Thanksgiving in Napa Valley 2026: Which Wineries Are Open?

Which Napa Valley Wineries Are Open on Thanksgiving Day 2026?

The table lists only wineries that publish their 2026 Thanksgiving status on their own websites. A short list you can rely on helps more than a long one built from normal weekly hours.

Published holiday hours do not tell you whether a slot is free for your party size. Book through the winery’s own calendar or contact its hospitality team. For any winery not listed here, treat the Thanksgiving status as unknown, neither open nor closed, until the winery confirms it.

1. Girard Winery: a Thanksgiving tasting with food

Best for: visitors who want a real wine tasting on Thanksgiving Day as well as a holiday lunch.

Girard’s events and visit pages list Thanksgiving Flight + Bites for Thursday, November 26, 2026, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. It is a 90-minute, reservation-only tasting of three wines, each with a seasonal small bite.

The published pairings are:

• Napa Valley Grenache with a cranberry-and-Brie pastry bite;
• a Mixed Blacks red blend with a savory cornbread bite;
• Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon with a bacon-wrapped date.

It costs $65 per person for general admission, or $20 for eligible wine club members within the winery’s limits. The window closes at 2 p.m., but the last tasting starts at 12:30 p.m., so a 1:30 p.m. arrival is too late for a full tasting.

The tasting room is in Calistoga, at 1077 Dunaweal Lane, Calistoga, CA 94515. Some older event listings still show a Yountville address; Girard’s own website gives Calistoga. Check the address on your reservation.

• Event details: Girard Winery events
• Holiday hours, address and booking: Girard Winery visit page

Planning tip: Girard sits near the northern end of the valley, so spend the rest of the day in or near Calistoga instead of crossing the valley to a fixed dinner time.

2. Del Dotto Estate Winery & Caves: a Thanksgiving cave tasting

Best for: adults who want an indoor tasting and a longer, unhurried visit at one winery.

Del Dotto lists Thanksgiving as an open day at its Estate Winery & Caves in St. Helena. The main draw is a guided wine-and-barrel tasting in marble-lined caves, which also works if the day turns wet.

The Cave Experience & Barrel Tasting costs $120 per guest plus tax, and a $75 bar tasting is sold by phone, subject to availability. The Estate’s normal Thursday hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., but that does not mean every time can be booked on Thanksgiving, so check the holiday calendar for an actual slot.

Reservations are required, and every guest must be 21 or older with a valid photo ID; the tastings do not take children or infants. Same-day bookings are by phone at (707) 963-2134.

• Holiday schedule and tasting options: Del Dotto visit page

Check the property name: Piazza Del Dotto Winery & Caves in Napa is a separate location, and it is closed on Thanksgiving. Make sure your confirmation says Del Dotto Estate, St. Helena.

3. Chateau Montelena: closed on Thanksgiving Day

Best for: a reminder to read each winery’s list of closed dates.

Chateau Montelena is a popular Calistoga winery and a natural stop on a northern-Napa day. Its visit page lists November 26th – Thanksgiving under its 2026 closed dates.

If Chateau Montelena is a must, book it on another day of your trip. Do not plan to drop in after a Girard tasting on Thanksgiving.

• Closed dates: Chateau Montelena — Visit

What About Other Famous Napa Wineries on Thanksgiving?

You might be thinking of Beringer, Domaine Carneros, V. Sattui, Castello di Amorosa, Stag’s Leap, Far Niente or a Downtown Napa tasting room. All of them can fit a wider Napa trip, but their normal weekly hours do not prove they open on Thanksgiving Day.

Visit Napa Valley keeps a Thanksgiving business-hours directory, but the version online in early November 2026 is labelled 2023. Use it to build a shortlist of places to contact; it does not give 2026 hours. Google business hours may also miss one-day holiday changes.

