Beaulieu Vineyard
One of the Grand Old Wineries
1960 St Helena Hwy (Rt 29). Rutherford 94559
7079675230 www.bvwines.com
Hrs: 10-5 TF: $ - $$$
This is one of Napa’s grand old wineries that survived Prohibition by getting a license to make church wines. The name means Beautiful View, although a hundred years later it’s surrounded by buildings, but its central location and great value wines keeps it a winner. Their basic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a steal at $30. Their main tasting room is spacious and offers a wide line of wines. The extensive gift shop is downstairs. Across the way is the pricier Reserve room, with white marble counters and racks holding generations of revered vintages. This is where they pour their best, BIG RED wines. The reserve room staff may be a little stodgy, but it’s a wonderful setting and they pour great wines. It’s a good idea to share that tasting because the alcohol levels are pretty hot, if you know what we mean. Their revered Russian winemaker and vineyard manager, Andre Tchelistcheff (now passed), was trained in France. He was the source of many major winemaking innovations used internationally today, and he acted as a guide and mentor to many of the areas most important growers and winemakers. There is a statue of him outside the reserve room. Beaulieu is commonly known by its initials ‘BV’. Amicis Winery Guide Rating #86 points.
Wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Zinfandel, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Sangiovese, Viognier, Port, Blends.
Across the street is the Elizabeth Spencer Tasting Room, and across Rt 12 is Rubicon. North on Route 29 are Whitehall, Grgich Hills and Alpha Omega.
Beringer Vineyards
Some of the Best Tours in Napa
2000 Main St. St. Helena 94574
7079674412 www.beringer.com
Hrs: 10-6 (10-5 winter) Tours TF: $$ - $$$
Beringer, just north of downtown St Helena, is one of the most visited wineries, but it’s so spread out that it rarely feels crowded. Continuously in operation since in 1876, today the mansion and old winery building house the tasting rooms and gift shops. The modern winery is across the street. Owned by the Foster’s Beer Company, who understands hospitality, they offer a wide variety of wines and tours. The most charming tasting experience is of the reserve wines in the gorgeous Beringer Mansion which was patterned after the family home in Germany. The walk-in tasting is excellent. They also, by appointment, do sit down tastings upstairs where they roll out the ‘best’. Many of these Mansion wines are sold only at the winery, so if you have an impression of Beringer as ‘white Zinfandel’, be prepared to have that idea knocked out of the park. The grounds are great for strolling, and to the left of the Mansion are rarely noticed, shaded picnic tables. Pick up a picnic at Dean and DeLuca or the Sunshine Market in St Helena and enjoy. Amicis Winery Guide Rating #95 points.
Wines: Chardonnay, Dessert Wines, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Viognier, White Zinfandel, White Merlot, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Syrah. Just north is the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, a great non-wine stop and St Clement winery and Markham, and by appointment Joseph Phelps.
Cakebread Cellars
Popular by appointment winery
8300 St Helena Hwy (Rt 29). Rutherford 94573
8005880298 www.Cakebread.com
Hrs: 10-4 by appointment TF: $$ - $$$
Wines: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rubaiyat (blend of Pinot Noir, Syrah & Zinfandel).
This is one of the top ten restaurant wines for high end eateries, so when patrons visit, they want to go to Cakebread. Also, the family name Cakebread, is easy to remember. The sales/welcome space is an airy, wood lined tank room, where you start the tasting with Sauvignon Blanc, with the stainless steel tanks hovering over your shoulders, and the vines they come from across the parking lot from where you are standing. They’re famous for their Chardonnay, but like every Rutherford winery, their greatest pride is their Cabernet Sauvignon. They do a sit down tasting in the garden, and a brief tour, a thoroughly social, delicious experience. The only hitch is they’re by appointment and popular. You enter as part of a group, so arrive 10 minutes early, or lose your spot. Tours take 90 minutes and their Chardonnay smells just like their winery. Finding the driveway is tricky because the sign isn’t visible from the road. Going north on Rt 29 they are just past Turnbull. Watch for the black mailbox which has their name in white block letters. Wines: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rubaiyat (blend of Pinot Noir, Syrah & Zinfandel). Amicis Winery Guide Rating #89 points.
