A Perfect Day in the Charming Town of Yountville

Destinations don’t come more foolproof than the Town of Yountville, famous for its boutiques, tasting rooms, and dining scene. With four restaurants by celebrity chef Thomas Keller (not counting his Bouchon Bakery and Regiis Ova Caviar & Champagne Lounge), plus several helmed by other renowned chefs, you won’t lack for gourmet cuisine.

Morning 

Start the day with croissants or a pastry at Bouchon Bakery (daily). If the line’s too long, look diagonally southwest across the street and see if the Mini Model Bakery, in an old railway caboose, is open.

All the grape sources at Handwritten Wines are small hillside or mountain vineyards. The robust Cabernet Sauvignons come from six Napa Valley appellations. Check out the stylish hats and accessories at Montecristi Panama Hats next door before departing.

Afternoon

Walk north up Washington for lunch at Bistro Jeanty, stopping en route at Montecristi Panama Hats, whose stylish specimens are handwoven in Ecuador. On days Jeanty is closed, dine at Keller’s Bouchon Bistro instead.

After lunch, pick up bicycles you reserved at Napa Valley Bike Tours. Follow the Napa Valley Vine Trail south for 8¼ mostly flat miles toward Napa until vineyards give way to RAD (Railroad Arts District) Napa artworks. (If not biking, stroll some of the trail.)

At Vallejo Street, backtrack to Yountville. Return the bikes or keep them for the 4½-mile round-trip journey to Cliff Lede Winery. Some of the owner’s rock memorabilia is on display at this winery known for Cabernet and other Bordeaux-style reds and the Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs of sister winery FEL.

At Vallejo Street, backtrack to Yountville. Return the bikes or keep them for the 4½-mile round-trip journey to Cliff Lede Winery. Some of the owner’s rock memorabilia is on display at this winery known for Cabernet and other Bordeaux-style reds and the Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs of sister winery FEL.

Evening

Back downtown, amble through The French Laundry Garden, which supplies ingredients for Keller’s legendary restaurant. If not splurging on a meal there, head north to RH Yountville’s café, part of Restoration Hardware’s showroom, wine-tasting, and dining complex, or south for paella and tapas at Coqueta Napa Valley.

This itinerary works any day. Make restaurant, tasting, and bicycle reservations ahead of your visit so you’re not disappointed. I’m sure you will have a Perfect Day in the Charming Town of Yountville.