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Wineries in Napa Valley: My 15 Favorite Places to Go Wine Tasting

Jill on a windy day at the Golden Gate Bridge

by Jill Loeffler  •

Updated: February 26, 2024

Did you know that there are more than 450 wineries in Napa Valley? This makes it a prime destination for wine lovers. It can also make it challenging to plan a visit.

This Northern California wine region is just over an hour away from San Francisco. Since it's so close to SF, I've had the chance to visit it quite frequently.

Throughout the years, I've created a list of my favorite places to visit. Some I enjoy visiting for the great wines and others I visit because they offer a fun, unique wine tasting experience.

Read on to discover a list of my fifteen favorite places to go tasting in Napa.

Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.

1. Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars (not to be confused with Stag's Leap Vineyards) offers a variety of high-end wines from this prestigious area of the Napa Valley region. They serve up everything from Cabernet Sauvignon to Sauvignon Blanc.

The grounds are worth a visit for their stunning views and impressive wine caves. Tasting experiences range from a flight of their Estate Collection in the tasting room, to cave tours, to pairings with delicious creations from their own Chef Travis Westrope.

Address: 5766 Silverado Trail, Napa

Tasting Room Hours: Daily from 10 am to 4 pm, reservations are recommended

Tasting Fees: $95 to $155 per person

A bottle of Cask 23 at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars.

People come from all around the world for the chance to try their Cask 23. It's one of the best Cabernet Sauvignon wines in the region.

I love this place for their wines and for its history. It's one of two wineries responsible for putting Napa Valley on the map back in the mid-1970s.

Learn More: To learn more about the history of Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, I recommend picking up a copy of the book called the Judgement of Paris: California vs France and the Historic 1976 Paris Tasting that Revolutionized Wine. It's written by the only reporter that showed up for what was supposed to be a quiet, uneventful wine tasting in Paris. It turned out to be the start of international recognition and respect for the Napa Valley wine region.

2. Sterling Vineyards

Another one of the wineries in Napa Valley I love to visit is Sterling Vineyards. This is the perfect place for those visiting the region for the first time as it offers amazing views of the valley.

This gorgeous winery and tasting room looks like a white castle perched high on the hill above the valley. The reason I love visiting is that the only way to get to the wine tasting is by aerial tram! Having a gondola whisk you into the sky is a fun way to start the tasting experience.

I also love visiting their small winery museum where you can learn the basic steps about the wine production process. I often visit this museum first before heading into the tasting room. However, it's free and you can visit it at any time.

This winery offers both indoor and outdoor seating options.

Address: 1111 Dunaweal Lane, Calistoga

Tasting Room Hours: Reservations recommended, open daily

Tasting Fees: $55 to $125

>> Find additional great wineries near Calistoga

Monthly Events in Napa

Find additional things to do during your visit to Napa with my monthly calendars specific to the wine region.

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3. Spring Mountain Vineyard

Spring Mountain is another one of my favorite wineries in Napa Valley. This beautiful winery sits on the eastern side of Spring Mountain on an estate built in the 1800s.

Insider's Secret: If you think the main house at Spring Mountain Vineyard looks familiar, it's probably because you've seen it before on TV. It was one of the houses used on Falcon Crest. While they didn't film inside, they did use overhead and outdoor shots of this house for the show.

I love this place for its serene surroundings and powerful wines. My two favorites are their Syrah and their signature wine, Elivette, a high-end Bordeaux blend (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot).

The most popular tasting option is the Classic Tasting which includes a tour of the property and wine tasting in either their cave or under the antique olive trees. You can also sign up for some of their other tours that include walks around the estate and a tasting at the end.

To book an appointment, reserve online or call them directly; weekdays between 8 am and 5 pm at 707.967.4186.

Address: 2805 Spring Mountain Road, St. Helena

Tasting Room Hours: Daily, by appointment only. (Cottage Tastings at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, and 1:30 pm; more elaborate tasting and tours experiences at 10:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm)

Tasting Fees: $50 to $200 per person, fee waived with purchase of $125 or more

>> Find more great wineries around Northern California

Tours from SF: If you are visiting Napa Valley for the day from San Francisco and you don't want to drive, consider taking one of the guided tours. There are several options, so you can find the wine tasting experience you seek. Click here to learn about my several favorite one-day wine tours from San Francisco.

4. Domaine Carneros

Domaine Carneros is on the southern end of Napa Valley in the Carneros region. Here you can sample some amazing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and sparkling wines. They are one of only a few wineries in Napa that offer table service.

All tastings are seated and led by an experienced wine professional. They are available both indoors and outdoors, where you can enjoy a flight of Rose, or a combination of sparkling and Pinot. 

For a delicious culinary experience, you can add on caviar, cheese and charcuterie, or other gourmet pairings. It's the perfect way to spend a few hours, or an entire afternoon!