Just north are Sawyer, St Suprey and Peju Province. Just south are Turnbull, Sequoia Grove by appointment Nickel & Nickel and Opus One. .
Castello di Amorosa
Northern Napa’s Castle with Tours
4045 N. St Helena Hwy (Rt 29). Calistoga 94515
7079676272 www.castellodiamorosa.com
Hrs: 9-6, 9-5 Nov-Feb TF: $$ - $$$
People laughed when we called Napa Valley Disneyland for adults, and then this 12th century Tuscan-style castle/winery with 110 rooms, complete with dungeon, called “Castle of the Beloved” opened at a cost of 40 million dollars after 13 years of work. Did we mention Disneyland for adults? But with authentic techniques and materials, real stone and wrought iron, a drawbridge, ramparts, frescos and gloom, it is a popular movie set, photo background and is also available for events. You can rent the dungeon for Halloween. Now that’s one party your friends won’t forget! They offer guided & self-guided tours. Appointments are suggested and you can’t enter without paying. The guided tour is a better deal but plan on 2 hours. Castles are cold in winter and cool in the summer, so dress accordingly. Children are restricted to certain tours and there are way too many stairs for babies and strollers. It’s surrounded by vines, olive trees, chickens and the occasional sheep. You pay more for the experience than the wine, but the experience is pretty neat. Drive up and see the outside even if you don’t plan to go in. It is a sight to be seen. Amicis Winery Guide Rating #88 points.
Wines: A dozen plus wines from dry to sweet.
Around the corner are Sterling, Clo Pegase, Frank Family, Twomey, and by appointment Schramsberg, Von Strasser and Reverie.
Chateau Montelena Winery
Of Judgment of Paris Fame
1429 Tubbs Ln. Calistoga 94515
7079425105 www.montelena.com
Hrs: 9:30-4 TF: $$ - $$$$
Montelena’s Chardonnay took top honors against the French in the 1976 Judgment of Paris blind tasting, helping catapult Napa to the top of the wine world. They’re just outside Calistoga so it’s a hike from San Francisco, but since they were featured in the movie Bottle Shock, all about that infamous competition, they’ve spruced the place up. It is a gorgeous, classic building from the 1800’s, with remarkable grounds and a beautiful lake. The tasting room is small compared to the winery, but the staff, which tends to be young, pretty and quite knowledgeable, enjoys the well-deserved Hollywood glow, making the experience fun and memorable. They make excellent wines, and you can arrange a sit down tasting with a wine educator and the top wines where you’’ hear the inside stories. They also do tours which take 1 ½ to 2 hours. The bocce courts are fun but they are short on usable picnic tables. Amicis Winery Guide Rating #90 points.
Wines: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Riesling.
On the same road are the Summer Family Winery and by appointment and Envy Wine. Nearby are Bennett Lane, Vincent Arroyo and Lava.
Clos Pegase Winery
Great Art & Architecture
1060 Dunaweal Ln. Calistoga 94515
7079424981 x 213 www.clospegase.com
Hrs: 10:30-5 TF: $$ - $$$
This is a dramatic building and the tasting room is tucked in the far left corner. The eclectic art collection on the grounds and inside the winery is worthy of a small museum. The building is a Michael Graves creation, the Princeton architect known for his use of vibrant colors and dramatic shapes. When you need a break from straight wine tasting, a stroll around these grounds will give your body a chance to catch up with the alcohol. They have picnic tables next to the tasting room fountain, and while it may feel strange eating in a museum, remember it’s a winery. Although the wines are good, the tasting is a bit overshadowed by the surroundings. They offer free guided tours at 11 & 2. An artist in residence has been creating paintings in the tank room in the warm season and he and his dog are often willing to chat. The gallery off of the tasting room requires a visit if only to dare you to walk under the sculpture hanging from the ceiling. Amicis Winery Guide Rating #88 points.
