Tucked away between Oakville and St. Helena in Napa Valley, California, the Rutherford AVA is a little slice of paradise for those who love a good glass of red. This spot is a haven for Cabernet enthusiasts in particular, offering up the kind of full-bodied, luxurious Cabs that put Napa on the map. And for those who like to mix things up, there’s a delightful array of Bordeaux blends (and even sparkling wine!) to keep your taste buds entertained.

When it comes to wine, it’s all about location, location, location. Rutherford’s got a special something in its soil—a magical mix of gravel and sandy loam—that, along with a unique microclimate, gives grapes a longer time to hang and develop flavor. All this leads to wines that boast tannins softened into a smooth, dusty elegance, creating the renowned “Rutherford Dust”—a signature trait that’s become one of the most captivating qualities of Rutherford.

For an unforgettable journey through Napa Valley’s Rutherford region, we’ve put together a short list of some of the best tasting rooms to visit.

Cakebread Cellars

Family-owned Cakebread Cellars is dedicated to producing wonderful wines with sustainability in mind. With humble beginnings on a small 22-acre plot of land in Rutherford, Cakebread has since grown to 1,600 acres with 16 different vineyards. Settle in to their stunning tasting room to sample their signature Chardonnay or bold Cabernet Sauvignons. Be sure to check out The Perfect Pair: Wine & Food Tasting for a culinary adventure that celebrates the winery’s dedication to epicurean delights. You’ll stroll through the vegetable garden before indulging in wine paired with four delicious bites.

Insider Tip: Curious about the winery’s sustainability efforts? Get a group together for a private tour that reveals Cakebread Cellars’ dedication to eco-friendly winemaking on the Sustainable Wines & Vines Tour. You’ll walk through the vineyards and production facility to learn about their groundbreaking water and energy conservation practices, all while sampling four different wines.

Tasting Fee: Starting at $50
Visit: 8300 St. Helena Highway, Rutherford, CA 94573
Contact: (800) 588-0298
Reservations: Required

Sullivan Rutherford

Known for world-class Merlots and Cabernet Sauvignons, Sullivan Rutherford mixes traditional-style wines with the mastery of today’s finest winemaking techniques. With private tastings available seven days a week by appointment, you’ll revel in this elegant yet comfortable atmosphere of the tasting room, which overlooks the winery’s stunning estate vineyards and gardens. Bring on the serenity.

Insider Tip: Treat yourself to the Founder’s Tasting—a private tour followed by a seated tasting with tasty bites. A wine educator will walk you through their Estate Collection and the J.O. Sullivan Founder’s Reserve Collection for a truly memorable experience.

Tasting Fee: Starting at $150
Visit: 1090 Galleron Road, St. Helena, CA 94574
Contact: (707) 963-9646
Reservations: Required

Beaulieu Vineyard (BV)

Since being established in 1900 by Georges des Latour, Beaulieu Vineyard (or “BV”) has been at the forefront of Napa’s winemaking scene. His dream was to produce wines that could rival those from his homeland of France. For decades, the winery was helmed by the iconic winemaker André Tchelistcheff, known affectionately as the “Maestro.” His creation, the Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, set the standard as Napa’s first cult Cabernet and continues to be revered as one of the region’s premier wines

Insider Tip: Dive into the Discover Rutherford Dust Tasting to see what Tchelistcheff meant when he said, “You need Rutherford dust to grow good Cabernet.”

Tasting Fee: Starting at $55
Visit: 1960 St. Helena Highway, Rutherford, CA 94573
Contact: (707) 257-5749
Reservations: Recommended

Sequoia Grove

Sequoia Grove might be best known for its stunning tasting room, but it also happens to be steeped in Napa history. Once a part of the original plot of land granted to George Yount, the first person to plant grapevines in Napa, Sequoia Grove now cultivates Bordeaux-style wines from their Rutherford vineyards. Surrounded by a towering thicket of sequoia trees—hence the name—Sequoia Grove aims to rewrite the rules on wine and food pairings, highlighting the versatility of their carefully cultivated Cabernet Sauvignon in particular.

Insider Tip: Cabernet Sauvignon lovers will love the Cambium Vertical Tasting. Sip three vintages of Sequoia Grove’s flagship wine, paired with artisan cheeses. The subtle differences in each wine become more obvious with the guidance of a wine expert. Or if you’re curious about unique Cab Sauv food pairings, be sure to reserve a spot at the A Taste for Cabernet at Dusk experience.

