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

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