Napa Valley Wineries
From LoveToKnow Wine
There are so many standout Napa Valley wineries that it is nearly impossible to pick a favorite.
About Napa Valley Wineries
The words, Napa Valley, on a bottle resonate to most wine drinkers and this special wine region is not just emblematic of California or U.S. wine but of New World wine regions everywhere. Granted the 30 x 5 mile sliver of a valley is tightly packed with vineyards and wineries, but there also has many quaint towns, plenty of attractions, activities and places to visit that have nothing to do with wine. The Valley gets log-jammed with tour buses and cars driving the length and breath of it but there are still places of quiet solitude and rural peace, albeit, these are easier to find in the winter rather than the summer. However, things besides Napa Valley wineries will be reserved for another time and we will devote are time here to the thing that makes it great, the wine.
Wine and Wineries in the Valley
There are over 300 wineries in the Napa Valley AVA that separates the Mayacamas mountains to the west and the Vaca mountains to the east. And the valley is not large by other wine regions' standards, still, there are over 40,000 acres of vines planted with Merlot, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Pinot Noir and other lesser varieties. However, Cabernet Sauvignon is the grape that Napa Valley's world-class reputation is built.
This noblest of noble grapes has found its natural home here and it comprises the majority of plantings. Napa Valley wineries may grow multiple grape varietals but there's no point to have a winery in California's premier wine area without a signature Cabernet Sauvignon or Bordeaux-style blend (Meritage) wine. What sets the Valley apart from the other wine regions is the variation of microclimates, soil and terrain that influence the character of each wine. Because the wineries at the south end of the Valley get cooling air from San Pablo Bay the wines here express this cooler nature compared to the wine in the northern part where temperatures can be as much as 10°to 15° higher.
Wineries to Ponder
There are a plethora of Napa Valley wineries with unique personalities, histories, quality and size. The following is a list of wineries broken into different categories to help you sort out the Valley's wineries and wines for when visiting or choosing a Napa wine. Note, to demonstrate my fairness and neutrality, wineries in surrounding AVAs such as Mt. Veeder, Howell Mountain and others that overlook the Valley are also included. Keep in mind that some wineries don't have vineyards but make wine anyway, others have vineyards but don't make wine and some offer tours and tastings while others do not. Also, many wineries can straddle multiple categories.
Wineries with History
It's a monster in the Valley with great wines, value wines and features a National Historical Landmark, the Rhine House.
A historic winery that covers the gamut of California wine. Its George de Latour Private Reserve is a benchmarking standard for Napa.
The historical winery started in 1882 and won the top spot for its Chardonnay against the French in 1976 at the Judgment of Paris. World-class Cabs and Chards.
This is Francis Ford Coppola's winery in the landmark Inglenook Chateau. Coppola has moved his value line of wines to Sonoma County at Rosso Bianco and confines his Napa winery for his top flight Rubicon Estate wines.
Warren Winiarski's 1973 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars S.L.V. shocked the French taking a first in the Paris Judgement for reds.
St. Clement's yellow Gothic-Victoria house built by Fritz Rosenbaum in 1878 is easy to spot off of Highway 29 just north of St. Helena. Excellent wine.
Wineries with Panache and Style
Art actually pairs with wine better than cheese.
Greek mythology meets Napa wine. Excellent wine, architecture, art, picnicking and a lovely scultped garden spot that would inspire even Bacchus.
Over-the-top in many ways. Indulge in great wines with neo-classic Roman architecture. Del Dotto offers barrel tasting at their caves on Atlas Peak Road or visit their new winery in St. Helena. The winery uses oak barrels from different parts of the world and they experiment with different toasts to produce interesting and diverse reds.
This is a family-owned winery where everyone is happy and content. Stylish and well-groomed grounds with a showcase of art. The wine? Why do you think people are happy and where do you go to get adopted?
A family-owned winery with great Chardonnay and Cabs. The estate with lovely grounds and friendly air will bring you back again.
Wineries Worthy of Your Favor
Great Cabs should be enough encouragement.
Winemaker Mike Grgich got famous for his Chardonnay with Chateau Montelena and will enter the Vintners Hall of Fame in March, 2008.
Family-owned winery with powerhouse reds.
Great Oakville Cabs and Chardonnay.
See what happens to wines on the mountain top. Bob Foley produces some of the area's best Cabs and Merlots.
Known for their Rutherford Meritage reds.
Great sparklers at historical cellars. Check out their Brut Rose, yummy and toasty.
Wineries Where Price is Not an Obstacle
One of those cult wines that actually may be worth it.
Exclusively Cab but who needs anything else?
Up in the west hills above Oakville, Harlan produces some of the best of the best.
Where France meets Napa.
New owners, same wine, same price.
Final Word
So little time, so much wine not to be missed.
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