Tasting Fee: Starting at $60
Visit: 8338 St. Helena Highway, Napa, CA 94558
Contact: 707-339-5757
Reservations: Required

Inglenook

Since its inception in 1881, Inglenook has been a pioneer in Napa, introducing the region’s first Merlot vines and one of the first gravity flow wineries. Since filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola took the reins in 1975, the winery has continued to make a name for itself, especially with its Rubicon estate Bordeaux-style red wine.

Insider Tip: To learn more about the legacy and wines of Inglenook opt for the Private Library Tour and Tasting, a sommelier-led library tasting in the historic Inglenook Chateau.

Tasting Fee: Starting at $75
Visit: 1991 St. Helena Highway, Rutherford, CA 94573
Contact: (707) 968-1179
Reservations: Required

Peju Winery

Led by the innovative Tony Peju, this family-owned winery shines with its classic Bordeaux varietals, including its Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Book a Classic Seated Tasting to experience five of Peju Winery’s most popular Napa Valley wines. You can also request a cheese plate and, on the weekends, a Chef’s Sampler to accompany your tasting. Pay a visit here and you may see the matriarch of the family, Herta Peju, digging in the dirt to ensure the roses and dahlias are at their finest.

Insider Tip: Visit the charming, 50-foot tower on property that graces all estate-bottled Peju labels. It also happens to be one of the tallest buildings in Napa Valley.

Tasting Fee: Starting at $65
Visit: 8466 St. Helena Highway, Rutherford, CA 94573
Contact: (707) 963-3600
Reservations: Recommended

Round Pond

Round Pond Winery is a family-owned gem known for its small-lot Cabernet Sauvignon and estate-grown olive oils. The winery’s commitment to artisanal winemaking shines through in every glass, which you can sip from the serene ambiance of the covered patio. Did we mention the panoramic vineyard views? Yeah, they’re photo-worthy.

Insider Tip: Book the Estate Tasting for an intimate exploration of Round Pond’s premium wines, complemented by a selection of house-made accompaniments. This guided tasting is a perfect way to immerse yourself in the rich flavors and stories of this beloved winery.

Tasting Fee: Starting at $60
Visit: 875 Rutherford Road, Rutherford, CA 94573
Contact: (707) 302-2575
Reservations: Required

Mumm Napa

For those who fancy a bit of sparkle, or who simply need a palate cleanser between all that red, Mumm Napa is a must-visit in Rutherford. Located on the west side of the Rutherford AVA, along the Silverado Trail, Mumm Napa is famous for its méthode traditionnelle sparkling wines, adding a dash of French flair to California’s Wine Country.

Insider Tip: Don’t miss the Oak Terrace Tasting, where you can savor a flight of exclusive sparkling wines paired with artisanal bites while taking in the breathtaking views of the vineyards. It epitomizes the quintessential Napa Valley experience.

Tasting Fee: Starting at $45
Visit: 8445 Silverado Trail, Rutherford, CA 94558
Contact: (707) 967-7700
Reservations: Recommended

Groth Vineyards & Winery

Pac-Man would gladly gobble up the award-winning wine at Groth Vineyards & Winery. The family-owned vineyard was founded by the former CFO of Atari, and first jumped on the international wine scene when its 1985 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon became the first American wine given 100-points by Robert Parker. The winery sits on a beautiful estate bordering the Rutherford AVA, so while not technically in Rutherford, it’s a worthy spot to visit when venturing around the wineries nearby.

Insider Tip: For a closer look at what Groth is all about, book the Estate ATV Tour. This 90-minute experience will have you venturing into the vines to learn about Groth’s wine philosophy and sustainability efforts, all while sampling varietals surrounded by the vines from which they come from.

Tasting Fee: Starting at $50
Visit: 750 Oakville Cross Road, Oakville, CA 94562
Contact: (707) 754-4254
Reservations: Recommended

Frog’s Leap Winery

Through the tutelage of Napa greats, owner and winemaker John William’s fueled his love of wine to eventually form the much celebrated Frog’s Leap Winery. What started as the Adamson Winery, it stood through phylloxera and Prohibition before being reborn in 1982. With a mission to make wines of terroir using sustainable winegrowing methods like dry farming and cultivating biodiversity, this certified organic Napa winery is particularly known for Cabernet Sauvignon.

Insider Tip: For those who want to see behind the veil of Frog’s Leap’s sustainable winemaking practices, book the Responsibly Farmed, Sustainably Produced experience. Cozy up on the Vineyard House porch for a tasting of five current release wines and a chat about their commitment to growing wine the green way.

Tasting Fee: Starting at $40
Visit: 8815 Conn Creek Road, Rutherford, CA 94573
Contact: 707-963-4704
Reservations: Required