Wines: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon.
Sterling is across the street; Castello di Amorosa, Twomey, Frank Family and Cuvaison are nearby.
Darioush
A Persian Dream
4240 Silverado Trail Napa (Oak Knoll) 94558
7072572345 x 130 www.darioush.com
Hrs:10:30-5 6 or more by Appt TF: $$$
Any Napa visitor from Persia must come to Darioush which is at the southern end of the Silverado Trail south of the Silverado district. It’s patterned after a Persian Temple, with an elegant tasting bar, and comfy stools. The dark peach colored stone was quarried in Iran, carved in Italy and assembled in Napa, on top of the caves that extend beyond the building at a cost of 30 million dollars. The owner’s family is from the town of Syrah in Iran, one of the birthplaces of winemaking, and they still grow grapes there today. Darioush celebrates that tradition. The tasting fee is pricey but the wines are good and a popular premium restaurant brand. Share a tasting and browse the fabulous gift shop. The staff is friendly and the tasting starts with Viognier, the white Rhone varietal, which is a nice change from Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. Despite its formal façade, it is a family friendly place and always seems to attract the prettiest girls at the end of the day. Amicis Winery Guide Rating #92 points.
Wines: Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir.
Next door to the north is Signorello winery, and James Cole. Just to the south is the Black Stallion winery and Reynolds family.
Domaine Carneros
Elegant Sparkling Wines in Southern Napa
1240 Duhig Rd. Napa 94559 (Carneros)
7072570101 www.domainecarneros.com
Hrs: 1 -6 TF: $ - $$$
This chateau towers over Carneros like a birthday cake with candles alight. You can’t ignore it, and you shouldn’t because it offers one of Napa’s most romantic sparkling wine experiences. These elegant wines are served at the White House. The building is modeled on the Taittinger family’s French chateau, with large patios & gorgeous tasting rooms. The building sits high because the winery is underneath and they offer tours into the depths that explain the sparkling wine 'methode champenoise'. Out in back is a second winery make non-sparkling Pinot Noir, which with Chardonnay are the main grapes used for Champagne. The sit-down tasting is either outside with the great views, or inside a tasting room reminiscent of Versailles. Wines are offered by the glass and flight, which should be shared. Sparkling wines are so light and fresh they often disguise the significant amount of alcohol they contain. The winery is open late until 6 pm which makes it a nice place to end a day of tasting. Amicis Winery Guide Rating #95 points.
Wines: Brut Cuvee, Brut Rosé, Le Reve Blanc de Blancs, Pinot Noir. Wines can be ordered by the glass. Across the way is Cuvaison, and nearby are Bouchaine, Artesa and by appointment Acacia, Adastra, Ceja and Etude.
Domaine Chandon
Elegant Sparkling Wines
1 California Dr. Yountville 94599
7079442280 www.domainechandon.com
Hrs: 10-6 TF: $ - $$$ by the glass
This is a big winery across from downtown Yountville, with beautiful grounds, a large tasting bar, seating areas inside and out, where they offer snacks and side dishes. It also houses a world class restaurant called Etoile which means ‘the Star’, Napa’s only winery based restaurant. Domaine Chandon was the first European owned Champagne company to invest here in the 1970’s, before Napa was a famous brand. It’s paid off! The expansive grounds and extensive parking make Chandon popular with large groups, limos, buses, and families with children, so while it’s a fun place to visit, it is not an intimate experience. The winery is open to 6 pm, later than many others, so it’s busy at the end of the day and turns into a bit of a party. Between its history, reputation, hospitality, tours and great wines they continue to be one of Napa’s most visited locations. Amicis Winery Guide Rating #90 points.
Wines: Brut, Blanc de Noirs, Rosé, Sparkling Chardonnay, Blanc de Blancs, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay, Unoaked Pinot Noir Rosé, Unoaked Chardonnay.
