Napa is a region renowned for its exceptional wines, and the local hospitality industry caters to tourists from across the globe. The town’s diversity spans across agricultural, production, and retail sectors, attracting an array of business enterprise. 

When sifting the outstanding contractors in Napa, it’s vital to consider the abundant resources in the area, including wineries, restaurants, and hotels. The firms selected for this list are experts in fulfilling broad commercial needs throughout Napa and the surrounding communities — from hospitality to other specialized business, including banking and research and development — and they have each earned numerous awards for their outstanding contributions to the building industry. 

Wright Contracting

3020 Dutton Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95407

With headquarters in Santa Rosa and offices in Napa, Wright Contracting is a seasoned firm with projects throughout the North Bay, primarily in Napa and Sonoma Counties. Established in 1953, the firm is a leader with expertise in historic retrofits and hospitality, winery, school, healthcare, housing, and office construction. Earning wide recognition, the company has been featured in numerous publications, including Architectural Record, Sunset, Wine Country, and Builder. In addition, it has graced the pages of Baumeister, a German journal focusing on architecture and planning, and has gathered accolades such as the North Bay Business Journal Top Project of 2020, for the Gordon Building.

Located in Napa, the Gordon Building is a 20,000-square-foot historic site that required restoration after the 2014 South Napa earthquake. The company showcased its mastery in retrofits and renovations, on the project, creating a more durable structure with a steel diaphragm and interior shoring system. Following Napa County Historical Society’s direction, the firm also carefully reinstalled 35% of the structure’s original finishes, restoring the Gordon building to its full 1930s Spanish Colonial revival-style glory.

Jim Murphy and Associates

464 Kenwood Ct., Suite B, Santa Rosa, CA 95407

Founded in 1968, Jim Murphy and Associates is a long-range expert in wineries. This premier builder has created several top estates across Napa and Sonoma counties, sealing its reputation as an immensely reliable hospitality, restaurant, and office builder. The well-established firm has been featured in Engineering News-Record (ENR) and NorthBay Biz and has earned numerous distinctions, including the 2018 ENR Best of the Best award, for its work on the American AgCredit corporate headquarters. 

One of the company’s outstanding projects is the inviting Stewart Cellars. The three-structure facility houses a cafe, bookstore, and a wine-tasting room, all blending a mixture of textural elements. The interior’s cedar siding, steel-framed windows, and wooden floor planks create appealing energy-efficient spaces, while the exterior’s stones and plaster evoke a timeless Scottish abbey. Answering client request, the firm also preserved an ancient oak tree onsite — a testament to the team’s ability to weave a design seamlessly into the environment. 

Midstate Construction

1180 Holm Rd., Petaluma, CA 94954

Established in 1935, Midstate Construction utilizes those eight decades of expertise in a manner that highlights respect for each client and team member as well as the environment. The firm was recently voted one of the best places to work in the North Bay area and is proud to note its personnel’s LEED Accredited Professional certifications as proof of its dedication to sustainable builds. 

With strong roots throughout the North Bay region, Midstate has solidified its reputation by delivering exceptional craftsmanship, as exhibited in the Meritage Resort and Spa — a 130,000-square-foot luxury property boasting 165 guest accommodations, a substantial spa retreat, and a six-lane bowling alley. Midstate’s depth made it possible for the project to roll forward even while other spaces in the facility remained open to the public. As testament to the build’s extraordinary success, the North Bay Business Journal awarded Midstate with the coveted Best Hospitality Project.

DesCor Builders

1245 West St, Napa, CA 94559

DesCor Builders is a contractor dedicated to safety culture. With high standards of practice that earned the 2019 Cal-OSHA SHARP Award, the company thoughtfully follows a safety-first protocol through each project it handles. The firm also has a reputation for providing the best value in Northern and Central California, guaranteeing quality and cost-effectiveness go hand in hand through all phases of service, including preconstruction, general contracting, and construction management. 

Founded in 2005, DesCor empowers its employees and sets integrity at the forefront, with president and CEO Brad DesJardin overseeing the standards for success. DesJardin’s passion for serving people is apparent in his affiliations with local outreach efforts such as the Regional Builders and Contractors Caring for Kids program. Under his leadership, client care is assured no matter the scope or sector — from hospitality, entertainment and retail to industrial and beyond.