There’s no vacation quite like an escape to the rolling hills of the Napa wineries. Vineyards that are laden with mature purple and green fruit stretch across the landscape for as far as the eye can see. A trip to Napa Valley wouldn’t be complete without exploring some of the region’s unrivaled wineries.
I was born and raised in California and have always been intrigued by my state’s classy Napa wine region – it’s easily one of the coolest things to do in California. I’ve put together a list of the best wineries in Napa so you can do less planning and more wine tasting.
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Table of Contents
17 Best Wineries in Napa Valley
Domaine Carneros
A French-style winery in Napa with delicious wine and hors d’oeuvres.
📍 Google Maps | 🍷 Domaine Carneros Website | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 +1 707 257 0101
This Napa winery is a showstopper. In fact, it is modeled after the Chateau de la Marquetterie in France’s Champagne region. Its courtyard and gardens make one feel as if they are royalty. The elegant grandeur of Domaine Carneros is a classic Napa Valley landmark. Domaine Carneros is the best winery in Napa when it comes to style.
A sparkling selection of wine and pinot noirs are offered to guests on the outdoor terrace that overlooks rolling California hills. All tastings are led by a wine professional and guests have the option to pair charcuterie cheese and caviar with the rich wines.
Reservations are required to spend your afternoon indulging at Domaine Carneros from 10 am-5 pm. Your four-legged friend may be a charcuterie connoisseur but they will have to stay home from wine tasting this time. Only certified service animals are allowed in the winery.
Artesa Vineyards & Winery
A modern luxurious winery with a grand entrance in Napa.
📍 Google Maps | 🍷 Artesa Vineyards & Winery Website | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 +1 707 200 2038
While on your Napa Valley wine tasting tour, you can’t miss the modernist venue of Artesa Vineyards & Winery. The architecture at Artesa is grand and gives guests an aristocratic air.
The entrance is only accessible by a few flights of stairs, making the reward that much sweeter when you make it to the top. There are infinity pools and fountains lining the entrance and the actual establishment is itself resemblant to an overgrown chic cottage.
Open Monday-Sunday from 10 am-5 pm, this winery is so famous that it was featured on a Netflix winery special. If you want a quintessential Napa Valley wine tasting experience, then you must try the cabernet sauvignon from Artesa Vineyards & Winery.
👉 Pro Tip: Artesa fills up quickly on the weekends. It is recommended to reserve your visit up to two weeks in advance.
Chateau Montelena Winery
A regal winery situated in Calistoga with a peaceful European garden.
📍 Google Maps | 🍷 Chateau Montelena Winery Website | 🍽️ Food Not Served | 📞 +1 707 942 5105
With 14 decades of experience, Chateau Montelena Winery has mastered its craft. It is one of the oldest Napa Valley wineries and a local favorite.
Their uniqueness is capturing unique flavors each season instead of cultivating a single flavor. Located high above neighboring Napa Valley residencies, Chateau Montelena is open from 9:30 am-4 pm daily with an appointment only.
The regal atmosphere of the winery may cause you to spend your whole day tasting the cabernet sauvignon and sauvignon blanc elixirs. Enjoy a stroll through the European garden or around the pond at Chateau Montelena Winery to commemorate a perfect afternoon outing.
🚗 Need a rental? One of the best ways to get around the different Napa wineries is to rent a car. Check out Discover Cars for the best rental from the closest major city, Sacramento.
Beaulieu Vineyard
A cottage-like venue draped in vines in Rutherford with Napa Valley’s first “cult” cabernet.
📍 Google Maps | 🍷 Beaulieu Vineyard Website | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 +1 707 257 5749
The ivy-overgrown, European cottage winery, Beaulieu Vineyard, has been in service since 1938 and is famous for its Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. This was Napa Valley’s first “cult” cabernet and has since become one of the most collected American wines.
Beaulieu offers rich Napa Valley wines and a tasteful experience. Guests can enjoy an indoor cabernet collector tasting and experience a flight of five delicious wines. Guests can also participate in wine tastings on the charming outdoor patio with a sweet Napa breeze.
