The best wineries in Napa Valley

The artisan producers at Etude take a similar non-interventionist approach to their winemaking, growing many of the grapes used, such as those for Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, and Chardonnay wines, on the estate itself. With the vineyards of each separate variety averaging just eight acres in size, great care is taken to ensure every vine produces fully-concentrated fruit, meaning only the highest quality of grapes are ever grown, harvested, and used.

To experience the unique history and terroir of the Napa Valley as a whole, there’s nowhere better than the region’s oldest continuously producing winery, Beringer. Now an icon of the American wine industry and a designated historic district, Beringer invites visitors to wander through the vineyards and admire the stained glass and carved woodwork of the 17-room Rhine House mansion (constructed in homage to the family’s German routes) before tasting the result of 140 years of hard work in the library or on the porch.

In contrast, Raymond Vineyards, founded in 1970, is the new kid on the block. However, the vineyard has still managed to build an incredible reputation, producing vintages that are both well balanced and complex on the palate. As part of the Boisset Family Estates, it is perhaps best known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, created with grapes picked from only the finest of Napa Valley appellations—legally defined geographical regions—and available for sampling in the modern surroundings of the Crystal Cellar tasting room.

One such appellation is that of Stags’ Leap, named after the Stags’ Leap Winery, an estate of 240 acres. These acres are planted with 90 acres of vines and divided into 23 blocks by variety to provide the perfect soil conditions for each. In addition to rich Cabernet Sauvignons such as The Leap and Audentia, this winery is known for stylish blends such as Ne Cede Malis (translating as Never Yield). However, make sure any visit is booked in advance to avoid disappointment!

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