25 new Napa Valley winery, restaurant, luxury hotel destinations
Eating, drinking, staying and playing in Napa Valley is as popular as ever, and wineries, restaurateurs, and developers are taking advantage of the boon in tourism to open new establishments and expand existing venues.
Although commercial permits issued in Napa are slightly down in 2016 - 126 compared to 129 in 2015 - the overall valuation of permits are up by $3 million, to $20.3 million.
“Businesses related to the wine industry are sustainable and are always growing and expanding,” said Robin Klingbeil, senior project coordinator, Economic Development Division in Napa. “The past couple of years we've seen chefs with businesses elsewhere looking to expand or test the waters in downtown Napa.”
According to Visit California, a state tourism agency, visitors to Napa spent $1.27 billion in 2014–2015, a 9 percent growth rate over the previous year. That's the highest of any tourist region in the state, the tourism booster said. Spending included $355 million for accommodations (up 15 percent over 2014); $331 million for food (up 10 percent); and $224 million in retail sales (up 7 percent).
Here's a sample of recently opened and upcoming restaurants, wineries, hotels and other venues:
HOTELS
In fall 2017, Silverado Resort and Spa (www.SilveradoResort.com) expects to open 30,000 square feet of outdoor space includes vineyards, stage and a 5,000-square-foot pavilion, located adjacent to the resort's conference center.
Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer (www.harvestinn.com/stay/vineyard-view-collection) in St. Helena launched its revamped Vineyard View Collection rooms in September. The new tier of 22 recently renovated guestrooms and suites offer western-facing views of vineyards and the Mayacamas Mountains.
Las Alcobas (www.LasAlcobasNapaValley.com), a Luxury Collection Hotel, will open in St. Helena in late 2016 as a sister property to Las Alcobas in Mexico City. Las Alcobas will feature 68 guest rooms and suites with terraces and outdoor fireplaces; Acacia House, a signature Chris Cosentino restaurant; Atrio, a 3,500 square foot spa; an outdoor swimming pool; and meeting and event facilities.
Archer Hotel Napa (www.archerhotel.com/napa) in downtown Napa is set to open in spring 2017. The five-story hotel will feature 143-rooms and 40 suites with balconies, 15,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space. The rooftop will feature a spa, fitness studio and ledge pool with cabanas and fireplaces.
RESTAURANTS
The Corner Napa restaurant and bar (www.cornerbarnapa.com) opened in downtown Napa in July. The restaurant features a large wine list, craft cocktails, and more than 200 whiskeys. The restaurant features American cuisine and local producers.
Kenzo Tsujimoto (www.kenzoestate.com) will open his authentic Japanese sushi restaurant in downtown Napa on Nov. 16. The restaurant will feature a fixed menu for Kaiseki and sushi featuring fresh fish delivered from world-renowned Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo, paired with wines from Kenzo Estate along with an array of Japanese sakes.
The Charter Oak restaurant (www.thecharteroak.com) in St. Helena will open early 2017, owned by Chef Christopher Kostow and Nathaniel Dorn of the Michelin-three starred The Restaurant at Meadowood. The Charter Oak will be centered on a casual dining experience.
Charlie Palmer Steak (www.charliepalmer.com) by chef Charlie Palmer, owner of Harvest Inn and Harvest Table in St. Helena, will open at the upcoming Archer Hotel in downtown Napa in spring 2017. Palmer and team will also oversee the culinary direction of the rooftop bar, poolside and in-room dining, as well as private events for the Archer Hotel.
Miminashi (www.miminashi.com), Napa Valley's first and only Izakaya-style Japanese pub opened in downtown Napa in May. Chef and owner Curtis Di Fede's menu features a variety of ramen bowls and a large selection of yakitori. Miminashi offers Japanese beer, local and international wines, a diverse sake selection, and classic cocktails.
Basalt (www.basaltnapa.com) opened in April in the Riverfront in downtown Napa. Chef Esteban Escobar's seasonal California cuisine draws influences from the earliest traditions of Mexican and Spanish cooking.
Johnny's Restaurant & Bar (www.johnnyscalistoga.com) opened in March in the Mount View Hotel & Spa in Calistoga. The new restaurant is loosely modeled after the 1919 restaurant that was originally there. The new Johnny's is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
WINERIES
Covert Estate (www.covertestate.com) opened in the Coombsville area of Napa in spring 2016. Covert produces cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc on its 12-acre estate.
Freemark Abbey (www.freemarkabbey.com), which has been in its original location since 1886, completed an extensive renovation in July, including a revamped patio courtyard. The historic winery building now offers a variety of educational visitor experiences and a new restaurant, Two Birds One Stone, a California-inspired yakitori restaurant by chefs Douglas Keane and Sang Yoon.
