Must Stops In Napa Valley
Byron, The Bay Area Critic
www.BayAreaCritic.com
The local perspective on great wine tasting experiences.
As the person who came up with The Bay Area Critic, I’m often asked for suggestions on wineries to visit when planning a trip to Napa. My typical response to the question is, “It really depends. Tell me more about what you’re seeking.”
strongly believe Wine Tasting in Napa Valley is mainly about the wine you taste and the people you meet along the way. However, Napa Valley can be broken into the following categories:
Scenic Tours (Breath taking views, old Chateaus, etc.)
Red Wine Tours (Wineries tasting predominately red wines)
White Wine Tours (Wineries tasting predominately white wines)
Port Tours (For those who like ports or dessert wines)
Tourist Magnets (Well known, high volume, less intimate)
K-9 Friendly (Wineries that welcome pooches in their tasting room)
Touring with Children in tow (Kid friendly places)
As I mentioned earlier, wine tasting is mainly about the wine you taste and the people you meet along the way. However, for the purpose of a Bay Area Critic review, one must look at the elements of the experience which include, however not limited to ambiance, setting, scenery, tasting room staff, types of glasses used, value for the price charged for tasting and of course the wine that’s poured.
Last weekend, we set out on a mission to visit some of our favorite wineries and a few new ones. Here are a few places I would like to recommend visiting:
Opus One
Right off Hwy 29 in Oakville, a couple of miles North of Downtown Napa. You can’t miss the winery on the right side of the road - it resembles something you might see in a James Bond movie. It a stone structure built on top of a small hill.
This is one famous winery and basically one of the mega labels that got Napa on the world map. You’ll have to be into wines in order to fully appreciate the wines of Opus One. After you check in with the receptionist, there’s a short walk through the building to where the wine is poured. A bottle of Opus One at the winery will run you around $165 bottle, and $25 for a one glass tasting. For those “the glass is ½ full” folks, you’ll feel right at home. Each tasting is basically a full pour served in a Riedel glass. From the tasting room bar, you can then ascend the staircase to the top of the structure where there are 360 views of the vineyards and Napa Valley. A good visit as a group our couple.
This is a very sophisticated winery with a somewhat stuffy ambiance. The pouring room staff is pleasant, yet never engaging; however, the wine and the view from the top of the structure makes is a worthwhile stop.
Opus One
7900 Saint Helena Hwy
Oakville, CA 94562
(707) 944-9442
St. Supery
At the recommendation of our neighbor who works at this winery, we included it on our weekend in Napa Valley. The tasting room is located at the rear of the old Victoria house through an area that would appear to be a great location for outdoor group functions.
As we entered there’s a very nice wine tasting room and gift shop. We choose to taste upstairs where they were pouring the reserve wines. The upstairs appeared to be somewhat of an art gallery and area for which groups could hold events as well as taste St. Supery’s reserve wines.
We always look for the friendliest person pouring wine whenever we enter a tasting room. Joe of St. Supéry didn’t disappoint us with his friendliness and charm. We first learned that the winery wasn’t named after “Saint Supery” because there is one. However, on a yearly basis, artists submit paintings of their renditions of what Saint Supéry would look like. The paintings were featured on the wall just behind the bar and have been selected to be featured on their label. The combo of the art and the wine was wonderful.
I did take note of the Riedel wine glasses used for sampling the reds. I always appreciate when wineries respect their product enough to serve it in an appropriate glass.
St. Supéry Vineyards and Winery
8440 St. Helena Hwy.
Rutherford CA 94573
(800) 942-0809
Rombauer
This is probably my most favorite chardonnay and a few of their reds top my list. The view from this winery is picturesque. The tasting room sits atop a hill along the Silverado Trail in Calistoga. It has all of the elements I consider when reviewing and recommending a wine tasting room experience. The Rombauer staff has always been friendly and has even allowed us to bring our well behaved dog inside the tasting room early on in the day when there hasn’t been a crowd.
The tasting room is somewhat small and does need to be expanded to handle the increasing amount of loyal fans of both their chardonnay and red wines. The room is decorated in a lot of memorabilia which includes pictures of celebrities and references to Braniff Airlines.
Wine tasting is free at Rombauer; however if you like what you’ve tasted…proper etiquette is to at least leave with a bottle of it if it’s within your budget. The Chardonnay is around $30 bottle and their Reds are a little bit more than that. While somewhat pricey for the average wine drinker, all have an exceptional price point and are a good value. I don’t imagine these prices will stay put for long though as each year they seem be advancing due to the popularity of the label.
