Could you recommend some non-tourist type wineries in the Napa Valley area.?

Question

A maximum of 2 or 3 wineries since I will only be there for one full day.

Answer 1

Non Tourist type - do you mean not mass hysteria?

Raymond - smaller production but excellent quality and consistency.

Schramsberg - best sparkling wine in the valley. Tours & tastings are limited to about 20 people, if that. By Reservation only.

I also concur with Twomey and Chateau Montelana. Twomey is very close to Schramsberg, so that would be a great start to a day. You could also try Caymus - they are appointment only.

Grgich Hills has great wine, but the tasting room is huge and you don't get a ton of personal attention unless you go early.

If you don't like the cattle feel, I'd avoid Peju (lots of last minute yahoos), Mondavi, Cosetino, Rubicon (Coppola), Domaine Chandon, Franciscan, and maybe Beringer. I say *maybe* Beringer because if it's your first time to the valley, they give one of the most informative tours.

If I personally only had a day, I would do Scramsberg, Raymond, Twomey, Grgich Hills, and another random one that I've never been to.

Many wineries have 2 for one coupons on napavalley.com, so make sure to take advantage of those. And, you can always split a flight if you don't want to drop the cash.

Have a great trip!

Answer 2

"just returned from 5 days in Napa and some time in San Francisco. The cabs of central Napa valley are still the best when done right, but the cost of tasting is only now exceeded by the cost of purchasing a bottle. We found that the commercialism has totally taken over the valley and if you are going on a tasting tour don't just bring a few spare dollars and a few fives but be prepared to spend several hundred dollars in a few days as most tastings are $10USD or $15USD with the champagne houses going for $15-25USD. Some of the bigger houses only do tours and tastings with a snackie to justify the fare. The old tour bus standbys on highway 29 still offer some fun for the casual traveller and wine taster, but the serious wineries are asking for big dollars. Some of best of breed found this trip was Twomey, that had a fabulous Merlot and a Chenin Blanc at Chateau Montelena. Etude in the lower part of the valley or maybe actually in Caneros was the top Cab on this trip."

Answer 3

I love the Cakebread Winery - it's quaint and charming. It's on the main highway 29 but only has a tiny sign out in front. Most people just zoom right by to the bigger wineries, I love this one. Have fun!

Answer 4

Napa Valley is predominately a pink wine section by using climate and stipulations. For whites you will would desire to project south and incredibly east into the Carneros section. this is the section that connect napa valley to sonoma valley. clean Wine places Schramsberg does my sought after excursion. very expensive, yet incorporates a cave excursion, 5 clean wine tasting, and beautiful provider. would desire to make an appoitment for this vineyard. Mumm is likewise super and that they have a pictures gallery which you would be able to go searching in as nicely as excursions two times an afternoon. familiar Wine Cake Bread does some very super white wine. Chardonnay regularly Luna Vineyards does some dazzling italian white varieties like Pinot Grigio and a white mixture. Grgich Hills Cellar makes an marvelous chardonnay Silverado Vineyards does a superb Chardonnay and Sauv Blanc. i will advise right here excursions to you, although, i do no longer in my view look after their wines, Beringer, Robert Mondavi vineyard. so some distance as dinner spots circulate, my would desire to work out dinner spot is Cindy's back highway Kitchen in St. Helena. Uva's in Downtown Napa is super. Cole's Chophouse, Angele the two in napa. Wappo's Wine Bar in Calistoga has a brilliant outdoors patio. I actual have by no potential been to the geyser in Calistoga so i won't be able to remark.

Answer 5

Trefethen winery is hard to find, seems like a bunch of turns and it's hidden away quite well. Nicely kept, and there is never crowds there, just a few people.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Go to Sonoma. They have far less tourists, fewer tasting fees, smaller wineries and great wines! Napa sucks.