By Joseph Nicholson
The Best Napa Valley Tours
A little more than an hour's drive north of
San Francisco, Napa Valley is famous for its award-winning wines. Slightly lesser known are its variety of world-class restaurants, charming bed and breakfasts and first-class spas, all of which can be enjoyed along with fantastic winery tours. The wine tours listed below represent a small fraction of what's available in Napa Valley, but each excels in at least one of the elements that make California wine country a popular destination for dedicated wine connoisseurs and passionate pleasure seekers alike.
Cakebread Cellars
One of the most successful of the many Napa wineries is Cakebread Cellars, internationally known for its superlative white wines, particularly the chardonnay and sauvignon blanc varieties. Tours are by appointment and come with a complimentary tasting glass that's yours to keep. The tour's introduction to Napa wine begins on the gorgeously manicured grounds adjacent to the vineyards. Next, the tour provides an overview of the wine-making process in the cellar as you sip a variety of world-class current releases and library wines. On Thursdays and Fridays enjoy a 30-minute interactive food pairing with ingredients grown in the winery's estate garden.
Cakebread Cellars
8300 St. Helena Highway
Napa, California 94558
(800) 588-0298
cakebread.com
Pine Ridge
Located on the Silverado Trail, Pine Ridge Winery offers an extensive tour that takes you from the vineyard to the barrel, and finally into the tasting room. The wines themselves take you on another sort of tour--one tasting flight features a cabernet sauvignon from each of Napa's renowned cabernet-growing appellations. A spectacular Malbec and respectable chardonnays round out the offering at this top-notch Napa winery. Wine club members are invited to picnic in the exclusive, gated garden.
5901 Silverado Trail
Napa, California 94558
(707) 253-7500
pineridgewinery.com
Tres Sabores
Snuggled in a back corner of the Rutherford appellation is one of the best-kept secrets of the Napa Valley wine country. Tres Sabores is a small wine-making operation that only accepts tours by appointment. But unlike more commercial tours, your guide at Tres Sabores is the winery owner and winemaker herself, Julie Johnson. Julie is truly passionate about viticulture and winemaking, loves to share her work, and happily opens up her property to scheduled guests. From harvesting to grape-crushing, what you'll see depends on the time of year you visit, but it's guaranteed to be authentic Napa Valley. You're also sure to taste some distinctly Rutherford wines, well-matched with estate-grown fruit dressings, sauces and olive oil.
1620 S. Whitehall Lane
St Helena, California 94574
(707) 967-8027
tressabores.com
Castello di Amorosa
Although Dario Sattui's castle in St. Helena, at the northern end of the Napa Valley, tends to overshadow the wine, Castello di Amorosa offers one of the most unforgettable experiences in Napa. Take a horse-drawn vineyard tour to explore the grounds surrounding the castle and their remarkable history. Then take a guided tour through a faithful recreation of a medieval castle before sampling bold cabernets like Il Barone and Super Tuscan blends like La Castellana.
4045 N. Saint Helena Highway
Calistoga, California 94515
(707) 967-6272
castellodiamorosa.com
Resources
About the Author:
Joseph Nicholson is an independent analyst whose publishing achievements include a cover feature for Futures Magazine, and a recurring column in the monthly newsletter of a private mint. He received a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Florida and is currently attending law school in San Francisco.
Photo Credits:
Stan Shebs (CC-By-SA 3.0, 2.5)
