Napa Hidden Wineries | Secret Wineries in the Napa Valley
Buehler Vineyards View
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Believe it or not, there are some hidden
wineries in the Napa Valley. It is hard to escape the crowds when visiting
the Napa Valley especially on weekends. These wineries of the Napa Valley
are sure to be less touristy. Some of these wineries are open by appointment
only but don't let that discourage you. They love to have visitors and
will make you feel at home. There are several other hidden wineries in
the Napa Valley but these are our favorites. |
Our Choice of Hidden Wineries in the Napa Valley
• Elyse Winery – Delicious
and full flavored red wines
• Tres Sabores – Certified
organic vineyards, great Zinfandel
• Chappellet Winery – Hillside
setting, exquisite wines (Book
a Tour/Tasting)
• Buehler Vineyards – Great
views, family winery, great prices
• Amizetta Winery - Cabernet Specialist, beautiful vistas
• Corison Winery - Cathy Corison makes beautiful
Cabernet
• Tudal Family Winery - Since 1979, Visit the old
Tractor Shed
• Smith-Madrone - A throwback in time on Spring
Mountain
• Nichelini Winery - Oldest continuous family
winery in Napa Valley
• Somerston - Experience an all-terrain vineyard
tour in the mountains
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More information on hidden wineries of the Napa Valley. Back Lane Wineries of NapaBack Lane Wineries of Napa
Winery Descriptions, Driving Directions, Tasting Room Hours, Contact
Information
Elyse Winery
The Elyse Winery is
on Hoffman Lane on the west side of Highway 29 as you near Yountville.
If you are traveling north from Napa, you will probably miss Hoffman
Lane. That's a good thing because it is a dangerous left turn to
get to Hoffman and Elyse on the west side of Highway 29. For safety
sake, we encourage visitors to forget the left turn and instead
exit a mile ahead at the first Yountville exit. Turn under the
freeway and get back on Highway 29 going south. Technically, the
winery is open by appointment only but will take visitors just
about any time between 10 and 5. The owners are Ray Coursen and
his wife Nancy. Ray does the winemaking and makes delicious red wines. One
of our favorites is the Nero Mista, a blend of red varietals that makes a
very food friendly and balanced wine.
Tasting room open daily by appointment only, 707-944-2900
E-mail:
info@elysewinery.com, Elyse
Tres Sabores
Julie Johnson is the owner and winemaker of this secret and hidden
winery near the base of the Mayacamus Mountains. You will need
to call ahead to make an appointment and chances are Julie will lead you
on a vineyard tour and have you taste her wonderful wines. Julie's
Cabernet and Zinfandel vineyards are certified organic. You will
see bat and owl houses, cover plants, and other sustainable farming
practices. This a great trip out to the ranch and something you
will not soon forget.
Tasting room is open by appointment only, 707-967-8027
E-mail:
jaj@tressabores.com, Tres Sabores
Chappellet Winery
Chappellet winery is one
of those wonderful hidden wineries and a secret place that remains
largely an undiscovered treasure in the Napa Valley. The location
is off the beaten path on the eastern mountains of the Napa Valley
and open by appointment only, so visitors tend not to flock to
the Chappellet Winery. Chappellet is located near Hennessey Lake
on Highway 128 about three miles east of the Silverado Trail.
The views are fantastic. Chappellet is best known for its Cabernet
Sauvignon grown on the estate hillside vineyard known as Pritchard
Hill. If you would like to visit Chappellet, call
the winery or visit their Web site to reserve a scheduled tour
spot. (Book
a Tour/Tasting)
Tasting room is by appointment only Mon. - Fri. by reservation
at 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., and on
Sat. and Sun. by reservation
at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., 1-800-494-6379 ex. 4270.
E-mail:
toursandtastings@chappellet.com, Chappellet
Buehler Vineyards
You won't find too many visitors at Buehler because the winery
is open by appointment only and the winery's location is at the
base of Howell Mountain, some six miles in from the Silverado
Trail. Don't let this stop you from visiting, the views are breathtaking
and the wines are a great value. The winery has 55 acres of hillside
vineyards planted with Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. The
Cab and the Zin are priced very fairly and taste twice as good
as many Napa wines at twice the price.
Tasting room open by appointment only, 707-963-2155
E-mail: buehlers@pacbell.net, Buehler
Amizetta
Winery
Combine a visit to Buehler Vineyard with Amizetta Winery. It is only
about another mile along this same road. Watch for the signs.
