5 Napa Valley Wineries for First-Time Visitors

Nestled between the Vaca Mountains on the east and the Mayacamus Mountains on the west, Napa Valley is known for its breathtaking scenery and famous wineries. But with over 400 wineries to choose from, where do you begin? We’ve put together a list of five wineries suggested for your first-time visit to Napa. If you had to pick only five wineries, let it be these.

Castello di Amorosa

Nestled in the hills of Calistoga, Castello di Amorosa is a must-visit Napa Valley destination even without the wine. The 13th-century, Tuscan-inspired castle is equipped with a torture chamber, high towers you can ascend for breathtaking views of the valley, and a basement wine cellar and tasting room. Wander the outside grounds and you’ll find chickens and even a peacock roaming the vineyards. Tucked under the trees you’ll see pigs and goats housed in a charming barn that adds to the authenticity of this medieval-inspired Tuscan castle. Castello di Amorosa offers a wide selection of handcrafted Italian-style white, rosé, red, and sweet wines. Try the visitor-favorite La Fantasia, a soft sparkling wine with bright aromas of cherry, exotic flowers, and wild berries. The Castle is open daily with many tour and tasting options available. No reservations needed. — 4045 St Helena Hwy, Calistoga

V. Sattui Winery

One of the oldest wineries on our list, Vittorio Sattui began constructing his winery in 1885 after emigrating from Genoa, Italy. The old-world Italian estate may seem overwhelming with its abundant wine tasting and tour options, but it is fairly easy to curate your own unique experience. What sets V. Sattui apart from other Napa Valley wineries is that you can make your excursion last all day! Over 60 different wines including sparkling and Port-style wines are offered, which will appeal to novice and seasoned wine aficionados alike. Make sure to check out their Artisan Deli and Marketplace for picnic essentials like sandwiches, salads, and charcuterie (all of which pair excellent with wine of course!). If you visit on the weekend, try their Weekend BBQ, for wood-fired pizzas, tri-tip steak, ribs, and more. Once you have your food and wine in hand, relax and enjoy the Napa Valley scenery in their 2-acre picturesque picnic grounds. No appointments are necessary to explore this dog-friendly winery, but you will need to book in advance if you are interested in a daily tour or bimonthly wine and food pairing. — 1111 White Ln, St Helena

Robert Mondavi

Robert Mondavi Winery may not have the scenery to rival Castello di Amorosa or V. Satuii, but is considered by many as the winery that put Napa Valley on the map. Choose from a number of tours such as the Signature Winery Tour or the family-friendly Discovery Tour and Tasting. If you are looking for a unique experience, try the evening Twilight Walking Tour or the Bicycle Tour through the vineyard where you can get up close to some of the oldest Sauvignon Blanc vines in North America. Make sure to taste Robert Mondavi’s signature wine, the Fumé Blanc, with rich and expressive aromas of ripe peach, Asian pear, Meyer lemon, and orange marmalade, and notes of sweet nutmeg, baked pie crust, and a touch of fresh verbena. Reservations are required for a few of the tours, but you can still drop by during daily business hours for walk-in tastings. — 7801 St Helena Hwy, Oakville

Château Montelena

Founded in 1882, this beautiful and historic English Gothic Château overlooks a Chinese garden (complete with a pagoda!), lake, and vineyards. Stroll through the grounds before you head inside, including the boardwalk where you can observe swan, geese, and ducks in the pond. Once inside, there are various tasting options such as sampling their finest library vintages or a more modest flight of their five current releases. Try their Chardonnay, which won the white wine section of the historic “Judgment of Paris” wine competition. You may even recognize this winery from the 2008 film Bottle Shock, starring Alan Rickman and Chris Pine, based on this 1976 competition. Reservations are not currently required for their walk-in Current Release Tasting. —1429 Tubbs Ln, Calistoga

Domaine Carneros

For you sparkling wine lovers, Domaine Carneros specializes in sparkling Brut wines served in their beautiful château, which is inspired by the 18th century Château de la Marquetterie in Champagne, France. Their terrace is a lovely place to do a tasting, accompanied by cheese, caviar, and smoked salmon pairing plates, as you overlook the vineyards of the Valley. Try their Sparkling Wine sampler, which comes with a dry Ultra Brut, Estate Brut Cuvée, Brut Rosé with notes of wild strawberries and hints of peach, and the sweet Verméil Demi-Sec. If sparkling wine isn’t your thing, they also have several exceptional Pinot Noirs to choose from. Reservations are required. — 1240 Duhig Rd, Napa