The farmers market scenes in Calistoga, Napa, and St. Helena are always bustling on weekends, but there is also a formidable selection of local, family-owned and operated markets that are open year-round, and luckily, for discerning shoppers in search of locally sourced products and a little small-town charm, Napa’s family-owned markets have things covered.

 

BROWN’S VALLEY MARKET

Brown’s Valley Market has been in the Giovannoni family since 1980 when Larry Giovannoni first opened the market on Browns Valley Road. He built the business and its reputation based on quality and customer service. Today, sons Michael and Jerry have taken over proprietorship, with Jerry owning and operating the meat operations, renowned for its full-service butcher shop, high-quality meats, poultry, seafood, and selection of fresh and smoked sausages. The butcher shop is also a premier location for custom processing of wild game and ranch-raised animals. Michael owns and operates the grocery store, which has become a Napa Valley staple for fresh produce, boutique grocery items, and a bustling deli and cheese counter, which includes freshly-made sandwiches, salads, pizzas, and a wide menagerie of gourmet heat-and-eat and carry-out items. Whatever one’s fancy, Brown’s Valley Market delivers and stands behind the highest quality standards. // 3263 Brown’s Valley Rd, Napa // www.brownsvalleymeat.com

 

CAL MART

Cal Mart lies at the top of the Napa Valley in Calistoga and has served as one of Napa Valley’s finest grocery stores since it was opened by Bill Shaw in 1968. Located in the heart of downtown Calistoga, the family-owned, independent market provides shoppers with various grocery items, specialty/gourmet, and natural/organic offerings, carrying many foods and amenities for different lifestyle choices. The state-of-the-art deli and hot food service offers a gourmet selection of meats and cheeses for purchase or fresh for sandwiches, as well as a hot food service department with daily specials such as ribs, chicken, and Mexican fare. Their full-service coffee and smoothie bar is a great way to start the day and showcases a delectable selection of candies, gift baskets, and picnic items. // 1491 Lincoln Ave Calistoga // 707-942-6271 // www.calmartnv.com

 

HUDSON GREENS AND GOODS

Located in the Oxbow Public Market, Hudson Greens and Goods is a small, family market best known for its locally sourced goods from family-owned farms and artisan producers. The market is stocked with organic fruits and vegetables, a full selection of curated pantry and household items, handmade chocolates, and a popular juice and smoothie bar open every day from 10am to 3pm. This anchor location in the Oxbow Market is the perfect place to pick up specialty items, hard-to-find produce, and spices after a day of shopping at the Oxbow Public Market. // 644 First St Napa // 707-226-6569 // www.oxbowmarket.com/project/Hudson

 

OAKVILLE GROCERY

Oakville Grocery has been a wine-country institution since the late 1800s; the first record of its opening was in 1874 as P. B. O’Neil’s “dry goods, groceries, and hardware store.” Since its inception, the idyllic locale has endured growth, decline, expansion, prohibition, two world wars, and the Judgement of Paris. In 2019, as part of his appreciation for the authentic and relevant history of Napa Valley, Jean-Charles Boisset brought the Oakville Grocery into the Boisset Family portfolio and restored it, recharging its vibrant past and present for “locals, visitors, wine drinkers, vintners, hungry neighbors, and culinary connoisseurs.” The small store touts “the best of California,” showcasing purveyors of goods with high standards for quality, purity, sustainability, and locale. For a small slice of real estate, the market has a formidable footprint, complete with a gourmet deli, a bakery that makes mouth-watering sandwiches to order, bountiful salads, wood-fired burgers, and brick-oven pizza. They also have an espresso bar, serve local beer on tap and tout one of Napa’s world-class wine selections, all of which can be taken to go, packed for a picnic, or enjoyed relaxing at one of the outdoor picnic tables. // 7856 St Helena Hwy, Oakville // www.oakvillegrocery.com

 

OSPREY SEAFOOD MARKET

Since brothers Mike and Pat Weinberg opened its retail location on Wine Country Avenue in 2002, Osprey Seafood Market has supplied Napa’s residents and restaurants with some of the area’s best quality seafood and highest quality service. The small market carries a wide variety of locally sourced fresh fish and shellfish and a variety of accoutrements to order for direct customers, local restaurants, wineries, and chefs. In addition to their fresh catch, they also have fish and live lobsters shipped in overnight from the East Coast. Locals flock to score their weekly poke bowl specials, hand-wrapped shrimp summer rolls and during Dungeness Crab season, the lines wrap around the block. // 1014 Wine Country Ave., Napa // www.Ospreyseafood.com

 

RANCH MARKETS

Opened by Art & Judy Housley in the late 1970s, Napa Valley’s Ranch Markets serve two locations in the valley; the original, opened in 1976, is located on the south end of Solano Avenue, and the other, Ranch Market Too, which opened in 1977, is located on Yountville’s main drag, Washington Street. In 2008, their son Arik Housley took over the family business. Both locations are considered convenience stores, with a great selection of sundries, pantry items, grocery items, locally sourced goods, and an admirable selection of local wines, beer, and liquor. Both locations have an on-site deli (the Yountville deli is now independently owned) well-known for fresh sandwiches and to-go items. Ranch Market Too is the original site of Velo, where they fire up freshly made pizzas to order. Open seven days from 6am–9pm. // 4215 Solano Ave., Napa // 6498 Washington St., Yountville // www.ranchmarketsnapavalley.com

 

SUNSHINE FOODS

Opened in 1975 by Dale Smith, Sunshine Foods has been a family-focused operation. Passed on to son Jay, he and his sons manage and run the business. Mark Smith serves as the store manager, and Matt Smith runs the wine shop, which has been touted as one of the most interesting and eclectic in the area. There is also a 4th Generation of Smiths on site, with three of Jay’s grandchildren active in the business. The “community-minded market prides itself on catering to the needs of the local patronage, going above and beyond to source and provide their customers with whatever they ask for and stocking hard-to-find products. Referred to by foodies and local chefs as a “Chef’s Pantry,” their specialty area are their high-quality perishable items, such as produce, seafood, meats, and gourmet cheeses. Their made-to-order items are also top-rated; the deli, bakery, and antipasti bar are popular for gathering, always brimming with fresh orders. Sunshine Foods prides itself on its certification as a Blue Zone Market, which promotes longevity through healthy living. // 1115 Main St. Saint Helena // www.sunshinefoodsmarket.com