This is another wonderful family-owned winery. The emphasis at Amizetta
is Cabernet Sauvignon made is small lots. The owners are Spencer
and Amizetta Clark but two of their sons, Perry and Edward, are taking
the helm at the winery. They are making the wine and leading tours
and tasting. Be sure to call ahead for your appointment. Make a day
of it with your picnic lunch and visit both Amizetta and Buehler.
Tasting room open by appointment only, 707-963-1460
E-mail: amizettacab@gmail.com, Amizetta
Corison Winery
Even this winery is right on Highway 29 just north of Zinfandel Lane, most
travelers miss this winery because the beautiful green barn is set back from
the roadway. It is very easy to miss. Cathy Corison is one of Napa Valley's
first women winemakers and is well recognized by her colleagues as one of the
more influential winemakers in the entire Valley. Her Corison Cabernet wines
have long been noted for their quality and character.
Tasting room open daily even though is says by appointment, 707-963-0826
E-mail:bob@corison.com, Corison
Winery
Tudal Family Winery
Tudal Family Winery is a 3000 case winery located in the St. Helena
AVA. Hardly anyone knows about this great little winery because it
is hidden off Big Tree Road just north of St. Helena. Look for the
entrance to the Bale Grist Mill State Park traveling north. When
you past it,
look for Old Big Tree Road coming in on the right. Tudal has picnic tables
and a Bocce court. Tasting is done in the old Tractor Shed during
the winter months. When the days are nice and warm, tastings are
held outside. Mention us and you may get a discount on the tasting
fee. Call ahead for an appointment.
Tasting Room is open by appointment, 707-963-3947, Tudal
Smith-Madrone
Winery
It all started in 1971 when the Smith
Brothers purchased land on Spring Mountain to begin their amazing story
of making wine in the Napa Valley. You won’t find a fancy tasting
room or barrel room, or any merchandise for sale. The only thing you
will find is just pure, honest, old-fashioned conversation and a passion
for making good wine. Yes, Smith-Madrone represents the good old days
of the Napa Valley. Visitors are welcome at Smith-Madrone, but call
ahead to make sure someone is there to show you around. It is a beautiful
ride up Spring Mountain and even more beautiful to experience this
style of the Napa Valley
Tasting Room is open by appointment Monday to Saturday, 707 963 2283,
Smith-Madrone
Nichelini Winery
This is the oldest, continuously-run family winery in the Napa Valley.
The winery is at the top of Sage Canyon Road on Highway 128. It is
a small operation with annual production of 1800 cases. The winery
has reasonably-priced wines and is best known for its Zinfandel wines.
Some of the Zinfandel comes from vines that were planted in 1928.
Behind the tasting room and down in a patio is a picnic area and
Bocce court. To get to Nichelini head to the Silverado Trail and
take the Conn Dam/Lake Berryessa turnoff. At the Y stay to the right
and take Highway 128 five miles to Nichelini.
Tasting Room is open Sat. and Sun. 11 to 5 pm or by appointment.
Phone: (707) 963-0717, email: mail@nicheliniwinery.com
Somerston Estate Winery
Are you interested in a all-terrain vineyard tour with breathtaking
views? You can do this at Somerston Estate. You will be guided by one
of their wine specialists, in an open-air all-terrain passenger vehicle,
through Somerston’s extensive vineyard property. Following
the tour you will enjoy a tasting of limited production estate wines
paired with a selection of artisan cheeses. The cost is $75 per person
and is arranged by appointment. Somerston is located just about
a mile and a half from Nichelini.
Tours are by appointment only
Phone: 707-967-8414, email: visit@somerstonwineco.com
Tips for your Napa Valley Wine Tour
You are encouraged to have a designated driver. Consider hiring a limousine or van service. Use our list of Napa Valley limousine companies.
If it is your first time to a winery, use the winery tasting room guide. A fun idea is to have a picnic in the vineyards. Here is a list of Napa Valley wineries with picnic areas. Most wineries in the Napa Valley charge a tasting fee. Expect to pay $10 or more to taste. Two people can always elect to share a tasting. Check out the Napa Valley on a budget.
Which Napa Valley wineries to visit? Use these tips and also the handy Winery Trip Planner to select wineries in the Napa Valley according to your interests.
On last thing, be sure to watch our video: Napa Valley Travel Tips.
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