Which wineries to visit in the Napa Valley

With 400 wineries in the Napa Valley, tourists are often bewildered when it comes to determining which wineries to visit on a trip to the Valley.  Many often “wing it," getting in their rental cars and driving along Highway 29, randomly selecting wineries to visit. Others want to make sure that the wineries they plan to visit will give them the best that Napa Valley has to offer.  Here are some ideas that we think will make your wine country trip a success.

The Robert Mondavi Winery in Oakville

Napa Valley Wine Country Planning Tips

• Start with the Napa Valley wines you drink and are familiar with. You must have a few   favorites, so start there and investigate the winery by viewing their Websites. See what they offer to visitors. If they offer a tour, call ahead to reserve a spot.

• If you go to a winery that has a tasting room only, you miss out on what a full-fledge working winery has to offer. There is nothing like the feel of visiting a winery that has a crush pad, barrel room, fermenting tanks, and vineyards. Tasting rooms abound in the towns of Napa, Yountville and Calistoga. The nice thing is you can walk to these from nearby hotels, but none has that same experience as that of a functioning winery.

• Visit one of the wineries in the Napa Valley that have been in operation for more than 100 years. Here is a list of five such wineries in the Napa Valley. Take a tour and pretend you are back in time in the early days of the Napa Valley. 

• Go to a mix of wineries. Use our handy Trip Planner to find wineries that are family owned, have tours, practice organic farming, have picnic facilities, and Bocce courts.

• If you hire a limousine or van, don’t let the driver decide on wineries to visit. Have your choices in hand and tell the driver where to take you. If you are with a large group, make sure you make a tasting reservation.

• If the weather is nice, plan on a picnic in the vineyard. Here is a list of places to purchase a deli lunch and wineries that have picnic facilities.

• Most importantly, watch our short video “Napa Valley Travel Tips” to get some timely advice on traveling to the Napa Valley wine country.

Tips for your Napa Valley Wine Tour

You are encouraged to have a designated driver. Consider hiring a limousine or van service.

First time to a winery in Napa? Find out what happens in a typical tasting room.

Are you wondering about how to taste wine? Wine Tasting Techniques

Almost 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.

Plan a picnic lunch. This is one of wine country’s greatest pleasures.

If you cannot picnic, enjoy a delicious lunch at one of Napa Valley’s many fine restaurants.

We list premium lodging and budget lodging.

Pace yourself and make a day of wine tasting. Don't forget your camera.

Visiting three wineries in one day is enough to you keep you busy and content with the slow and easy pace of wine country.

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