The five of us had a wonderful time at Sterling Vineyards' Founder's Experience! The gondola ride…read moreoffered lovely views over Napa Valley, and Tavis welcomed us with Chardonnay at check-in--a perfect start to our visit. Our host, Steven, was engaging, hospitable, and knowledgeable about Sterling's wines. He did a fantastic job guiding us through amazing wines paired with exquisite savory bites created by Chef Edward. It's hard to choose a favorite pairing--they were all delicious! The Sleeping Lady wine was a particular standout for me. It was lovely to see Maurice as well. Thank you to the entire team for making our visit so memorable. We're already looking forward to returning soon!

This was a solid wine tour experience! When I was looking up spots to visit, Sterling caught my eye…read morebecause of the gondola ride. And the ride was well worth it! From the moment you start your ascent, you can enjoy sweeping views of the valley. When we arrived at the top, we started the self-guided Sterling Stroll experience. Many of the staff we met were helpful and kind in giving some background on the pours. I also liked that you could learn about the wine-making process from some of the signs around the tour area and enjoy a beautiful view. However, it did have more of a museum/assembly-line feel as you passed from station to station. There were many patrons when we visited on a Sunday afternoon so there was often a buildup of folks waiting to taste the next wine. The wines themselves were decent, but not standouts from our visit to the Napa valley. All in all, a really unique experience with the gondola ride, sweeping views and self-guided format! It just may not be for everyone depending on what you're looking for.

Castello di Amorosa was a wonderful experience. Our hostess, Francesca made our visit very…read morememorable. She is phenomenal with her knowledge, professionalism and personality. Ask for Francesca when you visit. The castle is awesome also.

I was a bit hesitant on adding this winery to our list of stops but I'm very glad we did it!…read more Gorgeous castle, beautiful architecture, medieval paintings in the tasting room. They offer grape juice tastings to the kids during wine tasting, so for my 14 yr old it was a huge hit. He even ordered a few bottles to take home.

To kick off day two of my birthday weekend in Calistoga, my wife and I decided to visit Romeo…read moreVineyards and Cellars. Romeo holds a special place in our hearts because we visited them a little over seven years ago. During that experience (which you can read about in my previous review - if interested), my wife and I had a grand experience with former Business Manager Emma, who administered the delicious tastings. Fast forward to the present, we looked forward to enjoying a glass of their finest red before finding lunch. Upon entering the walkway, we were enthusiastically greeted by an employee named John who quickly ushered us to a vacant table for two. My wife had a slight reaction to the beautiful flowers that were in full bloom. Out of the kindness of his heart, John provided my wife with a bottle of Pure Leaf tea that calmed her allergies. We told John that we were interested in enjoying a glass of red, in which he quickly ran off and returned with a bottle of 2009 Eugenia Cabernet Sauvignon. Upon doing the swirl and sniff test (sounds dirty doesn't it?), I knew that we were in for a treat. Since we were both in dire need of a meal, we sadly could not continue the party. However, we will make a return visit in the near future to enjoy a full tasting experience!

Unique, intimate and one of the best wine tasting experience I have ever had. This a small winery…read moretasting room with high quality vintage wines. We first tried the wine at a restaurant in San Diego and we absolutely loved it, we drank all their available bottles throughout the year and we had to come visit the winery in Napa! John provided us with the best service creating a memorable experience for us, we had so much fun! We will for sure come back every year because of all the great time we had. Thank you John! N & T

BIRTHDAY FIRST WINERY VISIT…read more The first time I went for a wine tasting menu was four years ago with a group of hip hop dancers. We visited two wineries in Sonoma. Four years later my sister and her husband organized two wine tasting menus at two wineries in Napa for my birthday. There was a group of relatives that went we us. I am the oldest of all the group as I turned 50. Some say I age as good as wine. There is a saying the longer the wine ages the better it is. Well I found that was partly true when I went to this winery. Two weeks ago Saturday the first winery we visited was Vincent Arroyo Family Winery. The host was Ted. He was very insightful during the wine tasting and tour of the winery. The wine tasting menu was unique as each person only had two glasses. I didn't know how many types of wine we would drink as there's no tasting menu. The first glass we had was a Chardonnay. It was crisp and clean. The second glass was the Sangiovese. It had a smooth taste. I mentioned about the two glasses. Ted stated if you don't like the wine dump it in the grey bucket. I enjoyed my first two glasses of wine. After each glass I put the last drops of each wine in the grey bucket. The third glass was the Zinfandel. The fourth glass was Tempranillo, which is a wine well known in Spain. Ted provided an insight of this wine as it is not well known in Napa, but the Tempranillo is produced here as a tribute to the Spanish heritage of the family of this winery. This wine has a light taste that doesn't mask the flavor of the food you eat. What I enjoyed about Ted is his insights. I mentioned about the longer the wine ages the better. Ted stated if you buy a bottle of wine it has a limit of ten years before the wine goes bad. He explained the reason why Cabernet Sauvignon is popular in Napa because land is expensive you need a wine that helps pay off the land. He provided a tour of the winery where he showed the process of harvesting the grapes, distilling the alcohol, and aging of the wine in the French oak barrels. After the tour we when back to the wine tasting room to taste two types of Cabernet Sauvignon - one darker color with the other clearer color. After tasting the two Cabernet Sauvignons I tasted the Petite Syrah from the Rattlesnake Acres of the winery. Of all the wines I tasted the Petite Syrah was my favorite. Petite Syrah is the wine this winery is known for. I got the Petite Syrah Rattlesnake Acres bottle for my birthday. I mentioned about the Rattlesnake Acres. On that property there are vineyards about 70 years old. So maybe it is not how old the wine is but how old the vineyard that results in a tasty wine. Overall I had eight glasses of wine at Vincent Arroyo Family Winery. I can see myself coming back to this winery again to purchase the Tempranillo and/or Cabernet Sauvignon from the Rattlesnake Acres. The first winery visit of the day was a great way to celebrate my birthday.

