Wine Wine Regions US Wines Napa Valley Wine Region Best Napa Valley Wineries to Visit By Food & Wine Editors Food & Wine Editors This is collaborative content from Food & Wine's team of experts, including staff, recipe developers, chefs, and contributors. Many of our galleries curate recipes or guides from a variety of sources which we credit throughout the content and at each link. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 11, 2022 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: © Brent Miller Choosing the best Napa Valley wineries to visit is close to impossible: From Carneros in the south to Calistoga in the north, from valley-floor estates to properties perched high up in the mountains, America's most famous wine region is one of the most beloved wine-tourism destinations in the world for good reason. The range of experiences on offer here is practically infinite: Whether you're in the mood for something historical and rustic or leaning in the direction of all-out luxury, a straightforward tasting or one with pairings so elaborate they may fill you up before dinner, Napa Valley has it all. You can even taste in a cave if you choose! Here are ten of the best. There are countless more as well, but these represent some of our favorites. Just remember to get an appointment ahead of time. Wine-club members tend to receive preferential pricing, so explore those options beforehand. And, as always, show up thirsty. 01 of 10 Alpha Omega Courtesy of 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 02 of 10 Beaulieu Vineyard Photo courtesy of 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 03 of 10 Chappellet Photo courtesy of Chappellet Vineyard 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 Train Yourself to be a Better Wine Taster 04 of 10 Chateau Montelena Courtesy of Chateau Montelena Winery 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 05 of 10 Cliff Lede Photo courtesy of 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 06 of 10 Domaine Carneros Courtesy of 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) 07 of 10 Heitz Cellar Photo courtesy of Heitz 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 08 of 10 Long Meadow Ranch Photo courtesy of 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 09 of 10 Robert Mondavi Photo courtesy of 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 How to Host a Wine Tasting 10 of 10 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Photo courtesy of Stag's Leap 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 Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit