I found this gem on one of those lists of small boutique wineries and given the acclaim decided to make the drive all the way up to their idillic spot up on Howell mountain. The a part of a consortium of other small wineries around the world and in Napa focus on a narrow selection of grapes and wines some, like their Chardonnay are very limited with only a couple hundred cases. Their stars are the big bold cabs priced in the $100 range and we tasted both the current release, 2017 as well as the 2016. Their was also a light and fun Gamay in limited quantities and a hearty zin. Tasting fee of $45 is waved with three bottle purchase. It's worth the long slow drive up the curvy mountain roads for the view alone and host Brian couldn't have been more welcoming. This is most definitely a destination winery and their max group is 6 people. Given the limited tasting slots you must plan well in advance if you want to experience this one of a kind spot read more

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We've been fans of sister winery Mending Wall for a couple of years now and finally made the trip up to Outpost for a tasting. I highly recommend this winery to anyone who is serious about Napa Valley mountain fruit. It was a little difficult to secure a reservation so make sure you e-mail or call as far in advance as possible. We had a 10 a.m. appointment on a Saturday. The winery is located high atop Howell Mountain so the views are absolutely spectacular! The tasting fee is $45 per person but it was waived with our purchase (we bought over a case of wine). Make sure you print out the directions to the winery before you set out because they aren't kidding -- there is NO cellphone reception. Trust me, there's none. I wouldn't rely on Uber either because it's so secluded up there. Also note that dogs (except for service animals) are not permitted on the property and if you're bringing the kids, you have to make them aware of it in advance. We were hosted by the wonderful Michelle and our casual, relaxed tasting was more like a morning spent hanging out with a dear friend than a formal or stuffy wine tasting. She was charming, kind, professional, and super friendly. This was a zero snobbery tasting which sort of surprised me, but pleasantly so! Sometimes at higher end wineries you'll get the "snoot factor" but we didn't encounter it AT ALL here. After a brief walking tour around the property, we were seated on a super plush overstuffed sofa in an adorable little cabin (history buffs, be sure to ask about the Patty Hearst connection). Everything was so cozy and homey and comfortable, making for an excellent morning of tasting some gorgeous wines. We tried four wines in total: a Chardonnay, the 2014 Zinfandel, the 2015 Zinfandel, and the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon. The single vineyard wines were all sold out and unavailable for tasting or for purchase, which made me sad because I really, really wanted to try and buy them. But we were able to secure a case of the Cab and a couple of bottles of Zin to bring home. The wines were all very big, very bold, and very rich reds. If you're a fan of winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown, then you'll know what to expect. The wines we tasted ranged in price from $50 to $85, exceptionally reasonable for their quality. I was also surprised at how unhurried and relaxing this tasting turned out to be. We were on property for two hours and really took our time. There was no rush or push to get us out the door before future groups arrived. I really, really loved my experience here and I can't wait to come back in the future to try the new releases at Outpost! read more

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Perched way atop Howell Mountain sits a wonderful winery known as Outpost. It is here where the Wizzard of Napa Valley creates magic. We are not talking illusions but rather an artist creating what can be refered to as the "nector of the gods". Winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown is by far one of the most talented winemakers on the planet. He has created numerous 100 point/perfect wines at a variety of wineries. My journey to this slice of heaven was to pick up Outpost True Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, a 2014 wine made by Brown and that Parker gave a perfect 100 score. The beauty of tasting room is reflected by the view of the valley that seems to go forever. It is here where you will experience world class wine in a non-pretentios setting. Host will pour you a sampling of the wineries cabernets and zinfandels as well as any other varietal they might have hidden at the winery. This is a small production winery and their popular wine sells out fast. In fact, the 100 point True Vineyard sold out in 45 minutes. Good thing I was quick to the button. Outpost is not cheap but there is price to be paid for perfection. It is however worth a visit and you will have wondered why this was not on your bucket list. Outpost is and earns my five star "Woohoo! As good as it gets"! read more

