322 Best Sights in Napa and Sonoma, California

The French fashion company Chanel owns this winery whose Rutherford vineyards surround its hospitality center and production facility. St. Supéry makes two widely distributed wines, a Sauvignon Blanc and a Cabernet Sauvignon, but most tastings revolve around limited-production efforts from the Rutherford site and the 1,500-acre Dollarhide Ranch on Howell Mountain. Hosts tailor sessions to guests' preferences, pouring, for instance, all whites or reds. One of the latter tastings explores valley-floor and mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. Among the specialized experiences at this enthusiastic proponent of wine education is Aromatherapy with a Corkscrew, which involves blind sniffing and tasting to learn how to identify citrus, tropical, and other aromas in wines.

A 1973 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon put this winery and the Napa Valley on the enological map by placing first in the famous Judgment of Paris tasting of 1976. The grapes for that wine came from a vineyard visible from the stone-and-glass Fay Outlook & Visitor Center, which has broad views of a second fabled Cabernet vineyard (Fay) and the promontory that gives both the winery and the Stags Leap District AVA their names. Cabernets from these vineyards are poured at appointment-only tastings (call ahead for same-day visits).  When the weather's right, two patios with the same views as the tasting room fill up quickly.

A must for history buffs, this winery at the base of the Stags Leap Palisades dates to 1893. Three years earlier, its original owners erected the Manor House, noteworthy for its castlelike stone facade, redwood-paneled interior, and open-air porch that seems out of a flapper-era movie set. Some tastings take place on the porch, others inside. Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are the calling cards, along with the Ne Cede Malis Petite Sirah, from vines planted in 1929. The winery also makes Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier,  Malbec, and Merlot. Visits are strictly by appointment.

An aerial gondola whisks guests up a 300-foot hill to a whitewashed Greek Mediterranean–style winery with sweeping Napa Valley views. A self-guided tour allows guests to delve into the wine-making process. Or not. On a sunny day, the valley vistas can be mighty distracting. Sterling, which released its first vintage in 1969, makes waves for its Cabernet Sauvignons, like the top-of-the-line Iridium and another from Diamond Mountain; Chardonnays, a crowd-pleasing Malvasia Blanca, and sparkling wines are among the lighter bottlings. For a more fulfilling visit, choose a tasting of upper-tier wines.

Three stone structures meant to mimic Scottish ruins coaxed into modernity form this complex with public and private tasting spaces and a bright outdoor patio. The attention to detail in the ensemble's design mirrors that of the wines, whose grapes come from estate and coveted outside sources. Several of winemaker Blair Guthrie’s recent Cabernet Sauvignons have received high-90s scores. Guthrie also makes a sparkling wine, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay whites, a rosé of Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir, and Pinot Noir, Rhône-style, and Zinfandel reds.

From the broad patio that fronts the Stonestreet Alexander Mountain Estate's stablelike building, you can see some of the steep rugged terrain where grapes for the winery's full-bodied Chardonnays and tannic, wild-as-a-stallion Cabernet Sauvignons are grown. At 5,100 acres (900-plus planted), this is among the world's largest mountain vineyards. Farming these steep hills is difficult and labor-intensive, but the hard-won output finds its way into top boutique wines in addition to Stonestreet's. One seated tasting focuses on current-release single-vineyard wines. A session showcasing older vintages demonstrates the Cabernets' ageability. All visits require a reservation. Book a mountain excursion for stunning views and to experience the vineyards close up.

During World War II, Fred and Eleanor McCrea purchased a 160-acre goat farm on Spring Mountain's eastern slope. Some of the couple’s first grapevines, planted in 1948, still bear fruit. For years, single-varietal whites—a Gewürztraminer, a Riesling, and a flinty Chardonnay sommeliers often ranked among California's best—were the focus, but owners who arrived in 2020 have added L’Escalier, a blend of all three, and in the future intend to emphasize Cabernet Sauvignon. In some years, there's Sémillon du Soleil, a dessert wine from grapes dried in the sun after harvesting to increase their sugars. Some tastings take place at the former McCrea residence; others, outdoors, take advantage of vineyard and across-the-valley views.

