Festival weekend planner
Auction Napa Valley — a 3-day weekend in Napa Valley
4–6 June 2026. St. Helena, United States. 70 min from the airport.
The weekend, day by day
- Day 1
Arrive in St. Helena
Land at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), settle in and walk the old town in the afternoon. Light dinner near your accommodation — save your appetite for the festival day.
- Day 2
Auction Napa Valley
Festival day — arrive early to avoid the lunchtime crowd. Insider tip: Attend the barrel tasting days (Wednesday–Thursday) before the Friday auction—this is where serious collectors meet winemakers one-on-one with zero crowds, and you can secure allocated future purchases before auction hype inflates pricing. Connect with Meadowood's wine director in advance; they frequently reserve barrel-tasting spots for serious secondary-market buyers.
- Day 3
Wine country day in Napa Valley
Use the third day for a single winery visit (booked ahead) and a long lunch at one of the regional addresses below before heading home.
Where to stay
Three angles for the festival window. Festival hotels book out 6+ months in advance — apartments are the contingency when the main shortlist is sold out.
- Hotels in St. Helena
Live inventory around the festival window — 2 adults, all star ratings.
- 4–5 star options near St. Helena
Higher-end shortlist when you want the milestone weekend treatment.
- Apartments in St. Helena
Self-catering option — useful when festival hotels sell out 6+ months ahead.
Booking.com links — we may earn a commission. We never recommend hotels we wouldn't use ourselves.
One winery worth a detour
Corison Winery
WTG pickNapa Cabernet of world-class quality made by a pioneering female winemaker since 1987, priced well below cult-wine peers.
- Address
- 987 St Helena Hwy, St Helena, CA 94574
- Appointment
- required
- Tasting price
- USD 65 · Library tasting of 4-5 wines
- Website
- Visit
Where to eat
Bouchon Bistro
$$$Thomas Keller's French bistro in Yountville with excellent oyster bar and late-night menu
Must try: Farm-to-table seasonal tasting menus
More dining picks in Napa Valley →Practical
- Nearest airport
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- Mid-range daily budget
- ~€300/day for two
- Festival site
- Visit official site
Insider tip
Attend the barrel tasting days (Wednesday–Thursday) before the Friday auction—this is where serious collectors meet winemakers one-on-one with zero crowds, and you can secure allocated future purchases before auction hype inflates pricing. Connect with Meadowood's wine director in advance; they frequently reserve barrel-tasting spots for serious secondary-market buyers.
Want a longer trip than the festival weekend?
The milestone-trip planner builds a 3–10 day Napa Valley itinerary with accommodation, tours, and pacing options.
Plan a Napa Valley trip →