Best Napa Valley Wineries to Visit

Alpha Omega

This gorgeous winery has made its name with high-end, single-vineyard Cabernets from famous properties like Beckstoffer To Kalon and Beckstoffer Dr. Crane. Still, their white and rosé bottlings are remarkable, too. Tastings range from $75 - $150 per person. Whether you experience Alpha Omega in the tasting room or from a terrace perch, you can't go wrong.

Alpha Omega Winery, 707-963-9999

Beaulieu Vineyard

One of the oldest producers in the valley, BV offers tours of the original winery building, which dates back to 1885. The Cabernet Collector Tasting is $55 per person, the Hewitt Vineyard one is $75, and the George de Latour Legacy Experience is $130, though club members benefit from a significant discount for all three.

Beaulieu Vineyard, 707-257-5749

Chappellet

This is the oldest winery on Pritchard Hill, a stunning, high-elevation area known for producing some of Napa's best Cabs. Chappellet's extensive 90-minute Signature Tour and Tasting includes a walk through the estate and a seated tasting of new releases. It's $85 per person, and parties are limited to six or fewer to ensure an intimate experience.

Chappellet, 707-286-4219

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Chateau Montelena

The home of the Chardonnay that defeated the best of France at the famous 1976 Judgement of Paris, Chateau Montelena remains a benchmark producer. The Chardonnay is as energetic and age-worthy as ever, but there's so much more than that here, including phenomenal Cabs and Zinfandels, gorgeous grounds, and the 19th-century chateau itself.

Château Montelena, 707-942-5105

Cliff Lede

This is a must-visit winery whether you're a wine lover or a fan of rock and roll: Each of Cliff Lede's vineyard blocks is named for a rock song, the wines are consistently excellent, and the rotating art exhibits are worth checking out even if you're a teetotaler. Visits run the gamut from the Silver tasting ($150 per person, seven guest minimum) to the top-of-the-line Anthology experience, including charcuterie and cheese ($350 per person, seven guest minimum). Family-style wine lunches are on offer, too.

Cliff Lede Vineyard, 707-944-8642

Domaine Carneros

Founded by Champagne Taittinger in 1989, Domaine Carneros's impressive, largely solar-powered château was modeled on Taittinger's Château de la Marquetterie in France. Between the architecture and the bubbly, you'd be forgiven for feeling like you're in Champagne itself, but the range of tasting experiences is pure Napa. The Daily Tasting starts at $40, the Art of Sparkling Wine Pairing: Bubbles and Bites begins at $95, and The Art of Sabrage goes for $150 and includes cheese, meats, and caviar. The Ultimate Chips and Dip Tasting is $175, and may change your snacking forever.

Domaine Carneros, 800-716-BRUT (2788)

Heitz Cellar

Set in the 1961 property of Joe and Alice Heitz, guests have the opportunity to explore some of Napa's top single-vineyard Cabs in the Timeless Experience at The Salon at Heitz Cellar for $125 (and an additional $25 for charcuterie and cheese pairings). Visitors are welcome between 10am and 3:30pm by appointment only, and whether you're a fan of savoring your wines young or more mature, Heitz produces bottlings that accomplish them both in the most unforgettable way imaginable.

Heitz Cellar, 707-963-2047

Long Meadow Ranch

Book the Mountain Estate Tasting and Cave Experience in the Mayacamas mountains, a short hop south of St. Helena, for $75, or the Wine & Food Pairing, including five wines and bites featuring estate-grown ingredients for $75. For just $45, the Soil Series Tasting is a great option, as is the $55 Rutherford Estate tasting. Their Farmstead Restaurant is worth a reservation in its own right.

Long Meadow Ranch, 707-963-4555

Robert Mondavi

Visiting Napa Valley without a stop at Robert Mondavi Winery's mission-style estate in Oakville is to miss out on a significant piece of American wine history. The property is expansive, the staff is deeply knowledgeable and passionate, and the offerings are varied, educational, and delicious. The $65 Estates Collection option lasts an hour and provides a solid look at this storied producer, and the 75-minute, $125 To Kalon Reserve Tasting highlights one of the most iconic Cabs in Napa. More extensive pairing lunches and dinners are available, too.

Robert Mondavi, 888-766-6328, ext. 2

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Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars has, for decades, been among the most venerated of producers in its eponymous appellation. From their S.L.V. Estate Cab to the FAY and beyond, this winery exerts a gravitational pull for Cabernet lovers. The Napa Valley Collection Tasting Flight is $50 per person, and the experiences top out with the $245 Cellarius Kitchen Experience, which pairs phenomenal wines with an impeccably curated seasonal menu. In between are a range of other options, and no matter what you choose, you're sure to leave happy and well-hydrated.

Stag's Leap, 707-944-2020