Wineries nearby: Just over Yountville Cross Rd are Cliff Lede, Goosecross and Robert Sinskey. In downtown Yountville are Hill Family and Girard Family.
Franciscan Estate
A Grand Estate
1178 Galleron Rd. Rutherford 94574
7079673830 www.franciscan.com
Hrs: 10-5 TF: $$ - $$$
Franciscan is a big winery in a Spanish style building with a spacious tasting room, surrounded by pretty grounds, fountains and a nice shaded side patio. Their grapes come from a variety of areas, including Oakville and they were once called Franciscan Oakville Estate. But, the winery is located in Rutherford and the Oakville label was dropped. You can also taste the wines of the prestigious Mount Veeder Winery here, which is located in the southwest corner of Napa, just north of Carneros. The Cabernet Sauvignon from Mount Veeder is rich in flavor with medium tannins. If you enjoy this Cabernet, the Hess Collection Winery is also on Mount Veeder. The spaciousness of the Franciscan tasting room, its central location, the quality of the wines and moderate price point makes Franciscan a popular place, especially for a younger crowd. They offer a vineyard tour, reserve tastings, and wonderful educational seminars. Amicis Winery Guide Rating #85 points.
Wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Wild Yeast Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Meritage.
Down the street are Sullivan and Fleury, both by appointment. Across the way are Provenance, Rutherford Grove, Whitehall and Del Dotto.
Grgich Hills Cellar
Judgment of Paris Wine Maker
1829 St Helena Hwy S (Rt 29). Rutherford 94573
7079632784 www.grgich.com
Hrs: 9:30- 4:30 Tours $$ at 11 & 2 TF: $$ (logo glass)
Grgich Hills has a great reputation and what they lack in ‘pretty’ they make up for with friendly, quality and value. The winery is located just off Rt 29 and next to the train tracks. The windowless tasting room doubles as the barrel room so it’s dark and earthy, but the wines are good and a great value. Mike Grgich (Pronounced Gur Gitch), from Croatia, worked with Beaulieu Vineyard’s revered winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff. Later he was the winemaker at Chateau Montelena when they produced the top ranked Chardonnay at the 1976 Judgment of Paris that put Napa on the wine map. A year later, Grgich Hills (named for the Hills Bros. coffee family) was born on July 4th. They own America’s largest Biodynamic vineyards managed by Mike’s nephew and the winery is managed by his daughter. The tasting room staff is knowledgeable and relaxed, the tasting is reasonable and the experience is thoroughly authentic. This is one of the stops on the Wine Train. Amicis Winery Guide Rating #86 points.
Wines: Chardonnay, Fumé Blanc, Violetta (botrytis dessert wine), Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot.
Just across the road is Beaulieu, to the north is Alpha Omega and to the south is Rubicon and Robert Mondavi.
Hess Collection Winery
Great Art Collection in Southern Napa
4411 Redwood Rd. Napa 94558 (Mount Veeder)
7072653489 www.hesscollection.com
Hrs: 10-5:30 TF: $$ - $$$$$
This destination winery houses a modern art collection on several floors of an historic stone barn, facing another barn that houses a state of the art winery. Hess has vineyards around California and offers a wide line of products, but many high end wines are only available here at the winery. The tasting room and gift shop are worth seeing by themselves. The barns are classic historic Napa and owned by the Christian Brothers Winery who have their center next door. Hess is located on Mount Veeder in the southwest corner of Napa, north of Carneros. The ride there on Redwood road is winding and a bit out of the way. If it wasn’t for the outstanding art collection the winery might not get as much traffic, but the winery experience is impressive and they stay pleasantly busy. Amicis Winery Guide Rating #94 points.
Wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Syrah, Late Harvest Riesling, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Syrah Rosé, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Semillon, Shiraz, Blends, Olive Oil, Vinegar.