The Rombauer Winery
3522 Silverado Trail
St. Helena, CA
(707) 963-5170
The Tasting Room is open daily 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tours by appointment
Prager Winery & Port Works
If you’re not looking, you’ll never find Prager Ports off of Hwy.29. Perhaps some good directions or a rainbow will lead you to this pot of gold. One could label this winery as old and funky. The tasting room is lined with signed dollars and world currency from visitors that obviously have left as happy campers. Notably the tasting room has the wineries first official website. This site won’t be found on the internet, there’s just an old window covered with spider webs in the middle of the tasting room.
Typically present pouring and speaking with guests are the 3 generations of winemakers. Prager has amazing ports that often will change flavors in your mouth. I would suggest visiting this place as a group versus couple. It appears that the staff is more engaging and open to stories if they have an audience. I felt a little awkward visiting as a couple due to the lack of an actual bar to belly up to.
We’ve been able to bring in Sophie our well behaved k-9 wine tasting companion. She’s a great icebreaker at most wineries, especially this quiet older and eclectic one. It’s a definite must stop if you’re into great Ports. Prager is also dog friendly, but they prefer you make it one of your first stops, because they get too busy in the afternoon to have dogs in the tasting room.
Prager Winery and Port Works
1281 Lewelling in St. Helena, CA (Off Hwy.29 across from Louis Martini Winery) (707) 963-PORT
The Tasting Room is open daily 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Duckhorn
This is a must stop if you’re into full bodied Cab’s; however, you’ll have to make a reservation because tasting is by appointment only. Duckhorn’s St. Helena tasting room is located in an old Victorian style ranch house surrounded by beautiful vineyards. Unique to most other wineries, you’re greeted by a hostess and seated at a table. The Hostess provided us with a choice of either sitting at a tall table with a view or low table with more comfortable seats. We chose comfortable seats in the midst of a modern tasting room with a very tall angled ceiling surrounding a wine bar in the center of room.
There were two levels of tasting and we chose the elite vintages and were poured 2 Zinfandels, 2 Cabernets and surprisingly a Sauvignon Blanc, for $15. I loved the Sauvignon Blanc and both of the Cabs, but wasn’t too thrilled with the Zinfandel’s.
Overall it was a little sterile of an environment for 2 people. The staff wasn’t too engaging in conversation or educating us on the wines being poured. It also felt a little like we were tourists, which a famous label as Duckhorn does attract. I guess I’m starting to prefer the old funky small lot wineries when the winemaker is present.
Duckhorn Winery
1000 Lodi Ln.
St Helena, CA
(707)963-7108
Grgich Hills
Owned by Mike Grgich, one of the Founding Fathers of Northern California’s wine country, this is yet another must stop along Hwy.29 in the greater Napa Area. Wine Trivia Note: Hill’s Brothers Coffee was an original investor into this famous winery, hence the “Hill’s” portion of the label. In the beginning it was basically Mike Grgich and Robert Mondovi that were the original winemakers in the Valley.
While the wine tasting room does have a view, it has atmosphere and it’s a good stop along the way, especially if you like Chardonnay. Their’s is an award winner! This Chardonnay is oaky - buttery. Priced in the $20’s, it‘s a good value for Chardonnay fans.
Grgich Hills
1829 St. Helena Hwy.
Rutherford, CA 94573
(800) 532-3057
Mumm
Mumm is just off the Silverado Trail just north of downtown Napa. This is absolutely a must stop for couples and groups - especially at the end of the day. Mumm is famous for their champagne/sparkling wines. They have outdoor seating where you can elect to taste a variety of flights. The seating area has covered tables that overlook miles of vineyards.
Beautiful scenery, good gift shop and great bubbly!
They do allow well behaved dogs on their outside patio and were kind enough to bring water to our dog Sophie.
Mumm Napa
8445 Silverado Trail
Rutherford, CA 94573
(707) 967-7700
Cuvaison
This is one of my favorite labels in Napa and the tasting room staff is always pleasant. It’s also a good stop when traveling with well behaved dogs. If the tasting room isn’t too busy, we’ve been able to bring in Sophie our k-9 wine tasting companion with us. There are two sections to the tasting room. One is for their standard wines and the other if for tasting reserves and wine club members. We visited Cuavason and didn’t leave disappointed. In fact, we ended up leaving with a bottle or two…
There are a few picnic tables in a grassy area near the parking lot. Probably not the best place to sit and relax if there’s lots of traffic on the Silverado Trail.
Cuvaison
4550 Silverado Trail North
Calistoga, CA 94515
(707) 942-6266
Domaine Chandon
Okay, I wasn’t going to include this one in protest of listing tourist magnets of Napa Valley. However, the grounds and enormous size of this winery make it a must stop.
