It is rare to find someone who not only makes their own wine, but also designed the beautiful…read morebottles that they come in! Iain Bolton, winemaker of Eight Arms Cellars, definitely qualifies as a Renaissance man in my book. I have to admit that I haven't been to an official release party, but does an office party count? Milton would have given up his prized red stapler for a taste of these artisan wines. And lucky me, they were the perfect accompaniment to Friday's Beer (and Wine) Bash. Eight Arms put their marketing genius to work in celebration of their latest release. Where else can you taste wine and then throw down your best target practice at an Octopus inspired "Ink Spitting" contest? I hear the winner got a whopping 18 feet! Being able to talk to winemakers is always a treat. It truly is a craft that takes years of know-how, science, and a highly developed palette. You can pick up these wines at more than a couple local places: Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant, SF New Russian Hill Market, SF Wine on Piedmont, Oakland Du Vin Wines, Alameda Wine Mine, Oakland JV Wine & Spirit, Napa Swirl on Castro ...or you make your purchase online at www.eightarmscellars.com. Be sure to check out their Go Green Drink Red/White program. I was really impressed to learn that this is one company that is "committed to sustainable practices and a portion of the sale from each bottle is donated to help combat global warming." That's a glass of wine that you can feel more than good about drinking! If I had Eight Arms myself, I'd hold on tight to a case or two (and maybe lay some down to cellar for a few years).

A small artisan micro-winery whose vineyard selections, varietal buys, fruit sorting, fermentation…read morestyles, tonellerie, and aging strategies are at the leading edge of the wine industry. On the downside, it is hard to find in stores. I have seen it once at JV in Napa, and once somewhere so obscure that I can no longer remember. I'll just go direct in the future.

A Relaxed yet Elevated Napa Tasting…read more Paraduxx nails that sweet spot between approachable and polished. The property itself is stunning recently updated. A modern farmhouse vibe, open-air patio and vineyard views make it a must stop on Silverado Trail. Our experienced host Jayme walked us through the flight with the perfect balance of wine knowledge and friendly storytelling. The Proprietary Red was my favorite! We learned that they will be doing a portfolio approach of all Duckhorn wineries going forward. What I appreciated most was the pacing. It never felt rushed, and we were encouraged to enjoy each pour at our tempo. Little touches--like water pitchers, comfy outdoor seating, umbrella and cheese board--made the experience feel thoughtful and guest-focused. Special tip: book the patio tasting if the weather's good. Sitting under the trees with a glass in hand feels like a Napa postcard moment.

Had a wonderful wine experience at Paraduxx winery. The service and hospitality that Manny gave us…read morewas amazing. He is a wonderful addition to your team. The place is beautifully decorated with indoor and outdoor seating. If you are ever in the area go check this place out.

We visited Pine Ridge Vineyards during California Napa Neighbor Month and had a wonderful…read moreexperience, taking advantage of their complimentary estate tasting for two. We were seated tucked away from other guests in a cozy, semi-private cave setting, which made the tasting feel intimate and relaxed. Our host was warm, welcoming, and very knowledgeable, sharing great insights about the winery, the Stags Leap District, and the wines without ever feeling rushed. The cheese platter was a lovely addition and paired nicely with the tasting. Napa Neighbor Month also included 10% off wine purchases, so we happily brought home our favorites: the Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon and the limited-production Cabernet Franc. Between the beautiful setting, thoughtful hospitality, and excellent wines, Pine Ridge Vineyards is absolutely worth a visit.

I'm a sucker for a wine cave and pine ridge does it well. Started with our welcome white and…read morestarted with the reds once entering the cave. Cab Sav was on type and def was all delicious. The cave was beautiful. Our tour was led by Chris and he did a great job. Super knowledgeable and enthusiastic about wine and the wine making process. Don't sleep on pine ridge. It's a gem

Delicious wine!!! You have to try it. It is one of my favorites. I look forward to uncorking a…read morebottle to share with friends after a long day. It makes a great gift because everyone who I have shared it with loves of it as well. Treat yourself to a gorgeous glass of Kale wines - you won't be disappointed.

From the owner: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvédre, Roséread more

Had a wonderful wine tasting time with Jon/John and a regular club member, Joe. We were also a…read morebunch of women but we had great conversations with our sommelier. He did a great job pouring and explaining each wine. He's also great at cleaning wine glasses. Super fun and would recommend to everyone looking for a great conversation during wine tasting. The photo booth is fun and the bathroom was great. The inside decor is also very cozy and comfortable. $45 for the standard five wine pairing and like $70+ for the select wine pairings. They have cool souvenirs too.

My husband and I found this place by passing by one day on a Saturday. It was not too busy because…read morewe were the 3rd party went in when we arrived. We were greeted right away by the gentleman named either Fredrick or Patrick. Since we had a toddler with us, we chose to be seated in the couch area, which was very comfortable. We did two of the same tastings the first time and enjoyed majority of their wines. Our favorite was The Doctor the first time we visited. We came again a few weeks later to do different tastings. This time our favorite was the Veraison Cabernet. We liked it a bit better than The Doctor, so I purchased a bottle of Veraison. They waived my tasting fee because of the purchase, which was nice. We really enjoyed this place, it was relaxing and we didn't feel rushed. Their place was also very chilled and clean. Will definitely come back every time we visit Napa.

