About 8 miles north of St. Helena lies the town of Angwin (pop. ~3,000). The town sits right below the summit of Howell Mountain, one of the world's most celebrated wine-growing appellations. Although there are no restaurants or hotels here, hiking and biking, both road and trail, are popular and provide a great opportunity to appreciate the scenery.
Things to do in Angwin
CADE Winery
Founded in 2005, this vineyard estate is located well above the fog line, at an elevation of 1,800 feet, which provides stunning views of the valley below. They are proud to say they are the first LEED Gold Certified estate winery in the Napa Valley. Of course the wines are the true stars of the show here, but guests love the gorgeous views, stunning architecture, and professional staff.
Ladera Vineyards
Originally built in 1886, Ladera has been beautifully restored to its former glory as a gravity flow winery. The word 'ladera' means 'hillside' or 'slope' and evokes the virtue of producing mountain fruit from the sloping and well-drained mountain vineyards. Visitor accolades range from 'must-do' to 'simply the best' and compliment the charcuterie, as well as the marvelous wines, of course.
Lake Berryessa
A short 45-minute drive northeast from Rutherford transports you to Lake Berryessa, Napa County's largest lake at over 15 miles long, yet just 3 miles wide. The southeast side of the reservoir near the dam has an open bell mouth spillway referred to as the Glory Hole. The lake provides beautiful scenery, lots of walking trails, covered picnic areas, and grills. Naturally, kayaking, boating, waterskiing, swimming, and the like are very popular, as is wildlife watching.
Please bear in mind that this overview of places to visit is merely a small sample of what makes the Napa Valley so legendary. Plan a visit to experience first-hand the superb wines, spectacular scenery, award-winning cuisine, and the art of living well. It will likely be one of the most relaxing travel experiences you could ever imagine.
