Weekend in ... Napa Valley, Calif.

By Clara Bosonetto

For the AJC

Budget

Getting there: Frequent sale rates to San Francisco (65 miles south of Napa Valley) or Oakland 45 miles south of Napa) start from $149. AirTran and Delta serve San Francisco with nonstop flights. Other carriers serve Oakland with connecting service.

Stay: The Wine Way Inn offers six guest rooms with private baths. Two cozy double-bedded rooms are priced from $100 per night. The priciest Calistoga cottage, from $225, features queen bedding and French doors that open onto a private patio. Guests enjoy gourmet breakfast and evening wine reception; 1019 Foothill Blvd., Calistoga, 1-800-572-0679, www.winewayinn.com.

Eat: Mustard's Grill is a charming spot in Napa that locals call the fancy rib joint with way too many wines (27 wines are offered at $27 per bottle). A two-acre garden provides 20 percent of the restaurant's produce. Generous American entrees $21-$26.50; starters $7.25-$13.50; 7399 St. Helena Hwy, Napa, 707-944-2424, www.mustardsgrill.com.

Experience: The 18th Annual "Taste of Yountville" pairs the town's 12 renowned restaurants (some Michelin-starred) and more than 20 local wineries with chef demonstrations, art tours, a culinary garden tour, an arts and crafts exhibit, live entertainment, a fire department barbecue and more. The free event will be held March 19, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. along walk-friendly Washington Street. Tasting tickets are $1 each; www.yountville.com.

Moderate

Getting there: Round-trip, walk-up Economy Class rates are $456 with Delta. One-way rates from $228 on AirTran require a 3-day advance purchase notice.

Stay: The Napa River Inn, at the historic Napa Mill, offers a "Dinner's on Us" package at rates starting at $249 a night. Stay and receive a $100 dining credit at any one of four select dining spots on Restaurant Row. Stay two nights and receive $100 in dining credits each night. Guests enjoy breakfast in bed from Sweetie Pie's Bakery, evening wine tastings, nightly turndown service and WiFi; 500 Main St., Napa, 1-877-251-8500, www.napariverinn.com.

Eat: FARM, at The Carneros Inn, features an outdoor living room-style al fresco lounge, dramatic cathedral ceilings, two fireplaces and neighborhood wines. Simple yet elegant regional dishes are complemented by housemade breads, pastries and charcuterie products. Starters $9-$18; entrees $24-$46; 4048 Sonoma Hwy., Napa, 707-299-4880.

Experience: Through March, soil-nourishing wild mustard carpets area vineyards with brilliant hues of green and gold. Calistoga's 16th Annual "Mustard, Mud & Music" festival turns this relaxed and walkable Napa Valley town into a big jazz club. The March 5 event features live music, wine tasting, an art show, and mustard-inspired dishes prepared by local chefs. Tickets are $30 and include 10 wine tastings, an unbreakable GoVino wine glass and an event map; www.calistogavisitors.com, 1-866-306-5588.

Splurge

Getting there: One-way, walk-up Business Class rates are $586. Valid before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. westbound; after 11 a.m. east.

Stay: 1801 First is a chic Napa retreat within walking distance to dining, shops, the Opera House and within minutes to golf, hiking and renowned wineries. The two-night "Inn the Mood" package, from $755 on stays through March 31, includes cottage accommodations, in-room champagne upon arrival, a 50-minute in-suite Couple's Massage, VIP wine tasting at the finest Napa Valley wineries, gourmet breakfast and evening wine and cheese reception; 1801 First St., Napa, 1-800-518-0146, www.1801first.com.

Experience: The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena is located in the heart of the world-class vineyards, wineries, and restaurants of the Napa Valley. Take a day to bone up on your cooking techniques with a half-day "Seasons in the Wine Country" course. Participants will learn to create wine country dishes and pair wines. The $250 tuition fee includes a CIA logo apron and a cookbook. Offered the first Saturday of each month. Several other courses offered; 2555 Main St., 1-800-888-7850, www.ciachef.edu.

Eat: Enjoy a three-course gourmet lunch aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train, lavishly restored vintage 1915-1917 Pullman cars. During the three-hour, 36-mile round-trip journey between historic Napa and St. Helena, guests can visit the kitchen car to watch chefs in action, consult with wine experts at the tasting bar or drink in the valley views from the observation deck; $99; wine pairing additional; 1275 McKinstry St., 1-800-427-4124, www.winetrain.com.