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

Navarro Vineyards

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 5/5

  • QPR: 5/5, average price $20-55

  • Main varietals: Variety of whites, reds (Pinot, Cab), and dessert wine

  • Tasting fee: Complimentary tasting!

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.0

This adorable spot with a beautiful outdoor patio area and expansive vineyard view used to offer complimentary bar tastings pre-COVID (they are currently closed for tastings but offer bottle pick-ups). They are super friendly and fun and wines are just as great. Can’t remember the last time I visited a winery with complimentary tasting (regardless of purchase) but I ended up buying multiple bottles anyways! Even if it isn’t complimentary, it’s well worth the visit if you will be driving through Anderson Valley

More about Navarro: Website, Yelp, IG

Thumbnail image from Navarro's official IG