Napa Valley Wineries and Tasting Rooms

Areas in Napa Valley

• City of Napa

  The valley's largest town. Its downtown, along the Napa River, mixes restaurants, music venues and tasting rooms that often stay open later than wineries.

  130+ places in Cruv

• St. Helena

  A historic town with shops, galleries and restaurants along Main Street. It sits in a warm, Cabernet-led stretch where the valley narrows.

  100+ places in Cruv

• Calistoga

  The hot-springs town at the valley's northern tip, known for spas and mud baths. Tasting rooms, shops and restaurants line Lincoln Avenue, with state-park trails close by.

  40+ places in Cruv

• Rutherford

  Cabernet Sauvignon is the main grape on this stretch of valley floor, where Napa Valley is at its widest. It's a rural area rather than a town, so plan your stops ahead.

  35+ places in Cruv

• Oakville

  A small stop along Highway 29 in the heart of the valley floor, with wineries ranging from tiny boutique producers to some of the largest.

  20+ places in Cruv

• Oak Knoll District

  Valley-floor vineyards between the city of Napa and Yountville, where fog and marine air can hang on until late morning. The car-free Vine Trail passes through.

  20+ places in Cruv

• Yountville

  A small town known for its restaurants, where tasting rooms, art, dinner and lodging are all a short walk apart.

  15+ places in Cruv

• Stags Leap District

  A compact Cabernet appellation about 3 miles long, between the Napa River and the rocky Stags Leap Palisades. Getting from one winery to the next is easy, so you can group a few appointments.

  15+ places in Cruv

Also in Napa Valley: Coombsville, Howell Mountain, Spring Mountain District, Diamond Mountain District, Mount Veeder, Atlas Peak, Chiles Valley.

Know before you go

Reservations

Book early for September and October, the busiest months. Many wineries pour by appointment, though some take walk-ins.

Tasting fees

Plan on a fee at each winery; some waive it when you buy wine.

Getting there

Travel times from the Bay Area and Sacramento airports run roughly 1 to 3 hours, depending on traffic. Sonoma County's airport is about 30 minutes from Calistoga.

Best time to visit

Harvest usually runs from August through October, sometimes into early November. Winter, December through February, brings fewer crowds; summers are dry and sunny.

Getting around

Highway 29 runs up the west side and the quieter Silverado Trail up the east, linked by cross-valley roads. Plan a designated driver, a rideshare or a tour.

Expect winery parties, winemaker dinners, concerts and farmers markets, plus crush parties and harvest dinners in September and October.

Nearby wine regions

• Carneros

  Cooled by winds off San Pablo Bay, Carneros spans Napa and Sonoma counties and is known for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and sparkling wine.

  35+ places in Cruv · 20+ upcoming events

• Sonoma County

  In northern Sonoma County, pick a valley: Russian River for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Dry Creek for Zinfandel, or Alexander for Cabernet Sauvignon.

  340+ places in Cruv · 100+ upcoming events

• Suisun Valley

  Just outside Fairfield, southeast of Napa Valley, this Solano County valley is best known for Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

  15+ places in Cruv · 2 upcoming events