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    Stony Hill

    4.6 (46 reviews)
    PriceyWineries
    Closed • 10:00 am - 3:30 pm

    By appointment only

    Stony Hill Photos

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    Dennis S.

    Sarah (our host, not Sarah McCrea) was charming, knowledgeable, and glowed with her love of Stony Hill. I was disappointed to not see her afterwards on the "our team" page of their website, as she is doing so much to spread the love of Stony Hill with visitors. She really made our visit special. Short but harrowing one lane road up the mountain; we were told the visits are timed to make it less likely we'd encounter someone coming the other way, as there's really no way for quite a stretch to make room for two cars. Tasting is in the old McCrea home, very 50s/60s in decor, an unusual, memorable and extremely comfortable tasting setting. Short walk to the way cool historic winery. The winery, with so much original ancient equipment, as well as the fabulous Chardonnay, makes this a must, out of the way, visit. Beautiful views.

    Aaron S.

    We had a great experience end to end. Our guide was a great mix of passionate, well informed, and attentive to our level of wine experience. The wine was great and we took home some things we didn't even know we would have wanted to try. Strongly recommend

    2011 & 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon
    Amanda B.

    We visited Stony hill while on a ladies trip with some friends. In the covid era this winery and our host, Alyson did a beautiful job of keeping us distant from other guests (we never even saw the other party who was doing a tasting around the same time as us). Alyson was kind and knowledgeable about the wines and the family history of Stony Hill. All of the wines in our tasting were fantastic - and I'm not a huge fan of all wine. I went home with the semillon de Soliel which was the greatest dessert wine I've ever had. I'll definitely be back to this beautiful gem on the top of a mountain. The smoke from the California wildfires made our view rather hazy, but the delish wine and lovely hospitality from Alyson made the experience wonderful.

    Aya S.

    We have been loyal membership of stony hill since 2019 and we truly love anything about them. After the previous owner sold the business, new management fired all of the employees and it really broke my heart to hear that. Now I got the notification by email about them shipping notification. Even though it says they are honoring the loyal discount, the price is already more than what we used to pay. We used to get a shipment 3 bottles per season but for some reason they are shipping 6 bottles with the gauged price without explanation. what a way to treat loyal customer. Probably we are going to cancel our menbership. Really wish they kept the old stony hill legacy.

    2013 Gewurztraminer.
    Bradley N.

    I think it's fair to say that most wineries in Napa Valley aren't surrounded on all sides by protected park land. Or focused on age worthy white wines sourced from vines first planted when Eisenhower was the President. Not many wineries in the valley will serve its guests Gewurztraminer and Riesling while showcasing old oak barrels and handcrafted touches that speak volumes without saying a word. Chardonnay here is made to last. It turns golden with age, not with oak chips. The concept of old vine wine is usually associated with Zinfandel and other heritage varietals planted by Italian immigrants in California, but here it is linked to Chardonnay, which the founders, the McCreas, planted in the 1950s, and many of these original plantings still grow on the property. They are sustained by a natural underground spring that raises the water table to eight feet, which is easily reached by a mature grape vine. They don't need irrigation; they drink what they need and take up into their fruit unique elements from the rocky soils in which they have grown for more than 60 years. Old vine, dry farmed Chardonnay (the Wente clone, in this case, from the historic Livermore Valley family-owned winery and vineyards) is truly different than most, with a long finish that one typically finds in red wines, and something that wine connoisseurs and somms like to refer to as "flintiness." It's a kind of minerality that you can detect in wine made from grapes grown in stony, often shaley, soils. German Rieslings and some Austrian wines have this quality, as of course do French wines from Chablis and other similar spots. Stony Hill also uses old neutral oak barrels for fermentation and aging that don't perfume the wine with wood, and they prevent malolactic fermentation from converting the wine's acids into the creamy, buttery flavors of most other California Chardonnay. This sharpens the wine's profile into something like a finely cut gemstone, one that gets more luminous and lovely with age. Straw yellow becomes light gold and eventually amber, but the fruit core remains. It's hard to describe, exactly, but if you try two of their vintages side by side, which is part of the tasting experience, you will discover this sensation on your own. Cabernet is the "new kid on the block" here, having been made only for about the last decade, and Syrah has been grafted to vines on the Estate as well, although it will take time for this new red wine (their second) to be available. Wine tastings are quiet things, full of fun stops to sip and see the vines, barrel rooms, and outdoor patio areas with their commanding views of Napa Valley. Time will pass and you will hardly notice. The light in the valley will alter and you will be focused on birdsong or the refraction of sunshine in your glass as a wine five or more years old shifts and shimmers and you will say to yourself: what a wonderful world!