For any winery not covered above:

1. Open the winery’s official website and look for holiday hours, not just “Open Thursday.”
2. Check its November 26, 2026 reservation calendar for the tasting you want.
3. If no times show, call or email. An empty calendar can mean closed, fully booked or a booking window that has not opened yet.
4. Check whether you are booking the estate, a downtown tasting room or a second location.
5. Save the confirmation and read the cancellation terms before you book a driver or anything else that is paid.

Our Napa Valley winery reservations guide covers appointments and walk-ins on ordinary days.

Is the Napa Valley Wine Train Running on Thanksgiving 2026?

Yes. The Napa Valley Wine Train sells a Thanksgiving lunch journey, a meal on board as the train runs through the vineyards, with no winery stops. Its holiday page offers two dining cars:

• Gourmet Express Thanksgiving Lunch: a holiday meal in a classic dining car.
• Vista Dome Thanksgiving Lunch: the same occasion in the two-story, glass-walled Vista Dome car, with wider views.

The journey takes about 3.5 hours and includes a Thanksgiving meal and a welcome glass of sparkling wine. The published itinerary has check-in at 10:30 a.m. at the McKinstry Street station in Napa, boarding at 11 a.m., departure at 11:30 a.m., lunch from noon and the return at about 3 p.m. Follow the times printed on your ticket.

This is a dining train, not a winery tour. If you want to taste wine at a winery on the day, Girard or Del Dotto Estate fits better. If a holiday meal with vineyard views matters more to you, choose the Wine Train.

The railroad’s experiences page listed Thanksgiving from about $450 in early November 2026, with the final price shown at checkout. GetYourGuide does not sell the Thanksgiving journey; on other days you can book the Napa Valley Wine Train: Gourmet Express Lunch or Dinner there from $278, rated 4.6/5 from 69 reviews.

• Thanksgiving itinerary and booking: Napa Valley Wine Train — Thanksgiving
• All Wine Train options compared: our Napa Valley Wine Train guide

Thanksgiving Dinner in Napa Valley 2026: Published Menus

Book your winery tasting and your Thanksgiving meal as two separate reservations. Many places that serve lunch or dinner on a normal Thursday run special menus, set seatings or reduced service on November 26.

Two Carneros Resort restaurants have published 2026 Thanksgiving menus:

Both also offer a children’s menu. Prices are subject to tax and gratuity, and menus and times can change, so confirm when you book.

• FARM Thanksgiving 2026 event listing
• Boon Fly Café Thanksgiving 2026 event listing

Both restaurants are in Carneros, at the southern end of the valley, which makes them a long drive from a midday tasting in Calistoga. Check the drive time and allow for holiday traffic before you book a meal soon after a tasting.

Should you choose a winery tasting or a Thanksgiving meal?

If you have only one day in Napa, decide which matters most:

• A wine-focused holiday: make one confirmed tasting the main event, then book dinner separately.
• A festive dining day: choose the Wine Train or a restaurant, and skip a second paid tasting.
• A relaxed family day: pick a family-friendly restaurant or a hotel meal; many cave tastings are adults only.
• A long weekend: have Thanksgiving lunch on Thursday and keep two or three winery tastings for Friday or Saturday, once those are booked.

Thanksgiving Day Itineraries for Napa Valley 2026

The easiest Thanksgiving plan is one confirmed booking, plus a meal and a scenic stop. These are templates; book each part before you rely on it.

Option A: a Thanksgiving tasting in Calistoga

Best for: couples or adult friends who want a real winery tasting on Thursday.

Why it works: you plan around Girard’s short holiday window and do not depend on getting into other wineries without a booking. If dinner is in Downtown Napa or Carneros, allow time for the drive.

Option B: an indoor tasting in St. Helena

Best for: visitors who want a cave tasting and little time outdoors.

Why it works: one indoor tasting is easier to manage than driving between several wineries on a holiday. It does not suit families with children, because Del Dotto admits only guests aged 21 and over.

