The Best Time to Visit the Napa Valley

by Ronald Larson

The Napa Valley has a Mediterranean climate which is moderate and relatively smog-free. The best time to visit depends on what you want to do. If your primary purpose is to get married in the region, you will most likely be visiting between April and October, during the wine country's "wedding season." This is also one of the busiest times of the year for those who live and work in the valley.

The wedding season not only encompasses the summer tourism rush, but this is the time of year when the vines are heavy with grapes and full of vegetation. It is also the hottest time of the year. In the summer, daily average highs run in the low 80's with nighttime lows in the low 50's. There is little to no rainfall during these months, which simplifies event planning, but also creates hot, dusty conditions. There are typically a few weeks between the end of July and early August when daytime temperatures are in excess of 90 degrees, which may prompt those planning events to provide more options for shade and hydrating beverages.

As summer turns to fall, temperatures begins to drop and the grape leaves turn dramatic shades of yellow, orange and red. The grasses covering the hillsides offer a beautiful array of golden color.

With Fall comes harvest and "the crush." It is in September and October that the grapes are harvested and crushed as the first step in the wine-making process. You're likely to see workers picking grapes in the vineyards on any given day and smell the wine-like aroma of grapes as they are crushed at the wineries. The actual harvesting of the grapes varies depending on the weather, the region and the type of grape harvested. Fall is one of the most beautiful seasons in the wine country.

Winter is the quietest time of the year in the Napa Valley (with the exception of the Christmas holidays). Everyone is recovering from the seasonal frenzy of social, tourist and farming activities of the Summer and then the harvesting and wine-making activities of the Fall. From November through January there are fewer people in the area and winery tasting rooms are less crowded. It is easier to book accommodations and reserve tables at exclusive restaurants. Many hotels and bed and breakfasts lower their rates from November through March.

In Winter, the weather is cool with daily highs in the mid-50's and nighttime lows in the mid-30's. The grapevines lie dormant, having dropped most of their leaves and exposing the trellising that supports the vines. In November and December, the clover and grass start growing again and the valley turns a vibrant green and by January, trees start to bud. The downside (for some people) is that this is also the rainy season. The Valley receives a little under 24 inches of rainfall per year, almost all of it occurring between November and March. At the county's highest peaks, the rain falls as snow, but throughout most of the county, the temperature rarely drops below freezing. During this cold season, winery tasting rooms are especially inviting, many offering cozy hearths and comfortable seating.

With the arrival of Spring, the Napa Valley bursts into color with mustard plants blooming, shooting up their vibrant yellow flowers between the rows of grapevines. There is also a flurry of activity in the valley. Wineries and local restaurants herald the coming of Spring with the Mustard Festival (www.mustardfestival.org) which takes place in February and March. This festival celebrates the wine, food and arts for which the valley is renowned. In April and May, the vines come back to life adding a resurgence of color to the valley as their leaves unfurl and temperatures begin to rise.