With about 400 wineries in the Napa Valley, it's impossible to see them all without staying in the area for months. When time is short, check out a few of the wineries that experts, such as those at "Food and Wine" magazine, consider the best in the valley.
Making the top of the "Food and Wine" "best" list, Jarvis Winery in Napa is well-known for its merlot, chardonnay and cabernet wines. The entire winery lies underground, in a 45,000-square-foot cave. A waterfall and stream in the center of the circular winery add visual appeal, as well as the ideal humidity for aging the wine in massive oak barrels. On a 75- to 90-minute tour through the winery, you'll travel through chambers graced with fiber-optic chandeliers, bronze doors, brass accents and carved-out alcoves. The tour concludes in the winery's intimate tasting room, where you'll sample a selection of six Jarvis Estate and Reserve Collection wines.
Next on the list is Quintessa, tucked among the hills of Rutherford on a 280-acre estate embracing a river and lake. Known primarily for its cabernet sauvignon, the winery produces 40 different wines from 26 vineyard blocks that cover four micro-climates. Ninety-minute tours of 10 or fewer guests include a comprehensive tour at the vineyards as well as the crescent-shaped winery tucked into the side of a hill. Enjoy sampling wines along the way, paired with cheeses from local artisans.
Napa and Sonoma counties meet at the top of Sping Mountain, and Pride Mountain Vineyard spreads into each. A brick marker denotes the line -- with grapes in each county labeled differently. The winery's tours fill months in advance during summer and autumn, so make reservations early. A single tour each day begins at mid-morning, and accommodates up to 12 people. Stroll through the vineyards with your guide, and visit the production facility and caves where wines age. The winery's tour fee is one of the least expensive in the area and includes a wine tasting.
Ladera Vineyards tours visit the 1886 stone winery led by the vineyard owners or their immediate family. The two-hour estate tour is available by appointment only for up to eight guests. Walk through the vineyards as you hear about the estate's history; visit the wine caves, and taste the wines in the winery's Great Room. The winery also offers one-hour terrace tastings of current-release wines as you overlook the Ladera vineyards. The barrel tasting tour explores 18,000 feet of caves to learn about wines, from making and preparing the hand-crafted barrel to product completion. You'll get to taste wine directly from the barrel along the way.
