15 Amazing Napa Valley Wineries (Tasting Tours, Top Wines)

Napa Valley wineries are known for their stunning landscapes, memorable vineyard tours, and their outstanding Cabernet, Chardonnay, and Bordeaux blend wines!

The secret lies in the famed terroir and impeccable winemaking practices of the vintners of the Valley.

Let’s take a Napa Valley wine tour and go through 15 excellent Napa Valley wineries in detail, including whether they offer vineyard tours, and brilliant wines to buy. (We’ll also show you a hassle-free way to buy the best Napa Valley wines.)

A Quick Tour Of The Napa Valley Wine Region

The Napa Valley wine region situated in northern California is best known for its classic “Napa Cab” - the oak-aged Cabernet Sauvignon red wine with complex smoky notes.

Besides the terroir-driven Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley also produces creamy Chardonnay, Bordeaux blends, and Merlot wines.

This wine region is home to over 400 wineries, including Screaming Eagle, Opus One, and others like Round Pond, Cakebread Cellars, and Domaine Chandon. So whether you’re looking for tasting experiences, wine clubs, or buying the finest wines, Napa wine country has plenty to offer!

Let’s discover the most unique Napa Valley wineries.

15 Best Napa Valley Wineries to Add to Your Bucket List 

Here are the best wineries in the region, spread across Oakville, St. Helena, Town of Napa, Calistoga and Rutherford.

A. Oakville

Oakville lies to the north of Yountville and south of Rutherford in Napa Valley and is home to some of the best in the Valley.

1. Screaming Eagle

This cult winery and it’s exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon wines became an overnight success in the 1990s. Today, Screaming Eagle wines are considered on par with the best of Bordeaux, including Chateau Latour, Chateau Cheval Blanc, and Chateau Lafite.

This cult winery has always maintained an air of mystery around it. 

If you’re lucky enough to spot it, you can admire the winery from its gates. But the exceptional vineyard fields are practically inaccessible to visitors. Also, the founder, Jean Philips, has never invested in a tasting room. 

As compared to visiting the winery, owning a Screaming Eagle bottle is not as tricky. There are three main ways to get hold of these wines:

• Enter the mailing list. The caveat is that the winery accepts new members very selectively. 
• Look for a Screaming Eagle listing in an auction. 
• Or, try the easiest route - buy an authentic bottle through a trusted wine investment company.

Best Wines To Try:

• 1992 Screaming Eagle 'First Flight of Eagles' The Endangered Species Collection Cabernet Sauvignon (Price: $14,834)
• 2011 Screaming Eagle Sauvignon Blanc (Price: $8,431)

2. Shafer Vineyards

Founded by John Shafer in 1972, Shafer Vineyards is one of the oldest family-owned Napa Valley wineries. It sits between the Stags Leap and Carneros district of Napa Valley (adjacent to Sonoma Valley.)

The winery produces a range of red and white Napa Valley wines from the Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malbec, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Syrah grape varieties.

Shafer Vineyards will not offer private tasting or visits until the end of 2021. But, you can always book a day ahead, drive by during your Napa Valley wine tour, and grab a wine at the curbside.

Best Wines To Try:

• 2002 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon (Price: $595)
• 2001 Shafer Vineyards Sunspot Vineyard 25th Anniversary Cabernet Sauvignon (Price: $371)

3. Harlan Estate

Harlan Estate was founded by Bill Harlan in 1984. 

It produces some of the most sought-after Napa Valley red wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot grapes. 

Don’t miss the exceptional wine tasting experience amid the thriving green terraces and the calm of nature!

Best Wines To Try:

• 1990 Harlan Estate (Price: $5,306)
• 2017 Harlan Estate The Maiden (Price: $560)

4. Tusk Estate

Founded in 2008, Tusk Estate has established itself as a luxury wine brand in the wine industry in only a decade. 

Its Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard lies on the Sonoma Valley side of the Mayacamas Mountains. No wonder the wine reflects nuances of both the Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley terroirs!

You should get hold of their rare Cabernet Sauvignon wines that have a rich texture, concentration, and excellent longevity (of over 25 years.)

This wine estate doesn’t offer a wine tasting or wine tour. To get your hands on one of their authentic bottles, you can join its mailing list.

Best Wines To Try:

• 2011 Tusk Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Price: $1,122)
• 2012 Tusk Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Price: $1,033)

If you're in the UK you can get a case of fine Napa Valley wine at VinoSelect.

5. Promontory

Bill Harlan bought Promontory in 2008, enchanted by its isolated location amidst the Napa forests. The estate vineyards are situated on steep slopes and are mostly planted with Cabernet Sauvignon. They also have small portions of Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. 

Promontory offers one of the best wine tasting experiences in Napa Valley. Sip a flute of Dom Perignon, followed by a winery tour, and end your visit by sipping delicious wines in the tasting room. 

Best Wines To Try:

• 2008 Promontory (Price: $1,350)
• 2014 Promontory Penultimate (Price: $935)

6. Opus One Winery

The Opus One winery is owned by two legendary winemakers - Baron Philippe de Rothschild (owner of Chateau Mouton Rothschild) and Robert Mondavi (a Napa Valley winemaker.)

