Napa Valley

America's most celebrated wine region. 30 miles of extraordinary Cabernet Sauvignon, iconic estates, and world-class tasting experiences.
472Wineries
12,845Reviews
8.9Avg Score
16Sub-AVAs
$65–$120Avg Tasting Fee
🍇
Best Varietals
Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay
📅
Peak Season
Sept – November (Harvest)
🌡
Climate
Warm days, cool nights
📍
Location
30 miles north of San Francisco
🚗
From SF
~1 hour drive

About Napa Valley

Napa Valley is the undisputed capital of American fine wine. Stretching just 30 miles from the San Pablo Bay in the south to Mount St. Helena in the north, this narrow valley is home to 472 wineries and 16 distinct sub-appellations, each with its own distinct terroir and personality.

"The 1976 Judgment of Paris changed everything — Napa's Cabernets beat the finest French wines in a blind tasting, and the world of wine was never the same."

The valley floor is dominated by the classic Napa Cabernet style: rich, structured, and age-worthy. Moving up into the mountain appellations — Howell Mountain, Diamond Mountain, Spring Mountain — the wines become more powerful and austere. The cooler Carneros district at the southern end produces exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Sub-Appellations

All Napa Stags Leap District Oakville Rutherford St. Helena Calistoga Carneros Howell Mountain Diamond Mountain Spring Mountain Mount Veeder Atlas Peak Coombsville Chiles Valley Wild Horse Valley Yountville
Explore by Sub-Region

Napa Valley's Four Regions

🌊
Southern Napa Valley
Carneros · Oak Knoll · Yountville
Cool-climate sparkling wine, Michelin-starred Yountville dining, fog-influenced Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
🍷
Central Napa Valley
Oakville AVA · Rutherford AVA
The golden mile. Opus One, Robert Mondavi, Inglenook, and the legendary To Kalon Vineyard — the heart of Napa Cabernet.
🏛
Upper Napa Valley
St. Helena · Stags Leap District
Historic Beringer (1876), Stag's Leap Wine Cellars (winner of the 1976 Paris tasting), and charming Main Street St. Helena.
🌋
Northern Napa Valley
Calistoga AVA · Diamond Mountain
Volcanic soils, hot spring spas, the medieval Castello di Amorosa castle, Schramsberg's historic 1862 caves.
Plan by Town

Napa Valley Towns

🍽 Yountville
Culinary capital · French Laundry
🍷 Oakville
To Kalon · Opus One · Far Niente
🌿 Rutherford
Rutherford dust · Inglenook · Caymus
🏘 St. Helena
Main Street · Beringer 1876 · CIA
♨️ Calistoga
Hot springs · Castle · Schramsberg
Robert Mondavi Winery
Not Yet Reviewed
Robert Mondavi Winery
📍 Oakville
The winery that put Napa Valley on the world map. Freshly renovated estate, the legendary To Kalon V...
🏛 HistoricTo Kalon
Tasting: $60
1,249 reviews
Opus One Winery
Not Yet Reviewed
Opus One Winery
📍 Oakville
The most iconic wine collaboration in history. A single Bordeaux blend from Rothschild and Mondavi —...
🍷 IconicBordeaux Blend
Tasting: $125
680 reviews
Castello di Amorosa
Not Yet Reviewed
Castello di Amorosa
📍 Calistoga
A genuine 13th-century Tuscan castle in Calistoga. 107 rooms, a drawbridge, a dungeon, and exception...
🏰 Castle👨‍👩‍👧 Family
Tasting: $45
2,100 reviews
Beringer Vineyards
Not Yet Reviewed
Beringer Vineyards
📍 St. Helena
Napa Valley's oldest continuously operating winery since 1876. The historic Rhine House mansion, ico...
🏛 Est. 1876🏛 Cave Tour
Tasting: $35
1,840 reviews
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars
Not Yet Reviewed
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars
📍 Stags Leap District
The wine that changed history. The 1973 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon won the 1976 Judgment of Paris and...
🏆 Paris 1976🌄 Views
Tasting: $75
520 reviews
Duckhorn Vineyards
Not Yet Reviewed
Duckhorn Vineyards
📍 St. Helena
The winery that elevated Merlot to fine wine status in America. Impeccably elegant estate tastings o...
🍷 MerlotLuxury
Tasting: $60
840 reviews
Cakebread Cellars
Not Yet Reviewed
Cakebread Cellars
📍 Rutherford
Rutherford's benchmark family estate since 1973. California's most celebrated Chardonnay, a renowned...
🥂 ChardonnayFamily Estate
Tasting: $50
620 reviews
Mumm Napa
Not Yet Reviewed
Mumm Napa
📍 Rutherford
The best sparkling wine experience in Napa Valley. A world-class art gallery, sweeping vineyard view...
🥂 Sparkling🌄 Views
Tasting: $30
980 reviews
Chateau Montelena
Not Yet Reviewed
Chateau Montelena
📍 Calistoga
The other 1976 Judgment of Paris winner. A stunning Victorian château above Calistoga, a legendary C...
🏆 Paris 1976🏰 Château
Tasting: $60
740 reviews
V. Sattui Winery
Not Yet Reviewed
V. Sattui Winery
📍 St. Helena
Napa's best picnic destination since 1885. Walk-ins always welcome, an extraordinary artisan deli, 7...
🧺 Picnic🐾 Dogs
Tasting: $25
1,680 reviews
Stag's Leap Winery
📍 Stags Leap District
Historic estate, legendary Cabernet, mountain views.
CabernetHistoric
Tasting: $75
248 reviews
Far Niente
Not Yet Reviewed
Far Niente Estate
📍 Oakville
Napa's most coveted wine club. Exceptional Cab and Chardonnay.
🏆 Top ClubLuxury
Tasting: $100
318 reviews
Opus One
Not Yet Reviewed
Opus One Winery
📍 Oakville
The ultimate Napa-Bordeaux collaboration. Architecture as stunning as the wine.
IconicArchitecture
Tasting: $125
524 reviews

Best Time to Visit

🌸
Spring
Wildflowers, bud break, smaller crowds, cooler weather. Excellent for hiking between tastings.
Great
☀️
Summer
Hot and busy. Book well ahead. Great for outdoor tastings and concerts at the wineries.
Good
🍂
Fall (Harvest)
Crush season — the most exciting time. Grapes being picked, tanks fermenting, energy everywhere.
Peak Season
🌧
Winter
Quieter, cheaper, and more intimate. Rain brings lush green scenery. Fewer crowds, more personal attention.
Quiet & Affordable