Option C: a Thanksgiving lunch on the Wine Train

Best for: visitors who care most about a holiday meal and fall scenery.

Why it works: you have one main event and no winery times to coordinate with a meal. The Wine Train lunch does not include winery visits.

Thanksgiving Weekend in Napa Valley: November 27–29, 2026

Spending the long weekend in Napa means you do not have to fit the whole tasting trip into Thanksgiving Day. Use Thursday for the celebration, then visit wineries on Friday or Saturday.

Friday, November 27: one part of the valley

Stay in one area. Plan a Yountville–Oakville day, a St. Helena day or a Calistoga day instead of trying to reach all three. Book two tastings with lunch in between, and a third only if the timing is relaxed.

A comfortable pace: first tasting late in the morning, a long lunch, a second tasting early in the afternoon, then vineyard photos before sunset. Check each winery’s hours for the day after Thanksgiving.

If you’d rather not drive, the Friday is a good day for a guided tour. Our featured tour, the San Francisco: Muir Woods, Napa & Sonoma Full-Day Wine Tour, is from $179 and rated 4.7/5 from 1,367 reviews; it starts in San Francisco and includes Muir Woods, so you spend part of the day outside Napa. For more time at the wineries, the Napa and Sonoma Valley wine tour is from $157 and rated 4.5/5 from 831 reviews. Check the holiday-weekend schedule on either listing before you book.

Saturday, November 28: a second wine style or a town day

If Friday was about Cabernet, try sparkling wine, Chardonnay or smaller producers on Saturday. Or spend the day in Downtown Napa’s tasting rooms, restaurants and shops without a long rural drive. Saturday slots can fill because many holiday visitors stay on.

Sunday, November 29: an easy finish

Leave time to check out, buy a few bottles or enjoy a slow brunch. Skip a rushed last tasting if you have a flight or a long drive afterward.

For routes, see our Napa Valley one-, two- and three-day itineraries and where to stay for wine tasting.

Thanksgiving Week Events Beyond the Wineries

The day before Thanksgiving, Beringer Vineyards lists the St. Helena Barrel Tree Lighting Ceremony for Wednesday, November 25, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. The mayor lights the 36-foot Beringer holiday wine-barrel tree, followed by a snow show.

• Beringer winery events

It is a good addition to a Thanksgiving week if you are staying in St. Helena. A Wednesday event does not mean Beringer is open for tastings on Thursday, so check its tasting reservations separately.

Other holiday markets and resort events are announced or changed closer to the date. For the latest, check a local Napa Valley holiday events listing and the organizer’s own page before you rely on a time.

What Is Napa Valley Weather Like at Thanksgiving?

Late November usually brings cool mornings and evenings, mild afternoons, fall colors in the vineyards and a chance of rain. It suits indoor tastings and long meals; do not count on an outdoor patio without a backup.

Typical November conditions in the city of Napa (the same long-term averages our best-time guide uses):

These are averages for the whole month, not a forecast for November 26, 2026. Check the forecast a few days before your trip.

Days are short in late November. Plan scenic drives and photo stops before the late-afternoon sunset, and don’t expect a last tasting to finish in daylight. The US Naval Observatory’s sunrise and sunset tool gives the time for any date.

How to Get Around Napa Valley on Thanksgiving

Napa’s wineries are spread along a valley about 30 miles long. On Thanksgiving, an hour lost on the road can cost you one of the few holiday tasting windows.

If you’re driving

Pick one part of the valley and have a designated driver who does not drink. Do not count on unplanned winery stops. Check the parking instructions in your confirmation, because some estates have controlled gates.

If you’re hiring a private driver or booking a wine tour

Ask two questions: does the operator run on Thanksgiving Day, and which wineries on the route are open, with booked times? A car and driver do not get you into a closed winery. Ask about holiday surcharges, pickup times, cancellation terms and whether tasting fees are included.