The partnership between Old World and New World winemakers is reflected in the luscious Bordeaux-style blends. 

These age-worthy Napa Valley wine blends comprise Cabernet Sauvignon primarily, with small quantities of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. 

If you visit Napa Valley, make a reservation for an Opus One wine tasting experience. Walk through the beautiful terraces, experience the panoramic views of the estate vineyards, and taste a few selected wines.

Best Wines To Try:

• 2010 Opus One Vertical Collection (Price: $3,383)
• 1979 Opus One (Price: $1,276)

7. Turnbull Wine Cellars

Founded in 1979, Turnbull Wine Cellars is a familiar name among Napa wine lovers.

Turnbull varietal wines include Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. It also produces a Cabernet Franc rose and red blended wine “Analogy.”

Turnbull owns four properties across Napa Valley - three in Oakville and a 100+ acre vineyard in Calistoga.

Book a reservation to experience the beautiful winery and wine tasting tour at Turnbull. Enjoy wine tasting in small tasting spaces set among the vineyards and gardens.

Best Wines To Try:

• 1999 Turnbull Wine Cellars Oakville Red (Price: $499)
• 2014 Turnbull Wine Cellars Pierra Cabernet Sauvignon (Price: $350)

8. Silver Oak Cellars

This Napa winery was founded by Raymond Twomey Duncan and winemaker Justin Meyer in 1972. 

It’s Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon wines are 85-90% Cabernet Sauvignon with the rest being Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot.

You can book a wine tasting experience that begins at the iconic water tower and includes a wine tasting at the Glass House Library (that displays vintages as old as the 1970s.)

Best Wines To Try:

• 1983 Silver Oak Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Vertical Collection (Price: $248)
• 1991 Silver Oak Cellars Bonny's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Price: $264)

B. St. Helena

The St. Helena wine region also houses some of the best Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon winemakers. 

9. Ghost Horse Vineyards

The owner and winemaker of Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards, Todd Anderson, started producing wine (the 2000 vintage) in the late 90s but didn’t release it until 2009. This exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon took the wine industry by storm! 

Currently, this Napa winery produces five unique Cabernet Sauvignon wines and a rich Chardonnay. 

You can enjoy a memorable wine tasting tour (including the unique cigar and wine pairing experience), fantastic dinner experiences, and lively barbeque dinners inside the premises.

Best Wines To Try:

• Ghost Horse Vineyard 'Premonition' Cabernet Sauvignon (Price: $5,999)
• 2013 Ghost Horse Vineyard 'Spectre' Cabernet Sauvignon (Price: $5,295)

10. Beringer

Beringer is a historic winery in Napa Valley that was established in 1876 by two brothers - Jacob and Frederick Beringer.

Beringer primarily makes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay wines with some Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Bordeaux-style blends.

In 2004, Beringer sold the world’s biggest bottle of wine (a 130L bottle of Maximum Cabernet Sauvignon) for $55,810 at a Sotheby's charity auction.

Inside the Beringer wine estate, you can soak in the magnificent Victorian architecture and lush gardens. It has closed its indoor tasting room, but you can book an appointment for an outdoor wine tasting and enjoy the beautiful vineyard views.

Best Wines To Try:

• 2016 Beringer Vineyards 'Eighth Maker' Cabernet Sauvignon (Price: $450)
• 2014 Beringer Vineyards Vogt Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain (Price: $171)

C. Town Of Napa

The largest town in Napa Valley, the Town of Napa houses some of the best Napa Valley wineries. Downtown Napa is a popular destination for a picnic lunch and wine tasting experience.

11. Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars is owned by Chateau Ste. Michelle of Washington and Marchesi Antinori of Italy. It lies in the famous Silverado Trail of Napa Valley wine country.

The winery produces classic Napa blended wines made primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon. It also produces Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc white wines. 

Stag’s Leap offers wine tasting, winery tours (of its beautiful wine caves), and various winery events for wine lovers. You can book an appointment to drop into the tasting rooms - the tasting fee is $75, which includes tasting and wine pairings.

Best Wines To Try:

• 1978 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Estate 'Cask 23' Cabernet Sauvignon (Price: $637)
• 2017 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars 'Lot No. 2' Cabernet Sauvignon (Price: $238)

D. Calistoga

Another leading wine region of the Napa wine country, Calistoga is known for its Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel wines.

12. Diamond Creek

Al and Boots Brounstein founded Diamond Creek in 1968. It is the first wine estate of California to be dedicated to producing a single variety of wine - Cabernet Sauvignon. 

The wines reflect the exceptional terroir of its vineyard plots comprising three unique soils - shallow alluvial soil, dusty ash-based soil, and rich red rocky soils. 

These exceptional terroir-driven wines often fetch high prices at wine auctions. For example, at the second annual Napa Valley Wine Auction, a case of Diamond Creek’s Cabernet Sauvignon was sold for $5,400. 

The winery is currently not offering wine tasting tours, but you can join their mailing list to get pre-release notifications.

