Harvest Inn in St. Helena, Napa Valley

Hotels are in high demand in central Napa Valley and there aren’t a whole lot of options. Harvest Inn Saint Helena, a luxury hotel in the central part of wine country, offers a cozy, small-town feeling (and will also help you to avoid resort fees). Before you plan your trip to wine country, read our review and consider putting this inn on your California wine map!  

Things to Consider Before Booking with Harvest Inn

So, you’ve decided you would like to go to Napa Valley. Congratulations! Now it’s time to book a hotel. If your main intentions are wine tasting and fine dining, choosing lodging in the smaller towns north of Napa will put you right in the middle of wine country (and save you the time you’d spend driving back and forth from Napa and Sonoma).

Harvest Inn in St. Helena is ideal for 40+ travelers looking for a luxurious experience that is sophisticated yet unpretentious, without over-the-top amenities. It’s perfect for solo travelers or couples who wants a rustic yet elegant setting setting in the heart of Napa Valley.

Before booking this hotel, think about how often you plan to be in the town of Napa, as the hotel is over 30 minutes away and traffic is often congested on Highway 29.

This hotel has several nice amenities: two outdoor pools, two hot tubs, a small fitness center, and easy access to the sidewalks of St. Helena and roadways for biking. Some spa services are available with advance notice (the spa is located near the fitness center or you can arrange in-room services). Harvest Inn also provides convenient, on-demand, free shuttle service to nearby restaurants and wineries.

The Harvest Inn St. Helena, an Overview

Location

The Harvest Inn is located at the southwest edge of the quaint town of St. Helena in the heart of Napa Valley. It is nestled next to Whitehall Lane Winery, just off Highway 29.  

St. Helena is a fairly rural area. There are no shuttles or public transportation options from St. Helena or the Inn to nearby cities. If you are flying to California, you’ll need to rent a car, hire a private driver, or use rideshare apps like Uber or Lyft.

In addition to Harvest Inn’s on-site restaurant, the hotel is just a 20-minute walk to several well-regarded St. Helena restaurants, including Goose and Gander, Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch, and Charter Oak. The Inn is also within walking distance of Sunshine Foods Grocery Store, Dean and DeLuca gourmet store, and a few of the best wineries in Napa Valley.  

The Harvest Inn St Helena is:

75 miles north of San Francisco International Airport

70 miles southwest of Sacramento International Airport

68 miles northwest of Oakland International Airport and

28 miles east of Santa Rosa Airport

History and Construction

The hotel opened in 1975 with 25 rooms, and now has a total of 78 guest rooms across 17 brick and stone cottages. The cottages are grouped into four or five “neighborhoods” with walkways, green space, and pools. A line of evergreen trees helps separate the hotel from the two-lane highway, and over 300 magnificent redwood trees dot the eight acre hotel property. (And here’s a fun fact: there are over 2 million bricks on the property!)

The property has had a few different owners over the years, including chef Charlie Palmer. In 2018, the day-to-day operations were taken over by Woodside Hotel Group, an independent and family-owned chain of California hotels.  

Room Details

The rooms are renowned for their spaciousness. Room size starts at 350 square feet, though many are closer to 500 square feet. The Harvest Inn manor room is over 1000 square feet!

Most rooms have a wood fireplace (there are about 20 rooms with gas fireplaces and 14 rooms without fireplaces at all). Adjoining rooms are available.  

Each room appears to have either a patio or balcony.  Several rooms on the west side have full vineyard views (Whitehall Lane Vineyards) as well as a full view of the Mayacamas Mountains. These west-facing rooms also offer great sunset views! A few of these rooms also have private hot tubs.

There are about 22 second-story rooms, so if you have heavy luggage, ask for one of the ground level rooms or assistance with luggage from staff at check-in and check-out.

We stayed in one of the Fountain rooms at the east side of the property with peek-a-boo views of vineyards and the Mayacamas mountain range.When I arrived, there was a free bottle of wine in the room from an adjacent winery.

Each room is designed a little differently, though exposed brick and dark wood are common throughout. In our room, there was ample closet space and a large dresser. The room provided two bathrobes and pairs of slippers, as well as an umbrella. The flat screen TV provided premium TV channels, and the WiFi speed was fast and convenient for multiple devices. The desk was a comfortable space for writing or working. The mini-fridge was stocked with still water, sparkling water, and juice, and the room offered several publications on local events, wineries, restaurants, activities, and tours. The bathroom was spacious, with a natural stone shower separate from the updated tub. The king-sized room had a large vanity space for spreading out toiletries and beauty products. Hand soaps, shampoos, and toiletries were provided by C.O. Bigelow Apothecaries.    