On GetYourGuide, the Napa Valley: Private 6-Hour Wine Tasting Tour with Chauffeur costs $675 for up to two guests, with tasting fees extra; it is rated 5.0/5 but from only 7 reviews, so read them first. Our guide to Napa designated and private drivers compares more options.

If you’re coming from San Francisco

Holiday traffic differs from a normal Thursday, and Calistoga is much farther north than Downtown Napa. A day trip works if you plan it around one confirmed booking instead of a tight multi-winery loop. Our San Francisco to Napa Valley guide covers the routes.

If you’re staying in Downtown Napa without a car

The Wine Train or a booked meal is simpler than reaching a rural winery. Downtown tasting rooms work on the other days of the weekend, but check their holiday hours: being within walking distance does not mean they are open.

How Much Does Thanksgiving Wine Tasting in Napa Cost?

There is no single Thanksgiving tasting fee. Compare the published prices, then add transport, meals, tax and tips.

Prices are from the winery, railroad and event pages as published in early November 2026 and can change. The most common budget mistake is to price the tasting and forget the holiday transport and a separately booked dinner.

For ordinary days, see our Napa Valley wine tasting cost guide.

Where to Stay for Thanksgiving in Napa Valley

Base yourself near the experience you have booked:

• Calistoga: handy if Girard’s Thanksgiving flight is your main event; you can explore the north of the valley without driving south again.
• St. Helena: close to Del Dotto Estate and to Wednesday’s Beringer tree lighting.
• Downtown Napa: easiest for the Wine Train lunch and walkable dining, with fewer rural drives.
• Carneros / southern Napa: sensible if your main booking is at FARM or Boon Fly Café.

Book the hotel near your confirmed holiday booking rather than just taking the cheapest room. A cheap room can mean a long drive before an early start.

Seven Mistakes to Avoid on Thanksgiving in Napa Valley

1. Assuming “open Thursday” means “open Thanksgiving.” Holiday closures override weekly hours.
2. Using an old holiday list as current. The Visit Napa Valley Thanksgiving directory online in November 2026 is labelled 2023.
3. Mixing up locations. Del Dotto Estate in St. Helena opens on Thanksgiving; Piazza Del Dotto in Napa does not.
4. Driving to an old address. Girard’s tasting room is in Calistoga, though some older listings still say Yountville.
5. Confusing open hours with a free slot. A winery can be open and fully booked.
6. Booking dinner too soon after a tasting at the other end of the valley. Allow for the drive and a relaxed meal.
7. Expecting the Thanksgiving Wine Train to stop at wineries. It is a dining journey; check what your ticket includes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Thanksgiving in Napa Valley

Are Napa Valley wineries open on Thanksgiving Day 2026?

A few are. Girard Winery runs a Thanksgiving Flight + Bites tasting on November 26, 2026, and Del Dotto Estate Winery & Caves in St. Helena lists Thanksgiving as open. Many other wineries close or cut their hours, so confirm each booking directly.

Which wineries are closed on Thanksgiving 2026?

Chateau Montelena lists November 26, 2026 as closed, and Del Dotto’s separate Piazza Del Dotto location in Napa is closed on Thanksgiving. This is not a full list of Napa’s holiday closures.

Is Girard Winery open on Thanksgiving 2026?

Yes. It runs a reservation-only holiday tasting from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the last tasting at 12:30 p.m., at 1077 Dunaweal Lane in Calistoga. Check availability before you travel.

Is Del Dotto open on Thanksgiving?

Del Dotto Estate Winery & Caves in St. Helena is open on Thanksgiving, by reservation. Piazza Del Dotto Winery & Caves in Napa is closed. Choose the Estate when you book.

Is Beringer Winery open on Thanksgiving Day?

Beringer lists the St. Helena Barrel Tree Lighting Ceremony on Wednesday, November 25, 2026, but that says nothing about tastings on Thursday, November 26. Check Beringer’s holiday schedule directly.