All of the other wineries nearby are small and by appointment. Mayacamas wines, Fontanella Family and Hendry Wines. Artesa and Domaine Carneros are to the south and open without appointment.
Louis M. Martini Winery
Great Wines in Central Napa
254 St Helena Hwy S. (Rt 29). St. Helena 94574
800.321.WINE 8003219463 www.louismartini.com
Hrs: 10-6 TF: $$ - $$$ Tours by appointment
This is proof that you can’t judge a book by its cover, because the first impression of Louis M Martini is an industrial, ceramic brick faced warehouse, leading to a dark brown entranceway. But, once you get inside, this stylish, gracious winery, with a sleek, modern tasting room leads into one of Napa’s most inviting Italian-style gardens, with tables for tasting, entertaining and picnics. All of this is nicely away from the noise of the road and the glare of the Sun. The staff is unfailingly knowledgeable and accommodating. The wine’s reputation is excellent. Their southern Sonoma Monte Rosso vineyards are considered some of California’s best, producing famous old vine Zinfandel. If you like BIG REDS this is the place for you. The winery is in its third generation, and is still managed by the family, even though it was bought by the Gallo family who are long-time friends. They also do cave tours and reserve tastings. Amicis Winery Guide Rating #90 points.
Wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, old vine Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Late Harvest Moscato, Meritage.
Across the road is the Hall winery, Sutter Home and just south is the Dean and DeLuca market and V. Sattui.
Mumm Napa
Sparkling Wines & Great Photo Gallery
8445 Silverado Trail Rutherford 94573
7079677700 www.mummnapa.com
Hrs: 10-5 TF: $ - $$$ by glass or flight
This is a fun winery where they pour great sparkling wines both inside their glass walled tasting room and outside on their expansive patio. It is a sit down tasting and they have a talent for finding great, friendly staff. The location, tucked against the eastern side of the valley on the Silverado Trail, gives the winery great views and a central location. They pour unusual, fun sparkling wines, very different from the classical approach. They have a great gift shop, including chocolate corks, and a fantastic photography museum, with rotating exhibits and they offer free tours, Even though most of their vineyards are to the south in Carneros, the founding winemaker chose this site for its beauty and reminded everyone that he had trucks to move the grapes. Amicis Winery Guide Rating #95 points.
Wines: Sparkling Wines, Santana (Yes, that’s Carlos), DVX, Demi Sec, Sparkling Pinot Noir, Cuvee M Red, Blanc de Blancs, Brut Prestige, Brut Rose', Grand Grand Année, Cuvee M, Brut Reserve. Still wines: Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay.
To the south are ZD and Miner Family. To the north are Rutherford Hill and by appointment Quintessa, Joseph Phelps and Frog’s Leap.
Opus One Winery
An International Standard
7900 St Helena Hwy (Rt 29). Oakville 94562
7079449442 www.OpusOneWinery.com
Hrs: 10-4 by appointment Instant, Saturdays & in high season call in advance. Tour by appt
TF: $$$
Opus One is an ‘expense account wine’ found on wine lists around the world and sure to impress any client that you’re entertaining. This extraordinary building is styled after an Incan temple, a white exterior submerged into green lawns surrounded by vines which are grown in the European method. It was started in the 1970’s by the Baron Von Rothschild and Robert Mondavi to combine European technology and California grapes. They produce about 25,000 cases yearly of one Bordeaux style red wine made from the five classic varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petite Verdot. You enter through the lobby where you sign in. Although tastings are by appointment, if it’s slow day an instant appointment is possible. Tours are always by appointment, and the high-end tours are great. The tasting is one generous pour, although they normally offer a choice of two vintages. They have a small, beautifully appointed tasting room, but if the weather is nice, and it usually is, go upstairs to the loggia which offers beautiful views of the valley. Amicis Winery Guide Rating #89 points.
Wines: Bordeaux style Blend.