Amenities

The Harvest Inn has free on-site parking, including two electric car charging stations. Free wifi is available in the rooms and in the common areas. The small on-site fitness center is equipped with basic fitness equipment, including treadmills and weights.

There is an on-site spa with three treatment rooms, and guests can arrange for in-room spa services for an additional cost. Spa services include massage, body treatments (like exfoliation), and facials. Wellness for Cancer massage experts are available. We suggest planning ahead for any of these services rather than waiting until your arrival so that you get the service(s) you desire. During our stay, it rained, though we learned that guests could get receive some spa services outside under the redwood trees during better weather conditions. How relaxing!

The Harvest Inn has a relationship with the nearby Silverado Golf Course, home of the PGA tour.  Again, call ahead and the very helpful concierge can help you set up tee times - with the wonderful mediterranean climate, this course is likely quite popular!

Free wine tastings with nearby winery partners like Salvestrin Winery, HALL Winery, Whitehall Lane Winery, Merryvale Vineyards, and Heitz Wine Cellars are within walking distance of the hotel. Additional wineries within walking distance are Sutter Home, The Prisoner Wine Company, V Sattui, Pahlmeyer Wines, Meiomi Wines, Louis M Martini Winery, and Prager Winery and Port Works.

Finally, if you’re looking to keep up to date on local or national news while sipping a glass of wine, free daily newspapers are available at the Harvest Bar.

Grounds and Event Space

In addition to the nearly half-a-century old redwood trees and neighboring vineyards, the gardens include a Koi pond, evergreen and flowering shrubs, terraces, lawns, two swimming pools and two hot tubs, a botanical garden, and a few garden beds to supply the restaurant.  

Unique artwork from St. Helena’s own Aerena Galleries and Gardens is on display. If you are interested in learning more about the art, someone at Aerena will come to the Inn to explain it further, or you can bike/walk into town (30-minute walk) and check out their beautiful exposed brick showroom.

In the event that business or a wedding (perhaps your own?) takes you to the valley, the Harvest Inn can help you with either. There are several areas in the property that include a mix of indoor and outdoor garden, lawn, and covered patio space. For weddings or other large events, you can rent out the entire Harvest Inn restaurant. (And hey, if you decide you want to elope,  they can help with that, too!)

Dining

Harvest Inn boasts a full breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Most of the food is locally sourced, including a few items from their own gardens. All meals are served in either a main dining room or on a covered terrace. Room service is also available most days.  

We enjoyed breakfast there several times. Their delicious Eggs Benedict featured english muffins from St. Helena’s famous Modal Bakery. Coffee is available to go in the morning, or you can sit and enjoy some French press coffee with your breakfast.  

Adjacent to the dining room, the Harvest Bar features wines from the area as well as artisan cocktails. Beers on tap include two craft beers made on site and other beers from the region.

Other Factors to Consider

The Harvest Inn is not for budget travelers or travelers who want to pay for their rooms with chain hotel points. It is also not a good fit for travelers who need to be in close proximity to Napa or city activities. It is not ideal for travelers seeking modern, minimalistic design, a large swimming pool for doing laps, or a large gym. There are a limited number of dog-friendly rooms.  

Social Proof

In addition to my our experience, other reviewers say that they are not disappointed when they pay a little more to get vineyard views. Guests staying near the adult-only pool report that it can be noisy until the pool closes around 11 pm. Other guests comment that the gym is rather small.  Last, some guests are disappointed that the bar and restaurant are closed on Monday if they are tired from a full day of activities and want to stay in for the evening. There are, however, a few places in town that do deliver food and several restaurants within 20 minutes walking distance that are open on Mondays.    

Alternatives

If you find that the Harvest Inn is fully booked, here are three alternatives.

Wine Country Inn in St. Helena is about the same age and has similar ambiance at about the same price point. We enjoyed a stay here a few years ago. More cottages have vineyard views and there are views of the Vaca Mountains. The rooms are a little more dated and I found the breakfast at Harvest Inn to have a much better selection. Here are a few more details about Wine Country Inn:

• Located just north of St. Helena

• Nestled in the vineyards

• Pool and hot tub

• Breakfast available, no lunch or dinner

• No resort fee, limited spa services, no gym

Wanting the same ambiance but a little further down the road in Yountville?  We recommend the Hotel Yountville. Their breakfasts are exceptional! Here are a few more details:

• Boutique hotel with exposed stone walls

• Breakfast and lunch available, many Michelin rated restaurants within 10 minutes walk, or take in-room dining

