Napa Valley: Articles on California's Napa Valley Wine Region

If the words “Gluttonous Flight” intrigue you, get on over to the tasting room at Robert Sinskey Vineyards. Their food-focused tasting experience includes four wines paired with a selection of appetizers and cheeses prepared in their on-site, professional kitchen by their professional chef. The hors d’oeurves on a recent menu included leek tartlets and savory cheese puffs (aka Gougeres, for the French speakers out there) to accompany an Alsatian style blend, two pinots and a cabernet. There is a spacious patio, complete with hillside view and plenty of seating, and a koi pond if you’re interested in watching fish. Their wines are grown on organic vines, and are sourced from both the Stags Leap and Los Carneros districts. This is a great Silverado Trail stop for groups of folks who have varying interests – the foodie, the view-appreciater, and the shopper shall all be quite pleased.

One of the more recent wineries to spring up in the Stag’s Leap appellation is Cliff Lede Vineyards, founded in 2002, that showcases not just still and sparkling wines, but an art gallery, a sculpture-bedecked garden, and “sun-drenched” terrace. The Canadian businessman who founded the winery clearly spared no expense, as a glance at their history brochure will attest. The names of David Abreu (of Screaming Eagle, among other Napa cult wine, fame), Michelle Edwards (of Colgin fame) and Michel Rolland (of Mondovino fame) all appear within the first paragraph. Visitors can try a pour of the Claret or Diamond Mountain Cabernet, or one of their four sparkling wines, and then head over to the gallery to peruse the latest installation. You can even book a room at the nearby Poetry Inn, also affiliated with the winery, if you’re not up to driving after this stop.

Visitors to the Sutter Home tasting room just outside St. Helena can enjoy some of the finest gardens and flowers of any winery in Napa. From the roses to the palm trees, the quaint inn to the lush lawn, landscaping is clearly a high priority for the folks at this estate. Once you’ve taken in the brilliant scenery, wander inside to do some light shopping, or taste from their huge varietal selection at the tasting counter. If you’re planning your trip far enough in advance, try to book lodging at the small (5 room) adjacent Sutter Home Inn.

There is no tasting room per se at Spottswoode. You can taste the wines by appointment as part of their winery tour.  Suggested only for small groups of less than ten and by appointment only. Easy to find off CA 29. Known for their estate grown cabs.