This is another in Power Tasting’s series on the best time of year to visit Napa and Sonoma Counties for wine tasting. The answer is that there is no “best” time; each month has something special to offer.
One thing to be said for wine tasting in Napa/Noma in February is that you’re one month closer to warm weather than you were in January. It’s still winter to be sure and you are more likely to get a rainy day in February than you are in the summer. But we have also experienced some wonderfully warm days in February, when with a sweater or light jacket you can sit outside and enjoy your wine under blue skies.
A particular advantage of going wine tasting in February is that many of the wineries issue their new releases that month. We have always made sure to include a visit to Heitz Cellars in St. Helena in February, because that’s when you get to taste the Martha’s Vineyard (although we have recently found it in recent visits in other months as well). Of course, there is a cloud to this silver lining; new releases haven’t had a much time in the bottle. You’ll have to bring your imagination with you to have an idea of what these young wines will taste like when they grow up.
Another advantage is that the mustard is in full flower in the vineyards, a lovely sight to compensate for the absence of leaves and grapes on the vines. The yellow flowers brighten up even the coldest day. And yes, it can get fairly cold in February, despite the possibility of warmth – and often on the same day!
Mustard in the vineyards and lilac on the trees, as seen in February at Domaine Carneros.
That hot restaurant where it’s impossible to get a table in June has lots of empty seats in February. The streets of Yountville and Healdsburg aren’t as crowded with tourists; you can actually take time in front of the paintings in the galleries; and the salespeople in the gift shops are actually glad to see you. Many hotels have special package deals. On the other hand, February has Presidents Day weekend and then every place is as full as in high season. That weekend may be your only chance to get away for wine tasting, so anticipate the crowds. If you can choose another time, especially midweek, we recommend you do so.(We experienced it and it was very unpleasant.)
You’ll get more attention from the servers in the tasting rooms those days. In particular if you’re tasting on a cold miserable day, the servers may be so glad to see anyone that you’ll be treated like visiting royalty. To be fair, that advice applies more to smaller, out of the way wineries. The big ones, especially those that take busloads of visitors, are still likely to be packed.
A February afternoon at Limerick Lane Winery
Everyone has a different idea of what constitutes cold weather. If you’re a Floridian or a Southern Californian, February in Napa/Noma is definitely the depth of winter. But if you’re a New Yorker or a Québécoise, a day when you can walk around outdoors sporting only a sweater is the first sweet breath of spring. No grapes on the vines? Forget about it; the buds will surely be breaking soon. You can have the satisfaction of having your wine tasting vacation sooner than anyone else and the pleasure of doing so without the crowds.