Arietta

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 4/5

  • QPR: 3/5, average price $60-150

  • Main varietals: Bordeaux Blends (white and Red)

  • Tasting fee: official website says $75, waived with 3 bottle purchases

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.3

We absolutely love Arietta wines and the tasting experience with the owner Fritz was amazing. He only takes small group of people via referrals and host tasting at the beautiful Hudson Vineyards property. I got to try their red blend, Quartet, and thought I definitely have to taste all other wines. I wasn’t wrong! we loved all the wines and ended up purchasing way too many bottles. Highly recommend if you love Bordeaux varietals. Their white blend was super interesting and fun as well.

More about Arietta: Website, Yelp, IG

Hyde Estate

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 4/5

  • QPR: 3/5, average price $45-80

  • Main varietals: Pinot, Chardonnay, Merlot

  • Tasting fee: $50 to taste, waived with a membership

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.2

Beautiful winery in Carneros with and expansive view of vineyards. We went while mustard flowers were in full bloom and loved the outdoor tasting table looking out the vineyard. They have been selling grapes to other more well-known wineries and have quality wines. We enjoyed their Viognier, Pinot, and Merlot!

More about Hyde Estate: Website, Yelp, IG

Kelly Fleming Wines

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 4/5

  • QPR: 3/5, average price $40-165

  • Main varietals: Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon

  • Tasting fee: $75, waived with 3 bottles

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.4

Small winery in Calistoga that hosts small group, mostly private, tastings. They have a beautiful covered outdoor dining area and a cool wine cave. While tasting and bottles are not on the cheaper side, wines were really good! We left with a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and the “Big Pour.” Recommend for small groups or couples looking for a more intimate and private experience!

More about Kelly Fleming: Website, Yelp, IG

Lola

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 3/5

  • QPR: 5/5, average price $20-50

  • Main varietals: Dry Riesling, Pinot, Cab

  • Tasting fee: $30, waived with 3 bottles

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.1

Lola is a tasting house in downtown Calistoga (no vineyard views but cute setting). They have an adorable outdoor patio where you can taste 5 wines for $30 or the entire line up for $50 (10 different wines). It’s a small family owned winery and the wine maker and his wife is usually around saying hi and introducing the wines to people. We visited during the Valentine’s weekend and they had a sweet surprise treat and also took Polariods for everyone to keep! Loved spending time there and ended up buying a bottle of Dry Riesling and two different Pinot Noirs.

More about Paloma: Website, Yelp, IG

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