go. Wine lovers will find an extensive selection of unique local offerings like Lang & Reed Chenin Blanc and Mayacamas Merlot, plus a smattering of European options.

6476 Washington Street

thomaskeller.com/adhoc

Clementine

Opened last summer, Clementine stands out from the valley's many white tablecloth restaurants with its breezy Mediterranean bistro vibe and seasonal, flavor-packed dishes. For lunch, expect fresh appetizers and salads, such as oysters with Champagne mignonette and fermented hot sauce or Caesar salad with crispy anchovies and black garlic breadcrumbs, alongside flatbreads and brunch favorites such as lobster eggs Benedict. The wood-grilled lamb burger with rosemary aioli and harissa ketchup rivals any burger in the valley. Dinner builds on the lunch menu with heartier mains, including salt-baked branzino with charred tangerines and a yogurt-spiced half chicken with tahini-roasted carrots. The wine list is compact, affordable, food-friendly and globally inspired, with a dash of hearty, standout Napa Cabernets, including Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, Opus One and Harlan. One way to enjoy Clementine is to linger over an Aperol spritz on the olive-shaded patio on a warm summer night. Inside, the space is cottage-chic: bright and cheery, with whimsical touches such as embroidered napkins and playful watercolor prints of seafood serving gelato and dancing in top hats.

6525 Washington Street

clementineyountville.com

Honor Market

Don't be fooled by the gas pumps out front; this is more than your average roadside convenience store. The garage bay doors roll up to reveal a hub for locals to grab coffee, pastry, snacks and picnic items. However, it's perhaps most notorious for its indulgences, which include a succulent all-beef hot dog in a poppy-seed brioche bun and a delectable affogato made with Danesi espresso and topped with vanilla soft serve. The space also doubles as a bottle shop, offering a solid array of selections. Plus, any bottle purchase earns you free corkage at R&D Kitchen next door.

6795 Washington Street

More Yountville Dining

Bouchon Bakery

Pastries, espresso and takeaway that make the morning line part of the ritual.

Madeleine's Macarons

French-style macarons and confections a short walk from the central tasting-room cluster.

Mini Model

The Model Bakery’s Yountville outpost—English muffins, breads and sandwiches.

Velo Pizzeria & Deli

Counter-service pizza, sandwiches and deli staples when you need something quick between tastings.

Kollar Chocolates

Handcrafted chocolates and confections for a sweet stop between meals.

Mad Fritz Yountville

Nile Zacherlie’s brewery-and-malt house tasting room—beer, coffee and small bites in a craft-focused setting.

6720 Washington Street

madfritz.com

Bardessono

Following a recent $1.8 million guestroom renovation, Bardessono further cemented itself as one of Napa's premier five-star hotels. One of only 14 LEED Platinum certified hotels in the U.S., it brings a new meaning to eco-luxury, with its 62 spacious, lavish rooms constructed with salvaged wood, low-VOC paints and finishes and architecture that maximizes natural light and ventilation. The large bathrooms double as a private spa for in-room treatments. Each room also includes a private patio or balcony. The communal grounds are serene, with native landscaping and peaceful courtyards, and a rooftop pool with plush cabanas and daybeds beckons for peacefully soaking in the sun. An on-site organic garden supplies many of the ingredients found at Lucy Restaurant and Bar, a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence winner since 2022.

6526 Yount Street

bardessono.com

Sttupa Estate

Formerly Poetry Inn, this Howard Backen designed boutique luxury hotel recently received a rebrand courtesy of its new owners, PA Capital Management, the family-owned company behind Sullivan Rutherford Estate and Loco Tequila. Perched on the eastern hills in Stags Leap, its remote location promotes privacy. Each luxurious room, named after a renowned poet such as Emily Dickinson and the Silverado Squatter himself, Robert Louis Stevenson, offers a distinctive flair and includes a wood-burning fireplace, deep soaking tub, and west-facing terraces to take in the stunning view. Additional amenities include an on-site spa and direct access to a private hiking trail. The new ownership has further enhanced the guest experience by adding curated wellness programs as well as bespoke culinary experiences with Michelin-caliber Napa Valley chefs.

638 Silverado Trail

sttupaestate.com

More Yountville Lodging

SidebarYountville, Public Art and Rural Charm

A companion feature to the Yountville guide, also publishable as a standalone story.

Three Excursions By Aaron Romano

Considering that you can walk from one end of the town to the other in about 15 minutes, a casual stroll that includes the self-guided tour of outdoor, rotating sculptures is a great way to explore the community. Many of the installations are integrated into the landscape and seem as though they've always been there, while others are large or brightly colored and beg for attention from a distance. Break up the tour by checking out the handful of boutique shops and art galleries that have joined the tasting rooms and restaurants along Washington Street. Venture off the main drag and you'll find the bucolic Napa Valley farmhouses and Craftsman-style houses among the rural elegance that makes Yountville so attractive.

Culinary Delights. Cheese plates and small bites have long been part of Napa winery tastings, but these days it's not uncommon for in-house chefs to feature restaurant-quality dishes. With that in mind, skip lunch out and make a meal of your tastings. Washington Street is the main thoroughfare through Yountville; take it south and then turn right onto California Street to Chandon Napa Valley, easily reached by car (or bike if you don't mind a few hills). This pioneering sparkling wine house, established in 1973, recently modernized its hospitality center and now offers a full culinary program with several seated food-and-wine experiences. Sundays feature the "Sparkling Sunday Brunch," three sparkling wines with seasonal sides and brunch favorites like smoked salmon eggs Benedict or Dungeness crab avocado toast. Other days, try options like "Fried Chicken and Fizz" or "Culinary Journey," a three-course tasting with tête de cuvée wines.

When ready for round two, head north on Washington, veer right onto Yountville Crossroad, then right again when it dead ends on the Silverado Trail, to Darioush. Here, warm Persian hospitality and a communal tasting room (up to 12 guests) set the stage for an epicurean adventure. Don't be discouraged by the name when pre-booking; the "By Invitation Only" experience is open to all and features top cuvées with seasonal food pairings. Meals begin with wood-fired barbari bread (a type of Iranian yeast-leavened flatbread) and herb butter, followed by a four-course plated meal. Past dishes have included ricotta scarpinocc with shiitake mushrooms and prosciutto crumble, and Masami Ranch New York strip with crispy squash blossom, garden peppers and sauce romesco.

Stags Leap Splendor. Stags Leap District is a small, unique AVA east of Yountville, renowned for distinctive Cabernet (a rocky volcanic outcropping in the Vaca Mountains and cool nights from San Pablo Bay define the place). At the Yountville Crossroad and Silverado Trail intersection sits Cliff Lede Vineyards, a relatively newer estate (founded in 2002) among its more historic neighbors. Often, vacationing means limited-to-no exercise, but a good way to get your steps in is with Cliff Lede's "Morning Walk in the Vineyard." Offered daily at 10:30 a.m. by appointment, it covers a mile through estate vineyards, which spans 60 acres and is split between hillside and valley floor vines, plus the Howard Backen-designed gravity-flow winery and aging caves. The tour is a little bit country, covering sustainable farming practices and vineyard activity, and a little bit rock and roll, as a trip through the Backstage Tasting Lounge showcases rock memorabilia and rotating art exhibitions by prominent music-world artists (past featured artists include Jerry Garcia, John Lennon and Grace Slick).

It's a five-minute drive to Shafer, one of Napa's most celebrated estates. John Shafer, a Chicago publishing executive, purchased the property in 1972 and spent several years planting the hillside estate before launching in 1978. Winemaker Elias Fernandez has spent 40-plus harvests on this property, crafting Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon, one of the most emblematic wines of Stags Leap and a treasured Napa Cabernet collectible. The "Shafer Hillside Experience" includes a sparkling welcome with small bites, followed by a Polaris Ranger tour of the iconic Shafer Hillside property, including panoramic Landers Point. Taste the latest Hillside Select vintage, then return for a sampling of library vintages, some available for purchase.

Into the Hills. While easy to overlook, the many wineries perched in the hills above Napa Valley reward the curious. Yountville serves as a convenient gateway to both the eastern and western hills. Begin on the east side by heading south on Silverado Trail, then left onto Soda Canyon Road for a 15-minute drive into Atlas Peak AVA, to Antinori Napa Valley. Owned by Italy's renowned Antinori family since 1985, fulfilling Marchese Piero Antinori's long-held dream of producing wine in California, the 1,200-acre estate is nestled in a natural amphitheater within the Vaca Mountains at 1,600 feet. Visits feature a private winery and cave tour, an overview of the family's 600 years of winemaking history and a seated tasting of four estate wines, with light bites.

After lunch back in town at Bouchon Bistro, drive 30 minutes up Mount Veeder to Mayacamas. Here on the west side, soils are composed primarily of marine layers, as opposed to the volcanic soils of the east. Set at about 1,800 feet on a 475-acre estate, Mayacamas boasts dramatic views (the highest point is 2,400 feet) and a storied past. Its stone cellar, dating to the late 1800s, is still used alongside the modern hospitality center designed by Backen & Gillam, which opened in 2021. It's also one of the six Napa wineries that participated in the 1976 Judgment of Paris tasting. The private guided tour includes an ATV journey through the property, breathing in bay laurel and taking in the forested Veeder landscape and mountaintop views, plus samplings of current vintage wines. As the second-coolest AVA in Napa (behind Carneros), Mount Veeder's long growing season tends to yield powerful and tannic wines that shine with cellaring; for a taste, splurge on the reserve tasting to sample library vintages.

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