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Outpost, Schrader, Maybach - all made here. All made by Thomas Rivers Brown. We arrived in the fall of 2013 to gaze longingly on tank after tank of amazing wines - names above - and tasted through the portfolio. This is another terrific vintage, as the balance between fruit, tannin and acidity is wonderful. This is sure to be a dynamite year upon release. We spent a few minutes with TRB who was running from spot to spot The drive to the 2,200 foot winery atop the mountain is amazing - who would think to get al the way to the top and then plop some vineyards and a winery up there? Roughly paralleling the range of the Diamond and Spring Mountain districts, these wines are well endowed with perfectly ripe fruit, and perfect balance. They just lack the jammy edge many wines from Napa exhibit and have replaced it with compelling layers of mineral and savory flavors. Rich, the Hospitality Director, will guide you through the technical and the artistry behind the winery and Thomas Rivers Brown's creations for this unique set of vineyards. Take a seat looking out to Dunn, O'Shaughnessy and down the mountain while you sip some mountain-top zinfandel and cabernet. The views and the wines are both awesome. These wines are small production, and have a huge fan base - and a waiting list for membership. Outpost Estate Cabernet Sauvignon -- Allocated/Winery Only True Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon -- Allocated True Vineyard Immigrant Red Blend -- Allocated Outpost Estate Zinfandel -- Winery Only So if you want some, you gotta make the trip up the mountain...what are you waiting for -GO! read more

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You might as well shut off your phone because they call it out post for a reason. Truly great wines all reds, great line up Grenache, Zinfandel, cab blends and the pure Cabernet, unfortunately no one got to taste the true vineyard 100 point Cabernet they sold out fast Best winery of the day up on the ridge Howell mountain nectar !! The group loved it ! Thank you we shall return! Andre Scott/Executive Car Service Napa Valley read more

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Our favorite of the week spent in Napa and Sonoma late May, 2013. Rich is a gracious host; full of great wine trivia, history and tech notes on what they do there at Outpost. Great tour of the facilities and the fields. As so many have noted, the view up here is amazing. The tasting room and patio take every advantage of it too! Go for the view, the company and the outstanding wines. It's hard to narrow down what you'll want to order! read more

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Today was a good day my wife and I met some friends for lunch at the Outpost Winery. We were greeted by the host Sara Hit chock she made us feel t home. We had lunch and wine tasting everything was perfect I have to say Sara's customer service was great she was like clockwork she answers all questions and had knowledge of the wines she served us. Employees like Sara is why I'll return for another round of tasting. Great job Sara you went above and beyond to make our experience a memorable one thank you Kenny and Monica. I recommend this winery to anyone looking for some great wine so far it the best I have tasted so far thank you outpost read more

How can I describe this beautiful place? Tasting wine on top of Howell mountain with the very knowledgeable Marisol was such a wonderful experience. The winding trip up Howell mountain thru thick fog then suddenly breaking thru the opaque wall to a brilliant, clear sunny sky was a nod of what was to come. Rolling up to the well manicured property, beautiful buildings up ahead, Marisol greeted us with a smile and we entered the tasting area for a hearty splash of their Chardonnay. With glass in hand, we walk around the property while our hostess pointed out different ridges, lakes and other wineries we had visited in the past. The fog hung in the valley below like a billowing sheet. We return to our tasting area for wonderful Cabernets and Zinfandel's that filled our palates with deep, delicious fruits that danced and lingered on our tongues, encouraging us to buy many bottles of this extraordinary nectar. read more

It's good to know people in the wine industry - a friend took us to Outpost for a tasting and we were all blown away. The views were fantastic, the wines amazing and the people down right nice. Unlike other wineries where you're elbowing others to get a taste, Outpost is wine tasting for grown up's. As we were outside learning about the history of the property, our tasting was set up for us inside. We then worked our way through three fantastic wines, each one more complex than the first. Howell Mountain is a bit of a trek on winding roads so definitely make your appointment for early in the day. But defnitely do yourself a favor and give Outpost a shot! read more

