Dr. Wilkinson's Backyard Resort and Mineral Springs, a Member of Design Hotels Press Room

Winter quietly transforms Napa and Sonoma Counties into a season worth savoring. This time of year offers a welcome contrast to the rush of summer and harvest season. The vines are at rest, crowds have thinned and the hills glow under soft winter light. Fireside seating becomes a highlight, and hotels often feature attractive seasonal rates, resulting in a relaxed pace without the peak-season price tag.

Although Napa and Sonoma Counties are home to more than 800 wineries, including award-winning names like Robert Mondavi Winery and Aperture Cellars, whose founder Jesse Katz won Wine Enthusiast's "2025 Winemaker of the Year" winter is an ideal time to explore smaller estates. Visiting these wineries often means supporting a multi-generational family business that sustains local traditions in a way large commercial estates cannot.

Tastings are intimate and personal, with staff or, sometimes, the winemakers themselves sharing the story behind each bottle. There's usually no hurry, no crowded tasting room, just time to savor the wine and the experience. Here are a few smaller wineries to check out this winter, plus exciting activities and upscale places to stay nearby.

Best Things To Do In Napa And Sonoma Counties

In winter, visitors can take advantage of cooler temperatures and far fewer crowds. The 4.5-mile round-trip hike to Table Rock provides some of the most rewarding views in the valley. Nearby regional parks such as Napa Valley State Park and Alston Park feature scenic, accessible trails. Sonoma County, named a top destination to visit in 2026 by Forbes Travel Guide, is home to Sonoma Valley Regional Park and Jack London State Historic Park, which is celebrating 150 years in 2026.

It's also the perfect season for restorative spa experiences, from the mud baths and mineral pools at Dr. Wilkinson's Backyard Resort and Mineral Springs and Indian Springs Resort to the luxurious spa setting at The Spa at Solage in Calistoga. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park in Sonoma County offers a monthly Forest Therapy Series through its Park Rx Program, running on the fourth Sunday from March through November. For stunning, often fog-covered vineyard views at sunrise, book a hot air balloon flight with Napa Valley Balloons.

A visit to this wine region would not be complete without time spent wandering its charming towns. In winter, Sonoma Plaza takes on a cozy charm, with fireplaces lit inside tasting rooms and restaurants, like Michelin-starred Enclos, and a walkable mix of bakeries, cafés, shops and small galleries. Downtown Napa leans more culinary and contemporary, with a lively collection of restaurants, such as Angèle Restaurant & Bar, tasting rooms and art spaces along the riverfront.

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