Rivers Marie Vineyards

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 3/5

  • QPR: 4/5, average price $60-100

  • Main varietals: Pinot, Cabernet, Chardonnay

  • Tasting fee: $75, waived with a 3 bottle purchase

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.3

If you have been to a few different Napa wineries, you might have heard of the winemaker! Thomas Rivers Brown makes wines and consults for a number of different wineries in Napa, all very highly rated and scored. Tasting experience here is private and customized. They contact you after you make your reservation to ask what you like and make sure your tasting flight reflects your preference. Place is super modern in a glass enclosed room and green plant wall. I loved all the wines, but especially loved all the Cabs we tasted. It is also a treat to be able to taste high quality Cab AND Pinot at the same tasting room in Napa.

More about Rivers Marie: Website, Yelp

A Rafanelli Winery

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 3/5

  • QPR: 4/5, average price $40-100

  • Main varietals: Cab, Red Blend

  • Tasting fee: $10, Waived with a bottle purchase per tasting

  • Average wine rating on Vivino:

Depending on the time of the year, they might have 2-3 red wines available to taste. It is a small winery that produces Merlot, Zin, Red Blend, Cab Sauv, and Premium Cab Sauv (Terrace Select). Casual but also private experience. When we visited, they showed us around the cave and wines were pretty good. They usually sell out of their Cabs within couple months of release so we didn’t get to taste. We left with a bottle of their blend and ended up purchasing their cab when I saw it for sale online. If you are planning a trip to Healdsburg and like small wineries with a private experience, definitely recommend!

More about A Rafanelli: Website, Yelp, IG