Fodor's Expert Review Far Niente

Hamden McIntyre, a prominent winery architect of his era also responsible for Inglenook and what's now the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, designed the centerpiece 1885 stone winery here. Abandoned in the wake of Prohibition and only revived beginning in 1979, Far Niente now ranks as one of the Napa Valley's most beautiful properties. Guests participating in the Estate Tasting learn some of this history while sipping the flagship wines, a Chardonnay and a Cabernet Sauvignon blend, along with Russian River Valley Pinot Noir from the affiliated EnRoute label and Dolce, a late-harvest white dessert wine. The Extended Estate Tasting takes in the winery and its aging caves, while the Cave Collection library tasting pairs older vintages with seasonal bites. Fall, when nearly 200 ginkgo trees lining the driveway glow yellow, is a fine time to visit.