Your Guide to Napa Valley Wine Tasting

Sip & Swirl Through Napa Valley

Napa Valley has long been hailed as one of the world's top wine tasting regions.  Located just about an hour south of San Francisco, it's easy to get to, and perhaps more importantly, there are plenty of Napa Valley wine tasting experiences to choose from.  

There are 16 different appellations within the greater Napa Valley region, each of which represents a distinct microclimate and terrain that influences the characteristics of the wine grapes grown there. Within these 16 AVA's, there are more than 375 wineries and 90+ urban tasting rooms.

Whether you're a seasoned wine aficionado or a newcomer looking to expand your palate, there's plenty to choose from in Napa Valley.  From intimate tastings with winemakers themselves and behind-the-scenes tours to stunning outdoor spaces and caves, there are plenty of Napa Valley wine tasting experiences waiting for you.

Elevate your experience with a stay at our curated selection of Select Registry Bed and Breakfasts.  These upscale properties offer the finest accommodations and hospitality around. 

The Best Napa Valley Wine Tasting

There are more possibilities for Napa Valley wine tasting than you'll likely have the time to experience. This is especially true when you factor in that each destination offers its own unique blend of style and history. In light of this, planning your Napa Valley wine tasting experiences can be a daunting task.  

From full-bodied Cabernets and fruity Merlots to buttery Chardonnays, you're sure to find plenty of delicious tastings at Napa Valley Wineries. To help you plan out an itinerary that makes sense for you, we've curated a selection of some of the top Napa Valley wine tasting experiences:

1. There's always something new on the horizon in Napa Valley. This year, Napa Valley is welcoming Faust Haus, which just completed a four-year restoration project in an 1800s Victorian. This Napa Valley wine tasting destination is the first-ever home for longtime Napa cabernet brand Faust Wines. Make sure you check out the Prohibition-era cellar while you're there.
2. If you're looking for beautiful views and delicious wines head to Artesa, where the hillside tasting room and winery overlook 350 acres of vineyards. They offer a delicious range of estate-grown, sustainably made chardonnay and pinot noir for an unbeatable Napa Valley wine tasting experience - especially if you go with their tapas tasting experience!
3. For a tasting experience that's a bit different, head to Lang & Reed in St. Helena.  They recently opened a cozy new wine tasting spot, where they focus on their Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc - two wines that aren't often bottled individually in Napa Valley.
4. If you want to Rosé all day, then head to Bar Lucia inside downtown Napa's Oxbow Public Market. They offer more than a dozen varieties of small production rosés that are hard to find elsewhere, and serve them in several fun ways: still, sparkling, frozen, and sometimes even in a can! Add a bit of bubbly to your day by heading to Be Bubbly, also located in downtown Napa. You'll find a delicious selection of bubbles from around the world. 
5. If you love Cabernet Sauvignon's from Napa Valley, then you must find your way to Corison Winery.  It's truly the holy grail of this Napa classic, where they've been perfecting their craft since 1987.
6. Enjoy a quintessentially romantic afternoon in Napa Valley at Domaine Carneros.  It's a popular stop in the valley for a reason. The wines are delicious, especially if you go for their all-sparkling tasting flight, and the view is extraordinary. 
7. Get a taste of the wines produced at Napa Valley's organic-viticulture pioneer, Frog's Leap Winery. The wines encountered here are just as good as most in Napa Valley, but you'll find their price point is a bit more reasonable.  The place exudes a cozy and laid-back vibe, too, with an all-star cast of wines you'll be glad you took the time to taste.  
8. While you're in the area, you really should take the time to visit Sonoma's wine tasting region as well.  A great place to visit is Gundlach Bundschu, known locally as Gun Bun. This winery is one of the oldest family-owned estates in California, with a history dating to 1858. They have sprawling vineyards and extensive wine caves, and they host a variety of concerts and events. 
9. We can't ignore tried and true favorites, especially if this is your first time visiting Napa Valley.  For an unbeatable Napa Valley wine tasting and a great place to start, head to Beringer in St. Helena. They were the first, and remain the only winery to have both a red and a white wine named #1 Wine of the Year by Wine Spectator.  After 141 incredible years, they still remain the oldest continually operating California winery. The gardens and the stately Victorian-era tasting rooms are an added bonus. 
10. Have you ever had to take an aerial tram ride up to your wine tasting experience?  That's what awaits at Sterling Vineyards! At the top, sip on their delicious wines while taking in the breathtaking 360-degree view

The Best Wine Tours in Napa Valley

There are so many great Napa Valley wine tasting experiences, many of which simply require you to go to the winery or a downtown tasting room.  However, wine tours can be a great way to experience Napa Valley's wine as well.  Here are a few of the regions top wine tours: 

1. All Aboard!  The Napa Valley Wine Train is a classic, upscale wine and food experience that is simply a "must" while in the area. 
2. One of the easiest and most popular wine tours in Napa Valley is the join-in style tour from Platypus Wine Tours. 
3. Try something a bit different and hop aboard two wheels while you're on tour with Napa Valley Bike Tours.
4. Hop on a classic open-air trolley for a wine tasting adventure you won't soon forget with Napa Valley Wine Trolley.
5. For a private guided tour through Napa Valley, book a tour with Beau Wine Tours.

Whether you take one of these tours or plan out a self-guided itinerary, we know you'll have an exquisite time Napa Valley wine tasting.  To make your stay even more memorable, make sure you book a stay at our incredible Select Registry Bed and Breakfast in the area.  You can even combine a visit to Napa Valley with a trip to California's other wine tasting destinations, like Paso Robles and Temecula.  Read a recent blog we put together about this for more information!

Places to Stay in the Napa Valley

Churchill Manor

Churchill Manor, a historic and romantic Napa bed and breakfast, is the perfect retreat for visits for a bit of Napa Valley wine tasting. From our location, the Napa Valley wine regions of Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford, Saint Helena, and Calistoga are just minutes away.

Downtown restaurants, wine tasting salons, outdoor activities, and massage and spa services are within an easy walk, and the mansion offers a charming 19th-century ambiance for your next getaway. 

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