These Are the Best Wineries in Napa Valley, According to Sommeliers
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
Romantic ambiance, historic architecture, lush scenery, and golden light; there is so much more to wine tasting in California's Napa Valley than simply sipping a glass of vino. So when it comes to choosing the best Napa Valley wineries to visit, the setting is almost as important a factor to consider as the grapes themselves.
And the competition for wine tourists is fierce: Today, there are more than 400 wineries to choose from in Napa and Sonoma counties alone, which is up from just 25 in Napa in the 1970s. And tourism to Napa Valley has only continued to grow as more Michelin-starred restaurants, luxurious hotels and resorts, and elevated wine experiences have become tentpoles of tourism to the area.
In the face of stiff competition and sizable opportunity, Napa Valley wineries are stepping up their offerings beyond the typical tastings with luxe experiences that range from sensory garden tours to private dining with Michelin-starred chefs. We sought out renowned sommeliers to give us their picks for the best wineries in Napa, along with a few staff recs to curate the must-see destinations for every type of visitor to California's wine country. Here, the 24 best wineries in Napa Valley, according to experts.
Stags' Leap Winery: Napa
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars achieved icon status after winning the famous blind tasting at the 1976 Judgment of Paris, just six years after purchasing the namesake vineyard. The winery is known for its cabernet sauvignon and produces a variety of reds and whites.
The FAY Outlook & Visitor Center opened in 2014 to provide wine enthusiasts a uniquely immersive tasting experience with stunning panoramic views. The building is designed to be enjoyed during all four seasons, and there is plenty of programming to keep visitors coming back for more.
Stag Leap Wine Cellars's flagship tasting experience is the Cellarius Kitchen Experience, which offers a tasting of four world-renowned wines alongside local dishes created by the winery's chef. There's also a Judgment of Paris 45th Anniversary S.L.V. Tasting happening this year that features a tasting of four vintages from the winery's Legacy Collection.
Beaulieu Vineyard: St. Helena
With the release of the Georges de Latour Private Reserve cabernet sauvignon in 1940, Beaulieu Vineyard created the first "cult" cabernet sauvignon in California and continues to produce top-rated wines today. (The newly debuted 2018 GDL Private Reserve was awarded 98 points by Antonio Galloni). The winery offers a variety of experiences that pays homage to its nearly 120-year history that begins with de Latour's dedication to making Napa Valley a premier wine region.
Visitors to this storied winery can enjoy a Cabernet Collector tasting that highlights five iconic wines that are of the highest caliber in Napa Valley; the Georges de Latour Legacy Experience for an insider's look at the history of the wine and winemaking; and a Hewitt Vineyard Cabernet Tasting that features a flight from the exclusive namesake vineyard. Plus, there are plenty of lush valley views to savor.
Cakebread Cellars: Rutherford
Cakebread Cellars has been producing stellar wines since the early '70s and has been family-owned from the beginning. It's not only a quintessential California wine destination, but it's a great pick for culinary enthusiasts to visit as well. Foodies will love the opportunity to enjoy the farm-to-table cuisine the region is so famous for as part of tastings, vintner dinners, private events, and cooking classes. Guests can also stroll through the estate's culinary garden where Cakebread's chefs source from.
Visitors can enjoy their pick of seated and tour experiences at the winery. There are four types of seated tastings and two tour offerings tailored to your interests: sustainability, California cabernet, family-friendly offerings, and more.
Faust Haus: St. Helena
After a three-year renovation, the Faust team opened the doors to its 1878 Victorian estate-turned-tasting room in fall 2020, and it's only 30 minutes away from Faust's Coombsville vineyard. A visit to Faust Haus is essential for fans of California reds, as the winery is devoted to highlighting cabernet sauvignon from multiple vineyards across the valley.
Faust Haus offers two types of tastings, one indoors and one outdoors, both of which feature immersive experiences with the winery's limited-production wines. While you'll enjoy the sweeping views of Napa Valley and Hollow Mountain from both tastings, it's worth spending some time indoors to explore the artwork that fills the estate, from a charcoal mural by Roberto Ruspoli to photographs by Lindsay Ross.