Does the Napa Valley Wine Train run on Thanksgiving?

Yes. It sells a Thanksgiving lunch journey in the Gourmet Express and Vista Dome cars, boarding at 11 a.m. and returning at about 3 p.m. Check the November 26, 2026 calendar, price and seats on the railroad’s site.

What restaurants serve Thanksgiving dinner in Napa Valley?

FARM and Boon Fly Café at Carneros Resort and Spa have published 2026 Thanksgiving menus. Confirm seating and menus with the restaurant before you book.

Is Thanksgiving weekend a good time to visit Napa Valley?

Yes, if you plan around Thursday’s closures. Spend Thanksgiving Day on one confirmed holiday experience and book other wineries for Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Can you visit Napa wineries on Black Friday, November 27, 2026?

Most wineries open in late November, but the day after Thanksgiving is not a normal day at every winery. Check November 27 specifically and book before you plan the route.

Do you need wine tasting reservations at Thanksgiving?

Yes. The Thanksgiving tastings have set times or special tickets, and even wineries that usually take walk-ins may ask for holiday bookings.

Can children go to a Thanksgiving winery tasting?

It depends on the winery. Del Dotto admits only guests aged 21 and over, with no children or infants. If you travel as a family, consider a holiday meal with a children’s menu, and check every age policy before booking.

What should I wear for Thanksgiving in Napa Valley?

Bring layers for mild afternoons, cool evenings and possible rain: a sweater, a jacket, comfortable shoes and a compact umbrella. Caves feel cooler than a sunny terrace.

Can I visit Napa Valley from San Francisco on Thanksgiving Day?

Yes, with a clear transport plan and a confirmed booking. Do not assume regular tour departures or winery access; check holiday transport and leave more slack than on an ordinary day trip.

What if all my preferred wineries are closed?

Make Thanksgiving a dining or rest day and save the tastings for Friday or Saturday. A booked Thanksgiving meal or the Wine Train lunch still makes a good holiday in Napa.

Is Thanksgiving 2026 Worth Spending in Napa Valley?

Yes, if you treat Thursday, November 26 as a special-occasion day, because it is not a normal tasting day. A good Thanksgiving in Napa can be one winery tasting, a booked holiday meal, a quiet drive through the fall vineyards or lunch on the Wine Train. You do not need four or five wineries.

For wine tasting on the day itself, start with Girard’s holiday flight in Calistoga or a cave tasting at Del Dotto Estate in St. Helena, then book a time. For a dining-first day, choose the Wine Train or a restaurant with a published holiday menu. For more wineries, use the long weekend and book them after Thanksgiving Day.

Next step: choose your main holiday booking, confirm its time and address with the winery or restaurant, then plan dinner, transport and your hotel around it. For more seasonal planning, read our Napa Valley in November 2026 guide and Napa Valley in winter guide.

Sources

Checked in early November 2026. These pages publish the Thanksgiving dates, hours and prices above; they do not show live reservation availability.

• Girard Winery — Visit: November 26 holiday hours, last tasting at 12:30 p.m., Calistoga address, Thanksgiving flight and price.
• Girard Winery — Events: Thanksgiving Flight + Bites schedule and pairings.
• Del Dotto Winery — Visit Us: Estate open and Piazza closed on Thanksgiving; tastings, hours, prices and age policy.
• Chateau Montelena — Visit: November 26, 2026 closure.
• Napa Valley Wine Train — Thanksgiving: dining cars and schedule.
• NapaValley.com — Thanksgiving at FARM and Thanksgiving at Boon Fly Café: November 26, 2026 times and prices.
• Beringer — Winery Events: November 25, 2026 Barrel Tree Lighting.
• Visit Napa Valley — Thanksgiving directory: labelled 2023, so used only as a list of places to contact.
• Weather: long-term NOAA averages for the city of Napa, as in our best-time guide.