    Swimming pool on the estate. built by hand by the original owners.
    Camelia N.

    Stony Hill will seduce you. It will not be aggressive or assertive. A visit here will be a revelation of the senses. The land is fertile, the property attractive, the views unforgettable. The wines here linger. They lightly tease the palate and tickle the tongue. They make your day special. They invite you in. They make you want to sink into cooling waters, to lose your inhibitions, to connect with the sensual. They are as sexy as wines get, without the crudeness of a strip tease or artificially enhanced excesses of far too many cult Napa wineries. There is nothing flashy about Stony Hill; the vines speak for the themselves, and they do so with a voice that is soothing, soft, and lovely. Are the wines any good? Yes, they are very good, just not what you might expect in Napa. They are, with one exception, exclusively white varieties of continental European origin made in an Old World style rarely seen in California. In the 1950s, Napa made many more white wines than it does now, and Stony Hill's microclimate is perfect for the wines it produces in small amounts each year. While subtle at first, these wines can pack a punch, due to their extraction, not high alcohol level. While gentle, they are still able to seize your attention with the very first sip. Without fanfare, they flout winemaking conventions. There is no way to rate these wines on a 100 point scale, although many have tried. They simply are. Even if you are a dyed in the wool red wine freak who would rather kiss a sheep than drink Riesling, Chardonnay, or Gewurztraminer, Stony Hill will make you a believer! Visits here require advanced planning. You will need to request a time online and wait for confirmation. It will cost a modest fee to tour and taste, around $45 per person. This is money well spent. There are no bad wines here, but you should take home an older vintage Chardonnay if at all possible. The Cabernet Sauvignon, the only red wine currently made, is also excellent, and unusual for Napa for its restraint and cellaring potential. Don't expect fireworks here. Expect enlightenment instead!

    Absolutely amazing experience in a vineyard tour and tasting. It was a first for both my wife and myself, and we could not have had a better day or experience. Alex (great-grandson) of the founding family was our guide and he told wonderful stories of the process and Napa Valley. Take the time to get "off the beaten path" and visit this vineyard. And on top of all of that, the wines were amazing!

    Chardonnay Vineyard view
    Nina E.

    This is a diamond in the rough! Gorgeous view of the valley...understated elegance in the tasting area...awesome history and beautiful Rieslings and Chardonnays! Allison our server was very chill and informative. Perfect experience!

    Vineyard seating area

    Run, don't walk; Stoney Hill Vineyard is fabulous! If you're tired of busy wineries with employees who give the same presentation to visitors, go to Stoney Hill. The history of the vineyard is so interesting and the residence on-site has been restored to its 1950s roots. The staff is excellent; Richard did our tasting and he was so pleasant and you could truly see his passion for wine. Unlike other wineries where you feel like they're reading from a script, Richard really gave a wonderful presentation of the history of the vineyard and their wines. Take the time to visit here; you won't be disappointed and the wines and scenery are nothing short of spectacular!

    Connie S.

    what a treat! stony hill is off the beaten path, but well worth the detour up spring mountain. the tasting includes a tour around the property, where you can check out the original house built in the 1940s, the awesome pool (that unfortunately is only used during special events) and the small wine cellar. for the main event, guests are seated at an outdoor table with an amazing view of the valley, and treated to six or so delicious tastings (mostly whites, with a few reds). our tour guide/som was awesome - very knowledgeable and a lot of fun. also, the winery allows dogs, which is always a huge plus. know before you go: reservations are required. the tastings are pretty pricey ($45 per person). also, you should factor in an additional 20 minutes or so to get to/from the winery and st. helena highway.

    Gorgeous views with our tasting
    Vivian C.

