In addition to the Kitchens in the Vineyard Tour, we could not go to Napa and miss other favorite haunts.
Oakville Grocery – Founded In 1881
On Hwy. 29 traversing Napa, Yountville, St. Helena sites and stops, this oldest continually operating grocery store in California is a destination for locals and visitors alike. Open every day, there is a sister store in Healdsburg. The restoration has made room for even more hordes of people stopping to shop.
Oxbow Marketplace
No visit to Napa would be complete without a visit to the OxBow. It is its own district.
And inside you can find every kind of gourmet food imaginable from ice cream to fresh fish and beyond.
At the spice store I was able to find Galangal Root (of the ginger family, said to be more mild), *Zahtar (Za’atar), and a citrus herb seasoning; from the Italian Grocer, I brought home Black Beluga Idaho heirloom lentils, organic Purple Prairie Barley from Montana and Pizzichi, a whole Farro pasta from Abruzzo, Italy. I plan a salad with these three.
*Wikipedia defines Za’atar as the generic name for a family of related Middle Eastern herbs from the oregano, thyme, and savory families. The name za’atar alone most properly applies to Origanum syriacum, considered by many to be the hyssop of the Bible. It is also the name for a condiment made from the dried herbs, mixed with sesame seed, dried sumac and other spices.
Be sure to see Kitchens in the Vineyards tour in Napa.
Betty is a California-based writer whose work explores local history, travel, food, and the people who shape community life. Her storytelling is rooted in curiosity, culture, and real-world experience.