NAPA VALLEY/SF : The French Laundry Food & Wine Weekend
Details
THIS IS A 3-DAY WEEKEND GETAWAY OF FOOD AND WINE IN THE NAPA VALLEY WITH A WEEKEND ENDING DIM SUM BRUNCH IN SAN FRANCISCO.
The food and wine tasting weekend I organized for the Juneteenth Holiday Weekend was a success. In response to requests from other interested members, I am organizing another such weekend for this Labor Day Weekend. The difference here is that we will spend 2 nights in Napa Valley, then head back to SF for a Noon dim sum brunch at R&G Lounge in Chinatown before heading back to the airport (SFO). There is an option for those who want to arrive earlier, before our weekend, or stay beyond our weekend to do more food and wine tasting on your own.
You will be responsible for booking your own flights. I will have a rental vehicle for the group, and I may need a volunteer to be in charge of renting a 2nd car, if our group is bigger than 6 or 7. I have booked about 8 hotel rooms at the Best Western Inn in the Valley in Napa at about $550 per room for both nights. I will also look into booking a private shuttle for the entire group on Sunday, so there's no need to worry about anything other than enjoying the wine tastings and the food.
FINAL INTINERARY:
Saturday, September 5, 2026:
12:00 pm Check into hotels in American Canyon and Napa
12:30 pm Meet in Lobby to Head up to Napa.
1:00 pm Lite lunch of your choice at Oxbow Public Market (List of options, and there are a lot: https://oxbowpublicmarket.com/vendors/)
3:00 pm Gondola Ride and Hilltop Wine Tasting at Sterling Vineyards (https://www.sterlingvineyards.com/pages/tastings)
6:00 pm Filipino Dinner at Carabao in Napa (https://carabaonapa.com/)
7:30 pm ? - Return to Hotel? Walk around Napa City Center?
Sunday, September 6, 2026:
7:30 am - Shuttle Bus Pick-up at Home2Suite in American Canyon followed by pick up at Merlot House/Old World Inn in Napa.
8:00 am - Coffee & Pastry at Bouchon Bakery, Yountville
9:00 am - Wine Tasting and Wine Cave Tour at Schramsberg Vineyards
12:00 pm - 3-Course Lunch and Wine Tasting at Robert Mondavi Winery, St. Helena
2:15 pm - Wine Tasting and Vineyard Tour at Hall Winery (Options for clothes change at Hall Winery or at Hotel)
5:30 pm - Dinner at The French Laundry, Yountville
9:00 pm - Ubers to Hotels.
Monday, September 7, 2026
8:30 am - Coffee & Pastry at Ritual Coffee/The Model Bakery, Napa
12:00 pm - Luggage drop off at Hilton Financial District
1:00 pm - Dim Sum Brunch at R&G Lounge in SF
After brunch, walk around Chinatown until it's time to pick up our luggage and head back to SFO...
If you are interested in this trip, please add yourself to the Waitlist, but only after you have read the following:
Please Note: Read the directions carefully below BEFORE you RSVP "Yes" to this event.
- Costs for The French Laundry, the hotel, the rental car, and the wine shuttle must be paid in advance when requested, as I have to advance all costs out of pocket.
- You MUST be low-maintenance and drama-free. This is a group trip and vacation, and not just yours. Please be mindful and respectful of the other members and me on this trip.
- You MUST have already attended multiple Eating SGV events to join this event. Brand-new members are not allowed to participate, since I need to be familiar enough with you to let you join me on this trip.
- I will have additional information and details posted as we get closer to Labor Day weekend.
- Please post any questions in the comments section.