I have been a club member at Cliff Lede for several years. The experience they create during a…read moretasting is always top notch. They have a beautiful setting in the vineyard and a very warm and professional staff. If you have not been to Cliff Lede you are missing out. By far one of my favorites in the valley. Tell them Ed and Mike sent you.

We absolutely loves Clifton Lede. Our first visit started a with a hassle and we almost walked out…read morebefore starting a tasting. However a manager (lady) and Carmen stepped in and turned things around! Love the wine, love the service (especially Carmen), love the music, and more. Second visit was even better with everyone remembering us and welcome us. Love the art in the Backstage.

I am disappointed to see the reviews below. However, it may echo what my wife and I have been…read moreexperiencing lately. We have pre ordered some futures from John but have not seen them. Fortunately, we have not paid for the wines. John Ruston did achnowledge that we did not receive it and offered to comp us a bottle or two at the next shipment. We havent seen that one either. We have ordered Ruston wines several times w/ no problems directly from John himself. We have also visited his farm like house just west of St Helena several times...one time a group of us did a tasting in his mom's kitchen while she made souup! That would require a whole different review in itself. John was nice enough to leave us a few open bottles while he tended to his daughter's computer problems and said "dig in, dont be shy". We were hoping to stop by his place again this March when we are back in town but he hasnt returned any emails! I have seen their wine now on LOT 18 at reduced prices which makes me wonder...... Too bad...their bordeaux blend is as good as it gets in napa for $25!

oh Boy!!! Similar situation - I'm getting ready to follow up and ask for assistance and came up on…read moreHelen's comments while searching on Google. I ordered, paid, never received my order totaling 15 bottles of 2002 Ruston Family Vineyards Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvingnon @ $47.95. The invoice's declared phone number 619-224-9463 is out of service and Brad Harrington, President of Varietals Wine Merchants, Inc. never replied to my email requesting to be updated concerning the shipment. Never received. Knowing what I know now - I shall proceed and seek appropriate assistance. Your posting, Helen, has saved me from wonderment and given me all the assurance I need to proceed.

Alpha Omega is always a vibe...-every single time. It's one of those places you can go to just…read moreunwind and truly enjoy the moment. I love grabbing a glass and chilling by the fountain. The atmosphere is so peaceful but still lively in the best way. You'll see people with their dogs, good music playing, and everyone just soaking in the experience. It's the perfect balance of relaxed and upscale. Whether you're there to wine taste or just hang out and take it all in, it's always a win. Definitely one of my go-to spots in Napa!

Aloha Omega was recommended to me for a recent girl's trip to Napa…read more We were promptly seated outside by the pond and it was beautiful. Since one in my party only drinks white wine, they were able to accommodate her as the rest of us rolled through the reds. If I had a wish, it would be that they offered up something you could purchase to snack on with the wine. Especially since they are really generous pours!!

Had an incredible experience at Napa Cellars today. From the…read moremoment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm, relaxed, and beautifully put together exactly what you hope for in Napa. A huge shoutout to Sean, who guided our tasting. The man knows his craft. He walked us through each wine with genuine knowledge, made everything easy to understand, and you can tell he's genuinely passionate about what he does. Plus, he's just a cool guy!! his tattoos are dope and add to the vibe he brings to the room. The wines were exceptional across the board: balanced, flavorful, and thoughtfully presented. Napa Cellars delivers a high-quality experience without feeling pretentious or overwhelming. We loved the tasting so much that we walked out with three bottles of Sauvignon Blanc and one Merlot ! that should tell you everything you need to know.

Walk in was greeted by our last name. We were a few minutes early. They were so incredibly inviting…read moreand welcoming that we were here. Many thanks. So lovely inside and outside, photo opportunities for sure. Wonderful music playing the atmosphere top tier. Yes the Napa train pass by twice nice photo opportunity. Our server oh my goodness what a beautiful experience with Shawn, a great deal of knowledge, so down to earth and incredibly kind. Just amazing and intimate experience with our friends. They were first timers with wine tasting. Shawn met them exactly where they were with Q&A. He made them feel so comfortable with asking questions. The white wines my favorite! Yes please go get a top tier experience at Napa Cellars.

When I was first discovering red wine, I had come across Sangiovese, which still to this day is one…read moreof my favorite varietals. I'd come across Atlas Peak in countless menus and unfortunately, I can't say that I've ever been wowed. I understand nowadays, Atlas has put that wine totally behind them and are concentrating on cabs. I believe I shall give them a try again in the near future and update the review accordingly, to see how their reinvention has progressed. 3.5 stars

From the owner: CABERNET AT ITS PEAK Atlas Peak produces high elevation…read moreCabernet Sauvignons from the most prestigious mountain top appellations of the Napa Valley; Mount Veeder, Spring Mountain District, Howell Mountain and Atlas Peak Atlas Peak Wines now being poured at the Historic Buena Vista Carneros Winery: 18000 Old Winery Road Sonoma, CA 95476 707.265.1472 Tasting room open daily from 10:00AM - 5:00PM