With literally hundreds of wineries, breathtaking scenery and Michelin-rated restaurants, you could spend weeks sipping and snacking your way around. Ideally, aim for four days and three nights. Sure, you could do a weekender, but be prepared to leave wanting more. Four days is long enough to get a taste (pardon the pun) without it feeling frantic.

‘Wine-Country casual’ is a term that is often thrown around in Napa Valley, so opt for casual but smart clothing including sundresses, smart jeans, shirts and boat shoes. The temperature can vary pretty significantly throughout the day, so our best tip is to embrace the layers! Oh, and don’t forget the water bottle. When it comes to wine tasting, hydration is key.

Sonoma Country is often considered the laid-back sibling to the attention-hogging Napa Valley. Sonoma City provides the ideal base as it’s home to many of the area’s wineries, accommodation options and restaurants. Got little ones in tow? Santa Rosa is where you will find the Children’s Museum and an ice-skating rink.

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This is like asking the question: pinot or cab sav? The debate between Napa versus Sonoma is not a new one, and there are compelling reasons for both destinations. As a general guide, if you tend to favour cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay and merlot, Napa is your place. If, however, your sip of choice is pinot noirs, sparkling wines and zinfandels, head to Sonoma.

The grape news is that California’s wine country boasts a Mediterranean climate, which is not only ideal for grape growing, but it delivers near-perfect conditions year-round. Napa’s peak tourist season generally spans from August through to October, to coincide with the harvest season. The shoulder season on either side is perfect for those who like things slightly less crowded.

Settle in for a delightfully rustic farm-to-table feast, meander around the farmers markets, eat your body weight in cheese on a self-guided California cheese trail tour, stay in a quaint bed and breakfast, explore the woods, check out the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art – there’s plenty to do here other than drink wine!

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