One of the very best wineries in the Napa Valley for visitors; conveniently off of highway 29, the Hall team produces superior wines- Cabernet Sauvignons from their Napa Valley bottling to the Kathryn Hall Reserve, the wines stand as some of the best in USA. Don't miss their Sauvignon Blanc as well, it is racy and bright and very varietal with its beautiful ripe melon and dry citrus flavors.
Lynn imbues Domaine Artefact with her warm spirit, generous hospitality while Mark, the self-taught winemaker, brings his evolved palate, know-how, and passion to craft wines for Domaine Artefact. This couple both would love to share their passion and love for wine with you. Join Lynn and Mark on their wine journey! Enjoy the California Wine and winery experience at Domain Artefact. *
This is an appointment only winery, and it has a quiet, more laid back feel than other places in Napa. The tasting room is really cute, with artwork and photography lining the walls. The wine maker's son, Julius even sells some of his beautiful photos at the winery. Our server was the wine maker's daughter, Sam, and she was great. We tried several different wines, including a Chardonnay, Malbec, and my personal favorite, the Cab-Franc. Everything was super well done. The Chardonnay was sweet, and not overly buttery, the cab-franc was smooth and the Malbec full of flavor. Sam was even kind enough to let us try one of their Napa Jazz wines. Very good, with a fancifully designed label. The best part? The wines are moderately priced. Most bottles cost around $30-40. The scenic rolling hills of grapevines, and large, earthy smelling wine cellars are great for photo opportunities. When we visited, the vineyard was in bloom with wild flowers. Super pretty. If you're in the Valley looking for great wines and an affordable price and gorgeous vistas without all the crowd, definitely give this place a try.
Vinoce was founded by Brian and Lori Nuss in 1996, perched high above the valley floor on Mt. Veeder. Over the past three decades, they have gained a deep understanding of cultivating Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc on the rugged hillside slopes. Vinoce is dedicated to crafting wines that capture the true essence of Mount Veeder, showcasing balance, power, and uniqueness.
The estate, located on the northern end of Mt. Veeder, comprises four blocks divided between Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The dramatic topography and south-facing exposures provide an ideal growing environment for the grapes, along with one of the most stunning mountain skylines in Napa Valley.
In addition to their estate wines, Vinoce produces Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Rosado, and a St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from vineyards owned by close family friends. Given that many of their wines originate from remote locations, they chose a more centrally located tasting oasis just outside downtown Napa, situated in the historic Tannery building on the Napa River. Their funky, chic tasting room offers an educational and entertaining experience with an authentic "Wine Nut" twist. Tim and Ray, both members of the Vinoce family, are often found there, ready to guide guests through a tasting of their exceptional wines.
DeRose Vineyards has the single best Negrette I have ever had. Pat DeRose not only has one of the coolest moustaches on the planet, but he and Al (his son) are wine purists, not necessarily in the "Wine Spectator" since, they simply love great wines. Al DeRose search for new endeavors took him to central Chile where he produces and imports his Chilean wines. De Rose VIneyards is one of the oldest operated wineries in the US - 1854. At De Rose VIneyards they are not concerned about anything other than wine... nada. The DeRose family doesn't care about wine spectator's points, they don't care about who endorsed what, and I find that not simply amuzing, but delightful! Their style is very much like the old world where the people of the community get together. The winemakers, the farmers, the butcher and the candlestick-maker all living together, drinking together, eating together and enjoying the celebration of life. At DeRose Vineyards it is,"Good friends, good food and good wine.*
Hours:
Hollister Tasting Room
9970 Cienega Road
Hollister, CA
Hours:
Thursday - Friday: 11 AM – 5 PM
Saturday - Sunday: 11 AM – 4 PM
San Martin Tasting Room
255 Fitzgerald Avenue
San Martin, CA
Hours:
Friday: 4 PM – 8 PM
Line 39 offers consumers a selection of varietals from Lake County AVA, as well as the North Coast and other areas in California. Check website for distributors of Line 39 wines.
Larkmead puts out some of the finest Cabs and Sauv Blancs in the valley. The vineyard itself is beautiful, located right on the valley floor. Sonny treated us great, explaining the winemaking process and the unique history behind Larkmead. Not to be missed if you are in Napa. The Larkmead Vineyards tasting room is open from 10am to 3pm, by appointment.
Tony and Kimberly Kirk established Birdstone Winery with the goal of producing world-class wines from Madera-appellation grapes. A friends and family effort from the start, Birdstone’s winemaking team includes Tony, Kimberly and their sons Travis & Conner. It’s not uncommon to find Tony & Kim’s siblings, parents or friends behind the bar in the Tasting Room or helping to crush grapes during harvest.
Nestled in the hills of the San Pasqual Valley in Escondido, you'll find Cordiano Winery, a family-owned and operated vineyard that takes pride in the craftsmanship of good wine and of the labor practiced for ages in the old country. The winery is a lifelong dream realized; a reflection of the love and passion of its proprietors, Gerardo and Rosa Cordiano.
Founded in 1978 by Gary Andrus, Pine Ridge Vineyards is located in the renowned Stags Leap District of Napa Valley, celebrated for its exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. Our mission is to craft some of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon in the region.
Currently, Pine Ridge Vineyards boasts estate vineyards across five of Napa Valley’s premier appellations: Stags Leap District, Howell Mountain, Oakville, Rutherford, and Carneros. Our dedicated team, from vineyard to cellar, is committed to producing wines that reflect their exceptional origins with distinctive character and depth.
