Six Must Visit Vineyards in Napa Valley – The Ultimate Napa Valley Road Trip
So you want to plan a trip to Napa Valley but you don’t know where to start? Well, have no fear because you came to the right place. I’ve been to Napa a few times and have crafted the ultimate first timer guide to Napa Valley. This post contains the six must visit vineyards in Napa Valley organized in the order of which to visit, I’ve even included opening hours, cost for tasting and a map of driving directions at the end so you’re ready to go and know exactly what to expect when you visit. Just grab your girlfriends/boyfriends or go solo (I recommend a driver in that case .. safety first) and get ready for the ultimate day of vineyard hopping.
The history of Napa Valley dates back to 1839 when George Yount first planted grapes in the region. 30 Years later the first commercial winery was opened and nearly 20 vineyards followed suit. Today Napa Valley is home to over 500 wineries and is estimated to produce over 76,000 hectoliters of wine annually.
I love visiting Napa Valley, the weather is typically always warm and sunny, which is a nice change of pace if you’re coming from San Francisco. It’s a short drive away from the hustle and bustle of the city but feels like you just crossed the border into another country, in a way I guess you did… wine country that is.
1st Stop: Domaine Carneros
Location: 1240 Duhig Rd, Napa
Phone: (707) 257-0101
Hours: 10:00 – 17:30
Cost for tasting: $30+
This vineyard is known for their champagne. Make sure you make a reservation in advance, they prefer it if you do. Sit back and enjoy your champagne on their beautiful terrace overlooking the gardens. This is by far one of my favorite vineyards, but I might be biased because there’s nothing that I love more than a glass of sparkling rose on a warm sunny day.
2nd Stop: Ledson Winery & Historic Castle Vineyard
Location: 7335 CA-12, Kenwood
Phone: (707) 537-3810
Hours: 10:00 – 17:00
Cost for tasting: $20 or $30
This is one of the oldest and most historic vineyards in the area. The building is beautiful and so are the grounds. You can buy snacks inside, or bring your own picnic, grab a bottle of wine and head to the garden to enjoy the beautiful vineyard while catching up with your friends.
3rd Stop: Sterling Vineyards
Location: 1111 Dunaweal Ln, Calistoga
Phone: (800) 726-6136
Hours: 10:00 – 17:00
Cost for tasting: $35+
This vineyard has one of the most beautiful views in Napa Valley. But you have to make sure you grab a reservation in advance before visiting. They have a trolley that takes you up to the top of the mountain where you can enjoy your wine with a beautiful view from the top of their rooftop terrace.
4th Stop: Castello di Amorosa
Location: 4045 St Helena Hwy, Calistoga
Phone: (707) 967-6272
Hours: 9:00 – 18:00
Cost for tasting: $30+
This is definitely one of the most unique vineyards. It’s a perfect castle inside and out, featuring a drawbridge door, underground wine cellar and all the medieval decor to make you feel like you went back in time. Please note, you need to purchase a tour ticket to enter the vineyard.
5th Stop: Beringer Vineyards
Location: 2000 Main St, St Helena
Phone: (707) 257-5771
Hours: 10:00 – 17:00
Cost for tasting: $25+
If you’ve ever googled “Napa Valley Vineyards” you’ve likely come across this vineyard. It’s one of the most iconic and most photographed vineyards in California.This is one of the oldest vineyards in the region dating back to 1876, it was among one of the first 20 vineyards to open in Napa. Come for the history, stay for the wine, the Cabernet Sauvignon is one of my favorites. Highly recommend grabbing a glass or two of wine and a bottle for the road.
BONUS: Raymond Vineyards
Location: 849 Zinfandel Lane, St. Helena
Phone: (707) 963-3141
Hours: 10:00 – 16:00
Cost for tasting: $25
Full disclosure, I haven’t visited this vineyard myself, but when I was doing my research this one came highly recommended by many vino lovers. The wine is all organic, which is a huge perk for me and it has a beautiful property to sit back and enjoy the sunset.
6th Stop: Del Dotto Estate Winery & Caves
Location: 1055 Atlas Peak Rd, Napa
Phone: (707) 963-2134
Hours: 10:00 – 17:00
Cost for tasting: $45 basic
This vineyard is a must visit. Their cabernet sauvignon is my absolute favorite. The tasting is pretty pricey here but it is definitely worth it, because it also includes a tour. The tour is very informative, the wine is delicious and the tour guides do not cheapen out on the pours.
When making this guide I wanted to make sure to visit as many vineyards as possible in a day but also to take driving into consideration. I didn’t want to spend the day driving from one end of the valley to another, that’s why this guide is the ultimate guide to Napa Valley, because it takes that factor into consideration. This list of the six must visit vineyards in Napa Valley makes the perfect day trip road trip. You create a loop through the valley and never drive longer than 30 minutes, some drives as quick as 10 minutes.
Check out the map of directions below to stay organized and on track during your visit. Scroll down to the bottom for an interactive map of all the vineyards.
Hope you found this list of 6 must visit vineyards in Napa Valley (and a bonus vineyard) helpful in planning your wine tour in Napa Valley. Be sure to tell us if you go, we’d love to hear about your experience. Check out some of our other posts to help you plan your next trip.
Cheers,
Natty
PS: The directions end in Downtown Napa but feel free to navigate your way to your final destination. Downtown Napa is a very charming town with many restaurants and shops. It’s a great place to end a full day of exploring and wine drinking.
Map:
