Napa Valley is an incredible destination to add to your list! We spent 2 days there and it was a blast. I loved the beautiful scenery, little downtown, and of course, ALL THE WINE! Here are 3 must-see wineries in Napa Valley, California.
Favorite Wineries
MacRostie Winery Estate House
MacRostie Winery and Vineyards was named ‘Best Winery in Sonoma’ and ‘Best Tasting Room in Napa Valley and Sonoma’ at San Francisco Magazine’s ‘Best of Wine Country Awards’. Of all the wineries we visited, this was by far the prettiest!
We did the seated tasting experience ($35 per person) which highlights 5 wines, with a focus on their single-vineyard Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs from the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast.
A few wines we enjoyed are as follows:
- MacRostie Wildcat Mountain Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014: Dark garnet in color, this complex and alluring wine displays a nose layered with aromas of red cherry and cinnamon spice. On the palate sophisticated elements of cocoa and leather combine with the red berry fruit and spice, giving this wine a strong mid-palate and a lengthy finish.
- MacRostie Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2018: Opulent in the glass, this wine has a garnet color and ripe black currant aromas. The palate is dynamic and bright, with vibrant flavors of plum, baking spice and cocoa underscored by a firm, acid-driven structure and fine dusty tannins that carry through to a lingering finish.
- MacRostie Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2019: On the nose, beautiful aromas of tropical fruit, melon and perfumed lemon mingle with hints of slate, wet chalk and intriguing floral notes of jasmine and orange blossom. The lush tropical fruit is echoed on the velvety palate, with flavors of pineapple and guava giving way to layers of stone fruit, Key lime pie, Asian pear and yellow apple, all of which flow to a long, luxurious finish.
- 2018 Clockwise Red Blend: Our Clockwise Napa Valley Red Wine was crafted using the five traditional Bordeaux varietals and is composed of 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 16% Malbec, 16% Cabernet Franc, and 8% Petit Verdot, yielding a layered and complex Cabernet-based red blend in a more classically Old World style.
- 2018 Dutton Ranch: Pale yellow in color with complex aromas of ripe pineapple, green melon and a touch of honeysuckle.
My favorite of them all was the Dutton Ranch! Everyone in my party really enjoyed the Wildcat Pinot as well.
V. Sattui Winery
V. Sattui Winery is a family-owned winery in Napa Valley with award-winning wines, wine tasting, weddings, experiences, artisan deli and picnic grounds. We did the premium outdoor tasting which was $45 per person. The tasting fee here gets you 5 glasses of your choice from their menu that day.
I tried the following wines:
- 2020 Sauvignon Blanc: This beautifully structured Sauvignon Blanc has a tropical nose and balanced acidity, along with a subtle spice and fig-like quality. Pairs wonderfully with a variety of light salads, chicken, and shellfish.
- 2018 Chardonnay, Los Carneros, Estate: Pure and clean, this 100% Chardonnay has ripe pear, fig and honeydew notes that glide gracefully through the finish with flavors of white peach.
- 2019 Off-Dry Riesling, North Coast: Exotic, floral aroma of honeysuckle, gardenia and fresh white peach draw you in to tropical flavors of mango, guava, and a touch of pineapple on the palate. Bright acidity balances its lush fruitiness resulting in a dried fruit quality and subtle minerality in the finish.
- 2020 Gamay Rouge: Our famous lightly sweet rosé; strawberry and cranberry notes with bright acidity.
- Muscat: Aromas of orange blossom and lychee, this perfect dessert wine is light and sweet with flavors of peaches and melon.
Of the above, my favorites were the Sauvignon Blanc and the Gamay Rouge. The rosé was different than any other rosé I’ve tasted (in a good way!) The cranberry flavor and color were so unique!
Peju Winery
Peju is a small, family owned and operated winery located in the heart of the Napa Valley. Farming organically and sustainably, their estate-grown fruit develops into wines that exhibit a graceful pairing of power and elegance.
While at Peju, we enjoyed the seated tasting of 5 current release wines. Throughout the tasting, we learned about Peju’s history, winemaking style, and the story behind each wine. The tasting is $50 per person. Make sure you make a reservation in advance! We even tried a delicious cheese board along with our wine.
Of all the wineries, the wines at Peju were our absolute favorite. The entire property was incredibly aesthetically pleasing. I could have wandered the property for hours! At the end of the tasting, we did buy a bottle to bring home!
Headed to Napa Valley?
I hope you have an incredible trip! A few weeks prior to your trip, I’d recommend making reservations. Unfortunately, we made the mistake of not making reservations in advance and while we got to see three incredible wineries, we found out the hard way that most wineries require advanced reservations. Additionally, if you know that you will be tasting wines and drinking, please make arrangements for a safe ride between locations. During our time in Napa Valley, we had a designated driver for our entire trip, but I have also heard great things about the Napa Valley Wine Train! There’s also always Uber and Lyft.
Bit by the travel bug?
Check out some of my past vacay posts here to inspire your future travels!