Every wine I try here is delicious in its own special way! I have been coming here off and on for…read moreover 15 years and every time I say I need to visit them more regularly. Today's tasting favorites were green and black label petite syrah (I can't remember and my dog is sleeping on my lap and I can't move LOL). I am also a fan of merlot which I have had theirs in past visits. Though we didn't taste any today, I bought some because I know it's going to be delicious! I hate that movie Sideways because of what they did to merlot! I also got some Entrada which they're discontinuing:( but I loved from past visits. I am definitely going to visit more often; at least once a year!

My wife and I went on the Chateau Montelena Estate Walking Tour & Tasting and it was a wonderful…read moreexperience. The Chateau and pond are great spots for photos of your trip to wine country. The majority of the tasting is done while you are outside on the tour hearing about the history of the winery, with the final wines enjoyed in the tasting room. I would have liked more walking and some access to the Chateau or wine processing areas. TWO reasons that I wanted to go to Chateau Montelena. ONE, the Chateau and pond with Chinese bridges and pavilions looked to be a nice place to visit, and it was. TWO, the website had that the tour fee can be credited to a purchase, AND IT WAS. At the time of our trip, we were able to have the two tour fees credited back with purchase of $250 in wine. We got 5 bottles of wine to bring back home and the money for the tour/tasting was credited back. I liked this as at most of the larger wineries/estates, you pay a lot for the tasting and then would need to pay more for the wine. With this credit it was a win/win for you and the winery. Next time I plan to come back from with vineyard tour, and to pick up some more bottles of wine.

Château Montelena is more than just a winery; it's a cornerstone of Napa Valley's wine heritage…read more Its blend of history, stunning scenery, and exceptional wines makes it a must-visit for anyone looking to appreciate the true essence of Napa. If you're planning a visit, consider spending some time exploring the grounds and soaking in the history. Our guide Jady was truly amazing and a pleasure to be around! He was exceptional knowledgeable and his service was impeccable!

After a long day floating down Russian River, my friend and I were wandering around to take…read moreadvantage of being in the area. Very impulsively, we decided to pull over while passing Lola. They were already closed for the day, but Jarred was kind enough to let us have a seat in the patio and a few sips. He was incredible, and gave us a lovely experience for the few moments we spent there. I would use the word "cozy" to describe this location -- perfect for couples or groups to enjoy. It's got a very homey and intimate vibe, which I have to say I sometimes prefer to the large mansion/castle wineries. I definitely would love to return for the full tasting, although the detour was enough for me to purchase a bottle of their Rosé, and my friend was very close to buying the Muscat, both of which I recommend.

Had a wonderful experience tasting wines here. The selections were unique, and the service was…read morewarm, attentive, and genuinely friendly. We happened to be the only couple visiting that day, which made the whole experience feel incredibly personal and special. They even took a Polaroid photo of us--a thoughtful touch that made the visit feel even more memorable. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a distinctive and one-of-a-kind wine-tasting experience in Napa.

Had the most unique wine taste experience here at Tank Garage Winery! Not only was the setting so…read morefun, the wines were one of a kind. Holly provided excellent service and made out visit feel very special. I can't wait to come back!