Across the road is Robert Mondavi; over Oakville Cross Road are Plumpjack, Silver Oak, Saddleback and by appointment Groth, Gargiulo, Vine Cliff and Rudd.
Plumpjack Winery
620 Oakville Cross Rd. Oakville 94558
707945122www.plumpjack.com
Hrs: 10-4 8 or more req appt. TF: $$-$$$
You can’t ask for a better location than this, just off the Oakville Cross Road, across from Silver Oak, next door to Rudd, and around the corner from Screaming Eagle, all ultra-premium winemakers. Their sign is at the bottom of the hill on the eastern part of the cross road. The narrow driveway goes through the vines to this popular, charming tasting room. The staff is young and fun, the wines are excellent and the prices range from reasonable to serious collector. They are one of the few wineries that use screw caps on some of their high end wines. They have a great gift area right next to the tasting bar which makes it interesting for the members of the party who are running out of tasting endurance. Outside the back door are shaded tables to relax at next to the vines. The winery equipment is across the courtyard from the tasting room, so during the crush in late August through November there is a lot to see. The winery’s name and emblematic signs have an old English theme related to Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth. Ask them about it! Amicis Winery Guide Rating #91 points.
Wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Syrah.
Nearby are Saddleback, the Napa Wine Company, Miner Family, and by appointment are Groth, Gargiulo, Vine Cliff and Rudd.
Robert Mondavi Winery
A Gracious Estate
7801 St Helena Hwy (Rt 29). Oakville 94558
7079682001 www.robertmondaviwinery.com
Hrs: 10-5 TF: $ - $$$$$
Robert Mondavi was Napa’s patron saint of marketing, a brilliant personality who was a tremendous influence on Napa’s development. This big, Spanish style winery is almost a pilgrimage for many. It includes some of Napa’s best land, midway up the valley with the mountains towering above the vineyards. The spacious, rambling winery features sculptures, gardens, a gift shop, multiple tours, and both a standard tasting room and the reserve “To Kalon” tasting room where the big Cabernet Sauvignon is poured. These are available both in flights and individually. The winery is now owned by Constellation Brands, but they have the same staff and the Mondavi family still owns numerous other wineries in the valley. The winery is said to be on the less desirable western side of Rt 29, the thinking being that it was easier to catch inbound visitors on the eastern side of the road, but clearly, Robert Mondavi overcame this perceived disadvantage. Francis Ford Coppola doesn’t complain too much either. Amicis Winery Guide Rating #90 points.
Wines: Fumé Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Moscato d’Oro, Dry Rosé.
Sawyer, St. Supéry and Peju are just north. And by appointment nearby are Nickel and Nickel, Opus One, and Cakebread.
Rubicon Estate
Napa Italian Style
1991 St Helena Hwy (Rt 29). Rutherford 94573
7079681100 www.rubiconestate.com
Hrs: 10-5 TF: $$$ with various tours
This is the premier winery of the movie director Francis Ford Coppola where they produce their best estate wines. It includes a spacious tasting room, an elegant gift shop and an espresso bar, which is a wonderful place to relax amid a day of tasting with some chocolate or a cigar; which they sell in the cafe. You can sail a boat in the fountain making this among the most family-friendly wineries in Napa. You can just imagine Nicholas Cage and Talia Shire chasing each other around the reflecting pool. The staff is excellent and the whole feeling is gracious and special. The Inglenook building is on the National Register of Historic Places in the San Francisco Bay Area. It was the center of the Niebaum Estate that Francis gradually reassembled. ‘Rubicon’ comes from the story of Julius Caesar returning from Gaul after his victories there. His enemies rigged the laws against him so crossing the Rubicon River into Italy would make him a rebel. Once he crossed, there was no going back. Once Francis made his first wine there was no going back. Amicis Winery Guide Rating #97 points.
Wines: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Blanc de Blanc, Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Rubicon.
Across the road is Beaulieu, Elizabeth Spencer, Peju, to the north is Alpha Omega, to the south is Robert Mondavi and by appointment Swanson, Staglin and Paradigm.
