Photo courtesy of Silverado Vineyards | Rocco Ceselin
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 to 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: You’ll find more than your typical tasting room at Priest Ranch. Cozy up in their homey seating area, see their wine vault that holds up to 1,100 bottles, or, if your stomach’s grumbling, head to The Kitchen, an on-site restaurant that serves up seasonally-inspired American food with wine pairings.
Visit: 6490 Washington Street, Yountville, CA 94599
Contact: (707) 944-8200
There’s no place in Napa Valley quite like the JCB Tasting Salon. The brainchild of wine fashionista Jean Charles Boisset (proprietor of other wineries like Raymond Vineyards and Buena Vista Winery), this little slice of luxury is dripping in gold, leopard print, and crystal. Taste a wide selection of fine wines, from Champagne to Cabernet Sauvignon, while you browse luxury jewelry, perfumes, and a massive Baccarat crystal collection. It’s all for sale, if you feel like splurging.
Insider Tip: Enhance your wine tasting (did we mention it’s served in JCB’s very own Baccarat crystal stemware?) with JCB’s very own brand of caviar. Talk about pure indulgence!
Visit: 6505 Washington Street, Yountville, CA 94599
Contact: (707) 934-8237
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.
Visit: 6121 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558
Contact: (707) 257-1770
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.
Insider Tip: Interested in the inner workings of a Napa winery? Book the Grape to Glass Tour & Tasting, where you’ll stroll through the vineyards with an expert, take part in a tank and barrel discussion, and finish it all by tasting five seasonal wines.
Visit: 6200 Washington Street, Napa, CA 94558
Contact: (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.
Visit: 1473 Yountville Cross Road, Yountville, CA 94599
Contact: (707) 944-8642
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.
Visit: 1119 State Lane, Yountville, CA 94599
Contact: (707) 944-1986
If there were an award for most dramatic scenery in Yountville, Pine Ridge Vineyards would take the cake. One look at this winery’s terraced vines, ridgelines, evergreens, and rolling mountains, and you’ll never want to leave. Even more enticing are their unique varietals like the Chenin Blanc + Viognier, which offers notes of orange blossom and honeysuckle. Head inside the European-inspired wine caves, nestled 130 feet underground, to take part in the semi-private Cabernet Cave Tasting, or keep things casual with an Estate Tasting above ground.
Insider Tip: If you want the full experience, opt for the Explorer’s Tour & Tasting, where you’ll get the chance to walk through the vineyards, learn more about the Stag’s Leap District, and get a look at their winemaking process in the caves.
Visit: 5901 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558
Contact: (800) 575-9777
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.
Visit: 6752 Washington Street, Yountville, CA 94599
Contact: (707) 963-9160
Silver Trident is one part wine tasting room, one part Ralph Lauren Home showroom. This means that everything from the couch you sit on to the candles at your table are for sale. Designed like the quaintest of Wine Country homes, with cozy spaces in which to sip, including a living room, dining room, and library, Silver Trident’s food and wine pairing features delightful canapés, like gourmet potato chips and pizza.
Insider Tip: Apollo’s Folly, Silver Trident’s Rosé of Pinot Noir is so good, you’ll want to sip it year-round. It also sells like hot cakes, so if they have it, grab it.
Visit: 6484 Washington Street, Suite G, Yountville, CA 94599
Contact: (707) 945-0311
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 wine and cheese pairing, featuring an artisan cheese plate. If you’re just popping in, you can also opt for their free tasting option (a rarity in Napa!), which includes a complimentary splash of wine and a stroll through the gallery.
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 pairings in the spring.
Visit: 6740 Washington Street, Yountville, CA 94599
Contact: (707) 944-5620
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