Tank Garage is such a fun and whimsical hidden gem! Their labels are works of art in themselves,…read moreand the wines are delicious, approachable, and so much fun to discover. We loved Pizza Joint so much that we bought three bottles! Head Over Heels, a unique Gamay-Pinot blend, was perfect for the hot weather yesterday, and Peep Show was another great choice for poolside sipping. Dirty Looks was a smooth and unexpectedly delicious find as well. We loved them all and purchased 7 bottles they were all so great! Will was such a great host--he really knows how to explain the wines while adding color and personality to the stories behind them. He made the tasting even more enjoyable! We've now been to both their Paso Robles and Calistoga locations, and both are super cool, with incredibly fun decor and settings. Tank Garage is definitely worth a visit if you're looking for something a little different, playful, and delicious!

We had such a great time at Girard Winery!!!…read more The esthetics are so amazing and I loved the attention to detail. The wines are approachable and they offer a little bit of everything, both white and red wines! Merrybeth was so wonderful! We came in without a reservation, and we could tell it was busy so we didn't think we could do a tasting but she greeted us with open arms and unlike many wineries we walked into that day, she made sure we were seen, taken care of and she really made us laugh! We learned so much about the history of each wine varietal, Calistoga and how they make the wine while not feeling belittled. She even wrote a hand written card for my friend's birthday!! If you are in Calistoga, please go check out Girard, the wine is incredible, the hospitality is genuine and welcoming - it's truly a great time! Can't wait to go back!!

I've been a member of the Adair Family Wines membership for years through Clos Pegase, and one of…read morethe best perks is that your membership gives you access to several sister wineries, including Girard, Viansa, B.R. Cohn, Judd's Hill, and Clos Pegase. We decided it was finally time to visit Girard, and I'm so glad we did! The winery is beautiful, and we chose to enjoy our tasting on the gorgeous outdoor porch. It was such a relaxing setting with comfortable seating and a wonderful wine country atmosphere. That said, the interior is just as inviting--modern, elegant, and a place you could easily spend an afternoon. Diane took care of us during our tasting, and she was absolutely fantastic. She was knowledgeable, welcoming, and generous with her pours. Honestly, I couldn't even pick a favorite wine because every one she poured was delicious. She made the tasting fun, informative, and never rushed. We also ordered the cheese board, and it paired perfectly with the wines. It had a wonderful assortment of cheeses and accompaniments, and every bite complemented the tasting beautifully. If you're looking for a relaxed, welcoming winery with excellent wines, beautiful surroundings, and outstanding hospitality, I highly recommend Girard Winery. We'll definitely be back!

Amazing tasting with Daniel, who fit us in the morning of. The horses are magnificent and the wine…read moreis lovely also - we brought 12 bottles home. We especially loved their 97 pt cab--pricey but worth it!

I had been looking forward to our tour and tasting here since booking it months ago. Our group of 3…read morehad another 4 join our Equine Connection Tour and Tasting,, and our guide (I believe his name was Robert) took us throughout the winery operation and shared the history of both the property and the owners. We loved that the two winery cats, Comet and Rocket, joined us for our walk about. At the end of the tour, we were able to meet and pet some of the resident horses before sitting down for our wine tasting. We truly enjoyed all of the wines to some degree, but of course we have our individual favorites. The view while we sipped, chatted, and snacked was breathtaking. Highly recommend!

This winery is a absolute gem!…read more The day is getting later as we arrive in Calistoga. We wonder if we will have a chance to have a wine tasting. I find Olabisi (meaning; joy multiplied). I call the winery and set up a private tasting. Within 20 minutes the owner, Ted Osborne, warmly greets us and opens the door to this delightful tasting room. We are comfortably seated as he pours his Rose, Rose Syrah, and a beautiful crisp Sauvignon Blanc. The conversation is jovial and informative. We agree that it would be a shame to not drink a wine or rum found in a 300 yr old pirate ship, on the bottom of the ocean no matter if it is questionable. We laugh, he produces a wine called Black Pearl! True story!! It was great! We tried great great wines here. What a treat! Bought wines from Howell Mountain region. Amaze. Also a 2014 Cab Sav for our Christmas table, which is the highest honor I can bestow on a bottle of wine. Can't wait to return!

We were camping at the nearby state park and were looking for a place that was open for wine…read moretasting and picked this one. It was around 5pm on a Thursday and we were the only ones around. The tasting cost $40 for 6 pours, starting with a rose and ending with a Cabernet Sauvignon. I am not very fond of reds but all the ones that were on the tasting menu that day were very good. The rose was my favorite. I was talking to the owner and he mentioned that he prefers to be out making wine instead of pouring and I can see that. Also, the pours were very tiny. There was not much information shared about the wine etc, he left the bottle with the information side turned towards you to read up on your own. The place itself is beautiful and it used to be a hardware store. It's right next to the city hall and across the street from the police station. There is street parking as well as a public parking lot next to the police station. The place is dog friendly and the owner bought out a bowl of water for my baby. I didn't buy anything but I would visit again.