Planning a trip to California and are looking for some of the top wineries in Napa you need to visit? With over 500 wineries in Napa Valley, how do you choose just one?
Napa Valley is one of America’s top wine tourist attractions and is known for some of the best wines in America. If you are a wine lover then Napa is one of the best places to visit in California.
The most popular grape varieties in Napa are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir.
The easiest way to get to Napa Valley is through San Francisco, make sure to at least spend a day there.
Top Wineries in Napa Valley to Visit
Christine Johnson of My Traveling Kids
Jarvis Estate Winery
Jarvis Estate Winery is one of the most unforgettable tasting experiences in Napa. As you approach the cave and see the stunning wooden doors you can hardly wait to get inside.
From the outside, you would never know you were about to enter a 45,000 square-foot cave. Once those massive doors open you stare in awe at the domed walls lined with wine barrels.
These massive oak barrels were created especially for the winery by French coopers and they are a pivotal asset to the production of their wine. What struck me most were all the small details that they put into the creation of their wine.
For instance, they bring their grapes into the winery in small bins so they don’t hurt the grapes with their own weight. In fact, once a grape goes into the cave, it never sees the light of day again until someone opens its bottle.
They offer a tour of the winery that lasts about an hour and a half and ends with a tasting. One of the most unforgettable parts of the tour is the waterfall inside the cave. Not only is it beautiful, but it also helps maintain the humidity level at an ideal level for aging wine.
We ended our tour in their tasting room where we sampled six Jarvis Estate and Reserve Collection wines. Some of the wines we tasted included a 2013 Cabernet Franc, 2013 Merlot, 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, and a 2012 Petit Verdot.
Their vineyard is one thousand feet above the valley floor, so the cooler temperature and high elevation ensure the grapes mature slowly. Since the winery is only a 15-minute drive from downtown Napa, it is an amazing spot to spend the morning.
Casandra from Karpiak Caravan.
Del Dotto Vineyards
Del Dotto Vineyards is a family-owned winery with vineyards located in California’s Napa Valley that has been making wines since 1990. Del Dotto is known for its Bordeaux varietals, including cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot, Sangiovese, and sauvignon blanc.
There are four Del Dotto locations in Napa Valley, including del Dotto Estate, Historic del Dotto, Plazza del Dotto, and Villa del Lago.
I have personally attended wine tours at Historic del Dotto Winery & Caves and Del Dotto Estate Winery & Caves. Out of all the wineries in California, del Dotto offers one of the best wine tours.
Doing a wine tour and tasting at a Del Dotto Winery is an experience that you will never forget. You will need to arrive with a full stomach as you will be consuming quite a lot of wine during the tasting. Tours are done in the caves where you will be tasting wine right from the barrels.
The employees who lead the tours at Del Dotto are some of the most entertaining you will come across. They make the wine tours fun and there will be a lot of laughs as you sample the various wines.
Whichever location you choose, Del Dotto wines are worth trying, especially if you enjoy Bordeaux varietals.
Rebecca McKellips of Whatever Packs Your Bags
Long Meadow Ranch
Long Meadow Ranch is a beautiful combination of a winery and a farm-to-table restaurant. It is famous for its excellence through responsible farming. The best wine experience by far is the Mountain Estate Experience, where you get an overview of their ranch, their olive groves, and the winery caves.
On this tour, you have the opportunity to taste the limited production wines and olive oils, all while enjoying the beautiful view of NapaValley. The cost is $75, reservations are required, and this is only available on weekends, but it is totally worth it. You can also do tastings at the farmstead, which is lovely but still requires advance reservations.
There are three amazing wines that are perfect for adding to your collection, and by collection, you mean drinking this week. The first is the cabernet sauvignon it is classic and lovely in the best way.
The second for the white wine drinker is the Anderson Valley Chardonnay it is light and perfect for the white wine drinker in your life. The third is the Rose of Pinot Noir it is floral but it also has a nice depth, it is perfect for pairing with brunch.
The Farmstead Restaurant is an extension of the winery experience, and the farm-to-table menu is so incredibly delicious it will blow you away. You can’t go wrong with lunch or dinner, but Sunday brunch is the perfect way to cap your weekend. The farmstead charcuterie board is always a win, and pair it with some Bay Area cheeses and you are in for a treat.
Alisha Mansfield of Travel Today Work Tomorrow
Castello di Amorosa
Picture yourself sipping wine in a medieval castle with panoramic views of Napa Valley vineyards. A visit to Castello di Amorosa feels like you have teleported to the beautiful hills of Tuscany, Italy! With its authentically built 13th century Tuscan-inspired castle, Castello di Amorosa is one of the most unique wineries in Napa Valley.
When you arrive at the grounds of Castello di Amorosa, it feels like you have been transported into a fairytale. Well-tended vineyards and a functioning moat surround the castle, with an impressive drawbridge framing the entrance.
Built over 15 years, the owner impressively strived for authenticity with much of the methods staying true to the architects of old, sourcing materials imported from Europe stretching back 700 years.
Castello di Amorosa is located in the rolling hills of the Calistoga region of Napa Valley. The winery is known for producing a wide variety of white, red, and Italian-style lines. It is difficult to highlight a particular option as they have so many award-winning wines. Our personal favorites are their 2015 Il Barone and Pinot Noir.
When visiting Castello di Amorosa for the first time, book the Diamond Estate Tour and Reserve Wine Tasting; you will not regret it. Transport back into Italian history and get the opportunity to tour Castello’s incredible underground cellars, torture chamber, armory, and Grand Barrel Room.
After the tour of the castle, you get to sample 6 reserve wines. Tip: To enhance your tasting, you have the option to pair your wines with some handmade Belgian chocolates. The bites of chocolate between sips of delicious bodied wine are delightful.
A visit to Castello di Amorosa is a one-of-a-kind experience and a must when wine tasting in Napa Valley, California.
Wineries in Napa Valley Conclusion
These are just some of the wineries to visit in Napa Valley during your visit. There are so many more that I will be adding to the list.
