V Marketplace, Napa Valley

Although wineries, spas, and golfing are popular attractions in Napa, they are by no means the only things to do in this scenic part of Northern California. Shopping in Napa is quite possible too, and one of the great places to go shopping in Napa is V Marketplace. Formerly known as Vintage 1870, it is the Yountville vintage market, located on the 23-acre Vintage Estate. With more than 30,000 square feet of retail space, V Marketplace offers plenty of space for a variety of interesting shops, as well as food and wine-related activities.

The V Marketplace is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. It was earlier known as Vintage 1870 because the complex was built by Gottlieb Groezinger in that year; back then, the 23-acre Groezinger estate included a winery, brandy distillery, creamery, steam power plant, mansion, barns, and stables. The Groezinger family sold the estate, and later the buildings would reopen as the Vintage 1870 shops in the late 1960s, featuring specialty boutiques and hosting a variety of events and entertainment.

Today, the V Marketplace still offers a variety of attractions. For the shoppers, there are specialty shops and art galleries, and among the diverse events hosted throughout the year is the NapaStyle Antiques Fair, which is held in the fall and displays vintage and antique goods at the marketplace. There are American and European antiques ranging from furniture to culinary products to home décor, and travelers will find it an especially convenient place to shop; the V Marketplace is open every day of the week, from 10 am to 5:30 pm, so it's easy to fit in a visit during any trip to Napa.

Those interested in Napa food and wine will enjoy the area, too. The V wine cellar is a great place to kick off a wine-tasting tour of Napa Valley. It boasts offers a variety of wines, including both California wines and some international wines. There are exceptional library wines too, and a full 3,000 bottles are displayed. If you're thinking of hosting a private event during your Napa vacation, the V Wine Cellar can be a great venue, as at the cellar you can taste wines and purchase by the bottle and case.

If you get hungry while shopping or wine tasting, rest assured that there are several options for a snack at the marketplace. The Pacific Blues Cafe offers American comfort food, while the old-fashioned Cups and Cones offers nostalgic candies, ice creams, organic coffee, and other treats. For a more thorough sit-down meal, Bottega, which serves Italian cuisine, is the answer. Of course, Yountville is renowned as a culinary hotspot, so you might already have reservations at a gourmet French restaurant or a steakhouse. Of all the Napa Valley restaurants, those in Yountville, such as The French Laundry and Bouchon, are perhaps the most famous.

Whether your interests run toward shopping, restaurants, or tastings at the V Wine Cellar, the marketplace has something to offer. Conveniently located in Yountville, it's an easy attraction to fit into your Napa trip when you have an hour—or a day—to spare.