Holiday Home Tour 2026

Designed by architect William Corlett and built by Napa contractor E.W. Doughty (who bid $3,777 for construction), it was one of the earliest examples of the Shingle style on First Street. Its place on the southwestern corner of the First and Jefferson streets intersection replaced an earlier dwelling also owned by the Hunters, and created an apropos counterpart to the Noyes-York House across the street. William Hunter and family were the original owners (he had a career as a blacksmith and real estate investor), followed by A. G. Prouty, a jeweler. Architect William H. Corlett (1856-1937) was a well-known Napa architect and co-owner of the Enterprise Planing Mills on Third Street in East Napa. Corlett designed a number of prominent buildings in Napa, and was especially influenced by the Shingle style and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Oak Park designs. The Hunter-Prouty House was one of his better-known works. Corlett was recognized by his contemporaries in a 1904 Napa Daily Journal article for his contributions to the construction and growth in the city at the turn of the century, which was a sign of a strong local economy. (History courtesy “West Napa Historic Context Statement and Survey Report.” Read here.)

Built in 1902 for the prominent Norton family, this Craftsman-style home has long been a cherished landmark in downtown Napa. Annah Norton, an active member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, was admired for her charitable work and community involvement. After serving for decades as a private residence, the building was converted to office space in the 1970s. In 2000, new owner Scott Warren, a former real estate developer from Mill Valley, undertook an extraordinary restoration—transforming the property into the Blackbird Inn, which opened the following year.

Warren’s vision and appreciation for the Arts & Crafts movement guided every handmade detail, inspired by the renowned Greene & Greene architectural firm. Local artisan Ken Boyd contributed exquisite stained-glass windows and partitions, discreetly incorporating the names of Warren’s beloved dogs. The inn’s stone foundation was crafted from local river rock, blending the structure with its natural surroundings. A particularly charming detail—the ginkgo leaves pressed into the light sconces—came from a Frank Lloyd Wright home Warren visited in Chicago. In recognition of his sensitive restoration, Napa County Landmarks honored the Blackbird Inn with an Award of Merit for Historic Preservation in 2001.

Edward Churchill and his wife, Mary, moved to Napa from Rochester, N.Y., in 1878, when he became the cashier of the James H. Goodman Bank (later sold to the Bank of Italy). He and Mary built the Churchill Manor in 1889 on Brown Street (then named Grant Street), considered to be the original street of the Napa founders. At nearly 10,000 square feet, Churchill Manor was reputedly the largest home in the Napa Valley at the time. After finishing it, Churchill built what is now known as Cedar Gables, which he presented to his son as a wedding gift in 1891.

Brian Jensen and Joanna Guidotti have spent decades restoring Churchill Manor into one of Napa’s most admired inns. Together, they revived the mansion room by room, reopening it for guests just a month after purchase. Guidotti has personally coordinated more than a thousand weddings, while Jensen’s talents in the kitchen—especially his signature Flambeed Amaretto Shrimp—have become part of the inn’s charm. United by humor, dedication, and an eye for detail, they have preserved the home’s beauty and spirit through years of hard work.

The cornerstone of First Presbyterian Church was laid in 1874 on land donated by Napa co-founder Nathan Coombs. Father and son pastors James and Richard Wylie drove the project: James, born in Scotland, brought his taste for Victorian architecture to its design, while Richard would serve the congregation from 1866 to 1923. Designed by Daley and Eisen, the wood-frame church was built by Vallejo contractor J. W. Batchelor for $17,375; E. Schltis painted it inside and out for another $1,875. Look for the pointed arches, steep roof, and angels set into niches in the steeple. Inside, imagine the choir soprano Harriet Gibbs, who later married Richard Wylie, singing in the sanctuary before its gas fixtures gave way to electric lights in 1911. The church’s 850-pound bell is older than the building: the Wylies bought it for their earlier church after its 1869 remodel. It rang here until the South Napa earthquake knocked it down the steeple on August 24, 2014. Repaired and reinstalled a year later, it rings every Sunday. The church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. The building suffered extensive damage in the 2014 earthquake and lost the metal roof in a hard storm a few years ago. Now the building is renewed and continues its place as one of the oldest buildings in Napa, led by pastor Genesis Auste.

Originally built in 1891 as a wedding present for George Goodman Jr. and Florence Millard by his parents, this striking Queen Anne Victorian quickly earned its reputation as “the most handsome house in town.” The local newspapers referred to its “rich and tasty” furnishings “appropriate to and harmonious with the house.” Architect John Marquis of San Francisco also designed the parents house at 1120 Oak Street (across from Churchill Manor). The house originally featured interior bathrooms, gas lights powered by electric buttons (a new labor saving device), as well as comprehensive fire protection, with fire hoses stationed on each floor.

In 1927, the house was divided into seven units and advertised as the Winchester Apartments. More than a century later, the property was lovingly restored by the Theodorides family—Patty, Kiki, and George—who purchased it in 2016 with a vision to transform it into one of downtown Napa’s most distinctive boutique inns. After decades of wear and disrepair, the family reimagined the home as a nine-room luxury inn that celebrates Napa’s elegance.

Every detail of the renovation honors the home’s historic character while embracing modern design. Original woodwork, wavy leaded-glass windows, and grand staircases were meticulously restored, complemented by modern touches such as heated bathroom floors, Carrera quartz surfaces, and a stunning hand-painted peacock mural by local artist Fabio Sanzogni. Guided by the Greek principle of philoxenia—“love of the stranger”—The George embodies gracious hospitality, inviting guests to experience Napa’s heritage wrapped in luxury, comfort, and heartfelt welcome.