These Are the 27 Most Beautiful Wineries in Napa Valley, According to Sommeliers

Romantic ambience, historic architecture, lush scenery, and golden light. There is so much more to wine tasting in California's Napa Valley than simply tasting wine. So when it comes to choosing which Napa Valley wineries to visit, the setting is almost as important a factor to consider as the grapes themselves.

And the competition for wine tourists is fierce: Today, there are more than 400 winery options to choose from in Napa and Sonoma counties alone, which is up from just 25 in Napa in the 1970s. Napa tourism continues to grow; according to Visit Napa Valley, the region's tourism board, the area welcomed 3.85 million tourists who spent $2.23 billion in 2018, up 4.4 percent and 15.9 percent, respectively, from 2016.

In the face of stiff competition and sizable opportunity, Napa Valley wineries are stepping up their offerings beyond the typical tastings with luxe experiences that range from sensory garden tours to private dining with Michelin-star chefs. We sought out renowned sommeliers to give us their picks for the best wineries in Napa, along with a few staff recs to curate the must-see destinations for every type of visitor to California's wine country.

After a three-year renovation, the Faust team opened the doors to its 1878 Victorian estate-turned-tasting room in fall 2020, and it's only 30 minutes away from Faust's Coombsville vineyard. A visit to Faust Haus is essential for fans of California reds, as the winery is devoted to highlighting Cabernet Sauvignon from multiple vineyards across the valley.

Faust Haus offers two types of tastings, one indoors and one outdoors, both of which feature immersive experiences with the winery's limited production wines. While you'll enjoy the sweeping views of Napa Valley and Hollow Mountain from both tastings, it's worth spending some time indoors to explore the artwork that fills the estate, from a charcoal mural by Roberto Ruspoli to photographs by Lindsay Ross.

Darioush is the passion project of Iranian wine collector Darioush Khaledi and is a place where the traditions and heritage of wine's rich history are energized with modern winemaking techniques. The brand's Bordeaux style of winemaking produces unique, collectible reds and whites that are worth exploring via Darioush's stunning winery estate.

Darioush offers seven different tasting experiences on property that range from a Signature Mezze tasting of the flagship Cabernet Sauvignon alongside a few small plates to the Culture of Wine Experience, which artfully blends lessons on wine history alongside tastings paired with chef-prepared dishes. The estate's architecture and interiors reflect Khaledi's upbringing and wine's early beginnings in ancient Persia and has become a true "destination winery" for visitors from around the world.

Alpha Omega's founders are husband-and-wife duo Robin and Michelle Baggett, who have become world-renowned winemakers known for blending old-world traditions with modern technology and techniques. Their wines reflect this artful balance of old and new, producing bottles that can be enjoyed early but are built to last for decades. Sustainability and philanthropy are at the forefront of the business, making Alpha Omega wines worth the investment for numerous reasons.

A visit to Alpha Omega's estate is a must for those visiting Napa Valley in order to fully experience the depth and approachability of their offerings. The estate is home to a modern, farmhouse-style structure that pays homage to the Napa Valley farming community. Indoor and outdoor tasting experiences are available, from private single vineyard tastings with a cheese accompaniment to outdoor tastings for larger groups.

V. Sattui's roots run as deep as 1882, when Vittorio Sattui and his family immigrated to Northern California from Genoa, Italy, and began making wine. Their first winery was forced to shut down due to Prohibition, but it was reopened in 1976 with help from Vittorio's great-grandson and has received numerous accolades ever since. The winery's portfolio includes 60 types of red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines from 20 different grapes.

A visit to V. Sattui is a truly immersive experience, as the estate is also home to a marketplace, cheese shop, picnic and event grounds, multiple tasting rooms, and more. There are a wide variety of ways to taste and experience the wines of this beautiful destination, but you can't miss out on a delicious picnic lunch or apertivo with wines and artisanal dishes with views of the valley as a backdrop. You'll feel transported to the Tuscan countryside in no time.