Yes it is a drive up Howell Mountain. But this is the source of the best Cabernet grapes in the valley. Outpost produces some of the best Cabs and Zins, and should be on the top of your list of wineries to visit. Rich and KC will make you feel at home. You will receive a nice tour of the winery and vineyards. The views are magnificent and the wine is divine. Near the top of my ten favorite wineries. Their Cabs are on my top five list. Consistently great. Perfect to drink now or lay up for a few years. Remember that you must make an appointment to visit Outpost. Because they are so popular book your appointment well ahead of time. read more

By far, one of my fav wines up here, on Howell Mountain. Talk about, step back & smell the roses. Step back, great some awesome wines, & enjoy the views. read more

Thomas Rivers Brown is the man of the hour. We did a private tasting hosted by Brown. TRB is also the winemaker for Shrader. Pretty much had EVERYTHING except for his Shrader. Outpost wait list is 2 yrs. The 07 out of the barrell is great stuff. Anyway, my wife and I agreed we will name our first child Rivers. read more

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Go for the people, go for the wine, go for the view. Your choice, but make sure you go! We thought we were going to swing in for a quick tasting, but fell in love with every aspect of this vineyard. Kathy and Rich gave a great tasting and tour. They actually let the wine speak for itself. They were busy telling us about the plots of land and the intricacies of planting grapes in granite, while our small group quietly enjoyed three of their fantastic wines. With wine this good, we didn't need to be told what to look for in the nose, we just enjoyed it. If our glass was empty during the vineyard tour, no problem, Rich kept the bottle in hand and was happy to refill the glass. Oh yeah, and the view. At 1400 feet, the tasting room and patio have an incredible view of the valley. Take the 2:30 tasting so you can watch the sun start to set. Our intended 30 minute run in for a taste turned into more than an hour and a half of winery heaven. I wish we could have spent the evening in their tasting room. Make this appointment first, then plan the rest of your day. read more

This was my favorite place in Napa. It's WAY up the mountain so you have to drive or get a driver. There is no cell reception to get an uber back so don't try it the views were amazing and the wines were outstanding. Can't wait to return! read more

Ok wines for the region. Rude staff. Off-color remarks which were totally uncharacteristic of California.

Great place to visit! Takes a bit to get out there but it's worth it. Thank you Sarah for the wonderful tasting and tour. We tasted four wines in total....a Chardonnay, two Zins and a cab. The were sold out of two of their other wines but the ones we had were really good Howell Mountain examples. We even walked out into one of the vineyards and tasted some grapes. Very nice touch. Prices are reasonable for Napa and the winery is a beautiful place....small and unpretentious but great hospitality and beautiful views. read more

Interestingly enough...We tried to fill up our day on Howell Mountain after we visit our favorite winery...O"Shaughnessy. I spoke with Kathy at the Outpost winery and she came across a bit arrogant and lacking in both social and customer service skills. I felt like she was blowing us off for an appointment. Especially after I told her we were going to O'Shaughnessy first. All it takes is one bad first impression...Obviously Outpost has an inferiority complex when it come to O'Shaughnessy. I can understand why. Their loss.... read more

2004 Outpost Howell Mountain Zinfandel This was the bottle I brought to our big Zin Tasting. I have a friend who was working for this winery last year and got me on there list. The wine again is strictly mailing and restaurant only. The 2005 Vintage scored 64th place on Wine Spectators Best Wines of the world list. Seghesio was 10th. Hey Wine Spectator!!! I get that one but not this one. This was a wine that I had high expectation for but it did not deliver. As my brother told me once. How the hell are they growing warm weather grapes on Howell Mountain. I don't really know. Overall the wine packs a huge cedar, oak and tobacco nose and taste. They overwhelm the wine completely as to not have much fruit come forward. The wine can be lit on fire as well with a 16% plus alcohol level... The 2005 vintage I did taste as well last year. It too was to heavy on the wood notes for me to really like. I passed on purchasing any 2006 wines. Not sure if I will every buy anymore of it. Try it if you dare Cheers! read more

