Wineries In Napa
Wine tastings and Napa Valley have become synonymous in our minds, and we hope it is the same for you! With that in mind, it is only fair for us to share a few of our favorites leading up to your trip to the beautiful Napa Valley wine country.
While Napa is probably most well-known for Cabernet Sauvignon (and they do it well), there are nearly 500 wineries in Napa Valley, which means there is something for everyone. Below is a list of a few of our favorites. Don’t hesitate to reach out if none of these sparks your interest, because we are more than happy to provide our full list.
Good Introduction to Napa
Rombauer - Incredible views, great wine tasting and a walk through a beautiful garden. You can also visit and enjoy a glass of wine (instead of a full tasting). Fun fact: the Rombauer winery is owned by the same family that wrote the famous cookbook, “The Joy of Cooking”.
Bryan Arden - Tons of interesting blends, nice cheese boards and other small “bites” to enjoy while tasting.
Vincent Arroyo - Small family winery, very down to earth with no frills.
Heitz - Nice representation of some classic Napa Chardonnays and Cabernets.
Prisoner- Wide distribution (e.g., Costco, Binny’s etc.) but lots of solid options and an interesting tasting room.
These wineries all produce amazing wine but are not intimidating in the least. You will find friendly staff who are happy to introduce you to wine making and wine tasting! Just a note that most (if not all) wineries require reservations, especially for large groups. We strongly recommend calling ahead to book (at least a few weeks in advance).
Jill and Jordan visiting Rombauer Winery in 2018.
Our Top Wineries (splurge for a really nice experience):
Hall - Amazing Cabernets with some beautiful art in the tasting room and throughout the property.
ZD - Food pairing available, along with great views, and an interesting history!
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellers (NOT to be confused with Stags Leap Winery) - Famous for beating out the French wines at the Judgement of Paris in the 1970’s. They have continued to make excellent Cabernets and have a beautiful tasting room.
Smith Madrone - The owners of the winery run the tours, so they have limited options available. Have a very popular Reisling (not a commonly poured wine in the Napa Valley area).
Frog’s Leap - Engages in environmentally friendly farming practices. Nice cheese pairing with the tasting. Beautiful grounds (including small garden) to enjoy along with the tasting.
Anomaly - VERY small production, limited to Cabernet. Tasting is $$ but very intimate and informative. Good for the Cabernet obsessed.
Turnbull - Very nice red wines and interesting art in the beautiful tasting room. Convenient location right off Highway 29, about a 10- minute drive from the wedding venue.
Food pairing at ZD winery located on Spring Mountain Road. The food was incredible!
For a compilation of all of our favorite wineries along with ratings and pricing, check out our google spreadsheet here. If you visit any from our list, definitely drop us a note and let us know how you enjoyed it!
Many years ago, wine tastings in the Napa Valley area were free and it was easy to walk in. However, as Napa became a popoular desintation, the wineries began charging for tastings and requiring appointments. Your best bet is to call to reserve a spot if you plan to visit any wineries (we recommend a few weeks in advance). Wine tastings typically range from $25 to $100+ dollars, depending on the winery, the duration, and the type of tour you plan to do!
