Black Cat Vineyard

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 4/5

  • QPR: 4/5, average price $55-95

  • Main varietals: Cab Franc, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon

  • Tasting fee: Mostly members only, waived with purchases

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.4

It used be to a lot harder to find Cab Francs in Napa and I came across Black Cat Vineyard while searching for small wineries with Cab Franc. It’s been on my list for so long because they are mostly members only and when I got the chance to visit, it was a no brainer to join the club. Winemaker Tracey hosts all visits, private tasting on the property overlooking one of her vineyards is beautiful. My favorite was of course the Cab Franc, it is my go-to wine all day every day. But all of her wines are really good, including the Syrah, which I’m usually not a huge fan of. Black Cat is definitely a hidden gem that you don’t want everyone to find but also want to tell everyone about.

More about Black Cat Vineyard: Website, Yelp

The Terraces

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 4/5

  • QPR: 4/5, average price $30-85

  • Main varietals: Refreshing whites (Chenin, Dry Riesling) and reds (Tempranillo, Cab, Cab Franc)

  • Tasting fee: No fee to taste but tour requires you to take home 3 bottles of your choice

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.3

If you like unique tasting experience with a small family winery, Terraces has to be one of the top choices! But also for anyone visiting Napa. Winery is owned by husband and wife and tour/tasting is run by them and their assistant winemaker. Tour starts with a ride on a 4wd through their beautiful property and vineyards and it was so fun! I liked every single wine we tasted and taking home 3 bottles was not hard, we actually ended up buying more than 3.

More about Terraces: Website, Yelp, IG

The Spire Collection

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 4/5

  • QPR: 4/5

  • Main varietals: They’ve got everything. Taste wines from more than 10 different wineries

  • Tasting fee: $60 to taste, waived with 3 bottle purchases

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: N/A

This tasting room has something for everyone. They own a portfolio of various wineries across multiple regions including Napa, Mendocino, Oregon, Australia, South Africa, and Italy. The best part is they customize your tasting so you can fully enjoy every single wine on the flight. Perfect for white wine lovers, Pinot lovers, Bordeaux blend lovers, for anyone who loves wine! We tasted whites from Oregon and Bordeaux style reds from Australia, Napa, and Italy but would love to go back to try different Pinots!

More about Spire Collection: Website, Yelp, IG

Tom Eddy Winery

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 4/5

  • QPR: 4/5, average price $30-150

  • Main varietals: Whites, Rosé, Pinot, Cabernet Sauvignon

  • Tasting fee: $75 to taste, waived with a few bottle purchases

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.3

This small family winery located in northern end of Calistoga has a beautiful view and great wines. It is run by husband and wife team and they host every single tasting group themselves. Tasting experience includes the tour of expansive ground up in the mountain, wine cave, and a picnic. The picnic includes homemade bread, olives, and olive oil (it was so good we bought a bottle) and the entire tasting is everything you want in a wine tasting experience. Wines are of course all really good! I liked every single wine we tasted and ended up bringing back a few bottles home.

More about Tom Eddy: Website, Yelp, IG

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