In Northern California’s Napa Valley wine region, there’s a 15-foot-tall bronze sculpture of a farmer crushing grapes. This figure (aptly known as the Grape Crusher) sits atop a small hill and overlooks vineyards belonging to the Meritage Resort complex. Spanning 36 acres, the estate consists of two properties where guests can stay: The Meritage Resort and Spa and Grand Reserve at the Meritage, which together make up one of the largest resorts in Napa Valley.
Photo: The Meritage Resort and Spa
At This Vineyard-Laced Napa Valley Resort, Even the Spa Is in a Wine Cave
Staying at The Meritage Resort and Spa
Photos: The Meritage Resort and Spa
The Meritage Resort and Spa is part of The Meritage Collection, the umbrella behind two luxurious properties in California and a handful more spread across Arizona, Texas, and Hawaii. Despite being a luxury hotel in wine country, the newly imagined property in Napa Valley — which recently saw a $25 million renovation — is the perfect getaway for all types of travelers, from wine enthusiasts and couples to family vacationers and corporate groups. In fact, the resort is home to one of the largest meeting spaces in Napa Valley and Northern California at large. It has 44 venues with 80,000 square feet of event space and capacity for 1,000 people.
There’s certainly room for everyone. The Meritage Resort and Spa has 467 rooms and suites. Each room has Tuscan-inspired decor and design elements inspired by the earth, the sun, and the California sky. Of course, each room also comes with a welcome bottle of wine.
Different rooms and suites offer slightly different experiences. To start, you can opt for resort, pool, or vineyard views. If traveling with a larger group — or you prefer a home-away-from-home feel — you can opt for junior suites or studios, as well as one- or two-bedroom suites that come with full kitchens and outdoor spaces like patios or balconies.
Activities and amenities at The Meritage Resort and Spa
Photo: The Meritage Resort and Spa
Time spent among the vines represents some of the most precious moments guests can have at The Meritage Resort and Spa. One great way to get to know the property is by strolling the resort’s nine-acre hillside vineyards, which culminate at the Grape Crusher. You can do more than just walk the vineyards, though — the resort also hosts yoga sessions there.
Wellness features heavily in The Meritage experience. The resort’s spa, Spa Terra, is located 40 feet beneath the vineyards within the 22,000-square-foot Estate Cave. The moment you enter you’re transported to a serene bliss that you never want to leave. Treatments range from the Mother-To-Be Massage and the Himalayan Salt Stone Massage to the Arctic Berry Illuminate Facial, plus a long list of couples massages for those on romantic getaways. However, the treatments under the Cave Man section of the spa menu win for the most colorful names: the Cave Man Facial, Bourbon Bubbler Body Treatment, and Grape Crusher Massage.
The resort organizes a long list of wellness offerings beyond the spa, too. Guests can start their days with morning flow yoga, up the action with core fusion or barre classes, and re-center with guided meditations and healing sound baths. The resort also has both adults-only and family pools so that everyone can enjoy their vacation exactly how they imagined.
Some activities are open to both guests and the public. The Meritage Resort and Spa hosts signature wine events and other small events, like a Mother’s Day brunch, but is perhaps best known for two happenings: Merry Meritage and the Blue Note Concert Series. Come Christmas time, the resort transforms into a winter wonderland known as Merry Meritage, with a tree-lighting ceremony and the only outdoor ice-skating arena in Napa Valley. For those visiting during summer and fall, the Blue Note Concert Series is an outdoor event series that takes place on the lawn of The Village at Meritage (more on that in a second).
Dining and drinking at The Meritage Resort and Spa
Photos: The Meritage Resort and Spa
It stands to reason that a resort in the heart of a world-famous wine country would have great tasting experiences. The Meritage Resort and Spa does. Many of them start at The Village at Meritage, a common area with several different tasting rooms, an on-site brewery, the gourmet Fivetown Grocery, and a cooking classroom called the Food and Wine Center.
There are multiple dining options on site, as well. Take Ember Steak, the resort’s new steakhouse, which is now taking reservations. In addition to dry-aged beef, you’ll find seafood and sushi on the menu, along with hand-crafted cocktails and wine pairings (of course). At Olive and Hay — an Italian-inspired, farm-to-table restaurant that serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner — dishes are equal parts classic and creative. The Black & White Caesar is a good example, elevated with black garlic, squid-ink-infused dressing, and sweet onion focaccia breadcrumbs. Then there’s Crush Lounge, a modern bowling alley that serves an impressive food menu (think carnitas nachos or seared tuna salad) plus cocktails and boozy milkshakes.
For something quick, Blend Cafe is a go-to for all things coffee and pastries, while the Commons Bar in the lobby has you covered with drinks and bites like flatbreads and fancy fries.
Exploring Napa outside of The Meritage Resort and Spa
Photo: Rolf_52/Shutterstock
Napa Valley has five charming towns to explore. While the resort is located in the city of Napa, whose charming downtown is worth a visit, there’s more to see in American Canyon (“the gateway to Napa”), Yountville (home of the famous French Laundry restaurant), St. Helena (its own American Viticultural Area), and Calistoga (known for its spas and hot springs).
Off-property recreation ranges from hot-air balloon rides and bike tours to off-site wine tastings. Take a bike tour through wine country’s vineyards with Napa Valley Bike Tours, departing from Yountville, or get a different perspective aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train.
Getting to The Meritage Resort and Spa and around Napa
Photo: Asif Islam/Shutterstock
Most out-of-town visitors to Napa Valley visit via San Francisco, which is roughly an hour south of wine country by car if there’s not too much traffic. The Meritage Resort and Spa is located at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 221 on Bordeaux Way.
You’ll probably want to rent a car if you plan on driving from San Francisco and exploring the wider area once you get there. It’s possible to snag rideshares, shuttles, and public transportation in the five core cities, but it’ll take some extra planning to get around, and you may encounter limitations regarding where you want to go (and when).
If you plan on sticking closer to home — at least, your home while you’re in town — The Meritage Resort and Spa provides shuttle services to and from downtown Napa. 