Wine tours with a private chauffeur are fantastic, yet there’s something special about an on-site winery tour in Wine Country. With over 400 wineries across Napa Valley alone, choosing the top winery tours might seem overwhelming. Fortunately, we’ve sifted through Napa’s extensive selection to compile a list of some of the best, allowing you to concentrate on the most important part—the wine. Here are the top winery tours you shouldn’t miss in Napa Valley.
Founded by the late Donald Hess, a respected art collector and vintner, Hess Persson Estates has earned a reputation for its character-filled wines and diverse range of wine tasting experiences. Art enthusiasts will want to make a point to book Hess’ walking tour of their on-site art museum, which includes an intimate tour of the impressive contemporary art works on display, followed by a seated tasting of current release wines.
Insider Tip: If you have a little more time to spare, upgrade your visit with the 90-minute Tour of the Palate Experience. As with the Walking Tour of the Museum, you’ll spend time exploring the collection of contemporary art, but you’ll follow it with a tasting of estate-exclusive wines paired with a seasonal, three-course menu created by Hess’ own executive chef.
Visit: 4411 Redwood Road, Napa, CA 94558
Contact: (707) 255-1144
For four decades, the family-owned Groth Vineyards & Winery has been making noteworthy wines from its expansive estate in Napa Valley’s Oakville AVA, as well as from other reputable vineyards in the region. Starting this July, the winery will welcome visitors to experience the estate and its vines like never before. The Among the Vines: Oakville Estate ATV Tour is a 90-minute experience (limited to four guests) that takes you on an easy-going ATV ride around and through the estate vineyards. Along the way, you’ll learn about Groth’s viticulture practices and stop for sips of wine while admiring the beautiful vines, majestic oak trees, and insectary garden.
Insider Tip: If you’re the type who loves to learn while you sip, consider attending one (or all) of Groth’s Oakville Summer School offerings. This intimate educational series, highlighting topics such as “The Art of Blending” and “Vineyard & Cellar Walk,” includes behind-the-scenes tours, hands-on experiences, and, of course, great wine.
Visit: 750 Oakville Cross Road, Oakville, CA 94562
Contact: (707) 754-4254
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Explore the art of winemaking as you blend, bottle, and label your own Bordeaux-style wine at Judd’s Hill, located in the heart of Napa.
Sustainability isn’t just a buzz word to Raymond Vineyards, which is one of Napa’s largest solar-powered wineries. To dive into some of the winery’s sustainability efforts, don’t miss the Journey of the Senses Vineyard, Garden and Winery Tour. You’ll go behind the scenes, immersing yourself in Raymond’s biodynamic farming and sustainability practices, then sip wine, surrounded by the very vineyards where the grapes were sourced, and sample cheese in their sun-dappled redwood grove.
Insider Tip: If all that sounds great but you’re more of the sit-inside-and-sip-type, book the Proprietor’s Lounge experience. While not a tour, you’ll get to sample five rare wines, each hand-selected by owner Jean-Charles Boisset himself, inside his opulently decorated hideaway.
Visit: 1584 St. Helena Highway, St. Helena, CA 94574
Contact: (707) 963-3141
Maybe you stumbled across this post thinking it was about organized wine tours—don’t fret! We’ve got plenty of info on the best wine tours in Napa, whether you’re looking for a group getaway or a more educational tour for two.
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Located about 25 minutes from downtown St. Helena, Somerston Estate may be a bit off-the-beaten-path, but it’s a gem waiting to be discovered. This idyllic haven is where artisanal winemaking meets stunning vineyard landscapes, and the best way to experience it all is through the Somerston Estate Tour & Tasting. This 90-minute tour will give you a behind the scenes look at what it takes to produce micro batch wines, as well as a glimpse at the inner workings of the estate itself. Following the tour, you’ll enjoy a seated tasting of current releases paired with gourmet small bites.
Insider Tip: After your tour of Somerston, head to downtown Yountville to sample wines from sister-winery Priest Ranch. Their bacon and wine pairing experience is not-to-be-missed.
