It's been difficult to find a sense of normalcy lately. But Napa Valley seems to have found a way to make wine tasting not only possible but potentially better than before. The secret? Wine cabanas.
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The private outdoor spaces have cropped up around the famous wine region as a way to adjust to the changing times. Charles Krug, the oldest wine estate in Napa, opened five new private WiFi-enabled outdoor tasting cabanas on the winery's picnic grounds. "The 'hub and spoke,' design of the cabanas, centered around the firepit, ensures a private and safe experience for all of our guests," Jim Morris, Vice President of Estate Management and Guest Relations, told Departures.
LVMH owned Domaine Chandon just launched new socially-distant outdoor Summer Cabanas for wine tasting where groups of up to six people can reserve a chic private cabana for two hours complete with lunch and sparkling wine. And Louis Martini Winery offers the opportunity to book a private cabana in Martini Park for a two-hour-long elevated picnic experience—complete with five Martini wines paired with a picnic basket full of bites like duck rillette, truffle popcorn, and wild mushroom pizza.
"It's inspiring to see so many wineries across Napa Valley develop new and innovative offerings to accommodate visitors," Linsey Gallagher, President & CEO, Visit Napa Valley, told us. "Given that 53,000 acres of Napa County are protected by the Napa Valley Land Trust, the region has always offered stunning vistas; these new alfresco tasting experiences—on offer at restaurants, wineries, and hotels across Napa Valley—are the perfect fit for locals and visitors alike."
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Gallagher added, "Leading up to the mild climate of Cabernet Season, these cabanas will transition nicely from summer to fall when Napa Valley is surrounded with colorful foliage."