Plus, you can say you’ve “been there done that” when your friends ask if you’ve stopped there. Plus, they have a restaurant at the location that might provide a spot to grab something to eat while on your wine country tour. If you’re into champagne or sparking wines, this could be a fun stop. To me, it’s a little too cosmetic and it’s felt a little stuffy to me the couple of times I’ve been there.
Domaine Chandon
One California Drive
Yountville, CA 94599
(707) 944-2280
Plump Jack
As we were heading to Silver Oak I noticed a sign for the Plump Jack winery. I recognized the name as being the winery that Gavin Newsom, the Mayor San Francisco owns (could be part owner).
Plump Jack is a hidden gem in the wine country. The winery is located off a road that connects between the Silverado Trail and the Hwy 29. It’s definitely different than every other place we’ve visited. Almost borderline too commercialized. If they wouldn’t have served great wine, I would be on the fence regarding recommending it as a must stop. That said it didn’t disappoint me at all. I would strongly recommend sitting outside on the back deck where you can take in views of vineyard and the Napa hills. The tasting room was a little too crowded and noisy to reflect what I perceive as the Napa ambiance. However, it was fun… and again…great wines!
Plump Jack
620 Oakville Cross Road
Oakville, CA 94562
(707) 945-1220
Silver Oak Cellars
We visited another winery with a history of producing award winning red wines. I was all set for an authoritative cabernet and this place didn’t disappoint me. The tasting room is a little awkward if crowded and perhaps a little too overwhelmed by tourists chasing the worshipped label. One has to belly up to the cash register behind a line of individuals with wine purchases before being able to partake in a round of wine tasting. Once poured you may take your wine glass and gracious pour outside (pending weather conditions) and bask in the sunlight and watch the limousine traffic. The scenery and landscaping is very picturesque.
Silver Oak Cellars
915 Oakville Rd.
Oakville, CA 94562
(800) 273-8809
Napa Cellars
Rombauer, Frank Family Estates and Napa Cellars are connected in one way or another by some form of ownership, as the styles of their products. I guess you could look at placing them into three categories, good, better and the best. Don’t get me wrong, Napa Cellars is one my favorite wineries and a definite stop and visit destination off of Hwy.29 just as you travel North out of Napa.
The staff inside the tasting room has always been engaging and friendly. We’ve felt very at home while at this winery. The room layout is comfortable even when crowded. They even have a couple of picnic tables outside in a grassy area near the vineyards. Sophie our well behaved k-9 wine tasting companion has been allowed inside the tasting room where a kindly gesture of water has been offered.
Their chardonnay is one of the best in Napa. It’s more on the side of oaky/buttery and is priced right around $20 bottle. (Beverages & More). We do like their Merlot and Zinfandel. Their Cabernet is good; however, I do question the price/value ratio when compared to some greats around the same price.
Notably, we’ve observed the same tasting room staff. This is an important factor because each person can make or break a winery.
Napa Cellars Winery
7481 St. Helena Hwy.
Oakville, CA
(800) 535-6400
The Tasting Room is open daily 10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Taylor’s Refresher
If you’ve tasted nothing but Napa cuisine and you’re looking for a break from wine tasting, Taylor’s Refresher is a great place to stop. Featuring the food from an old American Diner, you’ll find their menu has a variety of burgers, fries, fish & chips, grilled ahi sandwiches, and a variety of old fashioned milkshakes. I believe all of their tables are located outside and the majorities are covered. Just in case you’ve gone too long with out a glass of vino in your hand, they also have a wine bar and menu. But they are NOT dog friendly.
Taylor’s Refresher
933 Main Street
St. Helena, CA 94574
www.taylorsrefresher.com
(707) 963-3486
Pearl Restaurant
There’s a place in Napa where the locals love and it’s called Pearl’s. It’s a quaint restaurant located in downtown Napa. It’s California cuisine, however they do have something for almost everyone. Great wine selection and fantastic services and ambiance. We were able to bring or K-9 Critic Sophie into the patio area.
Pearl Restaurant
1339 Pearl St
Napa, CA
(707) 224-9161
Rutherford Grille
If you’re looking for a great place to stop and have lunch or dinner in the midst of Wine Country this is a great stop. You can dine indoors or outside on their patio area to which both offer unique experiences. Rutherford Grille (as many area restaurants) offers a great selection of wines as well as entrees to choose from. If it’s a nice day, I would definitely recommend sitting outside and enjoying a bottle of wine with some friends. Inside you’ll find a large comfortable wrap around bar, dark woods and friendly acoustics. We found the staff very courteous and knowledgeable regarding wine selections and items on their menu.
Rutherford Grill
1180 Rutherford Road
Rutherford, CA 94573
(707) 963-1792
Written by Byron, The Bay Area Critic 07/2007
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