Visit: 3450 Sage Canyon Road, St. Helena, CA 94574
Contact: (707) 967-8414
Mumm Napa has been a destination for traditionally-made sparkling wines since its inception in the late 1970s. During the private, two-hour-long Capturing the Sparkle Tour, you’ll visit the winery’s demonstration vineyard, tour the winemaking facility and cellar, then finish with a tasting of five vintage sparkling wines and cheese on the Oak Terrace. If you’d rather have a more leisurely experience without the tour, book a tasting on the Oak Terrace or their outdoor patio to sip bubbly outdoors overlooking the vines.
Insider Tip: Visit Mumm Napa’s fine art gallery. The gallery is home to a collection of original Ansel Adams prints (on loan from the Adams family), as well as works from local and international artists.
Visit: 8445 Silverado Trail, Rutherford, CA 94573
Contact: (800) 686-6272
Situated in the heart of the Stags Leap District, Pine Ridge Vineyards—which has been making wine for over 40 years—offers several wine tasting experiences worth exploring. For a complete vine-to-glass tour, though, check out the 90-minute Cellar 47 Cave Tour and Tasting. You’ll visit the wine cellar and impressive wine caves, where you’ll enjoy a tasting of their limited estate Cabernets.
Insider Tip: Pine Ridge Vineyards has gained a loyal following for its Cabernet-based wines, including their flagship Cabernet, FORTIS, which you can only taste and purchase at the winery.
Visit: 5901 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558
Contact: (800) 575-9777
Started by the people behind Duckhorn Winery, Paraduxx takes a slightly different approach by focusing exclusively on unique blends. While the winery is lovely to visit any time of year, harvest season is when Paraduxx offers its From Grape to Glass experience (available August through October). During, you’ll explore the Rector Creek estate vineyard on a driving tour, where you’ll come face-to-face with vine-ripened grapes that are ready to be picked, and end it all with a seated tasting of their exclusive Rector Creek-designated wines. It’s a fun, immersive experience that puts you right into the heart of the action.
Insider Tip: Visiting outside of harvest season and want to experience a taste of the winemaker life? Then book the Art of the Blend experience, where you’ll learn how to craft your very own wine, paired with seasonal bites.
Visit: 7257 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558
Contact: (707) 945-0890
Crocker & Starr is a boutique winery at its core, offering guests a more intimate Napa experience than some of the bigger names. This shines through in their tasting options—of which there is only one. Luckily, the Vineyard Experience tour packs enough of a punch that no other options are needed. Every visit is an exclusive, private experience tailored to each guest’s preferences. You’ll start by taking a stroll through the vineyards, sparkling in hand, while learning about the winery’s sustainable farming practices. Next, you’ll discover how each wine is made before finishing out your tasting with small-production estate varietals under the Garden Arbor.
Insider Tip: Because Crocker & Starr only offer limited tasting options, you’ll typically need to snag a reservation well in advance.
Visit: 700 Dowdell Lane, St. Helena, CA 94574
Contact: (707) 967-9111
Davis Estates is a family-owned winery located on a century-old property along the Silverado Trail in Calistoga. During their Napa Cave Tour & Wine Tasting experience, you’ll explore the stunning estate and vineyard, including the restored 1916 barn and the impressive Howard Backen designed winery featuring 11,000 square feet of underground caves. The tour culminates in a relaxed tasting session of the winery’s current releases, paired with seasonal bites all made in house.
Insider Tip: To fully appreciate the beautiful surroundings, request a spot on the covered patio—it’s the ideal location for taking in the scenery.
Visit: 4060 Silverado Trail N, Calistoga, CA 94515
Contact: (707) 942-0700
With so many wonderful winery experiences to be had across Napa Valley, it can be difficult to choose which ones are worth booking. Use this guide to help you navigate the breadth of Napa Valley’s winery tours, where the offerings are as diverse and as memorable as the wines.
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