Silverado Vineyards
Great Views in Stags Leap
6121 Silverado Trail Napa (Stags Leap District)
7072571770 www.silveradovineyards.com
Hrs: 10:30-5 TF: $$ - $$$
For a large winery, Silverado is remarkably romantic. It might be the Spanish-style building, the location perched on top of hill in the Stags Leap district, the gorgeous views over the vineyards from the patio, or the comfortable tasting room. The wines are very well made and reasonably priced. The staff is friendly and accustomed to visitors from all over the world. The drive up to the top of their hill seems steeper than it really is, but the convex mirrors that allow you to see around the corners are very helpful. They have nice gift shop with an abundance of interesting books. Take some time to sit out on the patio with a glass of wine and enjoy the view and bring your camera There is something very special about this place, with its collection of small, rounded hills that gather in the morning fog and hold it there as the Sun rises and sends rainbows through the vines. The winery is owned by Walt Disney’s daughter so maybe some of the family magic rubbed off on the winery. Amicis Winery Guide Rating #91 points.
Wines: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon.
Nearby are Robert Sinskey, Pine Ridge, the famous Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Regusci, Chimney Rock and Clo du Val. Across the road are three well-known appointment wineries, Shafer, Quixote and Stags’ Leap Winery (Yes, there are two wineries called Stags Leap separated by the placement of an apostrophe).
Silver Oak Cellars
Big Popular Red Wines
915 Oakville Cross Rd. Oakville 94558
7079448808 www.silveroak.com
Hrs: 9-5 (Winter to 4) Closed Sunday & Most Holidays
TF: $$$
Several years ago, Silver Oak suffered a flood followed by a fire. Before the locusts could show up the owners bulldozed the site (except for their signature water tower) and built a new, bigger winery, faced with antique blocks from an 1800’s flour mill. It’s great! The tasting room is spacious, the parking easy, and the buildings are easily seen from the Oakville Crossroad at the end of its long, tree-lined driveway. The primary wine is a big Cabernet blend, in two versions, one from Napa and the other from Sonoma’s Alexander Valley. Silver Oak sits in the center of the Napa Valley on the flattest part so the views of vineyards, hills and valley are unobstructed. The grounds and seating around the fountain are lovely. They’re well known for their commitment to using American oak barrels, which gives the wine a stronger vanilla flavor. This decision has served them well as the strength of the Euro has seen the price of the French barrels many wineries use go through the roof. Note: They’re closed on Sundays. Amicis Winery Guide Rating #90 points.
Wines: Cabernet Sauvignon Blends.
Nearby are Plumpjack, Saddleback the Napa Wine Company, and by appointment are Groth, Gargiulo, Vine Cliff and Rudd.
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars
Judgment of Paris Winner
5766 Silverado Trail Napa 94558 (Stags Leap District)
7072616441 www.cask23.com
Hrs: 10-4:30 TF: $$ - $$$$
The Stags Leap district is in the southeastern corner of the Napa Valley. It’s also the name of two wineries separated by an apostrophe. Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars is one of Napa’s most famous wineries, yet surprisingly low key, tucked at the bottom of a hill off the Silverado Trail. A stairway brings you to the tasting/tank room. Even though it became famous by winning top honors for its Cabernet blend at the 1976 Judgment of Paris tasting, the tasting room seems like an afterthought. There are two small tasting bars, standard to the left, reserve to the right. Unseen by the general public but available on arranged tours are wonderful caves with a banquet table and some unique features. If you love BIG RED Napa wines then you should come here, but don’t expect a spectacular tasting, the staff is as low-keyed as the environment. The original family sold it in 2008 to Antinori and Chateau St Michele. Amicis Winery Guide Rating #85 points.
Wines: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon.
Nearby are Pine Ridge, Steltzner, Regusci, Chimney Rock, Clo du Val and Darioush.