• Pool and hot tub

• Large spa

• Patios and balconies, no vineyard views

Last but not least, if rustic elegance is not your style and you want the newest and most luxurious hotel accommodations in St. Helena, try Los Alcobas just south of Beringer winery. Here are a few more details:

• Marriott hotel for points-accumulating aficionados

• Large and luxurious spa

• 10-15 minute walk to downtown St Helena

• 24 hour fitness facility

• Restaurant headed by Top Chef alum Chris Cosentino

• Luxury modern design

Conclusion

The Harvest Inn in St. Helena is perfect for couples or solo travelers who want to get away from it all and enjoy a bit of small town ambiance. It’s a very convenient and centralized homebase for wine tasting and dining and has luxury hotel amenities like spacious rooms and fine dining, without the resort fees. It is a good fit for people wanting a warm, rustic, and luxurious experience.

Cheers to happy travels!

2010 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga

2010 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga

Meet this week's wine, the 2010 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga. This is one of the first ever wine purchases from Jolene's first wine visit in Napa Valley. This is a beautiful and historic estate near Calistoga, CA and the wine is known for a "classic," "old world" style featuring ripe California fruit. This wine is not for folks who like a big, bold, highly extracted red wine. However, if you like a more subtle red wine with higher acidity and red fruit characteristics of Cabernet Sauvignon, then this could be your wine. Here are our tasting notes:

Appearance: Clear, medium intensity ruby, lightly stained tears.
Aroma: clean condition, medium intensity, red and black cherry, strawberry and blackberry, cinnamon, cedar, herbs, leather. Still developing.
Palate: dry, medium (+) acidity, medium tannin, medium (+) alcohol, medium body, well balanced, medium (+) finish.
Conclusions: very good quality, can drink now but has potential for aging. Premium wine (over $30).

The wine went well with a grilled pork chop and coleslaw.

The KnowWines Guide to Napa and Sonoma

More and more Gen-X women, now in their forties and fifties, are traveling independently or in small groups of friends, often to wine country. (To which we say, “Yes!”). We’ve been traveling to California wine regions for almost ten years, but have found that most online reviews of Napa and Sonoma target either trophy wine hunters looking for Napa Cabernet Sauvignon or Millennials day-tripping from the Bay Area. So, we set out to write a review from the (dare we say slightly more nuanced?) perspective of experienced female travelers and wine enthusiasts from the rural, suburban, and (slightly less trendy) urban areas of the US.

Napa vs Sonoma: Showdown or Toss Up?

KnowWines has explored all sixteen nested AVAs* in the Napa County Appellation as well as the eighteen AVAs of Sonoma. The truth is, the differences between Napa and Sonoma are all about personal preference. In other words, you can ignore the journalists who call Napa Valley “The Disney World of Wine.” These journalists have likely never wandered more than 1,000 feet from Highway 12. Yes, there are about three times the vines in Napa Valley than there are in Sonoma, but more vines doesn’t necessarily mean a better experience. Sonoma boasts a small but exceptional collection of growers and small producers, while Napa has plenty of growers, lots of producers, and a whole lot of marketing. Still, great experiences, accommodations, and yes, wine, are easy to find in both regions.

While you will find many of the same varietals in both areas, if you love the dark fruit expression of Cabernet Sauvignon you’re going to want to go to Napa. There are also 1,000 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon in Sonoma, though these typically express more red fruit aromas and flavors. If you prefer Pinot Noir and/or Chardonnay, then you will be happier in Sonoma. If you don’t have a strong preference, that’s great — consider tasting in both regions. Napa and Sonoma are best enjoyed in three or more days. With three days in the region, you could spend two days in Napa and one day in Sonoma (or vice versa). If your travels only allow for one or two days in the region, it is best to pick just one.  

Whichever area you decide — Napa, Sonoma, or both —  remember that this is a fairly rural region. Planning ahead will help you avoid the most common pitfall for newcomers — driving around all day and contributing to rural road congestion.

When to Visit Napa and Sonoma

Hello, Mediterranean climes! Who doesn’t love long sunny days and cool nights? Both of these areas have pretty dreamy weather, though Sonoma is generally a little cooler than Napa.

Here’s a look at the weather by season.

Winter

Our favorite time to visit the region is November through early March. There is less traffic, the crowds are fewer, and it’s easier to get reservations in wineries, hotels, and restaurants. Airfare is also less expensive during this time (outside the major winter holidays).  

Winter is the time of the year when you’re most likely to meet seasoned staff at wineries (or even an owner or winemaker!), since harvest is complete. Another perk is that some wineries will run promotions around the holidays, such as older vintages available for purchase that are not available other times of the year.

