There’s a lot to learn about wine, far more than can be learned during one visit to California’s famous Napa Valley. And, it turns out, there’s a lot to learn about Napa Valley itself. Nine different towns, each with a unique charm, comprise the famous wine-making region. The subtleties and nuances of each neighborhood go right down to the heart of the all-important soil.

For my first visit to the area, the No. 1 priority was to get acquainted and experience as much as possible. Three towns formed the focal point of my stay. In St. Helena, a meal at Long Meadow Ranch, complemented by the winery’s crisp Sauvignon Blanc, left me speechless; and I enjoyed live cooking demonstrations by culinary luminaries like Todd English and Duff Goldman at picturesque Beringer during the valley’s Flavor! Napa Valley festival. Over in Rutherford, I participated in the age-old Napa activity of tasting exceptional wines, especially the smoky Cabernet Francs and deep Pinot Noirs, at both more well-known (Peju) and more intimate, family-owned (Robinson Family Vineyards) wineries.

The perfect home base for my visit, though, was Napa. Two of the region’s top resorts are located in the town of Napa — Silverado Resort and Spa and The Meritage Resort and Spa — offering visitors the chance to indulge at the spa when not sipping or eating at some of the most celebrated and decadent wineries and restaurants in the country.

Fear not, the sipping and the eating can definitely be discovered in Napa as well, the heart of the region. It’s no longer a starting point for tasting throughout the region; it’s a stopping point in its own right.

The mansion at the Domaine Carneros vineyard © Chicco7 | Dreamstime.com

The barrel tasting in the wine caves of Del Dotto should not be missed; neither should the sparkling rosés of the castle-like Domaine Carneros. And if wine isn’t your thing, there’s also Napa Smith Brewery. Big-name chefs and restaurants are the norm in the city’s charming downtown — think Morimoto or the Michelin-starred La Toque. Foodies delight with the selection of gourmet fare at Oxbow Public Market.

The city’s downtown also affords the opportunity to take a break from drinking and eating (if you want), to stroll, shop, hike, bike and more, proving Napa really does have it all.