Darioush: Napa
Darioush is the passion project of Iranian wine collector Darioush Khaledi and is a place where the traditions and heritage of wine's rich history are energized with modern winemaking techniques. The brand's Bordeaux style of winemaking produces unique, collectible reds and whites that are worth exploring via Darioush's stunning estate.
Darioush offers seven different tasting experiences on property that range from Signature Mezze, which includes tasting of the flagship cabernet sauvignon alongside a few small plates, to the Culture of Wine Experience, which artfully blends lessons on wine history alongside tastings paired with chef-prepared dishes. The estate's architecture and interiors reflect Khaledi's upbringing and wine's early beginnings in ancient Persia and has become a true "destination winery" for visitors from around the world.
Alpha Omega: St. Helena
Alpha Omega's founders are husband-and-wife duo Robin and Michelle Baggett, who have become world-renowned winemakers known for blending old-world traditions with modern technology and techniques. Their wines reflect this artful balance of old and new, producing bottles that can be enjoyed early but are built to last for decades. Sustainability and philanthropy are at the forefront of the business, making Alpha Omega wines worth the investment for numerous reasons.
A visit to Alpha Omega's estate is a must for those visiting Napa Valley in order to fully experience the depth and approachability of their offerings. The estate is home to a modern, farmhouse-style structure that pays homage to the Napa Valley farming community. Indoor and outdoor tasting experiences are available, from private single vineyard tastings with a cheese accompaniment to outdoor tastings for larger groups.
Heitz Cellar: St. Helena
Cameron Mahlstede, sommelier and founder of Mahlstede Wines, says Heitz Cellar is the place to go for beautiful and thoughtful cabernet sauvignon, a legacy it has been leading for nearly 60 years. He says to be sure to also check out its zinfandel and a Northwestern Italian varietal called grignolinio.
"[Heitz is] one of the last high-end producers that still offers free tastings at their tasting room," he says. "I believe they are under remodel right now, but their old tasting room in St. Helena had a beautiful trellised wisteria garden that you could sit in with a glass of wine." Count us in.
Two types of tours are available at Heitz: the Historic Winery Tasting and the Estate Experience, both of which offer valuable insight into this 1870s property and historic winery.
Ehlers Estate: St. Helena
"As a sommelier, wine quality is also extremely important when thinking about wineries to visit," says Martin Sheehan-Stross, Chaine Des Rotisseurs Best Young Sommelier International 2016. "Ehlers bottles wines that are impeccably balanced. They are dense and rich, but also fragrant and spicy. The fact that the winery supports a great cause is really the cherry on the sundae.”
To make the most of your visit at Ehlers Estate, consider booking a private winemaker dinner, which offers a chef-made, three-course meal with five of the winery's best selections. Taurean Philpott, of Sommelier Bacchanalia Star Provisions, says to make sure you try their cabernet sauvignon and franc, as the latter is one of Napa's greats.
“Ehlers Estate represents the terroir of Saint Helena in a way that is genuine; I love the signature note of creamy milk chocolate and mocha," says Hak Soo Kim, assistant head sommelier at Per Se in Manhattan. "In that sense, Ehlers is a bottle of romance. Furthermore, the tale of Jean and Sylviane tells us a beautiful story of heart.”
Corison Winery: St. Helena
"Cathy Corison has been making wine since the '80s," Mahlstede says. "She is finally, now, over the last few years, getting some well deserved accolades. But for years, her wines have been kind of an unsung hero in the region. The property is on an old 19th-century farm and really lovely."
Corison is a pioneer of the industry, as the first woman winemaker-proprietor in the valley, and produces some fabulous cabernet sauvignons and gewürztraminer. Three different tastings are offered at the eponymous winery: a Discover, Library, and Collector's Vertical, depending on the type of tasting and education you're seeking.
Nickel & Nickel: Oakville
This charming winery is a collection of classic barns, honoring its roots as a 19th-century farmstead. These days, it's focused on single-vineyard wines, offering both public and private tasting options. Don't miss the Private Terroir Tasting, which features eight single-vineyard cabernet sauvignons paired with artisanal cheese and charcuterie.