👉 Pro Tip: The vineyard is open Monday-Sunday from 10 am-5 pm and allows dogs.
Darioush Winery
Try a wine flight atop the tall Mount Veeder at Darioush for the best view in Napa.
📍 Google Maps | 🍷 Darioush Winery Website | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 +1 707 257 2345
Founded in 1977, Darioush Winery’s 120 acres sit atop Mount Veeder overlooking the Napa Valley floor below. This family-owned winery has signature wines like the Darioush cabernet sauvignon reserve.
Darioush has a Mediterranean ambiance with towering ancient Persian-style pillars, lily ponds, and block limestone lining the entrance. The interior wine tasting rooms are situated in the wine caves next to the barrels, which give this wine tasting experience an authentic feel.
Mr. Darioush himself is often seen walking around and greeting guests to make them feel at home. The inviting environment, high-quality wine selection, and ancient-styled architecture make this venue one of the best Napa Valley wineries.
🚌 Fancy a tour? One of the best ways to hit multiple wineries in one day is by taking a small group Napa Valley wine tasting tour. Booking a tour takes the planning off of your to-do list and gives your designated driver the day off while exploring the best vineyards in Napa.
Robert Mondavi Winery
Home to some of the best cabernet sauvignon in Napa Valley with scenic views of acres and acres of vineyards.
📍 Google Maps | 🍷 Robert Mondavi Website | 🍽️ Food Served
Robert Mondavi had the vision to create wines that would fit the bill of the world’s finest, and he did just that. Since 1966, the winery has perfected its cabernet sauvignon wines and sauvignon blanc grapes.
Parties of 6 or fewer can indulge themselves in fine wine, culinary cuisine, and the arts. Reservations are required to visit Robert Mondavi, so make sure to reserve one ahead of time to ensure your spot at this beautiful place to visit in California.
A visit to Robert Mondavi will undoubtedly be an elegant experience. You will want to reserve your wine tastings outdoors for scenic views of acres and acres of vineyards.
Alpha Omega
Go wine tasting with your pup at this historic downtown Napa venue.
📍 Google Maps | 🍷 Alpha Omega Website | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 +1 707 294 6960
One of the greatest wine estates in Napa Valley, Alpha Omega creates artisanal wines that accurately express the aroma of Napa Valley. Outdoor wine tasting experiences are offered at Alpha Omega’s outdoor terrace but you can also opt for a private indoor tasting for a more intimate setting.
The maximum party size at Alpha Omega is 8 and dogs are welcome on a leash. The timeless tasting room of the winery showcases Bordeaux-inspired selections of Pinot Noir wines as well as chardonnay and Mediterranean reds.
This historic winery in downtown Napa offers poolside lounging, serene water fountains, and luxurious interior dining. Visit Alpha Omega for an introduction to wineries in Napa Valley.
👉 Need a hotel? The Bergson is one of the most charming hotels in Napa Valley.
Spottswoode
A Victorian-style estate with organic wine selections at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains.
📍 Google Maps | 🍷 Spottswoode Website | 🍽️ Food Not Served | 📞 +1 707 963 0134
This family-owned winery was established in 1882 and its Victorian-style estate draws wine connoisseurs to its elegant vineyards each year. Spottswoode is one of the best organic wineries in Napa Valley.
This winery sits at the foot of the Mayacamas Mountains and boasts beautiful gardens to enjoy delicious wine in. The biodynamic practices of sustainably growing Spottswoode cabernets are what sets this Napa Valley winery apart from the others.
The estate cabernet sauvignon exudes blackberry flavor mixed with various spices and the sauvignon blanc is crafted with great care, which has produced the highest quality.
Visitation is by appointment only and the wine tasting is held outdoors, weather permitting.
Inglenook Winery
World-class wines are paired with fine dining bites at this Rutherford winery.
📍 Google Maps | 🍷 Inglenook Winery Website | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 +1 707 968 1161
Sip extravagant wines indoors or savor the rich taste in an outdoor courtyard under a tree canopy and a view of the rolling Napa Valley hills.