Chardonnays and Cabernet Sauvignons from estate-grown grapes are the specialties of this slightly off-the-beaten-path winery whose tasting room and production facility occupy a stained-redwood former barn. Standout wines include the Summit Chardonnay and the Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, the latter from Stuhlmuller's oldest vines. Other wines to look for are the Estate Zinfandel and the Block Twelve Cabernet Sauvignon from 2½ acres planted in the 1980s. Some tastings take place in a room adjoining the aging cellar, but in good weather you can sip outdoors on a patio near the vines.  Picnickers are welcome at this family- and dog-friendly winery.

Endurance riders Barry and Jennifer Waitte share their passion for horses and wine at their glam-rustic winery. The 22-acre Sundance Ranch remains a working equestrian facility, but the site also includes a state-of-the-art winery with separate fermenting tanks for grapes from estate vineyards in Yountville, Oakville, and elsewhere. Tamber Bey produces Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay whites, a Rhône-style rosé, and a few Pinot Noirs. The showstoppers are several subtly powerful reds, including the Oakville Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and a Yountville Merlot. The top-selling wine, Rabicano, is a Cabernet Sauvignon-heavy Bordeaux-style blend. Visits require an appointment.

Time-travel back to the days when the Napa Valley "lifestyle" revolved around a family rolling up its collective sleeves to grow grapes, make wines, and present them in a modest setting—these days on a patio between the crush pad and small estate vineyard. The first Tedeschi arrived in the valley in 1919 from Pisa, Italy, and the grandparents of the current winemaker, Mario, and general manager, his amiable brother Emilio, purchased the Calistoga property, then an orchard, in the 1950s. Mario makes the Northbrook red blend from Cabernet and Petite Sirah grown on-site, with fruit for Viognier, Malbec, Petite Sirah, and other wines from Napa Valley sources and beyond. Call for same-day appointments.

Painterly westward-facing views of vineyards, the Napa River treeline, and Spring Mountain provide the backdrop for indoor and outdoor tastings at this valley-floor winery. The concrete-and-glass production facility and hospitality center, completed in 2015, skews new, but the setting feels timeless. After arriving in 1968, the first Titus family generation sold grapes to Beaulieu and other Napa Valley stalwarts. Next-generation brothers Eric and Phillip Titus (the latter famed Chappellet's longtime winemaker) oversaw significant replantings in the past quarter-century, ensuring a steady flow of mostly Bordeaux grapes for the family's label. Cabernet Sauvignon comprises more than half the production, with Viognier, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Zinfandel among the other bottlings.

The tectonic shifts that created the Dry Creek Valley reveal themselves at this winery atop one of several abruptly rolling hills tamed only partially by grapevines and olive trees. The mostly Rhône-style wines served at tastings are paired with small bites made on-site. The whites include Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier separately and in blends. Reds range from Grenache and Proprietor’s Reserve GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre) to the Zin-heavy Stone Soup blend of all the estate vineyard’s red grapes. The Get Your Boots Dirty vineyard, olive orchard, and mill tour aboard a Bobcat UTV provides a thrilling sense of the rollicking terrain here.  To fully enjoy those valley views, book a seated outdoor tasting.

The family responsible for last century’s Sutter Home White Zinfandel craze makes luxury Bordeaux-style wines under its own name that truly live up to the term "terroir-driven." The wowsers include a Sauvignon Blanc, a Chardonnay, a Cabernet-dominant red blend, and two Cabernet Sauvignons from estate vineyards in the Atlas Peak, Calistoga, Los Carneros, Mt. Veeder, and St. Helena subappellations. All are served in an elegant, exuberant tasting room designed by St. Helena's internationally acclaimed Erin Martin or in several outdoor spaces. Tastings require a reservation.

Diversity is the name of the game at this family-owned winery on prime acreage amid the Carneros District's rolling hills. High-profile Napa Valley wineries purchase most of the grapes grown here, but some are held back for estate-only wines—the Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs the region is known for, along with Roussanne, Zinfandel, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a few others. You must call ahead to taste, but a casual experience tailored to your interests awaits if you do. The included tour takes in the vineyards and the wine cave.