Address: 1240 Duhig Road, Napa

Tasting Room Hours: Open to the public, daily from 10 am to 5:30 pm; reservations required (click here to book online)

Tasting Fees: $40 to $175+

5. O'Brien Estate Winery

O'Brien is one of my new favorites. It's one of the wineries in Napa Valley that offers tastings and tours by appointments only.

This limited-production winery mainly focuses on reds, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. You will find amazing single variety wines as well as flavorful red wine blends.

Three wine gift boxes at O'Brien Estate in Napa Valley.

Eight of their wines are part of their Romantic Portfolio series. Each one has a dramatic, yet romantic name such as "Passion of the Soul" or "Seduction." These wines include a short, yet very creative description on the back that explains its name and its intensity.

The service here is always amazing. Those conducting the wine tasting are very knowledgeable about the wines and the region. They are also fun to hang out with and talk to for an hour or so.

If you are looking for a great wine tasting experience or want to add some amazing reds to your collection, then I highly recommend a stop at O'Brien Estate Winery.

Address: 1200 Orchard Avenue, Napa

Tasting Room Hours: By appointment only, visit their site to book

Tasting Fees: Starting at $95 per person

6. Chateau Montelena

Chateau Montelena is on the list for two reasons. The first reason is the gorgeous setting of this winery. The tasting room is in a beautiful stone castle carved into the hillside that overlooks a lovely Chinese garden and lake. You also get some amazing views of the surrounding vineyards.

The other reason they are on my list is because of their award-winning wines including their Montelena Estate Cabernet, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, and their Montelena Estate Zinfandel. A visit here will also include details on how this winery helped put Napa Valley on the international wine map.

Address: 1429 Tubbs Lane, Calistoga

Tasting Room Hours: Open daily from 9:30 am to 4 pm; appointments recommended, online or by phone (1.800.222.7288)

Tasting Fees: $60 to $700 per person

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7. Castello di Amorosa

Castello di Amorosa is set in an authentically styled 13th century Tuscan castle. Visiting the castle is such a fun experience and the perfect stop for those visiting Napa Valley for the first time.

You need to make a reservation in order to visit, but it is well worth it! With a seated or standing reserve tasting, you'll have access to the castle and winery to explore on your own, including the front ramparts, chapel, stables, Great Courtyard and main Tasting Bar.

With the Diamond Estate Tour and Reserve Tasting, or the Cheese and Charcuterie Wine Pairing Tour, you'll not only get a more personalized tasting experience, but a guided tour of the underground wine caves, armory, torture chamber, and the Grand Barrel Room, where you'll be able to taste a young Cabernet Sauvignon straight from the barrel. 

Address: 4045 North St. Helena Hwy, Calistoga

Tasting Room Hours: Daily from 10 am to 5 pm (until 5:30 pm on weekends); reservations required (707.967.6272)

Tasting Fees: $60 to $195+ per person, reservations have an additional $4.95 booking fee

See Napa from Above: Are you looking for a unique way to experience Napa? If so, then check out their amazing sunrise hot air balloon rides. This one-hour journey is one you will not soon forget! Click here to visit Viator and learn more about taking a hot air balloon ride above Napa Valley.

8. Duckhorn Vineyards

Duckhorn Vineyards is one of the old school wineries in Napa Valley. Started in 1976, this winery focuses on premier Bordeaux varietal wines.

This is the perfect stop for those who love Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. You will find both single varietal wines as well as some delicious red Bordeaux-based blends.

Reservations are required to visit, and all guests must be 21 and over. They currently offer both indoor and outdoor tastings, where you can enjoy the garden and vineyard views from a wrap-around veranda. 

Address: 1000 Lodi Lane, St. Helena 

Tasting Room Hours: Open daily from 10 am to 4 pm; wine tasting is from 10 am to 3 pm, reservations required (707.963.7108)

Tasting Fees: $65 to $200 per person

9. Antica Napa Valley

This mountaintop winery with gorgeous views may only have been established in Napa in 2008, but the family who runs it has more than 600 years of winemaking experience in Italy. Antica is a combination of the family name, "Antinori," and "California."

You'll find this Napa Valley treasure off the beaten path, at an elevation of 1,600 feet on Atlas Peak. The views are stunning, the wines are delicious, and the attention is generous. You'll feel like part of the family with a customized tour and tasting.

This place does a great job of keeping the experience personal and intimate, so appointments fill up quickly. Try to reserve your visit a few weeks in advance.

Address: 3700 Soda Canyon Road, Napa

Tasting Room Hours: By reservation only, Monday - Friday year-round, with Saturdays during the summer months. Book online or by calling 707.257.8700.

10. Pine Ridge Vineyards

Pine Ridge Vineyards features wine from the famed Stag's Leap District. Their amazing varietals range from full bodied Cabernet Sauvignons to dry Roses (50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot).