Outpost is Secluded really off of the beaten path but so worth the trek up the mountain. We were warmly greeted by KC our hostess extraordinaire. She was fun and knowledgeable about the vines, the wines, the soil and the history of the winery and its owners. We were treated to Outpost 2013 Zin for which they are renown, 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2013 Immigrant. All of these wines are truly beautiful works of science and art. We really want this winery to flourish and it's a must for a serious wine folks so don't tell too many people about em. read more

originally posted on winodepot.com *** Date: December 13, 2007 Winery: Outpost Wines Winemaker: Thomas Brown Tasting: Tasting by Appointment Contact: 707.965.1718 - Tony Velebil The visit was requested by Josh Nelson of the Kitchen and Ella (the family owns both restaurants), ended up that Josh had a case of flu, so just CHICO and I headed up to Howell Mountain for the visit. I didn't take any notes during the visit, while going through three 2005 Outpost bottling plus various barrel samples and catching up with Tony and Thomas. Conversation topics ranged from The Mitchell Report, talking shop, to reminiscing about corks flying and Riedels breaking at last year's post Wine Symposium dinner at the Kitchen. If you are a fan of Thomas Brown, this is where you need to visit. Aside from Outpost, Shrader, Maybach, GTS (Tom Sever), Carmen Policy's projcet, Two Hands (US project sourced from Spring Mountain Vineyard) and probably few others I can't recall at the moment all can be found here. We wrapped up the tasting after couple of hours, until next time... read more

So much hype on the eBob message board for this tasting and it fell way, way short. No organization, the tasting room was a mess and it was rushed. We wasted our time driving up to visit this place. read more

Scott Creamer, the wine sommelier at Brix, recommended Outpost to us. Since we planned on visiting a few wineries on Howell Mountain anyway, we added them to the list. The view off the patio is spectacular. With a view like that, I question their building a tasting room. My wife and I really enjoyed Outpost wines. We are big Zin drinkers and these wines were very enjoyable. So much so that we are now on their mailing list. Highly recommended. read more

One of the best vineyards on Howell mountain! Their wine is outstanding and the staff are friendly and welcoming.

This place was so welcoming to us! We really enjoyed talking to the owner Kathy and hearing about their unique business model. The wines that they are producing are great and it's very neat to see what other projects they are working on. read more

My husband and I enjoy learning about wine as sort of a vacation hobby. Having been to some truly amazing wineries around the world, this experience at outpost wines was one of the most unique and peaceful wine adventures for us to date. The location is out there (the name hints to it right?;) but it was well worth the drive. When you get to a big gate and call to enter they welcome you to drive in, from then on we felt like we were being hosted by a friend that has a beautiful vineyard and extensive wine knowledge. It is literally your party and a personal wine expert, pouring wine and chatting about anything you want to know, it feels all about you and of course high quality wine. Our host was Bryan and he had a very relaxed but knowledgeable style while explaining the way this particular vineyard runs. As he talked, you get the image of a small dedicated team of professionals with a passion for vintages with character and high standards throughout the growing and winemaking process. The wines tell that same story when you taste them, first pour was a striking Chardonnay, then we tasted two truly delicious Zins and a good Cabernet. We learned a great deal in the process and even took a stroll in the vineyard to see the vines being described. If you are considering an experience that is away from the hustle of Napa Valley where wine tasting is a slow, enjoyable and customized event well Outpost Wines is it! read more

What a great spot! The wines are tasty, the view is amazing and the people are so gracious. Rich, our host, was so nice and set us up at the shady table to have lunch because we were starving - we kept the poor guy way too late. We can't wait to go back. Make sure you make an appointment before heading up to winery! read more

Outstanding Cabernets and zinfandels. Gorgeous views. Tasting experience is very personal and included a walk through of the vineyards as well as the barrel room. Highly recommend! We look forward to going back. read more

Came up here for a private (Free! Amazing in Napa) tour and tasting on recommendation. It's definitely a bit of a drive, but once we stepped foot on the property we were SO glad that we came. The most spectacular views. The tasting room was inviting and well appointed. Kathy, who owns Outpost with her husband, gave us our tour. She was beyond gracious and gave a great history of the property while educating us on their wines, which, by the way, were BEYOND fantastic. No one else was up on the hill during the time except us and in no way did we feel rushed. Amazing experience and I can't wait to get my hands on more of their amazing product. A must visit if you're a red drinker. In love with their grenache and zins! read more

