The Best Wineries to visit in Napa Valley
The Best Wine Tasting Experiences to choose on your Napa Valley Wine Tour
Napa Valley is home to some of the world’s best wineries, so it’s no surprise that wine tastings can be quite expensive. The cost of a wine tasting at most wineries ranges between $40 and $100. But don’t worry! There are plenty of ways to enjoy wine tastings without breaking the bank.
Here are some of our suggestions for fantastic wine tasting experiences at a reasonable cost.
Robert Mondavi Winery - one of the best wineries to visit in Napa Valley
Appreciation of art, food, and wine were a core part of Robert Mondavi’s life philosophy and the winery he built is an homage to all three. Once you pass the seven-foot-tall Robert Mondavi sculpture that flanks the half-moon entryway of this iconic Mission-style winery, you’ll be able to experience the passion that Robert Mondavi had for the Napa Valley region.
Insider tip: Food and wine go hand-in-hand at Mondavi, so you can bet the winery does both well. Consider springing for one of the culinary tasting experiences on offer, such as the Vineyard to Table Lunch. Available daily, this leisurely lunch on the patio includes thoughtfully composed, locally-sourced dishes paired with estate wines and vineyard views.
Black Stallion Winery
Black Stallion Winery is located in the heart of Napa Valley near the beginning of the Silverado Trail. They offer a variety of wines, from Cabernet Sauvignon to Chardonnay. Their wines have won numerous awards and accolades, and their tasting room is a beautiful large garden terrace with plenty of outdoor seats.
Next to the terrace, there is a small garden with all the different wine varietals planted. Not only that, but they even have descriptions for each varietal, allowing you to learn a lot more about them.
Domaine Chandon
Chandon was sparked into life in 1973 by the visionary spirit of Robert-Jean de Vogüé and California pioneer John Wright. As one of the first French-owned sparkling wine ventures in the U.S., Chandon carefully selected its vineyards and are now considered to be amongst the best for producing quality sparkling wines in California.
For over forty years now, Chandon continues to combine traditional French techniques and winemaking knowledge with the beautiful, sun-ripened fruit of California to craft sparkling wines of the highest quality. Chandon’s winery, Chandon Home is located in Yountville and today our Director of Winemaking Pauline Lhote and her skilled team continue to innovate and provide a unique expression of the terroir, delighting senses with California brightness, vibrancy and intensity of flavors and aromas.
Peju Winery
When Tony and Herta “H.B.” Peju relocated to Rutherford from Los Angeles in 1983, they brought with them a vision of building a winery, an unwavering work ethic, and two young daughters who soaked in the couple’s entrepreneurial spirit and love for Napa’s beautiful farmland.
They established Peju Winery and dedicated themselves to welcoming guests and to crafting exceptional wines from their organically farmed estate vineyard.
Still family owned and operated today, Peju Winery has transformed over the past 35+ years from a simple grape growing venture into a landmark winery celebrated for elegant, complex, and balanced wines in the classic Bordeaux varieties.
The winery’s tasting room resides in a 50-foot tower, completed in 2003, that was envisioned by Tony Peju even before he purchased the estate property. Originally designed by architect Calvin Straub in 1981, the pen and ink rendering has graced the label of every bottle of Peju wine.
With over 35 years of accomplishments, Tony, Herta, Lisa and Ariana Peju are still focused on the same things imagined all those years ago: family, estate grown fruit, award winning wines, and an inviting environment. We invite you to visit us for a tasting or book a private winery experience and discover a garden oasis in the heart of the Napa Valley.
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars
Founded in 1970, the winery brought international recognition to California winemaking and the Napa Valley when the 1973 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon won the now famous 1976 Paris Tasting, also known as the “Judgment of Paris.”
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars is located in the heart of the Stags Leap District, just a few miles north of the city of Napa, on the Silverado Trail. Barcelona-based architect Javier Barba created the design for the FAY Outlook & Visitor Center to take advantage of the stunning views of the estate vineyards and the Stags Leap Palisades. Both the outside patios and indoor tasting room provide beautiful and elegant backdrops for events.
From historic estate vineyards and underground caves to our award-winning Cabernets, a visit to Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars is a must-see feast for both the eyes and the palate. In the caves there are over 34,000 square feet of tunnels capable of housing 6,000 barrels. At the center of the cave network is the Round Room, where a Foucault pendulum, one of only about fifty in the world, is suspended from the ceiling and marks the passing of time, and the aging of wine.
Rutherford Grill
Serving the Napa Valley with pride since 1994. Rutherford Grill is situated at the crossroads of Highway 29 and Rutherford Road, occupying a site amongst Napa’s oldest historic wineries like Beaulieu, Inglenook, and others. The Grill is where many valley winemakers rub shoulders with visitors at our island bar next to a dramatic display kitchen. High energy yet gracious, Rutherford Grill is a place where one can enjoy terrific wines and comforting cuisine from our seasoned and attentive staff.
Rutherford Grill in Napa, California is a high-energy and gracious dining establishment nestled among some of the oldest wineries in Napa. Winemakers are common patrons, as well as visitors interested in the island bar and impressive kitchen display. Rutherford Grill also offers experienced and attentive staff determined to show you a great meal. Burger lovers can try a hickory burger with onion, bacon and cheddar or enjoy the veggie burger with melted Monterey Jack cheese. A number of salads are also available at Rutherford Grill, such as the kale and rotisserie chicken salad or wedge and blue cheese salad with pickled beets.
Available Tours to visit Napa Valley
- 2, 3 or 4 persons totally private tour
- Visit 5 of the best Napa Valley wineries
- Flexible itinerary: can change wineries