Natalie's Estate Winery

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 3/5

  • QPR: 4/5, average price $30

  • Main varietals: Pinot, Cab Sauv, Cab Franc

  • Tasting fee: $25, waived with purchase

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 3.9

Natalie’s is a charming little tasting house with a wide variety of reds. You actually feel like you are tasting at your friends house and it made it feel more intimidate and fun. Although Willamette Valley is known for Pinot, I wanted to include a winery that makes other varietals like Cab and Merlot. We actually liked their Cab Sauvignon and Cab Franc better than the Pinot and ended up purchasing few bottles to take home. Recommend if you are looking to taste something other than Pinot in Willamette Valley.

More about Natalies: Website, Yelp, IG

Thumbnail image from Natalie's official IG

Turnbull

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 3/5

  • QPR: 3/5, average price $80-150

  • Main varietals: Cab Sauv, Bordeaux varietals

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

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.2

Turnbull’s Cabernet Sauvignon are fairly easy to find at any wine shops and it has been on my list to visit after trying a glass. Tasting room has additional higher priced Cabs from different regions and they were all very tasty. Although bottles are on the pricier side ($80+), I liked all the wines that were on the tasting flight and ended up purchasing two bottles (Oakville reserve cab and Can Franc, partly also because it would waive the tasting fee) and even considered joining their club. If you love big bold Napa Cabs (or have tried their widely distributed Cab), would recommend stopping by.

More about Turnbull: Website, Yelp, IG

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