Where Your Napa Valley Experience Begins
Sip
American Canyon at the southern tip of the Napa Valley offers a great home base for exploring the Carneros wine-growing region, known for fog and a cool Bay breeze that create ideal conditions for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Sip bubbly on the grand terrace of Domaine Carneros, perhaps paired with caviar and artisan cheese. Visit Madonna Estate to experience an impressive range of red and white wines, all made from organic grapes. Or linger over a flight in the light-filled, modern tasting room at Cuvaison overlooking sun-gilded vineyards. Wineries in American Canyon itself include Cartlidge & Browne and Spelletich Cellars.
Savor
Wine lovers know all about terroir in the Napa Valley – the distinctive character bestowed on wine by the unique conditions of the location in which grapes are grown. But it may come as a surprise to many that honey can have terroir as well. Marshall’s Farm crafts natural and organic gourmet honey in a variety of flavors, from Culinary Institute of America Herb Garden to Wine Country Wildflower, based on the placement of their hives. Marshall’s group tours and beekeeping workshops are among the most interesting things to do in American Canyon.
Stroll
American Canyon’s rolling hills offer wonderful opportunities for outdoor adventures on foot or by bike. Hike through Lynch Canyon to see wildflowers, bobcats, foxes and even golden eagles. Or stroll the Napa River and Bay Trail, a flat 1.4-mile path that winds through groves and wetlands to the river’s edge – with fantastic bird watching along the way. In nearby Jameson Canyon, the Chardonnay Golf Club offers 18 holes set among vineyards, lakes and wildlife preserves.