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars achieved icon status after winning the famous blind tasting at the 1976 Judgment of Paris, just six years after purchasing the namesake vineyard. The winery is known for its Cabernet Sauvignon and produces a variety of reds and whites.

The FAY Outlook & Visitor Center opened in 2014 to provide wine enthusiasts a uniquely immersive tasting experience with stunning panoramic views. The building is designed to be enjoyed during all four seasons, and there is plenty of programming to keep visitors coming back for more.

Stag Leap Wine Cellars's flagship tasting experience is the Cellarius Kitchen Experience, which offers a tasting of four world-renowned wines alongside local dishes created by the winery's chef. There's also a Judgment of Paris 45th Anniversary S.L.V. Tasting happening this year that features a tasting of four vintages from the winery's Legacy Collection.

Cameron Mahlstede, sommelier and founder of Mahlstede Wines, says Heitz Cellar is the place to go for beautiful and thoughtful Cabernet Sauvignon, a legacy it has been leading for nearly 60 years. He says to be sure to also check out its Zinfandel and a Northwestern Italian varietal called Grignolinio.

"[Heitz is] one of the last high-end producers that still offers free tastings at their tasting room," he says. "I believe they are under remodel right now, but their old tasting room in St. Helena had a beautiful trellised wisteria garden that you could sit in with a glass of wine." Count us in.

Two types of tours are available at Heitz: the Historic Winery Tasting and the Estate Experience, both of which offer valuable insight into this 1870s property and historic winery.

"As a sommelier, wine quality is also extremely important when thinking about wineries to visit," says Martin Sheehan-Stross, Chaine Des Rotisseurs Best Young Sommelier International 2016. "Ehlers bottles wines that are impeccably balanced. They are dense and rich, but also fragrant and spicy. The fact that the winery supports a great cause is really the cherry on the sundae.”

To make the most of your visit at Ehlers Estate, consider booking a private winemaker dinner, which offers a chef-made, three-course meal with five of the winery's best selections. Taurean Philpott, of Sommelier Bacchanalia Star Provisions, says to make sure you try their Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc, as the latter is one of Napa's greats.

“Ehlers Estate represents the terroir of Saint Helena in a way that is genuine; I love the signature note of creamy milk chocolate and mocha," says Hak Soo Kim, assistant head sommelier at Per Se in Manhattan. "In that sense, Ehlers is a bottle of romance. Furthermore, the tale of Jean and Sylviane tells us a beautiful story of heart.”

"Cathy Corison has been making wine since the '80s," Mahlstede says. "She is finally, now, over the last few years, getting some well deserved accolades. But for years, her wines have been kind of an unsung hero in the region. The property is on an old 19th-century farm and really lovely."

Corison is a pioneer of the industry, as the first woman winemaker-proprietor in the valley, and produces some fabulous Cabernet Sauvignons and Gewürztraminer. Three different tastings are offered at the eponymous winery: a Discover, Library, and Collector's Vertical, depending on the type of tasting and education you're seeking.

This charming winery is a collection of classic barns, honoring its roots as a 19th-century farmstead. These days, it's focused on single-vineyard wines, offering both public and private tasting options. Don't miss the Private Terroir Tasting, which features eight 100-percent varietal, single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons paired with artisanal cheese and charcuterie.

"Nickel & Nickel was one of the first wineries in the Napa Valley I ever visited, and it remains one of my favorites," says Matt Montrose, CMS Advanced Sommelier. "Besides an incredibly welcoming hospitality team, going there and having a tasting flight of their different vineyard wines really brings to light how a specific site can make all the difference in the expression of a wine. They even have a collection of soils from all of the different vineyards, which you can look at and see just how varied the topography is, which is really eye-opening."

“Cardinale is a Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from Napa’s prized four mountains and tells the story of how mother nature shined in a given year," says Master Sommelier John Blazon. "Nowhere on the valley floor can one taste altitude in the glass like the experience at Cardinale. These wines are graceful, powerful and age-worthy for collectors and prestigious wine programs."