Best Wines To Try:

• 1992 Diamond Creek Lake Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Price: $1,016)
• 1982 Diamond Creek Collection Cabernet Sauvignon (Price: $763)

13. Castello Di Amorosa

The architecture of the Castello di Amorosa winery in south Calistoga was a replica of a 13th-century Tuscan castle.

Castello di Amorosa produces a range of wines from Italian and French grape varieties like Sangiovese, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. 

A great wine by Castello di Amorosa is Sinalunga which displays the smoky flavors of Cabernet Sauvignon. It also produces Chardonnay and Pinot Noir sparkling wines.

You’ll need to make a reservation to attend a wine tasting. A 75-minute wine tasting will let you explore the finest flavors of Castello di Amorosa in the main tasting room, taste its delicious Belgian chocolates, and enjoy the beautiful vineyard views of Calistoga.

Best Wines To Try:

• 2013 Castello di Amorosa Sinalunga (Price: $297)
• 2014 Castello di Amorosa Melanson Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Price: $297)

E. Rutherford

Located in the south of St. Helena and north of Oakville, the Rutherford appellation is one of the finest wine regions of the Napa Valley wine country.

14. Inglenook

The Inglenook winery was founded by a Finnish Sea Captain, Gustave Niebaum, when he purchased the first Inglenook vineyard in 1879.

Today, Inglenook produces a range of red wines from the classic Napa grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Zinfandel. The flagship Inglenook red is a Bordeaux-style wine, Rubicon.

Inglenook also produces a white wine, “Blancaneaux,” a Rhone-style white blend made from Roussanne, Marsanne, and Viognier grape varieties.

You can reserve a 60-minute virtual wine tasting with the wine educators at Inglenook winery at a tasting fee of $60-$250.

Best Wines To Try:

• 2013 Rubicon Estate Inglenook 'Rubicon' Red (Price: $203)
• 1988 Rubicon Estate Inglenook Petite Sirah (Price: $179)

15. Scarecrow

The Scarecrow winery was founded by Joseph Judson Cohn (Chief of Production at MGM) in the early 1900s. But the winery didn’t start producing wines under its own label until Cohn’s grandson, Brett Lopez, took over the estate. 

Today, the winery makes two Cabernet Sauvignon wines - its flagship Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon and M. Etain. 

The winery doesn’t offer wine tasting experiences, but you can buy a Scarecrow wine by joining its mailing list. But, only a few eligible members get hold of its flagship wine. 

Best Wines To Try:

• 2007 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon (Price: $1,194)
• 2013 Scarecrow 'M. Etain' Cabernet Sauvignon (Price: $362)

Other Noteworthy Napa Valley Wineries

If you’re planning to visit a Napa Valley winery for a picnic lunch, then here are some more wineries that you visit for their amazing sceneries, lively wine tour and wine tasting events.

• Robert Mondavi: This prestigious California winery offers wine tasting and winery tours.
• Domaine Carneros: Domaine Carneros was founded by the Taittinger Champagne house. The Carneros vineyard plots are planted with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and they focus on producing Champagne-like sparkling wine. 

You should try the estate’s wine tasting experience that’ll take you on a complete tour of the royal settings and vineyards, and a tasting paired with a charcuterie board.

• Beaulieu Vineyard: Beaulieu Vineyard specializes in Bordeaux-style wines. You can join the Beaulieu Vineyard wine club to get quarterly shipments of their California wines.
• V. Sattui: The V. Sattui winery produces a range of wines - Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery offers food pairing and tasting tours through reservations.
• Maycamas: It is located in downtown Napa (a short drive from San Francisco Bay.) You can visit its tasting room and green vineyards.

In addition to these, there are several others in Calistoga, Yountville, and Los Carneros like Round Pond, Domaine Chandon (Yountville), Cakebread Cellars, Chateau Montelena, Far Niente, and O’Shaughnessy (the Howell Mountain), Oak Knoll.

Now:

How about buying some authentic Napa Valley wines?

The top Napa Valley wineries have limited annual production. Some of them require you to become a member of their mailing lists or enter their prestigious wine club to be able to buy their finest bottles. 

This can take you months (or even years.)

Here’s an easier way out:

Buy A Fine Napa Valley Or Any Other Collectible Wine Through Vinovest

The leading wine investment firm, Vinovest, can help you build a collection of wines from anywhere in the world, store it under perfect conditions, and even sell for a profitable sum.

Vinovest will source your wine from wineries in Sonoma Valley, Bordeaux, and many other regions. 

They’ll ensure the authenticity of the bottle, insure it, curate your wine portfolio, and help you sell your wine at the right time. And all of this at a minimal annual fee of 2.5% (1.9% for a portfolio of $50,000.)

All you need to do is sign up on the website.

Add An Exceptional Napa Valley Wine To Your Cellar!

You’ll find something unique in each Napa Valley winery - scenic beauty, brilliant winemaking, tasting experiences, delicious wines, and more!

Apart from wine tasting experiences in the best Napa Valley wineries, you should consider buying some of the finest Napa wines for your collection.

Sign up on the Vinovest website and add a brilliant Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley, or any other fine wine to your cellar right away.