Top 10 Napa Valley Wineries to Visit. Helena, Napa · Darioush Oak Knoll Winery, Napa · Amorosa Calistoga Castle, Napa · Spottswoode. No other wine region on the planet attracts as much attention as the Napa Valley. Its unparalleled beauty blends seamlessly with generations of passionate winemakers behind some of the world's truly exquisite wines.
There are more than 500 wineries in Napa. So what are the best wineries in Napa Valley to visit? Quickly identify wine flavors using the printed version of the aroma chart. This isn't an easy question to answer, simply because there really are a lot of amazing Napa wineries. In addition, “the best thing is a subjective experience.
This list is an excellent starting point for your exploratory journey through this world-revered wine region. Of the ten wineries, Artesa offers the best in terms of Napa landscapes. The family-owned winery is located on the highest hill of the 350-acre estate. A terrace offers beautiful expansive views of the surrounding countryside and, on clear days, a view of the San Francisco skyline.
This winery began as a joint venture between Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe Rothschild. The two wine giants came together to create a magnificent winery focused on producing a single Bordeaux blend, based on Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley floor. In 2004, Constellation Brands acquired the Robert Mondavi winery and entered into a management agreement with Baron Rothschild to manage Opus One. Opus One Winery Offers a Luxurious, Albeit Somewhat Formal Winery Experience.
The farm is impressive, especially when you drive through the center to the entrance of the winery. Looking out over the Opus One vineyards from the upstairs terrace, you can immediately see the beauty of the Napa Valley. This is a winery in which you can let yourself be absorbed by a wonderful drink while you are in the company of sophistication. There's nothing more luxurious than this, so take lots of pictures while you're there.
Smaller wineries often welcome guests by appointment only, so always call ahead or check websites for availability. Also, keep in mind that Napa zoning restrictions exclude (as in, they don't allow) picnic eating on most Napa farms, so don't pack that picnic basket. Virtually every winery will charge a fee for the tour or tasting, but given the amount of information gathered from the hospitality staff and the quality of the wines served, along with the beautiful and elegant surroundings, these tours continue to be of exceptional value. Cabernet Sauvignon is the most important variety in the Napa Valley.
Find out how to test quality in the Napa Valley. Of course, this list only scratches the surface. Napa has dozens of other incredible wineries worth mentioning, such as Beaulieu, Beringer, Cakebread, Château Montelena, Ehlers, Far Niente, Mondavi, Pine Ridge, Shafer and Silver Oak, to name a few. I'm living my dream growing a Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard on the hillside of St.
Helena and a mountain vineyard at Atlas Peak. Find me pursuing my passion for perfection as a winemaker at Sill Family Vineyards. Alpha Omega Winery, 707-963-9999 Viña Beaulieu, 707-257-5749 Chateau Montelena, home of the Chardonnay that defeated the best in France in the famous 1976 Paris Trial, remains a reference producer. The Chardonnay is as energetic and age-worthy as ever, but there's much more to it here, including the phenomenal taxis and Zinfandels, the beautiful gardens, and the 19th century castle itself.
Cliff Lede Vineyard, 707-944-8642 Domaine Carneros, 800-716-BRUT (278) For many San Francisco Bay Area tourists, the opportunity to taste exceptional quality wines is an absolute must. Napa's land, mild climate and growing conditions (terroir) make grapes ideal, coveted by wine enthusiasts around the world. There is no need to fear wine, although it may seem daunting at first. A knowledgeable wine merchant can erase those fears while guiding your pallet to an enjoyable and memorable experience on your first visit.
If this is your first time visiting, you may want to consider choosing the right time of year to visit it. The best times to visit Napa are during the spring and fall seasons, that is, from April to early June and then from September to October. The beginning of autumn is our crushing period, when wineries harvest their grapes. If you want to experience a winery in action, come in autumn.
The other optimal time is in early spring (late February to March), when the valley mustard plants are in full bright yellow bloom. Napa has dozens of other wineries worth noting, such as Beaulieu, Cakebread, Clos Pegase, Ehlers, Mondavi, Pine Ridge, Shrader, Silver Oak, to name a few. Smaller wineries often welcome guests by appointment only, so always call ahead or visit their website for availability. Also, keep in mind that Napa zoning restrictions prohibit eating at a picnic except at a couple of Napa estates, so wait for that picnic basket.