Inglenook has a European-style cafe on site complete with wine by the glass and bottle, soft drinks, coffee beverages, ala carte bistro bites, and cigars to accentuate the flavors of the wine.
Take a break from tasting the famous Inglenook cabernet sauvignon or pinot noir with a wooden boat ride around the property’s pool, resemblant to the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris.
For $100 per person, parties of up to 8 can enjoy the estate’s comfortable wine cave environment and complimentary cheese and charcuterie platter. Unfortunately, pets are not allowed in the interior of the winery.
Corison Winery
A family-owned and operated winery with a Victorian-style winery barn in St. Helena.
📍 Google Maps | 🍷 Corison Winery Website | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 +1 707 963 0826
This quaint winery gives guests a true family-oriented, homey feel. This family-owned winery sits in the heart of Napa Valley in wine country and the owners, Cathy Corison and William Martin, are quick to greet guests to their abode with smiling faces.
Cathy Corison has perfected her cabernet sauvignon craft since 1987. She has created world-class wines and established a Victorian-style winery barn. Guests can enjoy wine tastings right on the outskirts of the vineyards or inside the luxuriously renovated barn.
You may just fall in love with Corison Winery and want to become a member. This is a great idea if you plan on visiting Napa Valley often because wine club members get free tastings at Corison!
Opus One Winery
An ancient European-style winery among the Oakville hills offering an elegant and intimate wine-tasting experience.
📍 Google Maps | 🍷 Opus One Winery Website | 🍽️ Food Not Served | 📞 +1 707 944 9442
The Opus One Winery mansion sits at the foot of the rolling Napa Valley hills, completely isolated from busy city life. The wine tasting rooms are adjacent to towering glass walls overlooking the vineyards for an elegant and intimate wine-tasting experience.
The winery is in harmony with its natural surroundings and the grand courtyard architecture is reminiscent of ancient Greece. The classy Opus One wines are infused with blackberry, cassis, and cherry aromas with notes of violet and rose.
Treat yourself to a visit to Opus One Winery and indulge in the splendors of high-class wine.
Chappellet
A St. Helena estate atop Pritchard Hill overlooking the valley below.
📍 Google Maps | 🍷 Chappellet Website | 🍽️ Food Not Served | 📞 +1 707 286 4219
Surrounded by a dense oak covering, Chappellet sits high on Pritchard Hill overlooking Napa Valley scenery. Since its first batch in 1968, Chappellet has since risen to the top of mountain-grown wines.
With over five decades of crafting signature wines, Chappellet has perfected its selection. Guests prefer the behind-the-scenes tour to witness Napa Valley winemaking. The 90-minute tour concludes with wine flights to finish your unforgettable wine tasting experience.
👉 Don’t Miss: Chappalette also offers a Pritchard Hill ATV tour to view the entirety of the winery’s huge vineyard.
An Italian-inspired winery with over 6,000 wine barrels that’s a leader in cabernets and chardonnays.
📍 Google Maps | 🍷 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Website | 🍽️ Food Not Served | 📞 +1 707 261 6410
This Tuscan-inspired, cobblestone winery offers guests panoramic views of the surrounding Napa Valley from its indoor glass tasting room. Stag’s Leap is most frequently visited in the autumn when visitors want to witness the fall-colored leaves of the valley.
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars has plenty of signature wine options and their caves house over 6,000 barrels. They are a leading winery in cabernets and chardonnays but they also supply guests with flights of merlot and petit Verdot.
Guests can choose from one of many wine tasting options and even book private parties. You will have to leave your four-legged friend behind if visiting this winery.
Ehlers Estate
This St. Helena winery encompasses both luxury on the outside and mountainous on the inside.
📍 Google Maps | 🍷 Ehlers Estate Website | 🍽️ Food Not Served | 📞 +1 707 963 5972
Venetian meets cabin style at Ehlers Estate in Napa Valley. The stone exterior invites guests inside its wooden interior to sample some of the best wines in the area.