Another reason this is one of my favorite wineries in Napa Valley to visit is their cave tour. On this tour, you get the chance to head inside the European-style caves that they've carved into the hillside and do some sampling from their barrels.

This fun tour also includes a wine and cheese pairing at its conclusion. You will need to make a reservation (800.575.9777).

Address: 5901 Silverado Trail, Napa

Tasting Room Hours: 10 am to 4 pm daily; reservations required

Tasting Fees: Starting at $60 per person

11. Schramsberg Vineyards

Schramsberg Vineyards is a great place to go for those who love sparkling wines. They offer almost a dozen different kinds of sparkling including Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs, and Cremant.

This is one of the first places I visited during my initial trip to Napa Valley. It was an experience I will never forget and one that I highly recommend to others.

They offer tasting-only experiences, but I recommend taking the cave tour, which includes a taste of their flavorful sparkling creations. The tour lasts for around an hour and a half. At the end, you will get the chance to buy everything you tasted, most of which is not readily available.

You will find them on the northern end of Napa Valley. They are included in my suggested sparkling wine self-guided itinerary.

Address: 1400 Schramsberg Road, Calistoga

Tasting Room Hours: Tours and tastings by appointment only (707.709.2469); visitor center open for retail sales daily from 9 am to 4:30 pm

Tasting Fees: $65 to $135 per person

Fun Fact: When did the first winery open in Napa Valley? 1854. This is the year when John Patchett opened the first commercial winery in the region.

12. Clos du Val

Clos du Val is another winery in the top-notch Stag's Leap District. This is the perfect stop for serious wine lovers.

Founded in 1972, this winery continues to make a name for itself with its amazing Cabs, Merlots, and Pinot Noir. They also offer single varietal wines made from Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Primitivo, which are not as common in the region.

It's also the perfect place for all occasions. You can do a casual tasting with a walk-in visit or you can book a special Cabana for birthdays or other special events. Are you looking for a great place to celebrate your anniversary? If so, then book a table for two!

Overall, you will be impressed with both the wines and the wine tasting experience at Clos du Val.

Address: 5330 Silverado Trail, Napa

Tasting Room Hours: 10 am to 5 pm daily; reservations can be made online or at 707.261.5212

Tasting Fees: From $10 per person to taste a glass in the garden (not hosted) to $125 per person for their guided tastings

13. Frank Family Vineyards

All the way back up to the northern end of the region is where you will find Frank Family. They craft up everything from Cabernet Sauvignon to Chardonnay.

Our picnic and wine at Frank Family Vineyards.

There are two reasons I like to visit Frank Family Vineyards. The first is they offer smaller rooms with more intimate tastings, so you don't feel lost in a large tasting room.

The second reason I love visiting them is that they have the perfect picnic spot for lunch. On our way to our tasting, we often stop along the way to pick up lunch. We then enjoy our tasting, buy a bottle of our favorite Frank Family wine, and finally, we head outside to the picnic tables for a nice, relaxing lunch. 

For me, it's always been a lovely experience. The staff is helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly. The wines are flavorful and well-priced given this winery's wonderful reputation.

Address: 1091 Larkmead Lane, Calistoga

Tasting Room Hours: Daily from 10 am to 5 pm; reservations required (707.942.0859)

Tasting Fees: From $60 to $120 per person

14. Ballentine Vineyards

Another one of the wineries in Napa Valley that I really enjoy visiting is Ballentine. They are a smaller winery and their tasting room is often less crowded than the others.

This is the place to sample some different varieties in the region such as Chenin Blanc, Zinfandel, and Petite Sirah. In addition to these wines, you will also find Napa Valley regulars such as Syrah, Merlot, and Chardonnay.

They are also dog friendly, so you will often find a loving face just waiting for some attention.

Address: 2820 St. Helena Highway North, St. Helena

Tasting Room Hours: Thursday through Monday from 10 am to 3:30 pm; reservations recommended (707.963.7919 x 3)

Tasting Fees: $60 to $125 per person

15. Domaine Chandon

Another great place to sample sparkling wines is at Domaine Chandon. They have a large selection of bubbly as well as a few still wines. They are all delicious.

The real reason I love to stop by Domaine Chandon is their outdoor tasting lounge. You can grab a full glass of wine, sit down at a table, and enjoy this winery's lovely grounds. It's quiet and you can order some simple food items to enjoy with your drink.

If you want to sample more wines, head back inside to enjoy one of their tasting experiences. You can do a standard tasting or book in advance for one of their premier tasting options (online or at 707.204.7461).

Address: 1 California Drive, Yountville

Tasting Room Hours: Tasting experiences from Thursday to Sunday, 10 am - 4 pm (walk-ins accepted space- and weather-permitting, but reservations recommended); wine shop open daily, 10 am - 5 pm

Tasting Fees: $55 to $175 per person

Napa Valley Wineries: My 15 Top Picks

Comments? Questions? Suggestions?

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