During the spring, everything is green and in bloom, making it a glorious time to visit and explore Napa. New shoots break out of the dormant vines. They can grow as fast as 1.5 inches in a single day. If you get close to the vines, you'll also see tiny clusters of grapes starting to form. The date when they first appear is called "bud break, " and it gives the first hint of when the grapes will be ready to harvest.
Mustard plants growing between the grapevines also start blooming. In a good year, it's a spectacular sight, with yellow carpets of blossoms everywhere. In other years, it's more like a dusting of yellow.
A few wineries also have lovely lavender gardens, among them Harms Vineyards & Lavender Fields in Napa and Ceago, which is north of Napa in Clear Lake. At Harms, you can combine wine tasting with your love of nature during a visit to for a sweet smelling tour of the winery where you can pick up organic gifts like lavender sachets, cooking stems and essential oils.
A few wineries also have lovely lavender gardens, among them Harms Vineyards & Lavender Fields in Napa and Ceago, which is north of Napa in Clear Lake. At Harms, you can combine wine tasting with your love of nature during a visit to for a sweet smelling tour of the winery where you can pick up organic gifts like lavender sachets, cooking stems and essential oils.
The mild weather makes it a perfect time to embark on a hike through the hills to get up close and personal with nature. Spend an afternoon traversing the trails in Skyline Park (admittance is free) and enjoy the park’s native plant garden.
Weather can be variable this time of year. In a wet year, you might get rained on during your hike or be deterred from venturing outside. February is Napa's wettest month. Chances of rain taper off as the year goes on, but March is still on the higher side of precipitation - on average. That being said, you never know when an unseasonable hot spell, cold snap or real rainstorm might happen.
Weather can be variable this time of year. In a wet year, you might get rained on during your hike or be deterred from venturing outside. February is Napa's wettest month. Chances of rain taper off as the year goes on, but March is still on the higher side of precipitation - on average. That being said, you never know when an unseasonable hot spell, cold snap or real rainstorm might happen.
Don't let that worry you, though: most tasting experiences are indoors. Conveniently most tastings are inside and A&W Transport ensures a seamless and dry trip from car to cabernet. Napa can be a little crowded on weekends and holidays in the spring, especially for Easter or around spring breaks. If you can visit on a weekday, Napa is decidedly quiet, with tasting room staff relaxed and ready to give you lots of attention.