It begins in the middle of January and continues through the beginning of March. Here at The Inn On First, a luxury Napa Bed and Breakfast Inn, we call it "Napa Snow". The trees bloom in spectacular glory with these white blossoms and when the wind comes the blossoms come flying off and there is "snow" everywhere. It is stunning. Admittedly our winters are mild compared to the East Coast and elsewhere in the world, and for this reason we live here. Oh, we have our share of frosty mornings with an occasional powdered sugar dusting of hail or light snow on the hilltops, but nothing like the inches of white cold others experience. It's a great time to be in Napa, to see a different kind of beauty on the streets.
In the vineyards the mustard is growing up between the vineyards. Pruning has begun which means you will see long lines of black stumps surrounded by bright green vegetation of yellow flowers. It is our second favorite time of year here next to harvest. Standing in the tasting rooms, looking out the windows onto the vineyards,with a large glass of luscious Cabernet Sauvignon in your hand- this is winter in Napa.