V. Sattui embodies the essence of the American Dream. Vittorio Sattui, who emigrated from Genoa, Italy, in 1882, established a winery in San Francisco three years later. The Sattui family successfully ran the business for 35 years until Prohibition forced them to close their doors.

In 1976, Vittorio's great-grandson, Dario Sattui, revived the family legacy in Napa Valley, aiming to create a "Napa D'Italia," where visitors could savor a slice of the good life. It became the 46th winery to open in Napa Valley since Prohibition, now known for its rustic Italianate architecture, hidden gardens, expansive picnic grounds, beautiful vineyards, a stone winery and tower, barrel room, museum, artisan deli & marketplace, salumeria, gelateria, and various event spaces.

V. Sattui was among the first Napa Valley wineries to offer wine experiences, beginning with a few picnic tables where guests could relax and enjoy themselves. This early display of hospitality sparked a movement, reflecting the winery's belief that wine is best enjoyed when shared with friends and family.

What sets V. Sattui apart is that nearly every aspect of its business is handled onsite—from grape growing, crushing, winemaking, bottling, and cellaring to fulfilling orders and preparing a variety of house-made delicacies in the extensive kitchens. The wines are sold exclusively to customers through the website and the winery.

Over 140 years after Vittorio Sattui first arrived in America, V. Sattui remains a significant part of the Napa Valley community, where generations of families return time and time again, and lifelong friendships are forged. As stewards of the environment, the winery is committed to leading the next generation, holding firm to the belief that the best is yet to come.

This winery has about 25 options to taste - 6 or so bubbly selections (delicious), 8 Pinot selections (delicious), 6 white selections (delicious) and some other reds (are you noticing a theme here)? It is a $10 tasting fee for 5 wines but you should probably buy two tastings and at least go through the bubbly and some of the pinots. The tasting room does get pretty crowded but there are some nice chairs and umbrellas outside where you can picnic.

Doug and Katsuko Sparks started their winemaking journey as home winemakers in their garage in San Francisco’s Inner Sunset District. In 1997, having completed winemaking courses at UC Davis, Doug and Katsuko took their winemaking hobby commercial and made their first vintage of Sunset Cellars at a shared facility inside Rosenblum Winery in Alameda.

Over the years they built long-lasting relationships with some top growers such as the Teldeschi family in Dry Creek Valley and Wirth Ranch in Solano County Green Valley. Many of these are old vine Zinfandel vineyards, with many vines over 90 years old. Working with such precious fruit, Doug and Katsuko’s goal has been to create supple red wines that emphasize the grapes’ natural fruit flavors. They like to call their red wine approach “Zen Zin,” a minimalist winemaking style that allows the wines to express the flavors and characteristics created in the vineyards.