Sterling Vineyards
Ride the Gondola to Wine & Views
1111 Dunaweal Ln. Calistoga 94515
7079423344 www.sterlingvineyards.com
Hrs: 10-4:30 TF: $$$$$
This iconic winery outside downtown Calistoga is one of Napa’s most visited, famous for the aerial tramway that brings you to the mountain top tasting room. They were the first winery to charge for tastings many years ago and the tramway was their excuse. This is a big brand and they also bring grapes in from outside of Napa to supplement their product line, but it is a fun time, with great views, a good gift shop and a wide variety of wines. They do both standard and reserve tastings. Plan on some time for waiting in line and riding the tramway so allow at least two hours for your visit. As you travel north and pass Larkmead Lane you can see Sterling’s bright white building perched on its hilltop in the middle of the valley. Check on line for coupons for discounted admission tickets. Amicis Winery Guide Rating #90 points.
Wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, Blends.
Across the street is Clos Pegase. Nearby are the Castello di Amorosa, Twomey and Frank Family (picnic tables). In downtown Calistoga are good restaurants and the Cal-Mart is a great place to get picnic supplies.
Sutter Home Winery
277 St Helena Hwy S(Rt 29). St. Helena 94574
7079633104 www.sutterhome.com
Hrs: 10-5 TF: $
This is one of Napa’s biggest wineries, yet most of the grapes are brought in from other areas. They are known for their White Zinfandel, one of the biggest selling wines in America. The owners, the Trinchero family, own numerous wineries in Napa. It is a big, spacious tasting room with a friendly staff, a wide variety of wines and a nice gift shop. The tastings are complimentary and the price point is modest. Many of their Zinfandel grapes come from Amador County, many miles to the east in the Sierra Madre foothills. This was gold-rush country and viticulture was started there by miners who this as a good alternative to panning for gold. Their Amador county, deep red Zinfandel is their stand-out wine and a good deal. White Zinfandel is miss-named, being a pink wine, the reason being that the original wine was dry and white. It started off as a ‘throw away juice’, drawn off before fermentation so that the remainder would make a deeper, richer Zinfandel. One year they got sloppy and left some skins in the juice, and then the fermentation got stuck leaving some residual sugar. This pink, sweet accident was ‘White Zinfandel’. They were stuck with the name and it’s been a big seller ever since. Amicis Winery Guide Rating #84
Wines: White Zin, Moscato, Chard, Pinot Grigio, Cab Sauv, Merlot, Sauv Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Merlot, White Cab Sauv, Pinot Noir, Zin, Gewürztraminer.
Nearby are Louis M Martini, Hall Winery, Heitz, Prager Port Works, and Flora Springs.
V. Sattui Winery
The Best Deli
1111 White Ln. St. Helena 94574
7079637774 www.vsattui.com
Hrs: 9-6 9-5 in Winter TF: $ - $$
This winery proves that if you combine food, wine and shopping you are going to need more parking and they could use some. This is said to be Napa’s busiest winery in part because it is home to the Valley’s only winery deli, that is surrounded by picnic tables, a packed gift shop and a busy tasting room. They are centrally located on the northbound side of Route 29. The wines are average but they sell a lot. The tasting fee is modest, with standard and reserve tasting rooms, and the property is pretty, although crowded on the weekends.
It was started in the 1970’s by an entrepreneur whose family made wine in the late 1800’s in San Francisco. He also owns Castello di Amorosa, the Tuscan style destination castle winery in Calistoga. If you like a bit of chaos, V. Sattui is a great place to do a tasting and eat lunch, but you can only eat food purchased there on the property. Amicis Winery Guide Rating #89 points.
Wines: A very wide selection.
Across the street is the market Dean and DeLuca, but they don’t have picnic tables, just a wall people can sit on. Next to Dean and DeLuca is the Hall Winery which has nice picnic tables where you can sit as you do a tasting and enjoy your Dean and DeLuca delicacies. Just north of V. Sattui is Louis M. Martini which has one of the area's nicest places to bring a picnic.