Tastings at Cardinale Winery's estate are available by appointment only, and its private library tasting offers a rare glimpse into the estate's cellar, featuring limited-production vintages served with accoutrements.

"Stony Hill has some of the more beautiful, elegant, and age-worthy wines in Napa Valley," says Mahlstede. "Personally, they have my favorite Chardonnay from the region. They've been making wines for more than 60 years and are definitely considered one of the landmark Napa producers. "

This iconic winery first planted grapes in 1948, and its tours walk you through those original plantings and share the history of these immaculate vineyards before a tasting at the family home overlooking the Napa Valley.

"I love what Dan Petroski has accomplished at Larkmead," says Master Sommelier Matt Stamp. "He's turned the winery into one of the more serious Cabernet producers in the valley; he's celebrated its history while becoming one of the more outspoken, opinionated winemakers in Napa Valley."

Stamp says there is truly something for everyone to enjoy and learn at Larkmead, and tastings are open to the public and private groups.

"A serious wine geek can catch a glimpse of Napa's rich history at Larkmead or get into a heated conversation about its future with Dan. But mostly, you can enjoy the winery's laid-back atmosphere and service, nestled in one of the valley's prettiest corners."

Mahlstede says Mayacamas is another historic producer in Napa with a property dating back to 1889, though they didn't start making wine until just after Prohibition. One of its most famous bottles is the Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder 2015, which secured the #2 spot on Wine Spectator's 2019 Top 100 List in December.

"Their unique, old-world style of oak aging their wines is refreshing for the region," he says. "These wines are incredibly food-friendly and age-worthy. "

Every vintage of Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon spends at least two years barrel-aging inside the 19th-century winery. Visits to the estate, which include tastings and a tour, are offered Tuesday through Saturday with a reservation. Tastings are available at Mayacamas's downtown Napa location Wednesday through Sunday.

"The winery's Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Oakville Estate are always classic, powerful, rich, and balanced," says Jen Estevez, CMS Advanced Sommelier. "A glass is best enjoyed outdoors lounging by the pond on the sweeping lawns outside the tasting room."

Estevez recommends making the trip to Far Niente in autumn, when you can admire the vivid, changing leaves on the gingo trees lining the road up to the winery. The winery offers three tasting options: a classic Estate Tasting, a Cave Collection Library Tasting, and an Extended Tasting. The latter offers a deeper insight into the wines and grounds, along with a tasting from Far Niente's sister winery, Dolce.

Matthaisson Wines is one of the youngest producers on this list, with production beginning in 2003 by husband-and-wife team Steve and Jill Klein Matthaisson. They produce a balanced mix of popular varieties, along with some more rare grapes, like Ribolla gialla and Refosco.

"Matthaisson has been making organic wines and using sustainable and regenerative agriculture practices since before it was cool," Mahlstede says. "Steve has been a force in the region, working with other farmers and winemakers to improve their farming techniques."

Being ahead of the curve has its rewards. Matthaisson has been awarded Winemaker of the Year by San Francisco Chronicle and Food & Wine, a James Beard Foundation award (plus six nominations), and countless other awards from those respected in the industry. The vineyard offers both in-person and virtual tastings.

Bubbly aficionados will want to put Poe Wines on their radar if it isn't already.

"Samantha Sheehan is absolutely killing it with sparkling wines in Napa," Mahlstede says. "She makes some still wines too but is gaining notoriety for the sparklers. Barely 10 years into its existence, Poe keeps stepping it up with beautiful, elegant, classically styled sparkling wines and bucking the trends of a region's wines based in muscle and opulence."

While Sheehan grows her precious grapes at Farella Vineyards, she has a tasting room in Downtown Napa, Outland Wines, that's open to the public Wednesday through Sunday and also for private tastings with Sheehan. The shop and tasting room features Poe Wines, Farella Vineyards, and Forlorn Hope. You won't want to miss Poe Wines's sparkling rosé.

