The Napa Valley has a reputation for being the perfect summer destination with warm evenings, outdoor dining, and fantastic bottles of wine served under a romantic summer sky. As much as summer pulls on the heart, the experienced visitor to the Napa Valley knows that mid-winter temperatures are mild, the weather is often dry and sunny, and the days can be shockingly clear. In mid-winter the roads are rarely crowded, tasting rooms are not busy, and an array of restaurants are anxious to book your reservation.

For such a winter’s day, we started our tour with a visit to the snow-covered slopes of Mount St. Helena, then ventured down the valley for the breathtaking views from Oakville Grade. We wrapped up the day with a sunset tour of the Napa Wetlands and enjoyed the brilliant colors of a winter-time sunset.