    Delicious Chardonnays!! One of the best in Napa. They make it old world style so if you're looking for a creamy heavy Chardonnay you're in the wrong place. The winery is off the beaten path. You have to drive up a winding road up a mountain. I thought I was lost at first but the drive is worth it. My friend and I were shown around the winery and we were able to taste Gewurtraminer straight out of a barrel! Because the winery is up in the mountains, you have a great backdrop to your wine tasting experience. Our guide was very knowledgeable. He had just taken the CMS certified sommelier exams. We tasted a Gewurtraminer, Riesling, Chardonnay and a Pinot Noir. The Chardonnay stole the show and my friend bought a bottle of it. They were kind enough to waive one of our tasting fees. I can't say enough good things about this place. Call ahead and book an appointment!

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    11 years ago

    Amazing. Amazing. Amazing! The location, the intimate tour and tasting experience, the wines...everything was amazing.

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    Ask the Community - Stony Hill

    Review Highlights - Stony Hill

    “We have been ordering and drinking Stony Hill Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer and Riesling since 1969.”

    Mentioned in 6 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    I loved loved loved this winery. We got the Reserve experience, led by Becky. It was 90 minutes of…read moresampling through the winery's wines, walking through the cave and learning about Pride's craft. It was so intimate and personable - one of the best winery tours we've had. The wines are also excellent - we were particularly stunned by the chardonnay and syrah which are wines we tend to stay away from, but Pride produced such delicious ones that we changed our minds on them! The view here is stunning, too. But I highly recommend getting a private driver since the drive up the hill is quite a hike!

    This is my very first winery/vineyard and I'd say after this experience, the bar is now set to…read moreHIGH. Our host, Krista, was so knowledgeable, open to repeat/answer any questions, and is so good at holding conversations! I felt so enlightened and energized because of her absolute good vibes. Krista ended up showing us a variety of different wines, but the most notable wine was the very beginning. My friends and I were limited in our wine knowledge and he admitted that he felt like all wine tastes the same. However, once we took our very first sip, the fruity, buttery notes completely changed our minds. She sets the image about drinking this near a pool and I immediately would get transported to her explanations. It was giving "Remy" from "Ratatouille" moment when you close your eyes and see/feel all the different imagery. Throughout the tour, we are educated on the fact that they have two different addresses because they are at the border of both Sonoma County and Napa! Literally best of both worlds! Afterwards, we tried multiple different wines in their caves and educated on the different notes, how to hold our wine glasses, and the importance of everything. Before this experience, I was completely unaware of what to look for, but now I feel like I have a better understanding of everything. Certain notes I didn't even expect like the peppery taste in one of the wines. It was so cool knowing that these type of caves and winery exists and I feel like our host, Krista, made our experience even BETTER. Thank you Krista for showing us around. This was completely unforgettable and I WILL BE coming again!

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    We visited Schramsberg for the wine tasting and cave experience to celebrate my birthday, and it…read morewas truly one of the best experiences I've ever had. Whether you love sparkling wine, red wine, or wine in general, this is an experience you shouldn't miss. The historic caves were unlike anything we've ever seen, and walking through them while learning about their history made the visit even more special. Our guide, Francesca, was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate. She made the tour engaging and memorable, and we're so glad we had the opportunity to experience it with her. We enjoyed it so much that throughout the rest of our trip in Napa, we made a point of telling other visitors to make time for Schramsberg. We would absolutely recommend this experience to any friends or family visiting the area. It was the perfect way to celebrate my birthday, and we'll definitely be back!

    My husband asked me not to post this, but I can't help myself. I have been waiting to visit…read moreschramsberg for years. You start off in the visitor center which is not clearly marked Our quide gentleman was a smart ASS and annoying. He kept saying that not my job! Well no one in the group said it was. I wish we would have focused on the history of the winery. He did mention the 61 vineyards nothing else. The tasting is in the cave standing, no chairs provided, water not offered, and if you were spitting, nothing offered for that This experience was a real put off. I love sparkling wines but I'll be avoiding ever buying schramsberg again. The cost was 200.01 for 2 people. Not worth the price Heitz was much less and a great experience I would appreciate a response and a refund

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    Vincent Arroyo Family Winery

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    We had such a fun visit Saturday! We got a full tour, a rundown on how they make their wine and a…read morethorough tasting of many of their wines. Absolutely recommend a visit here. Another must try is their balsamic vinegar! I bought one because I couldn't resist!

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    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!

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    Stony Hill - wineries - Updated September 2026

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