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From an art-filled atrium to a subterranean space inspired by Roman architecture, here are the most beautiful places to drink wine in the Napa Valley. —Amanda Pressner
The subterranean tasting room at HALL Rutherford, built with limestone and reclaimed 19th century Austrian bricks, is situated directly below its Sacrashe Vineyard. More than 35 pieces of contemporary art are on display here, but the focal point is the eye-catching chandelier, representing a grapevine root system and accented with 1,500 Swarovski crystals. hallwines.com
This gorgeous winery opened in 2008 at the very top of winding Spring Mountain Road—some 2,000 feet above the valley floor—for tastings of its graceful, ageworthy Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Its circular tasting room, with wraparound glass walls, offers pristine views of Mount Saint Helena. vineyard7and8.com
GO TO RECIPEIt took fourth-generation Italian winemaker Dario Sattui 15 years to construct his replica of a 12th century Tuscan castle, inspired by the medieval architecture of northern Italy. Beyond the high stone walls, drawbridge and moat, Satturi's vineyards are planted with Cabernet, Merlot, Primitivo and Sangiovese grapes. The wines are served in subterranean tasting areas beneath the castle. In the main tasting room, the Roman cross-vault ceiling and floors are made with centuries-old bricks from Austria's Habsberg Dynasty; all fixtures from the lighting to the Italian oak doors are hand-hewn or hand-forged. www.castellodiamorosa.com
GO TO RECIPEThis carefully restored, century-old Mount Veeder winery reflects the twin passions of founder Donald Hess: art and wine. The 13,000 square feet of loftlike space on the second and third floors functions both as a phenomenal tasting room and separate gallery space housing part of Hess's collection of late-20th-century pieces. hesscollection.com
GO TO RECIPEFor their boutique winery, Dana Johnson and Mark Nelson hired an all-star production team (consulting winemaker Michel Rolland, vineyard manager David Abreu). They also hired an all-star architect, Howard Backen, who constructed Ovid's elegantly simple 2,000-square-foot tasting room with exposed beams and floor-to-ceiling glass. ovidwines.com
GO TO RECIPEHusband-and-wife team Mark Herold and Erika Gottl first started making wine out of their two-car garage—now they have a state-of-the-art winery with 7,000 square feet of caves for barrel storage. For invitation-only tasting of their cult-status Cabernets, Gottl's design consulting group, UXUS, created two stunning spaces including the handsome rustic-modern Tasting Room. A funky touch: the wine barrel ends she refashioned into bold wall art. meruswines.com
GO TO RECIPERobert Mondavi's soaring, sunlight-filled Appellation Tasting Room, featuring rotating sculpture, painting and photography from local and emerging artists, is one of Napa's finest. Winery chef Jeff Mosher cooks a changing three-course menu served Wednesdays and Saturdays that highlights produce from the organic vegetable garden. robertmondavi.com
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