The best trips begin with the right company and a shared idea of the perfect escape. At EXP, we believe travel is most memorable when people come together around a common appetite for discovery.
This summer, four couples arrived in California with the shared desire to experience the rhythm of Napa Valley. They explored vineyards, olive groves, tasted its celebrated local flavors, and made time for its restorative side.
Taking to the open road
Their journey began at Sonoma Valley Airport, where our EXP Guides welcomed them as they stepped off the plane into the warm California air. From the tarmac, a fleet of high-performance supercars sat ready and waiting for the friends as they ventured into the heart of California’s wine country.
Scenic drives through the vineyards
They spent the afternoon driving between Sonoma and Napa Valley, along roads winding through the hills and past endless vineyards. As the engines hummed and the countryside landscapes changed, the drive gave them the perfect first introduction to the pace of wine country.
In the evening, the group gathered for an informal welcome dinner near the airfield, sharing plates of wood-fired pizza and decadent fresh pasta over local wines. Then it was on to Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection, their home for the long weekend.
A farmhouse hideaway
Set across 22 acres in Calistoga, the modern farmhouse-style retreat offered a peaceful base surrounded by the valley’s landscapes. With welcome drinks in hand, the evening marked the start of a long weekend for the couples, spent exploring, eating, tasting, and slowing down in Napa.
Among the Olive Groves
The second morning started slowly, with a leisurely breakfast at Solage. Then the group headed to Grove 45, where the focus shifted from grapes to another of Napa’s crops: olives. A guided stroll through the historic olive grove gave the couples insight into the estate and its approach to producing extra virgin olive oil, followed by a private blind tasting where they sampled seven distinct oils.
From Farm to Table
From the groves, the couples then sat down for lunch at Gargiulo Winery, a family-owned estate in the heart of Oakville, where a relaxed, intimate setting offered the perfect opportunity to savor Napa Valley’s food and wine culture.
Surrounded by vineyards, the experience paired the estate’s wines with a leisurely lunch, setting the tone for an afternoon immersed in the region’s winemaking heritage.
An afternoon in the vines at Gargiulo Winery
Behind the Cellar Door
The couples were then ready to wash lunch down with more of Napa’s wine at Quintessa Winery, a renowned Rutherford estate celebrated for its distinctive terroir and elegant Cabernet Sauvignon-led wines.
The biodynamic estate is set within a landscape of rolling hills, vineyards, and natural woodlands, offering a quieter, more contemplative side of Napa Valley.
World-class wines at Quintessa Winery
A guided visit and private cellar experience led the couples deep underground into Quintessa’s 17,000 square feet of hand-carved stone caves, where they learned about the intricacies of their barrel-aging program and sampled current releases, vintages and a rare barrel sample.
As the sun began to set, the group headed to St. Helena for dinner at The Charter Oak, where wood-fired dishes are served family-style — the best kind of dinner for reminiscing about the day over shared plates.
Farm-to-table dining at The Charter Oak
A Taste of Napa
Another relaxed morning, the group began day three getting hands-on in the kitchen. A private cooking class with a local chef introduced the couples to Northern California flavors and techniques, then they sat down together for the delicious lunch they helped create.
Come afternoon, the focus shifted back to wine. A privately guided tasting journey took the group through some of Napa Valley’s smaller and more exclusive wine estates. Away from the larger names, the experience offered an opportunity to discover small-production wines and the people behind them.
Wine tasting and vineyard views
The group then arrived at Davis Estates for the evening. Deep within their wine caves, a private tasting set the tone for the final dinner of the trip. The multi-course dinner was paired with some of the estate’s most elite wines. Surrounded by stone, bottles, and the stillness of the incredible cellar, the evening was the ideal finale to the days spent exploring above ground.
Final night at Davis Estates
The Calistoga Ritual
After three days spent exploring the valley, the final morning was deliberately kept free to simply enjoy Solage and slow down. At Solage, there was time to enjoy the restorative side of the town long associated with its natural hot springs and wellness traditions.
The group eased into the morning with a light breakfast, fresh juices, and time in the geothermal mineral pools, followed by spa treatments, including Calistoga mud therapies, customized massages, and bathhouse rituals.
A restful morning of wellness at Solage
With time for one final meal together before departing, the couples enjoyed a farewell lunch hosted within Solage’s Aurora Room — the resort’s private event space, perfect for an intimate gathering. As they raised their final glasses, they shared the highlights of the past four days and promised to reconvene for another trip again soon.
By the time the friends departed Calistoga, they realized Napa Valley had offered them more than just wine. It was a chance to leave busy schedules behind, catch up with friends, and enjoy a shared passion for exploration and wine in the heart of California.
