Best Tasting rooms and wine bars in downtown Napa

Driving from winery to winery in the Napa Valley is not for everyone. A relaxing alternative is to spend an afternoon at one or more of the tasting collectives or wine bars in downtown Napa. The main advantage is you don’t have to drive, and you can taste wines from boutique wineries. Most of the wines featured at these establishments are wines that are not commonly found anywhere else, even in excellent wine shops.

The number of tasting rooms in downtown Napa is rapidly increasing. It seems that each time we visit, new tasting rooms are there to visit. We love these five wine tasting rooms in Napa. Stroll the town and taste wine and never have to drive a mile.

For many winemakers, the collectives and wine bars provide the opportunity to showcase their wines. Many of the new breeds of winemakers do not have a winemaking facility, nor do they have a wine tasting room. Instead, they opt to rent space at an existing winery to make their wine.

Our list of the best tasting rooms in downtown Napa

• Vintners Collective – Housed in oldest stone building in Napa
• The Bounty Hunter – Great wine bar, terrific restaurant
• Gustavo Wines – Boutique Winery at the Oxbow Center
• JaM Cellars – Vinyl records play as you sip wine
• Stonehedge Winery – Good variety of affordable wines

Dining and Lodging Recommendations

Restaurants      Premium Lodging      Budget Lodging      Wine Map

Vintner’s Collective

The Vintner’s Collective is in the oldest stone building in Napa, 1875. In the Napa Earthquake of blah, the building was severely damaged. Since then, the building is restored beautifully and operating a fantastic tasting room. The Vintner’s Collective features wines from several different winemakers and wineries.

Open daily, 11 am to 7 pm
1245 Main St. Phone: (707) 255-7150
Vintner’s Collective

The Bounty Hunter

The Bounty Hunter is a very cool wine bar and a terrific casual restaurant. The wine list is extensive, with an opportunity to taste a wide range of wines, local and more. The Bounty Hunter is a favorite among the locals, and tourists often return to dine and taste wine here. It is a casual environment.

Open Sunday to Thursday 11 to 10 pm, Friday & Saturday 11 to 11 pm.
First and Main Streets, Phone: (707) 226-3976
Bounty Hunter and Wine Bar

Gustavo Wines

Gustavo Wines was founded in 1996 by Gustavo Brambila. Gustavo Wines is a boutique winery producing small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Noir. The tasting room is across from Oxbow Public Market. Gustavo Wines also offers a barrel tasting with Gustavo by appointment located nearby in Napa.

Tasting room open Monday – Saturday 12 to 6pm; Sunday 12 to 5pm
1021  McKinstry Street, Phone: (707) 257-6796
Gustavo Wines

JaM Cellars

JaM Cellars is among the new breed of late-night tasting rooms in downtown Napa. The folks that run this jumping tasting room are Michelle and John Truchard. John’s father and mother own the famous Truchard Vineyards in Carneros. JaM Cellars has live music in the late nights on weekends, but the big draw besides the wine is the art and the fantastic turntable music system. Enjoy Butter Chardonnay or other JaM specialty wines while the tasting room spins vinyl records.

Open daily 10 am to 10 pm, Sunday to Wednesday and Midnight Thursday to Saturday
1460 First Street, Napa, Phone: (707) 265-7577
JaM Cellars

Stonehedge Winery

Stonehenge is a family-owned winery with vineyards in the St. Helena region. The winery has been producing wines since 1992. They make three distinct profiles of wines. The wine bargain hunter to the connoisseur of fine wines should find something appealing here at their Napa tasting room.

Tasting room open Thursday to Sunday: 12 to 6pm
1004 Clinton Street, Phone: (707) 257-7400 ext. 106
Stonehedge Winery

Additional Napa Valley Wine Routes to enjoy

• Boutique Wineries on Highway 29  – small and fascinating
• Best Silverado Wineries  – less traffic and fewer crowds
• Calistoga Wine Route  – northern end of the Valley
• Hidden wineries of the Napa Valley – get away from the crowds
• Historic Napa Valley Wineries  – these made the Napa Valley
• Wine and Art Wine Route – wineries with art collections
• Top Ten Tips for Enjoying the Napa Valley

Helpful information 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.
• Some ideas for which wineries to visit.
• Plan a picnic lunch. This ’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.
• Please read our Disclaimer Document on the information contained on Wine Country Getaways.