An historic downtown with many family-owned businesses passed down through the generations, and vineyards of the valley, 95% of which are family owned, offer an established presence, and locals consider themselves proud and generous, giving back to their community in many ways. You might observe such spirit in the nightly bocce ball leagues, the Easter egg hunt each spring, the pet parade during each Harvest Festival or in the gazebo in the center of town, where free concerts are held on summer nights.
Napa Valley's reputation for
producing world-class wines has its
roots in St. Helena, the site of the
valley's first commercial winery in
1861.
St. Helena is home to
internationally-renowned restaurants,
most serving locally-sourced produce,
meats and cheeses. The Culinary
Institute of America (CIA), one of the
country's foremost cooking schools and
the alma mater of many of the world's
celebrated chefs, is also located in St.
Helena and welcomes visitors who want to
take a day-class with a field trip to
the St. Helena Farmers' Market, or who
want to learn how to pair wines with
seasonal dishes made during Harvest.
St. Helena, located in California's Napa
Valley, was Napa Valley's first
incorporated city. Located just an hour
north of San Francisco, St. Helena is
planning a full roster of summer events ranging from film festivals and outdoor
concerts to traditional fireworks and
Main Street gatherings.
Cheers! On the first Friday of
every month, Main Street retailers
partner with local wineries for an
old-fashioned street fair called
"Cheers!" Local vintners pour samples of
their best wines inside St. Helena's
unique collection of Main Street shops.
Napa Valley Wine Train offers round-trip
transportation from downtown Napa to
Cheers. cheerssthelena.com
Located on the northern end of St. Helena's picturesque Main Street, Lyman Park is home to a free summer concert series, running July through August. Bring along a blanket and picnic to enjoy the 6 p.m. shows, held every Thursday night during the summer season.
St. Helena Bocce Ball at
Crane Park, below Napa Valley's
Mayacamas Mountains, attracts over 1,000
local players (20% of population) who
play bocce ball on 80 competitive teams,
five nights per week in the bocce ball
league. Grgich Hills Estate, Robert
Mondavi Winery and Rubicon Estates all
have teams in the league – and everyone
pulls out all the stops for an upscale,
down home potluck featuring everything
from the best wines in their cellars to
elaborate meals cooked by all the
players. The bocce courts are open to
the public for $20. Travelers can
reserve a court by downloading a form on
the City of St. Helena, CA.
ci.st-helena.ca.us
St. Helena Fourth of July - Louis
Martini Winery in St. Helena serves up a
slice of Americana, wine country-style.
Live music, food from wine country
restaurateurs, reserve wines and a
sensational fireworks show await
patriotic
revelers at Louis Martini Winery on
Independence Day. Louis Martini is l
ocated at 254 South St., Helena Highway.
Call 1-800-321-WINE or visit
louismartinicom
The White Barn, an 1872 Carriage House,
provides comfort in an intimate 75-seat
performing arts venue that hosts an
annual film festival under the stars in
August. Staffed by volunteers, all
proceeds from White Barn events benefit
local and international charitable
organizations. Complimentary Napa Valley
wines and desserts are
served during performance intermissions.
The White Barn is located at 2727
Sulphur Springs Avenue in St. Helena,
Call 707-963-8536. TheWhiteBarn.org
or sthelena.com
Hall Wines 401 St. Helena Highway S., St. Helena, CA 707 967-2626 Hours: 9-5:3o daily hallwines.com
Snowden Vineyards 1478 Railroad Avenue, St. Helena, CA 707.963.4292
St. Clement Vineyards 2867 St. Helena Highway North, St. Helena, CA (707) 967-3033 | Open: 10-5
Sutter Home Winery PO Box 248, St. Helena, CA (707) 963-3104 | Open: 10-5
Trinchero Family Estates PO Box 248, St. Helena, CA (800) 473-4454 | Open: 10-5
V. Sattui Winery 1111 White Lane, St. Helena, CA (707) 963-7774 |
Open: 9-6
Nearby
Alpha Omega Winery
1155 Mee Lane, Rutherford, CA (707) 963-9999 | Hours: 10-6
CADE Estate Winery 360 Howell Mountain Road South, Angwin, CA (707) 965-2746 | Hours: 10-4
Castello di Amorosa 4045 North St. Helena Highway, Calistoga, CA (707) 967-6272 | Hours: 9:30-6
Dutch Henry Winery
4310 Silverado Trail, Calistoga, CA (707) 942-5771 | Hours: 10-5
Elizabeth Spencer Wines 1165 Rutherford Road, Rutherford, CA (707) 963-6067 | Hours: 10-6
Folie a Deux/Napa Cellars 7481 St. Helena Highway, Oakville, CA (707) 963-3104 | Hours: 10-6
Grgich Hills Estate PO Box 450, Rutherford, CA (707) 963-2784 | Hours: 9:30-4-30
Hess Collection Winery 4411 Redwood Road, Napa, CA (707) 255-1144 | Hours: 10-5:30
Miner Family Winery 7850 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA (707) 944-9500 | Hours: 11-5
Mumm Napa Valley
PO Drawer 500, Rutherford, CA (707) 967-7700 | Hours: 10-5
Neal Family Vineyards
716 Liparita Road, Angwin, CA (707) 965-2800
Nickel & Nickel
8164 St. Helena Highway, Oakville, CA (707) 967-9600 | Hours: 10-2:30
Peju Province Winery 8466 Saint Helena Highway, Rutherford, CA (707) 963-3600 | Hours: 10-6
Robert Mondavi Winery 7801 St. Helena Highway, Oakville, CA (707) 226-1395 | Hours: 10-5
Rubicon Estate 1991 St. Helena Highway, Rutherford, CA (707) 968-1100 | Hours: 10-5
Rutherford Grove Winery 1673 St Helena Highway, Rutherford, CA (707) 963-0544 | Hours: 10-4:30
Rutherford Hill Winery
200 Rutherford Hill Road, Rutherford, CA (707) 963-1871 | Hours: 10-5
Sterling Vineyards
1111 Dunaweal Lane, Calistoga, CA (707) 942-3345 | Hours: 10:30-4:30(M-F),
10-5 (Weekend)
Viader Vineyards and Winery 1120 Deer Park Road, Deer Park, CA (707) 963-3816 | Hours: 10-4
ZD Wines
8383 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA (707) 963-518 | Hours: 10-4:30
HOTELS IN ST. HELENA
Ambrose Bierce House
1515 Main Street
2 Star
Harvest Inn-St Helena, Napa Valley
One Main Street
2 Star
Shady Oaks Country Inn
399 Zinfandel Lane
2 Star
The Inn at Southbridge
1020 Main Street