Kenzo

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 5/5

  • QPR: 4/5

  • Main varietals: Cab Sauv, Cab, Franc, Bordeaux varietals

  • Tasting fee: $50 for a flight, $80 with a tour. Waived with a $300 purchase

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.3

I’m giving 4/5 on QPR even though their tasting fee is $50 and only waived with a $300 purchase because I LOVED their wines and the entire experience. At the time of my visit, I really thought it was perfect. From the wines, vineyard view, host, and estate, the tasting experience was really worth the price. I visited back in 2018 and definitely need to revisit to make sure my memory is correct. I recommend Kenzo to anyone who asks me for a winery recommendation in Napa and every single one of my friends loved it so far. Only downside is they don’t have a club membership program, otherwise I would have seriously considered joining.

More about Kenzo: Website, Yelp, IG

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

Delectus Winery

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 4/5

  • QPR: 3/5

  • Main varietals: Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, Bordeaux varietals

  • Tasting fee: Waived with membership or purchase

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.2

Came across this small winery as their parent company, Vintage Wine Estates, seems to run a lot of digital campaigns. However, this winery still felt like a small family winery and had the most kind and welcoming host. Super cute story behind their label, nice back patio, and good wines. Wines range from $50-100+ but we had a 2 for 1 coupon so was definitely great value for the money and ended up buying a bottle of Cab Franc and French Wedding Cab Sauv.

More about Delectus: Website, Yelp, IG

*Thumbnail photo taken from Delectus.com

Ballentine Vineyard

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 3/5

  • QPR: 5/5

  • Main varietals: Cab Sauv, Merlot, Cab Franc, Bordeaux varietals

  • Tasting fee: $40 Waived with membership or purchase

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.0

Another great recommendation from the Titus team, really great value for the price with bottles ranging from $30-55 for estate and single vineyard wines and $50-100 for reserve wines. Tasting room is small but very cute with a patio overlooking the vineyard. We loved all of their reds, especially the Merlot! Super easy to drink, when we went back to purchase more of the Merlot after a few months, they were sold out already. Our friends who went with us ended up joining the club membership.

More about the winery: Website, Yelp, IG

AXR

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 4/5

  • QPR: 3/5

  • Main varietals: Cab Sauv, Bordeaux varietals But also have one of the best Chardonnays

  • Tasting fee: Waived with membership

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.4

Concierge at Titus vineyards recommended this winery so it’s been on my list for a long time. However, they are a small boutique winery and I wasn’t able to get an appointment as I would usually plan 1-2 days before our drive up to Napa. After reaching out a few times, they were super kind enough to squeeze us in to stop by and purchase a bottle with mini samples to taste before purchasing. Although we didn’t get the full tasting experience, we fully enjoyed the short visit. I usually don’t go out of my way to find a good Chardonnay but LOVED theirs. Super crisp and refreshing. Their red wines were also amazing and we ended up purchasing the signature red blend, Ganzin. We plan on going back for the full experience and purchasing more of their wines.

More about AXR: Website, Yelp, IG