"Nickel & Nickel was one of the first wineries in the Napa Valley I ever visited, and it remains one of my favorites," says Matt Montrose, CMS Advanced Sommelier. "Besides an incredibly welcoming hospitality team, going there and having a tasting flight of their different vineyard wines really brings to light how a specific site can make all the difference in the expression of a wine. They even have a collection of soils from all of the different vineyards, which you can look at and see just how varied the topography is, which is really eye-opening."
Cardinale Winery: Oakville
“Cardinale is a cabernet sauvignon sourced from Napa’s prized four mountains and tells the story of how mother nature shined in a given year," says Master Sommelier John Blazon. "Nowhere on the valley floor can one taste altitude in the glass like the experience at Cardinale. These wines are graceful, powerful and age-worthy for collectors and prestigious wine programs."
Tastings at Cardinale Winery's estate are available by appointment only, and its private library tasting offers a rare glimpse into the estate's cellar, featuring limited-production vintages served with accoutrements.
Stony Hill Vineyard: St. Helena
"Stony Hill has some of the more beautiful, elegant, and age-worthy wines in Napa Valley," says Mahlstede. "Personally, they have my favorite chardonnay from the region. They've been making wines for more than 60 years and are definitely considered one of the landmark Napa producers. "
This iconic winery first planted grapes in 1948, and its tours walk you through those original plantings and share the history of these immaculate vineyards before a tasting at the family home overlooking the Napa Valley.
Larkmead Vineyards: Calistoga
"I love what Dan Petroski has accomplished at Larkmead," says Master Sommelier Matt Stamp. "He's turned the winery into one of the more serious cabernet producers in the valley; he's celebrated its history while becoming one of the more outspoken, opinionated winemakers in Napa Valley."
Stamp says there is truly something for everyone to enjoy and learn at Larkmead, and tastings are open to the public and private groups.
"A serious wine geek can catch a glimpse of Napa's rich history at Larkmead or get into a heated conversation about its future with Dan. But mostly, you can enjoy the winery's laid-back atmosphere and service, nestled in one of the valley's prettiest corners."
Mayacamas: Napa
Mahlstede says Mayacamas is another historic producer in Napa with a property dating back to 1889, though they didn't start making wine until just after Prohibition. One of its most famous bottles is the cabernet sauvignon Mount Veeder 2015, which secured the #2 spot on Wine Spectator's 2019 Top 100 List.
"Their unique, old-world style of oak aging their wines is refreshing for the region," he says. "These wines are incredibly food-friendly and age-worthy. "
Every vintage of Mayacamas cabernet sauvignon spends at least two years barrel-aging inside the 19th-century winery. Visits to the estate, which include tastings and a tour, are offered Tuesday through Saturday with a reservation. Tastings are available at Mayacamas's downtown Napa location Wednesday through Sunday.
Far Niente Winery: Oakville
"The winery's Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon and Oakville Estate are always classic, powerful, rich, and balanced," says CMS Advanced Sommelier Jen Estevez. "A glass is best enjoyed outdoors lounging by the pond on the sweeping lawns outside the tasting room."
Estevez recommends making the trip to Far Niente in autumn, when you can admire the vivid, changing leaves on the gingko trees lining the road up to the winery. The winery offers three tasting options: a classic Estate Tasting, a Cave Collection Library Tasting, and an Extended Tasting. The latter offers a deeper insight into the wines and grounds, along with a tasting from Far Niente's sister winery, Dolce.
Matthaisson Wines: Napa
Matthaisson Wines is one of the youngest producers on this list, with production beginning in 2003 by husband-and-wife team Steve and Jill Klein Matthaisson. They produce a balanced mix of popular varieties, along with some more rare grapes, like ribolla gialla and refosco.
"Matthaisson has been making organic wines and using sustainable and regenerative agriculture practices since before it was cool," Mahlstede says. "Steve has been a force in the region, working with other farmers and winemakers to improve their farming techniques."
