Napa Valley California is one of the most beautiful and fanciful places on earth.
It is my home, and I love sharing it with people. Before making Napa my permanent home, I visited the area as many times as I could each year. One of these trips is especially memorable, because a friend introduced to me to his friends who live in Wine Country. They were excited to share with me some of their favorite wineries and the spots popular with Napa locals. The experience was so much different than my previous trips, where I had explored on my own or used apps. It was as though a door had been unlocked and I suddenly had access to places I would have missed without their help.
As I reflect on my travel experiences over the years, the visits to Napa Valley that had the greatest impact on me are those where I had a friend in the area. Visiting with the help of a few pointers from a local made all the difference. Whether it was dining at a favorite hole-in-the-wall, attending special events and festivals, exploring a favorite hiking trail, or finding that much-needed shortcut to avoid traffic, the locals were never wrong.
I am grateful to live in such a beautiful part of the world, and I hope you enjoy your time in Wine Country. The mission of Napa Sherpa is to tailor a roadmap of new experiences that exceed your expectations, leaving you fulfilled and feeling like a local.
About Me
Wine and food are my passion. I believe I owe this to my grandparents and the time I spent with them while growing up. In fact, my grandparents’ garden was my playground as a child. I can still remember the smell of the soil as I watched my grandfather work and prepare it by hand.
Every season the aromas of roses and lilacs filled the air, and I would spend hours picking (and tasting!) ripe raspberries, strawberries, and cherry tomatoes. Each meal my grandmother prepared included a fresh and flavorful harvest from the garden.
Of course, my grandparents, who are now in their nineties, gave me more than great food and cherished childhood memories. They taught me the importance of treasuring the times we have with have friends and family. Living in Napa Valley, wine and food have always been a way for me to bring people close to share memories and make new ones. Now, trip planning for Napa Valley visitors allows me to help others make incredible memories of their own.
Every time I start trip planning, meet with winemakers, or harvest and cook food with local chefs, I am reminded of my grandparents’ garden and everything it gave me.
Thank you for joining me on my Napa Sherpa adventure. – Jill Sermon