Most wineries charge a fee for the tour or tasting, but given the amount of information gathered and the quality of the wines served, along with the beautiful and elegant surroundings, these tours are an incredible bargain. Save money at some of the best wineries in Napa Valley with the PRIORITY WINE PASS. LEARN MORE HERE Nearly every winery in Napa already requires advance reservations before the start of this public health emergency, so don't arrive in Napa without having booked your tastings online. If you don't have great wine glasses yet, choose one from our list of the best wine glasses and take it with you.
Are you going to visit Sonoma during your trip? Consider stopping by Meadowcroft for a tasting. While their Chardonnay remains one of the most ageable Chardonnays produced in California, their Burdeaux-style Cabernet Sauvignon now takes center stage in the winery these days. We know, you're thinking that famous wineries can't offer good wine. Quite simply, that is not the case here.
The winery they created is a reflection of their twin passions. On a visit to Andretti winery, you will enjoy the best Italian varietal wine from this side of Tuscany, along with wonderful French varieties. Combine that with the relaxed hospitality of the Andretti staff and you have one of the best wineries for first-time visitors to the Napa Valley. The winery offers an incredible variety of wine tasting experiences.
Be sure to make a reservation in advance. We recommend that you enjoy a tasting with a pairing, but you will surely like any of their experiences. You can select a few different tasting options here. Private property tasting is an incredible experience.
You can sample reserve wines in the comfort of the Turnbull living room with a wine educator. Or you can opt for the more traditional Gallery Tasting. Taste current Turnbull releases in a stylish bar with beautiful views of the valley around you. Opus One Winery Offers a Luxury Wine Experience.
The farm is impressive, especially when you drive along the central road to the entrance of the winery. This is a winery to sit, relax and have a wonderful glass of wine in the company of good friends. There's nothing more luxuriously sophisticated than this, so take lots of photos while you're there. Constellation Brands acquired Robert Mondavi winery in 2004 and entered into a management agreement with Baron Rothschild to manage Opus One.
Winery tours are by appointment only, so be sure to call ahead to secure your reservation. Do you prefer boutique-style wineries when you visit Napa Valley? See Our Winery List for Napa Experts For a full list of Napa Valley wineries, visit our Napa Regional Page. We have links to wineries, accommodation and tours. Author Igor Sill cultivates a terraced cabernet sauvignon vineyard in Santa Elena, Napa, California.
Passionate about wine; writer; certified by the Court of Master Sommeliers; attended the UC Davis winemaking program; member of the Napa Valley Wine Technical Group; Judge, International Wine Challenge, London, UK, and holds his master's degree from Oxford University. MAKE SURE TO ENTER THE CODE CWA15 TO RECEIVE OUR SPECIAL DISCOUNT ON THE PRIORITY WINE PASS. Duckhorn Vineyards is the ideal place to visit and break the Napa routine a little. It's not monstrous in size, nor is it boutique, so you'll feel right at home if you're looking for something in between.
They were founded in 1973 and were the first American winery to promote merlot as a luxury wine (through Duckhorn Vineyards). Today, you'll find a relaxed atmosphere with fantastic wine. Give your customers the ultimate Napa Valley experience: information on accommodations, wineries, restaurants, art, transportation, special offers, events and more. Visiting Opus One is for those looking for a more serious and formal tasting and, as Know Wines points out, there are a few things to consider before booking.
Be sure to explore, as you can find your own list of the best wineries in the Napa Valley that differs from ours. When I visit the wine region to find wines for Palate Club, I sometimes spend four hours on the road and taste hundreds of wines in one day. The Napa Valley is actually a region that includes several small towns, all of which usually have a small walkable area and are close to wineries. Its winery offers a pleasant alternative to the corporate-run vineyards and wineries found throughout the region.
These are called Spit Buckets or Dump Buckets (yes, even in the most luxurious wineries, that's what it's called), and they're there for you to throw away the rest of your glass, or even your bite of wine. It took decades before Napa Valley could recover from Prohibition, since only “sacramental wineries,” or wineries that made wine for the church, could operate during that time. There is always a party at this winery because it is always full of visitors, frequent barbecues, special events, entertainment and spring weddings. It takes less than an hour to get from one end of Napa Valley to the other, but the density of the wineries could quickly fill a week of wine tasting.
Visit Napa Valley for the perfect conference, incentive trip, social group event, corporate event or teamwork meeting. . .
