Historic Napa Backroads Tour: Lake Berryessa to Chateau Montelena

This relaxed Northern Napa Valley day trip highlights the quieter and more scenic side of wine country, combining winding backroads, panoramic lake views, a gourmet picnic experience, and a memorable afternoon at one of Napa Valley’s most iconic estates. Beginning in Downtown Napa, the journey travels east through rolling vineyard landscapes toward the beautiful shores of Lake Berryessa. Along the way, guests can enjoy peaceful countryside scenery, oak-studded hillsides, and several scenic viewpoints overlooking the water before settling in for a picnic lunch at Oak Shores Day Use Area. With picnic provisions from Napa’s beloved Genova Delicatessen, the lakeside lunch offers a relaxed and authentic wine country experience surrounded by nature. The afternoon continues with a scenic drive through Northern Napa Valley toward Calistoga, where the day concludes at the legendary Chateau Montelena. Known worldwide for its historic château, serene gardens, and acclaimed wines, Chateau Montelena provides an elegant and memorable finale to a leisurely day exploring Napa Valley’s hidden beauty and classic charm. Fun Film Fact The dramatic opening stunt sequence from the James Bond film Moonraker was filmed over Lake Berryessa in 1979, featuring an iconic mid-air skydiving sequence that became one of the franchise’s most memorable openings.