As a huge wine country lover, I try to visit as much as I can. As a result, in the four and a half years I’ve lived in San Francisco, I’ve discovered some of my favorite wineries to visit and recommend. If you’re looking to see more than just Napa, here are my Top 10 Sonoma Wineries, Top 10 Paso Robles Wineries, Top 10 Lompoc Tasting Rooms, Top 10 Anderson Valley Wineries & Restaurants, and Top 10 Santa Maria Valley (Santa Barbara) Wineries. This is also a list of my favorite Napa Wineries. I hope you find it useful and enjoy planning a trip to the best Napa Wineries.
To me, a few things make a winery special:
First, the wine. I obviously must like the wine, or I won’t return.
Second, the people and team behind the winery. That is to say, no matter how good wine is, if the winemaker or the team sharing the wine with you aren’t wonderful, it’s pretty hard to want to return.
Third, the story of the brand and or winemaker’s family. For example, I love hearing how a family got into the wine business or why a particular winery specializes in one particular wine over another.
Lastly, a smaller intimate feeling. I prefer not to visit wineries with large tour buses of people visiting. However, that’s not to say I won’t fall in love with a large winery, but, simply, that I try to find the smaller, more unique ones – like a boutique hotel.
Below is a running list of the Top 10 Napa Wineries I adore. This will be like the Eater 38 list which changes frequently. So visit often as I’ll be updating it with whichever new, favorite spot I’ve discovered! Click on the link next to each winery’s name to read more about the winery. Note: there is no particular order here, just a list of my favorite Napa Wineries.
Top 10 Napa Wineries
Alpha Omega
Located in the heart of Napa Valley, Alpha Omega Winery produces world-class wines since they opened the winery doors in 2006.
The estate offers a beautiful outdoor wine tasting experience on their spacious terraces, along with private tasting experiences.
Alpha Omega is a family-friendly winery, welcoming children of all ages and dogs on leashes! This is one of my favorite things because I love to bring my Frenchie Ernestine with me to explore.
Alpha Omega Owners Robin and Michelle Baggett are amazing hosts, they are so friendly and you can really tell how passionate they are about the wine industry. Pictured is myself and them during their Winter 2018 Alpha Omega Winery pickup party.
Alpha Omega is located in St. Helena, Napa Valley, see more of my Favorite St. Helena Top 10 Wineries here. 1155 Mee Ln, St Helena, CA 94574
Cade Winery
For those of you who adore Howell Mountain Cabernet, as I do and beautiful stunning Napa Wineries – Cade Winery is a must-see. Located on top of Howell Mountain, this winery has some of the most incredible views in the valley, plus, their wines are divine!
Read more about Cade Winery here. I promise that you will adore this gem and never want to leave. 360 Howell Mountain Rd, Angwin, CA 94508
Davis Estates
Davis Estates was designed by adored Architect Howard Backen and has an on-site chef. They also have a historic barn original to the property! Backen and The Davis Family (the winery owners) kept the barn on-site and it soon became the inspiration for the new winery’s style and design.
Try wine pairings from their excellent chef whilst taking in the spectacular views. Read more about my amazing visit here
4060 Silverado Trail N, Calistoga, CA 94515
Domaine Carneros
Domaine Carneros is a brand I have adored for a while now. This is one of the most beautiful wineries and really makes you feel like you’re in France.
With such a rich history and delicious sparkling wines, you’re sure to fall in love with this winery on your first visit to the chateau. For more information, read my Interview with Domaine Carneros Sparkling Winemaker Zak Miller here.
1240 Duhig Rd, Napa, CA 94559
Lokoya Winery
Lokoya Winery is truly the most magical and beautiful winery in Napa Valley. It is located on Spring Mountain with some of the most spectacular mountain and vineyard views. Lokoya is a Cabernet lover’s dream. Winemaker Chris Carpenter creates beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon wines here from four different AVA’s: Spring Mountain, Howell Mountain, Mount Veeder, and Diamond Mountain.
The stunning wine cellar. This room was so spectacular I wanted to stay here all day admiring the beautiful space and all of the various vintages
The presentation for my wine tasting & food pairing. Each group of guests had their own sofa and seating area which felt as if you were in someone’s home not in a winery. The guest experience here is just as over the top as the beautiful wines.
Read more about this incredible Lexus and my full blog post about Lokoya Winery here. 3787 Spring Mountain Rd, St Helena, CA 94574
Matthiasson Vineyard
Matthiasson is one of the most picturesque Napa Wineries. It’s run by Steve and Jill Matthiasson. Known as legends in California’s Wine Country. Certainly, it was such a treat visiting them at their winery. See more about the winery and my entire visit to Matthiasson Vineyard here.
Winemaker Steve Matthiasson welcomed the group to his vineyard, which is also where their family home is.
The lineup of incredible Matthiasson Wines I enjoyed during my visit to their vineyard.
Jill & Steve Matthiasson
3175 Dry Creek Rd, Napa, CA 94558
Opus One Napa
As one of the most historic, well-known Napa Wineries, Opus One does not need an introduction. I feel privileged to have been able to visit and experience this winery on a behind-the-scenes tour. That’s because typically the press is not allowed. If you’re curious about this spectacular winery and all that I saw on my tour, read more about Opus One Napa Valley here. 7900 St. Helena Highway, Oakville, CA 94562
Ovid Winery
Among the many Napa Wineries, Ovid Winery may be one of the hardest reservations to score, but if you do, you will be thrilled that you visited. With some of the most picturesque views of the Valley and equally as beautiful Wines, Ovid Winery is a Napa gem not to be missed! Read my full blog post about Ovid Winery here. 255 Long Ranch Rd, St Helena, CA 94574
Rombauer Winery
Rombauer Vineyards in St. Helena is a stunning winery with the most incredible views and a fabulous selection of wine. Located nestled on a tree-covered hill just off the Silverado Trail the Rombauer Vineyards tasting area is picture perfect.
You can see the Maycamas Mountains and have views of spectacular gardens with an abundance of plants and flowers. Rombauer has stunning wines to pair with these views that are incredible, especially their Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and two red Cabernet Sauvignon blends.
I’ve visited Rombauer Winery many times and I absolutely adore it. I even got the amazing chance to take part in the harvest which you can read all about here. The team at Rombauer are fabulous and I can’t recommend a visit enough! 3522 Silverado Trail N St Helena, CA 94574
Stag’s Leap Cellars
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars is one of California’s earliest wine estates. They produce intense wines with unexpectedly soft tannins that make for an engaging and delicious pairing experience. For more details on their food and wine tasting experience, read my Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars’ Cellarius Kitchen Experience here. Additionally, you can read about the Judgement of Paris Celebration with Stag’s Leap here. 6150 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558
Stag’s Leap Cellars is an absolutely gorgeous spot and their wine is even better!
I’ve attended a few events at Stag’s Leap Cellars as well as visited for my own enjoyment and the food and wine pairings are always absolutely amazing!
Thanks to all these amazing vineyards, I can’t wait to visit again soon and I hope you all love them as much as I do. As always if you have a can’t-miss winery please let me know so I can add it to my list.
What do you think?