Paloma Vineyard

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 4/5

  • QPR: 4/5, average price $50-80

  • Main varietals: Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon

  • Tasting fee: Complimentary tasting!

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.4

This place is a real hidden gem! It might be the only winery in Napa that is still providing a free tasting, and quality of experience is top notch. You are greeted by the owner and he offers a vertical tasting of their famous Merlots that won Wine Spectator award in 2003. We tasted 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and bought a bottle of 2012! Tasting is private, overlooking the Spring Mountain. It is probably not for a big group looking to drink free wine but for those interested small family wineries looking for an intimate experience.

More about Paloma: Website, Yelp, IG

Thumbnail image from Paloma's official IG

Amizetta

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 5/5

  • QPR: 4/5, average price $60-75

  • Main varietals: Cab Franc, Petit Verdot, Cab Sauv

  • Tasting fee: $75, waived after purchasing 3 bottles

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.5

Amazing wine AND view, currently one of my favorite places to visit in Napa. You will have to drive up the road in the Howell Mountain area for about 20 minutes from the main Silverado trail but the experience is well worth the drive. Not only you have a panoramic view of the Lake Hennessey and their vineyard, great wines if you are a big red wine lover. Tasting patio is private enough for your party so you can enjoy without much disruption. Perfect spot for a special occasion or for any weekend when you want to relax, drink wine, and take in all the views.

More about Amizetta: Website, IG, Yelp

Gibbs Vineyards

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 4/5

  • QPR: 5/5, average price $25-30

  • Main varietals: Cab Franc, Cab Sauv, red blend, Sauv Blanc, Chardonnay

  • Tasting fee: Waived with purchase

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.1

Small family owned Napa winery mostly only known to locals and their referrals. The most amazing quality to price ratio in Napa with average red wines priced at $25-35/bottle. Don’t let the price fool you though, their wines are as good as $60-80 wines in the area. They have owned their land since long ago and do a lot of private label sales, allowing them to keep the price lower on the Gibbs label. They don’t have a formal tasting program but take referrals to do a tour of their vineyard and tasting in the private property. Really personal and private. I’m imagining the experience I had at Gibbs to be a typical Napa experience 10+ years ago and loved every minute of the visit. No fancy buildings but great view of the vineyard and a walnut tree lane. Definitely planning on going back when it will be more lush and green.

More about Gibbs Vineyard: Website, IG, no Yelp page

Thumbnail image of walnute trees from Gibbs' official IG

Titus Vineyards

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 3/5

  • QPR: 5/5, average price $35-150

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

  • Tasting fee: $40. Waived with membership or with purchase

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.1

I don’t fully remember how I found Titus Vineyards, but am so glad I did. Their wines are so good and price for value (especially for Napa) is amazing, you can find a good bottle or whites or reds for $30-60. They do have more expensive bottles at $80-100 that are also really good for more special nights. We ended up joining their club during the first visit and I stop by the tasting room, either to taste or to pick up a few bottles, almost every time I’m in Napa. The winemaker also makes wines for Chappellet, larger another great winery. Titus seems lesser known relative to big name wineries in Napa but it checks off all the boxes for me and it is high on my list of recommendations. My favorites, considering QPR, are Merlot, Cab Franc, and Sauvignon Blanc.

More about Titus: Website, Yelp, IG

Elyse Winery

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 3/5

  • QPR: 4/5

  • Main varietals: Cab Sauv, Bordeaux varietals

  • Tasting fee: $40 per person, waived with a three bottle purchase

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.1

One of the smaller family owned winery with a cute little tasting room. I visited while searching for an appointment only, small family owned winery and was really glad I came across Elyse. Wines were overall enjoyable and I ended up purchasing one of the more expensive bottles (2013 Morisoli Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon) in order to meet the minimum $ to get our tasting fee waived. We opened the bottle during a steak dinner not too long ago and it was absolutely amazing.

If you like Napa reds and are looking for a smaller and but cute winery experience, you will be happy at Elyse!

More about them: Website, Yelp, IG