10 Best Wineries in Napa

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars is a must-visit for true wine-lovers, simply for the mark it had made in Californian wine history. It won the Cabernet Sauvignon competition in the famous blind tasting event known as the Judgment of Paris just 6 years after it was founded in 1970. The Napa Valley 1^st-growth estate produced its 1^st vintage of S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon in 1972, with which it shared triumphs with another California winery, Chateau Montelena, at the famous event.

Stag’s Leap’s current CASK 23 Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine collector’s item. It now offers a variety of experiences, from paired dinners and a guided tour of its scenic winery and a wine cave to tasting flights through the estate’s collection. Note that ‘Stags Leap’ is the name of the district. A few other wineries are similarly named after it and have been caught in long legal battles.

Chateau Montelena is one of the top Napa Valley wineries that won the famous Judgment of Paris blind tasting event in 1976. Chateau Montelena was established in 1882, 88 years before Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, the other Napa winery that it shared the victory with. Chateau Montelena’s 1973 Chardonnay came out as the winning white.

Today, you can tour the rooms of the forest-surrounded chateau and see the historical documents and the winning collection from the Judgment of Paris. You can also explore tour options covering the beautiful vineyard or estate – all with tastings. If you’re staying in Downtown Napa, journey up-valley first to Calistoga, visit Chateau Montelena, then work your way down the valley throughout the rest of your day. Bookings are recommended.

Visiting Castello di Amorosa in Calistoga is like entering 13^th-century Tuscany, all thanks to its authentically styled castle. The winery was built by vintner Vittorio Sattui to honour his Italian heritage. He was a pioneering winemaker who founded St. Helena Wine Cellars back in 1885. Sadly, the Prohibition laws of the 1920s brought an end to that business.

His great-grandson reopened the family winery half a century later and it has now become one of the must-visit wineries in Napa Valley. The castle is a treat for the eyes and is very welcoming, even for families with kids. Mum and dad should try out wines like the classic Italian Sangiovese varietals or the pleasantly bubbly, sweet and fruity vino frizzantes.

Domaine Carneros is a Napa winery that’s best known for its grand and elegant chateau and its traditional-method sparkling wines. The winery was founded by the family behind the world-famous Champagne Taittinger. The scenic drive through the Los Carneros is breathtaking and the stunning chateau on the 400-acre estate serves as one of the winemaking region’s most iconic landmarks.

For a deep experience at Domaine Carneros, book a tableside service on the terrace or in the salon, or join The Art of Sparkling Wine Tour series that takes you on a vineyard tour as well as showing you the winemaking process at the chateau with a tasting of their classic sparkling and red wines.

Vincent Arroyo Winery in Calistoga is one of the few places in Napa Valley where you can come as a small group and enjoy down-to-earth winery tours and tastings. That doesn’t mean that their wine isn’t on par with those made by the stately chateaus in the area, though. Their top selection features full-bodied yet balanced Petite Sirah, standing out among the ocean of Napa’s Cabernet Sauvignons.

The unique wine experience is complemented by the small, differing details. Be greeted by the tail-wagging winery dog – most wineries in Napa have a ‘no pets’ policy. And besides the friendly and welcoming staff who will happily talk to you about the winery’s history and wine selection, you can enjoy a free tasting (if you come as a group of 4 or less) while seated in a rocking chair made from an old wine barrel.

Beaulieu Vineyard is a historic winery along Napa Valley’s main St. Helena route in Rutherford and dates back to 1900. The winery was founded by a French couple who fell in love at their first sight of the land, hence its name that means ‘beautiful place.’ The Prohibition era hit Napa Valley wineries badly, yet his business thrived by selling sacramental wine to the Catholic Church.

Visiting the winery, you’ll find a tasting room furnished with attractive dark wood, heavily decorated, and which has a skylight. A separate room hosts premium tastings. Beaulieu Vineyard’s first vintage, the 1940 Beaulieu Vineyard BV Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, is its flagship.

Beringer Vineyard is the oldest continually operating winery in Napa Valley, which dates back to 1868 and has strong German roots. Brothers Jacob and Frederick Beringer of Mainz, Germany, found that the rocky hillside and fertile soil resembled that of the German vineyards back home. They then bought 215 acres of land to establish one of the first wineries in Napa. Even the elegantly gabled and stained-glass windowed mansion at the heart of the grounds was built to resemble their Rhine house.

Experiences offered range from a 1-hour tour of the beautiful property as you learn about the history of the winery and its winemaking process, concluded with a flight in the Rhine House’s kitchen with special reserve wines.

Inglenook is a grand Napa Valley wine estate in Rutherford that was established in 1879 by Finnish seafarer and winemaker Gustave Niebaum. He died in 1908 and the Prohibition hit the valley in the ‘20s. After picking up again with winemaking system upgrades, Niebaum’s family managed to revive its glory in the ‘40s and produced wines that were to be known as among the best in the Valley.

With the success of The Godfather (1970), Francis Ford Coppola bought the estate in 1975 and had the Victorian chateau and winery meticulously restored to perfection. Now, it’s a go-to spot for cinephiles, oenologists, and the wine-loving community in general. Fascinating tours and wine tastings are on offer, presenting a rich selection of wines including their flagship Rubicon Cabernet Sauvignon.

Rutherford Hill Winery is one of the wineries in Napa where you can sample legendary wine with spectacular views of the Valley. Since the hilly soil and climate resembled that of Pomerol in Bordeaux, in 1972 the founders deemed it was well suited to Merlot.

Experiences on offer include private oak grove table tastings by the bottle or glass with cheese platters. On regular tours, you’ll have a guide who’ll show you through the history of the winery and he’ll show you inside the wine caves. It involves a Merlot sampling straight from the barrel. For a wondrous walk, check out the gravelly trail through their 6-acre olive grove near the picnic area – it’s also a great spot for picnics, though reservations must be made well in advance.