Paradigm Winery

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 3/5

  • QPR: 4/5, average price $50-100

  • Main varietals: Cab Sauv, Bordeaux varietals

  • Tasting fee: Waived with membership or purchase of 3 bottles

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.4

I’ve already written about how much I loved Kenzo and when I found out their wine maker, Heidi Barrett, also makes wine for Paradigm, I had to try to visit! Winery is small and the tasting experience is very casual and personal. They have a small outdoor table and also room for few people indoors. We were the only group there when we went, and it was a great private experience. Enjoyed and ended up purchasing their Rosé of Merlot, Cab Franc, and Merlot. If you would like a casual yet private experience with good wines, definitely recommend! Don’t expect fancy chateaus or gardens but you do have a nice view of the vineyard from the tasting table.

More about Paradigm: Website, Yelp, IG

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

Ehlers Estate

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 4/5

  • QPR: 4/5

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

  • Tasting fee: $50, Waived with membership or with 3 bottle purchase

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.4

Not only their wines are great, 100 percent of the profits go to support heart research. I remember thinking wines were ok during the tasting but when we opened a bottle of Cab Franc and Petit Verdot at home, I regretted not buying more. It’s always been appointments only even before COVID and tasting experience is fairly private with your dedicated area and host. Definitely worth the stop if you like Petit Verdot, Cab Franc, or Cab Sauv.

More about Ehlers: Website, Yelp, IG

Tasting room image from Ehlers’ official website

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

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