Zinfandels and wines from sometimes obscure Rhône and Italian grapes draw a loyal following to the fun casual winery of George Unti and his sociable son Mick. Hosts pour wine in or outside a rustic-not-trying-to-be-chic tasting room. The Rhône reds, particularly two Syrahs and Cuvée Foudre (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre), tend to garner more critical notice than the Italians—Aglianico, Barbera, Montepulciano, Sangiovese, and several blends—but all are well made. Reservations are recommended for weekends.

Chef, caterer, and restaurateur Leilani Baugh founded this tasting room and gallery spotlighting winemakers of color and women-owned wineries. Baugh drew inspiration from her dual African American and Asian heritage to create an inclusive upbeat environment for guests to explore high-profile and off-the-radar wines by the glass, flight, or bottle. A recent lineup included wines by the Mendoza family of Napa, musician Marcus Johnson, Napa winery consultant Heidi Peterson Barrett, and lawyer-winemaker Ivonne Zhu. To visit on Wednesday or Thursday, make an appointment a day or two ahead.

Napa design star Richard von Saal's concept for this St. Helena winery's downtown Napa salon exudes cushy luxury with white walls, rich green and charcoal-gray furniture, and brass trim. The glam setting suits Vineyard 29's two portfolio tiers: CRU for wines from grapes sourced from the Napa Valley to Oregon and Vineyard 29 for estate-grown wines. The latter label's focus is Cabernet Sauvignon, though the Aida Estate Zinfandel also shines. The introductory tasting of solely CRU wines reveals the wine-making sensibility, but consider a sampling of current Vineyard 29 releases or, for a deeper dive, a library tasting. Reservations are recommended on weekends.

This sister winery to Hall St. Helena specializes in Pinot Noir from Sonoma County, Mendocino County, California's Central Coast, and Oregon's Willamette Valley and also produces Chardonnay. Just north of Sonoma Plaza, the tasting room occupies a mid-1930s Tudor-inspired home whose backyard tables sit beneath canary palms and a tall, double-trunk redwood tree. One tasting focuses on current releases. To see how the wines pair with food, make a reservation for Root 101, a showcase for single-vineyard Pinots that includes small bites. Another option involves chocolates.

Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Viognier are the specialties of this boutique appointment-only winery with a tasting room inside a 19th-century French-style château. Hamden McIntyre, whose other Napa Valley wineries include the majestic Far Niente Winery in Oakville and Inglenook in Rutherford, designed this less showy yet still princely 1885 structure. Its tree-shaded patio is a civilized spot to enjoy a flight in good weather. The influence of winemaker Jamey Whetstone's mentor Larry Turley, known for velvety Zinfandels, is most evident in the Pinots and the Syrah (there's also a Cabernet Sauvignon), but their élan is Whetstone's alone.

A former girlfriend bestowed the nickname "Wooden Head" on Nikolai Stez for his stubborn nature, but he also has a sense of humor, resurrecting the name years later for his winery. The meticulous, if idiosyncratic, winemaker has an impeccable pedigree, having begun his education working harvests for Burt Williams of the acclaimed Williams Selyem Winery, eventually becoming assistant winemaker there. Pinot Noir and Zinfandel are Woodenhead's focus, but don't miss the French Colombard, Chardonnay, and other whites. Tastings are relatively old-school, with most patrons perched on a deck overlooking Pinot Noir vines, a Russian River Valley panorama unfolding beyond them.

The husband-and-wife team behind this artisanal distillery produces small-batch vodka, gin, bourbon, and absinthe. A few blocks northwest of Healdsburg Plaza, the two and their crew serve flights and cocktails in a high-ceilinged space whose loungelike decor—dark walls, padded-leather and plush-velvet furniture, and cowskin rugs—perks up the industrial-park setting.

Founded in 1969, this family-owned winery specializing in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon is respected for its organic practices, local philanthropy, and Abacus blend. Made "solera-style," Abacus contains wine from every ZD Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon vintage since 1992. The Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs come from a Carneros property, the Cabernets from the winery's Rutherford estate, where the wines are made. Tastings take place in a second-floor space with broad valley views west to the Mayacamas Mountains. Book a current-release flight for an introduction to ZD and its wine-making philosophy. Other tastings involve small bites and winery tours.