Photo courtesy of Cliff Lede
Best known for its Michelin Star power in iconic establishments like The French Laundry and delectable bakeries like Bouchon Bakery, the tiny town of Yountville has also developed into a mecca for top-notch boutique wineries, many of which are within walking distance from the town’s best restaurants and hotels. Pairing wine with everything from art and music to home décor and bacon, these are the top wineries to visit in Yountville on your next Napa Valley trip.
They had us at bacon tasting. Yes, you read that right, Priest Ranch’s bacon and wine experience pairs four wines with four types of bacon. They also pour their unique varietals, like a Grenache Blanc and sparkling rosé of Syrah (you won’t find these at many other tasting rooms in Napa Valley), with a chocolate or cheese pairing.
Insider Tip: Priest Ranch completed a major reno of their Yountville digs in 2020, including a new cozy seating area and a wine vault that can hold up to 1,100 bottles. More recently, Priest Ranch unveiled The Kitchen, serving up seasonally-inspired American food with wine pairings.
6490 Washington Street, Yountville, CA 94599, (707) 944-8200
Situated on a hill overlooking the Stags Leap District, Silverado Vineyards is dedicated to producing small-production, 100% estate-grown wines. The star of the show? Cabernet Sauvignon. As one of the first wineries to plant Cabernet grapes in Stags Leap, Silverado Vineyards stays true to its roots by producing luxurious Cabernet Sauvignons. Dive into these bold reds during the Legacy Cabernet Experience, where you’ll have the chance to sample library Cabs, as well.
Insider Tip: When the weather is warm and sunny (which it is much of the year), don’t miss sampling wines from Silverado’s outdoor stone terrace, where you’ll enjoy staggering views over the Valley. When cooler temps roll in, sit beside the warm hearth of Silverado’s tasting room. Either way, you’ll want to add a cheese and charcuterie board, complete with local, artisanal products, to complement your tasting.
6121 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558, (707) 257-1770
Sip wine inside an actual art gallery at Jessup Cellars, curated with rotating exhibits from local and nationwide artists. Choose between a three-wine tasting flight or their classic wine experience, paired with a tasting plate of artisan chocolate, cheeses, and almonds, which can also be enjoyed on the outdoor patio.
Insider Tip: Check the winery event calendar before you go. You may be able to catch live music in the summer, or a short film with wine pairing in the spring.
6740 Washington Street, Yountville, CA 94599, (707) 944-5620
Bell Wine Cellars stands as a testament to the artistry of winemaking. Here, the focus is on small lots of single clone wines, each drawing upon the unique nuances of Napa Valley’s growing regions—from the valley floor to its hillside vineyards. The tasting room, a cozy haven nestled among rows of vines, offers more than just a wine tasting—it’s an invitation to experience the soul of the winery. Engage in a journey of discovery with vineyard and winery tours, or deepen your understanding of wine with sensory tasting lessons led by a knowledgeable team of sommeliers, vintners, and wine experts.
6200 Washington Street, Napa, CA 94558, (707)944-1673
Rock n’ Roll fans can’t skip Cliff Lede Vineyards, where even the vineyard blocks have music-themed names like Abbey Road and Dark Side of the Moon. The winery has a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces to taste, but the best spot is in the Backstage Tasting Lounge, which doubles as a rock art exhibit. Tastings here give you access to some of Cliff Lede’s most limited-production wines, which you can sip while admiring portraits of some of classic rock’s most iconic artists.
Insider Tip: You can actually live like a rockstar via a stay at Cliff Lede’s luxury hilltop hotel, Poetry Inn—but it’ll cost you a pretty penny.
1473 Yountville Cross Road, Yountville, CA 94599, (707) 944-8642
Handwritten Wines specializes in hand-crafted Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa’s top AVAs. Stop by their tasting room, dubbed the SOYO House (a nod to its South Yountville location), for food-focused tasting experiences like Quick Read, featuring a flight paired with truffle potato chips and crackers, as well as The Bread and Butter, which highlights four wines in a side-by-side comparative format alongside artisan breads and butters, Basque cheese, and sliced Coppa Salamé.
Insider Tip: So impressed by your wine tasting at Handwritten Wines that you’d love to share the experience with family and friends? You’re in luck! Handwritten Wines has two wine educators who travel the country, bringing their exquisite Cab Sauv right to your front door. Both the tasting materials and wines are sent to your home 2 to 3 weeks before your expert arrives. The only catch? You’ll need to be a member for this exclusive experience.
6494 Washington Street, Yountville, CA 94599, (707) 944-8524
Goosecross is owned by Christi Coors Ficeli (of the famed Coors family), but don’t be fooled; the quality of their wine is primo compared to the beer you drank in college. Small but mighty, Goosecross offers a diverse portfolio of wines and truly excels at crafting perfectly-balanced reds worthy of a celebratory dinner. Soak in stunning views of Goosecross’ estate vineyards and the Mayacamas Mountains from their secluded, never overcrowded tasting room or outdoor terrace.
Insider Tip: The friendly staff is usually more than happy to give you a peek inside the tiny cellar, where there’s a good chance you’ll bump into the winemaker, Bill Nancarrow.
1119 State Lane, Yountville, CA 94599, (707) 944-1986
Stewart Cellars combines a fusion of the best Napa and Sonoma grapes to create their classic varieties that include their famed NOMAD Cabernet Sauvignon from the Heritage Vineyards of Andy Beckstoffer. Their cozy tasting room in the heart of Yountville features an intimate U-shaped bar with a wine educator ready to pour you the goods. Guests can choose from experiences like the Portfolio Tasting which features current-release wines or the NOMAD Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting, taking place in their beautiful Heritage Library with a cheese plate to boot.
Insider Tip: Browse Stewart Cellars’ events to see if a Happy Hour is coming up on the calendar. These often feature tastes of their new-release wines.
6752 Washington Street, Yountville, CA 94599, (707) 963-9160
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