When you visit Ehlers Estate, you are becoming a part of the winery’s legacy. Bernard Ehlers started his 10-acre vineyard in the late 1800s and built the stone barn shortly afterward.
The 75-minute winery tours include a sampling of the estate-grown selection of wines, and an educational tour guide to explain the history of the estate. The maximum party size is 6 and reservations are a must to visit Ehlers Estate.
👉 Pro Tip: The winery is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays but you can visit Thursday – Monday from 10 am-3:30 pm.
Pine Ridge Vineyards
A winery hidden by lush vegetation, giving visitors an intimate experience.
📍 Google Maps | 🍷 Pine Ridge Vineyards Website | 🍽️ Food Not Served | 📞 +1 800 575 9777
The luxurious estate of Pine Ridge Vineyards beacons visitors from all over California to its wine caves. Situated under a pine canopy with dramatic views of the Palisade mountains, Pine Ridge offers some of the best cabernet sauvignon in the area.
Experience high-quality wines paired with stunning Napa Valley views in the estate gardens or outdoor patio of Pine Ridge Vineyards. With over 160 acres of vineyards, this winery has no shortage of wines offered to its guests.
The 90-minute wine tasting tours take place in the heart of the European-style cave system, giving visitors an authentic experience. Guests can also opt for outdoor patio seating, which is highly recommended because of the stunning surrounding views.
Cliff Lede Vineyards
An artistic winery with many tasting locations that has named its vineyards and soils after popular rock songs.
📍 Google Maps | 🍷 Cliff Lede Vineyards Website | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 +1 707 944 8642
Cliff Lede Vineyards is a unique, artistic winery that has named its vineyards and soils after popular rock songs to keep a tab on the 60 acres of plants.
With a reservation, guests can indulge in some of the best wines in Napa Valley. Slowly sip your glass either on the veranda, in the outdoor courtyard, or in the tasting lounge at Cliff Lede Vineyards.
Dogs aren’t allowed at this winery, so be sure to make arrangements ahead of time.
Mayacamas Vineyards & Winery
Some of the best views in all of Napa Valley can be found at this Napa winery that produces a unique oak-aged wine.
📍 Google Maps | 🍷 Mayacamas Vineyards & Winery Website | 🍽️ Food Not Served | 📞+1 707 224 4030
This Italian-style winery has one of the best panoramic viewpoints in Napa Valley. Tables are set up in between the vineyards themselves for special events and luxurious parties, making this winery a Napa local favorite.
Mayacamas has been producing their legendary wines since 1889 and their oak-aged wine is unique to their winery only. The estate rests atop a hillside and provides guests with the best views of Napa Valley from the tasting rooms.
The intensely flavored mountain grapes transform into one-of-a-kind chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon. Don’t miss Mayacamas Vineyards & Winery during your stay in Napa.
Map of the Best Napa Wineries & Vineyards
FAQs About Napa Wineries
What is Napa Valley famous for?
Napa Valley is famous for its plethora of wineries. There are over 400 wineries in the surrounding areas and many tourists visit Napa Valley for this reason alone.
What is the best winery to visit in Napa?
There are many great wineries in Napa. Domaine Carneros is a popular winery with chic architecture and world-class wine. Chateau Montelena Winery is another beautiful winery and is a visitor favorite.
What is the most beautiful winery in Napa Valley?
Napa Valley is a gorgeous area and there are hundreds of beautiful wineries. Some of the most well-known wineries for their beauty include Beaulieu Vineyard and Artesa Vineyards & Winery.
How many wineries are in Napa County?
There are over 400 wineries in Napa County, so you are sure to find the one for you in Napa!
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You made it to the end of my best wineries on the Napa County list! Be sure to check out when the best time to visit California is to ensure your trip is perfect.
I hope I’ve helped you find the best Napa wineries and vineyards for your trip. Happy wine tasting!
(Featured Image Credit: Nature’s Charm / Shutterstock)
