Domaine Carneros

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 5/5

  • QPR: 4/5

  • Main varietals: Sparkling reds and whites

  • Tasting fee: $40. Waived with membership

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.1

Domaine Carneros is almost a must stop for anyone visiting Napa with its iconic Chateau and fun bubblies flight. It probably comes up for any searches similar to “Wineries to visit in Napa.” If you are driving into Napa, view of their Chateau is hard to miss. It’s a popular and well-known spot so it can get slightly crowded on weekends but it’s worth a visit. Great for girls trip!

More about Domaine Carneros: Website, Yelp, IG

Thumbnail images taken from Domaine Carneros' official IG

Caymus Vineyard

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 4/5

  • QPR: 3/5

  • Main varietals: Cab Sauvignon

  • Tasting fee: $50. Waived with membership

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.6

Caymus’s Cab is probably liked by most wine drinkers and you can probably find them at most wine stores. It was one of the first wineries I’ve visited and I instantly fell in love with the green walkway as we entered the tasting area. They also have a super cute outdoor patio area. Tasting used to come with a wine glass to take home but not sure if that’s still the case. I haven’t gone back in the last few years but it’s a nice spot if you want to include a well-known winery in your itinerary.

More about Caymus: Website, Yelp, IG



Thumnail image from Caymus official website

Inglenook

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 5/5

  • QPR: 3/5

  • Main varietals: Cab Sauv, Bordeaux varietals

  • Tasting fee: $60, Waived with membership

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.3

Relatively a large winery owned by Francis Ford Coppola. I’ve visited twice, back in 2014 and again in 2018. For some reason remember the first visit to be better than the second but overall had a good experience with a fun tasting inside the cave. It is a bit pricey with $60 tasting fee that does not get waived with purchase and bottles ranging from $55-200. From the entrance, vineyard view, chateau, and the cave, worth it if you like Bordeaux varietals and are looking to impress your date.

More about Inglenook: Website, Yelp, IG

Thumbnail photo from Inglenook.com

Chateau St Jean

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 5/5

  • QPR: 3/5, average price $20-100

  • Main varietals: Cab Sauv, Pinot, Sparkling, Whites

  • Tasting fee: $45 for reserve tasting. Waived with membership (not with purchase)

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 3.8

Chateau St Jean is one of the larger wineries that distributes number of their wines to retailers. You can see their wines at most grocery stores but I would say highlight of their tasting experience is the beautiful building and the grounds. Their outdoor patio is super cute and looks out to the vineyards and a large grass area that looks like an outdoor event space. You are greeted with a glass of sparkling rosé (great casual weekday or weekend brunch sparkling) and they have a good selection of Cab, Pinot, Chardonnay, and Bordeaux blends. They used to offer two different tasting experiences but now only seem to offer reserve outdoor tasting. Recommend if you like trying different varieties of wines and want to take cute photos at the winery!

More about Chateau st Jean: Website, Yelp, IG




V. Sattui

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 4/5

  • QPR: 4/5, average price $30-80

  • Main varietals: Variety of reds, whites, and sparklings

  • Tasting fee: $45, waived with membership

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.2

V. Sattui is a sister winery to another well-known Napa winery Castello di Amorosa. I’ve been to V. Sattui multiple times but mostly for their deli/BBQ lunch at their picnic area. I can’t speak much about the tasting experience or their wines because it’s been a few years since I did a tasting there. However, it’s a great stop for lunch or just to hangout for couple hours as they have great food and picnic table where you can open one of their bottles. The ground is also beautiful with a main building that reminds you of somewhere in Italy and abundance of greenery.

More about V. Sattui: Website, Yelp, IG

Thumbnail photo from V.Sattui official IG