Napa Valley · Rutherford AVA
Rutherford
Famous for 'Rutherford Dust' Cabernet Sauvignon
The spiritual home of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Rutherford's famous 'dust' — a subtle mineral earthiness first described in the 1940s — is found in the wines of Inglenook, Caymus, Frog's Leap, C...
Wineries to Visit
- Inglenook
- Caymus Vineyards
- Frog's Leap Winery
- Cakebread Cellars
- Grgich Hills Estate
- Mumm Napa
Where to Eat
Auberge du Soleil Restaurant
$$$$
The most iconic restaurant view in Napa Valley — Michelin-starred dining on a terraced hillside overlooking Rutherford.
Rutherford Grill
$$$
The approachable, relaxed Rutherford institution — rotisserie meats, great wine list, no reservations needed at the bar.
Things to Do
- ✓ Taste the full Inglenook estate including Rubicon
- ✓ Explore Frog's Leap's organic certified gardens
- ✓ Visit the Niebaum-Coppola museum at Inglenook
- ✓ Sunset drinks at Auberge du Soleil terrace
- ✓ Spot the 'Rutherford Bench' — the gentle rise where the best Cabs grow
🍷 WinoNotion Insider Tip
Rutherford is small but historically enormous. When you taste a 'dusty' Rutherford Cab — that mineral earthiness first described by André Tchelistcheff as 'Rutherford dust' — you're tasting something that can't be replicated anywhere else on earth. Ask your tasting host to explain it.
Known For
'Rutherford dust', Cabernet Sauvignon, Inglenook, Caymus, organic farming pioneers
Drive Times
San Francisco
1h 20min
Oakland
1h 10min
Los Angeles
7h 45min
Where to Stay
Auberge du Soleil
Ultra-Luxury
The quintessential Napa Valley luxury resort — olive grove, stunning views, world-class spa and dining.
Rancho Caymus Inn
Boutique
An intimate hacienda-style inn right in Rutherford — beautifully restored and perfectly located.