Enjoy Last-Minute Wine Tasting & Winter Holiday Shopping in Downtown Napa
Summary
Downtown Napa offers last-minute wine tastings and a lot of unique opportunities for holiday shopping.
Recently, a good friend asked me about unique shopping opportunities in Napa, hoping to find special treasures for her loved ones, all while savoring a wine tasting adventure. It’s a familiar challenge—balancing limited time with the desire to find meaningful, memorable gifts. And what could be more perfect than wine? A bottle is both a tangible asset and a sensory experience, especially when it’s from a boutique winery like ours. With each vintage from our limited batches, there’s a one-of-a-kind chance to savor flavors that, once gone, will never be available again. High-end wines from Napa, particularly red varietals make an excellent gift and in some instances also an outstanding investment. Some cult wines from Napa have been known to reach Burgundian-level pricing when sold in auction.
But what about other treasures in Napa that could delight even the most discerning friends and family? As an artist, I am passionate about giving unique gifts, so I’ve put together a list of top shops in downtown Napa. Spend an afternoon exploring, set aside time to enjoy tastings at some of our best downtown tasting rooms, and head to these exclusive shops for gifts that won’t disappoint. Often, when I travel to wine producing regions around the world not only do I wish to secure wine to enhance our own cellars, I also aspire to secure a few tokens of love for my favorite people. If you are like me take a moment to review my recommendations.
The Bennington
Located on 1st Street, The Bennington feels like a cross between the finest shops of London and Paris. This Napa icon is a trove for nearly every taste and budget, and it’s been my go-to spot for finding unique gifts for friends who love organic beauty products and artisanal foods. If your luggage is already brimming with finds, don’t miss their Estella Bartlett jewelry pieces—perfect for a little extra sparkle without the weight.
Every single time I am preparing a gift basket I make it a point to stop at the Bennington to purchase a duo of Govino shatterproof ergonomic wine glasses. These are the glasses we use for serving whites and rosés poolside.
C’est la Paire
Directly across from Napa Valley Jewelers on 1st Street, this dreamy shoe and accessories haven is a must. Their beautifully curated collections of shoes and purses range from timeless classics to bold, fashion-forward pieces. In past visits, I’ve discovered exquisite wallets here that made unforgettable gifts for friends who truly have it all. This is also a good store to keep in mind as your last minute resource when muddy mishaps take place while visiting working vineyards; they feature gorgeous footwear that will save you from the conundrum of damaged or muddy shoes.
Earth & Sky Chocolates
There’s no gift quite as universally appreciated as a box of fine chocolate. At Earth & Sky, chocolatiers Robbie Schmidt and Christian Parks craft boxed chocolates that explore complex flavors like cardamom and rosemary caramel. If you’ve joined us for a tasting, you’ve likely sampled these beauties in our paired flights. Each piece is a work of art, a delight for the eyes as well as the taste buds.
Overland
Since 1973, Overland has been a Napa classic for leather and wool pieces that stand the test of time. The warm, rich scent of leather greets you as you enter, inspiring you to imagine just how much your recipient will treasure these high-quality pieces. This is the place to find a gift for that special someone.
I hope you find this list useful, and I, along with my team, can’t wait to host you at our Napa tasting room, where we feature our finest library wines in a setting designed to make you feel both welcomed and celebrated.
Salud!
Gloria Bazán