On 171 acres near one of California's oldest vineyards, fourth-generation winemaker Dario Sattui opened Castello di Amoroso in an authentically styled 13th-century Tuscan castle. Completion of the 121,000-square-foot structure, which contains 107 rooms and four levels above and four levels below ground, required more than 8,000 tons of hand-chiseled local stone, nearly one million antique bricks imported from Europe, and more than 200 containers of antique furnishings shipped from overseas.

Self-guided tours and tastings, as well as guided tours and premium tastings, are available. Reservations are required for groups larger than 14 people.

Situated atop Howell Mountain is Cade Estate, a winery that specializes in Cabernet Sauvignon and comprises two distinct locations: the first-ever LEED Gold-certified estate winery in Napa Valley, designed by architect Juan Carlos Fernandez, and a historic stone winery, built in 1886. Tours and tastings are available by reservation only.

Built into a hillside in 1888, the château at Château Montelena winery is worth a visit even without tasting a single drop of wine. Not only is the setting spectacular—it overlooks a Chinese garden, lake, and vineyard that stretches to the base of Mount St. Helena—but its stone construction and English gothic castle gatehouse style are unique for the region and atypical of the time and place in which it was built. Reservations are suggested for parties of eight or more.

Set foot on the property of Round Pond Estate, and you'll feel like you've just traveled to Italy, thanks to the winery's landscaping, its Mediterranean olive trees and old-world olive mill, and its produce gardens with sensory planting beds that feature flavors found in Round Pond's wines.

Tastings and culinary experiences, such as the garden-to-table brunch on the winery's covered terrace with panoramic views of the Mayacamas mountain range, are available by reservation only.

Visitors to Duckhorn Vineyards are in for a treat: the chance to taste world-class wines in an intimate, home-like setting. The tasting room, which is tucked inside a Victorian-style home with a wrap-around veranda overlooking lush gardens and vineyards, offers portfolio tastings and elevated wine experiences to guests by appointment only.

The family-owned Del Dotto Vineyards boasts three locations in the Napa area. Perhaps its most spectacular, though, is its Venetian-style estate, which pays homage both to the owners' Italian heritage and the region's winemaking history. It features Italian marble walls, frescoes depicting the winemaking process, mosaic floors, crystal chandeliers, and a historic cave that was dug by hand in the 19th century.

Tastings and tour experiences that include a visit to the historic cave are available. Reservations are recommended.

Founded by the family behind Champagne Taittinger, Domaine Carneros winery is best known for its methode traditionnelle sparkling wine, its Pinot Noir, and its château, which has become a landmark in California wine country. Inspired by Taittinger's 18th-century Château de la Marquetterie in Champagne, France, the château features grand gardens, a marble-floored fireside salon, and gorgeous views of vine-covered hill from its expansive terraces. Tours and tastings are available by reservation.

Located at the base of the Mayacama Mountains, Hall Wines's St. Helena winery offers a unique opportunity to experience outstanding contemporary artwork and excellent wine in one of California's most beautiful settings. Reservations are required for the Wine and Art Exploration experience.

Since 1975, when he bought a portion of the Inglenook Estate, director Francis Ford Coppola has been restoring this historic winery and its 19th-century buildings. One such building is the château, built in 1881 by William Mooser, a San Francisco architect, and Hamden W. McIntyre, who oversaw the winery design and would go on to become one of the region's most sought-after winery designers.

Inglenook offers several tastings and tours and is a featured stop on the Napa Valley Wine Train Estate Tour. Reservations are encouraged.

Step back in time at Stags' Leap Winery, one of California's oldest wine estates that has proudly preserved the property's original Victorian-era manor house, built in 1890, and its wine caves, which were blasted in 1893. Although wine production was interrupted during various periods of history (Prohibition, war), wine grapes have been continuously grown on the estate since its founding. Estate tours and tastings are available daily, by reservation only.

A visit to Sterling Vineyards begins with a ride on its unique aerial tram, which affords sweeping views of Napa Valley on the way up to the hilltop winery. And the views only get better at the top: Sterling's stucco Mediterranean-influenced tasting room and terraces overlook gardens and vineyards on all four sides. Tastings and tours are available daily.