Do note that it can be cool and rainy during this season in Napa and Sonoma, with temperatures around 60 F during the day and low 40s at night — perfect fireplace weather!

Spring

Wildflowers will be in bloom this time of year, as well as the yellow Brassica in vineyard cover crops. Many shades of green cover the landscape as grasses are awakened by the warmer weather and recent rains. Baby calves and lambs dot the nearby pasture landscape. The vines are full of leaves by April, followed soon afterwards by fruit set. Many wineries will be bottling rose and white wines.

The number of visitors increases as people take advantage of the pleasant weather for biking, running, and hiking, and there are a number of races and biking events. Daytime temperatures will creep into the 70s and low 80s, but evenings remain cool (50s) by the end of May. Most of the rain has stopped, with the exception of a few pop-up showers.

Summer

Summer hums with the buzz of travelers and day trippers from the Bay area. Restaurants and hotels are typically full with the bustle of summer weddings, anniversaries, and summer travelers. The warm days and cool evenings bring out artists and musicians, and there’s plenty of  live music. Evenings are still cool, with nighttime temperatures in the upper 50s, and daytime highs in the 80s sometimes spiking to over 100 F. There’s very little chance of rain during the summer in either region.

During summer and autumn, you are more likely to encounter interns or part time help in the tasting room while more senior staff coordinate or conduct vineyard management activities and are busy readying the winery for the upcoming harvest.

Autumn

Harvest can run from August to October depending upon grape variety, altitude, and that year’s weather. Most of the grape picking happens very early in the morning, to take advantage of the cool temperature of the grapes. Natural yeasts exist on the outside of grapes; if they get too warm in the tractor buggies they can start to ferment quite quickly as the day warms up.

This is the height of the tourism season — rooms sell out early and restaurant reservations can be difficult. Cellars are very busy, and so is the tasting room. The rural roads swell with tourists, tractors, and workers rushing to get in the harvest (which happens during a narrow window of time). There’s a crispness in the air, with daytime temperatures starting to fall into the 70s and nighttime temperatures in the low 50s.  

Where to Stay in Napa or Sonoma

For hotels, motels, and B&Bs, plan well in advance (at least 30 days in advance for winter and spring and as much as 90 to 180 days in advance for summer and autumn). While there are many luxury hotels in the area, there are also more affordable options at smaller, family-run inns and chain hotels in the area. However, the economy hotels are typically 30 minutes or more from wineries and restaurants, so they may not be the most budget choice when you add in transportation costs. Depending on the distance, many hotels will offer shuttle service to nearby restaurants and vineyards at no charge.

Airbnb and HomeAway, which range from single rooms to entire homes, are great options as well, especially if you like to prepare your own meals from local ingredients.

Also, check out our review of Napa’s Harvest Inn.

What to Wear and Bring to Napa and Sonoma

If your trip is focused on wine tasting, we recommend dressing like the winery staff in dark jeans, a nice shirt and jacket (for those cool nights), and boots or sturdy water resistant shoes.  Wineries are in fact farms, so save those comfy sandals or beautiful heels for the restaurants or wine bars in town.

If your evening meal takes you to a restaurant with a Michelin star (or more!), wearing all black with a colorful scarf is one of the easiest ways to pack/dress.  

Even the coldest days can be sunny here, so be sure to bring sunglasses. Also consider a reusable water container, a hat, and a travel-sized umbrella.

For a complete guide of what to wear to wine country, check out our KnowWines blog on that topic!

Getting to Napa and Sonoma

The four closest airports to Napa and Sonoma are Sacramento (SMF), San Francisco (SFO), Oakland (OAK), and Santa Rosa (STS). The Sacramento and Santa Rosa airports are the easiest to navigate with the least likelihood of sitting in traffic on the interstate.  

Since Napa and Sonoma are both fairly rural areas, it’s a good idea to rent a car or use a transportation service to get to your hotel and subsequent wineries, restaurants, and activities.  

If you simply want to avoid driving, your hotel can recommend a transportation service, and there are good reviews on these services on tripadvisor.com. Always use a transportation service if you plan on drinking the wine at the tastings. Uber and Lyft are available in both Napa and Sonoma, though the wait times may be longer than you are used to in suburban and urban environments (the driver may be coming from several miles away).   

Wineries in Napa and Sonoma

When visiting wine country for the first or second time, we highly recommend visiting a mix of small and medium independent wineries as well as one large winery. This will give you a great framework for understanding the wine industry in the region, and will give you more variety in your experience.