Being ahead of the curve has its rewards. Matthaisson has been awarded Winemaker of the Year by San Francisco Chronicle and Food & Wine, a James Beard Foundation award (plus six nominations), and countless other awards from those respected in the industry. The vineyard offers both in-person and virtual tastings.
Opus One: To Kalon
Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Napa Valley vintner Robert Mondavi joined forces in 1980 to launch a single wine that showcased the excellence of the Napa Valley. More than 40 years later, Opus One's flagship red wine is considered one of the most famous and acclaimed in the world, and the estate's only other wine, Overture, is also highly regarded for its softer expression.
Built by architectural firm Johnson Fain, the low profile of the Opus One Winery is designed to blend into the native grasses, shrubs and wildflowers surrounding it, so the attention remains of the 100-acre vineyard. Tastings are a serious affair at the estate as each involves an in-depth lesson on the winery’s French and American heritage and the past vintages. Opus One also invites guests to experience their “Art of the Table” offering where you can learn about how to cleverly pair food and wine.
Castello di Amoroso: Calistoga
On 171 acres near one of California's oldest vineyards, fourth-generation winemaker Dario Sattui opened Castello di Amoroso in an authentically styled 13th-century Tuscan castle. Completion of the 121,000-square-foot structure, which contains 107 rooms and four levels above and four levels below ground, required more than 8,000 tons of hand-chiseled local stone, nearly one million antique bricks imported from Europe, and more than 200 containers of antique furnishings shipped from overseas.
Self-guided tours and tastings, as well as guided tours and premium tastings, are available. Reservations are required for groups larger than 14 people.
Château Montelena: Calistoga
Built into a hillside in 1888, the château at Château Montelena winery is worth a visit even without tasting a single drop of wine. Not only is the setting spectacular—it overlooks a Chinese garden, lake, and vineyard that stretches to the base of Mount St. Helena—but its stone construction and English gothic castle gatehouse style are unique for the region and atypical of the time and place in which it was built. Reservations are suggested for parties of eight or more.
Duckhorn Vineyards: St. Helena
Visitors to Duckhorn Vineyards are in for a treat: the chance to taste world-class wines in an intimate, home-like setting. The tasting room, which is tucked inside a Victorian-style home with a wrap-around veranda overlooking lush gardens and vineyards, offers portfolio tastings and elevated wine experiences to guests by appointment only.
Del Dotto Vineyards: St. Helena
The family-owned Del Dotto Vineyards boasts three locations in the Napa area. Perhaps its most spectacular, though, is its Venetian-style estate, which pays homage both to the owners' Italian heritage and the region's winemaking history. It features Italian marble walls, frescoes depicting the winemaking process, mosaic floors, crystal chandeliers, and a historic cave that was dug by hand in the 19th century.
Tastings and tour experiences that include a visit to the historic cave are available. Reservations are recommended.
Domaine Carneros: Napa
Founded by the family behind Champagne Taittinger, Domaine Carneros winery is best known for its methode traditionnelle sparkling wine, its pinot noir, and its château, which has become a landmark in California wine country. Inspired by Taittinger's 18th-century Château de la Marquetterie in Champagne, France, the château features grand gardens, a marble-floored fireside salon, and gorgeous views of vine-covered hill from its expansive terraces. Tours and tastings are available by reservation.
Hall Wines: St. Helena
Located at the base of the Mayacama Mountains, Hall Wines's St. Helena winery offers a unique opportunity to experience outstanding contemporary artwork and excellent wine in one of California's most beautiful settings. Reservations are required for the Wine and Art Exploration experience.
Inglenook: Rutherford
Since 1975, when he bought a portion of the Inglenook Estate, director Francis Ford Coppola has been restoring this historic winery and its 19th-century buildings. One such building is the château, built in 1881 by William Mooser, a San Francisco architect, and Hamden W. McIntyre, who oversaw the winery design and would go on to become one of the region's most sought-after winery designers.
Inglenook offers several tastings and tours and is a featured stop on the Napa Valley Wine Train Estate Tour. Reservations are encouraged.
You Might Also Like