We are local and were doing a wine tour of Howell Mountain and this was on our list, but never thought to call ahead. We ended up joining a nice couple for their private tour (they were so generous to let us join them when the Outpost guy asked) and had THE BEST time. Bought a bunch and I am waiting for the delivery as I type this. This is great wine, a lovely facility and very pleasant people. We are so sick of cheezy napa wineries that charge and arm and a leg and cater to the tourists...no fun. This was a very personalized tour and we were so fortunate to have glided in on it. PLAN AHEAD and make an appointment! Also enjoyed Pope Valley Winery to just stop in. Remember this lovely, small, homey town is CLOSED up on Saturdays, no gas, no corner store, no cafe. It is their day of worship (town was settled by 7th Day Adventists) read more

Their wines may be wonderful but I will never know. Tried to make a reservation but when the woman (did not get a name) at the winery followed up with me she came across as so curt and arrogant, I decided it wasn't worth the $75 tasting fee. read more

Outpost Wines is one of the best wineries to visit in the area. They have a new Tasting Room Hostess Erin, very nice girl. They have Thomas Brown as the wine maker, enough said. The crew of John's does a stellar job. ( there are three or four John's working there) Owners Kathy & Frank Dotzler couldn't be more gracious. The True Vineyard Cabernet 2006 is one of my favorites. They also have one of the best views in Napa County. read more

Don't take the time to visit. Overall very disappointing. Unknowledgeable and rude staff that ruin your whole experience. Wine was mediocre

Outstanding!!! Outpost is truly worth the drive up Howell Mountain. The view is wonderful, the people are outstanding and the wine are some of Napa's best! Get off 29 and forget about The Silverado Trail. Drive up the mountain for an unforgettable Napa experience. read more

This was our first trip to Napa, but somehow in my research I stumbled across Howell Mountain and we visited two "off the beaten track" wineries up here. Highly recommend making the trip as the tastings were very personal (just us) and relaxed. We were greeted by two super friendly, well-behaved doggies and Colin was very personable and informative as he walked us around the property to see the tanks and barrels of wine (sigh), but also gave us some time alone to savor the fantastic wines and enjoy the stunning views from the mountaintop. Can't wait to go back! read more

Just amazing! Must go! Wines are a hidden gem! Loved everything we tasted and purchased bottles to bring home. Can't say this about all tastings we went to. Anne knows her business!! Scenery is spectacular. Can't wait to return. Greeter couldn't have been any nicer. We really had a great experience! read more

We visited 8 vineyards while in Napa and Outpost was far and away the best. The views and wine were equally breathtaking. Rich and Kathy were great! We plan on returning next time we do a trip. Do yourself a favor and go to Outpost while in Napa! read more

I love outpost wines!! We had such a great time there on sunday and of course the weather and the view was spectacular. We went for a short stroll between the vines with Coleman, Rich and friends. Second time we have visited and will go back again for the wine and conversation. read more

What a view, great wine, great hosts. Howell Mountain at its best. Visited on 4/10/14 for the 3rd time and will visit again. A must visit for Oenophiles. read more

I had just the opposite experience as everyone. The tasting was very organized and detailed. Dan hosted us and knew plenty about every aspect of the business. The tasting room and views were amazing. The wines... goodness, they were delicious. Thomas Brown is the wine maker here and he knows what he is doing. Make sure you stop here and don't let the other reviews steer you away. The Zin's were top notch, Syrah, Cab's, Grenache, you name it all top notch. read more

Outpost Wines.... Incredible View from the Porch was simply the beginning of one of the most memorable tastings our Group had on the 2010 trip. Erin our beautiful host begin the tour on the Patio with a lovely healthy pour of Outpost Grenache. This was followed by some history of the winery and it was on to one of the best Zins..... a Zintastic pleasure to the palate. We then toured the crushpad, and watched as Frank and Kathy Dotzle crushed some of this years harvest. Followed by a simply awesome Syrah in the tasting room. I would recommend that anyone making the trek to Howell Mountain would be remiss to not visit The Dotzle's and Erin. read more