We typically only do two tastings per day — one in the morning and one after lunch — and we recommend that travelers plan for no more than three. This kind of schedule allows for engaging conversations with tasting hosts, relaxing lunches, and plenty of time for navigating to the next destination. Also consider scheduling a private or semi-private tasting,  especially during the weekends. More and more wineries are available only by appointment, but don’t let that intimidate you! Most tasting room staff relate equally well to wine novices, budding enthusiasts, and serious collectors, and these folks are excellent resources for restaurant recommendations and other wine tasting experiences. In fact, when you go to wine tastings during the week, don’t be surprised if others tasting with you are employees at other wineries.  Many of these staff come from restaurant backgrounds, bottle shops, and retail backgrounds and are regular people with a passion for wine.

Food in Napa and Sonoma

Most wineries don’t open until around 10 AM, so eat a healthy breakfast before starting off on your wine tasting excursions.This is important whether you are drinking or spitting!

Bring some crackers, fruit, and hard cheese along with you during the day in case a visit goes longer than expected or you end up wanting to have a picnic lunch instead of eating at a restaurant. Napa and Sonoma are also rich in delicious delis and grocery stores if you don’t want a sit-down restaurant experience during lunch. If you do want to try a celebrity chef establishment but don’t like dealing with crowds, consider eating there for lunch instead of dinner — the experience will be more casual and more economical.

A party of one can get a dinner reservation at fairly short notice, with the exception of two or three Michelin star restaurants (for which reservations are required weeks, if not months, in advance!). If you don’t like to sit at a bar for dinner or you really prefer to eat at a specific time, book your reservation a few days out. Restaurants in California may use different booking apps than you’re used to, so it’s best to consult the website or call.  

Napa and Sonoma Evening Activities

Most first-time visitors are surprised to find that tasting rooms close between 4PM and 6PM. In wine country, people get up early. During the evening hours, locals are spending time with friends and family at home or quietly enjoying the outdoors. You may find evenings to be quieter in these rural areas, especially if you are from an urban area or the suburbs. Check with the tasting room hosts, travel information centers, hotel, and websites like EventBrite for evening entertainment ideas. Travelers tend to congregate at restaurant or hotel bars, or they just relax in their rooms.  

The Last Word

Whether you choose Napa or Sonoma (or both!) for your destination, rest assured that you will find an abundance of wineries, restaurants, and activities. One region is truly not better than the other, as they each have their own character and plenty of great wine.   

For a list of specific wineries to visit, check out this article.

And if you’re ready for some international wine travel, check out guides to Bordeaux and the Rhône Valley.

Enjoy your travels!

Cheers!

* Essentially Napa is an AVA (American Vitacultural Area) and there are sixteen AVAs inside of it, kind of like Russian nesting dolls.

Fifteen Wineries in Napa and Sonoma

Five Large Wineries:

Each of these five large wineries produces over a million bottles of wine per year. Because their wines are widely distributed in the United States, you can experience the tasting without feeling obliged to buy something to take home. These wineries either work with many varieties and have many “brands” at different price points,  or they focus on one or two wines made in large volume.

In Napa:

Beringer: California’s oldest continuously operating winery.

Hall Wines: Nestled in the Diamond Mountain District of Napa Valley.

Robert Mondavi: Four decades of award-winning winemaking.

Stag’s Leap: Beautiful architecture, gorgeous vineyards, and underground caves!

In Sonoma:

Jordan: A beautiful winery-chateau in the French style.

Five Medium Wineries:

Typically, these wineries have been in business for 30 or more years.

In Napa:

Chappellet: Chappellet’s Pritchard Hill is a stunning setting for tasting wine.

Montelena: The winery boasts a unique stone chateau resembling an English gothic castle.

Opus One: Unique architecture paired with beautiful scenery and wine.

In Sonoma:

Ridge: Sip wine in the presence of gorgeous, 115-year-old vines.

Merry Edwards: Merry Edwards is a female vintner making Pinot Noirs with a sense of place.

Five Smaller Wineries:

These wineries generally make less than 250,000 bottles of wine per year.

In Napa:

Tor: Family-owned, with a focus on single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines.

Pina: Family-owned for eight generations! A small Napa Valley treasure.

Corison: Artisanal, age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon by winegrower Cathy Corison.

In Sonoma:

Williams Selyem: Highly-prized Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Zinfandel.

Peter Michael: Nine family-owned mountain vineyards and thirty-five years of handcrafted wines.

Interested in traveling to Napa and Sonoma? Check out our guide to California’s wine country as well as our recommendations for lodging and unique wine country excursions!