Every week, a guest stops by the cellar and tells me, a little apologetically, that they don't really know anything about wine. Good news: neither did anyone, once. Napa is one of the friendliest places in the world to learn, as long as you plan a little. Here is what I tell friends before their first visit.
Book appointments, not just wineries
The biggest change in Napa over the past decade is that most wineries now work by reservation. Walk-ins still happen, especially midweek in winter, but the estates people rave about usually need a booking, sometimes weeks in advance. Tastings range from about $40 for a flight at a tasting room in town to $150 or more for a seated, guided visit with a cave tour.
That fee often buys more than wine. At smaller estates you might sit with a winemaker or a family member, walk the vineyard and taste barrel samples. If a visit sounds expensive, ask whether the fee is waived with a bottle purchase. Many wineries do that.
Three wineries a day is plenty
It's tempting to squeeze in five. Please don't. Seated tastings take 60 to 90 minutes, driving between them takes longer than you'd expect on Highway 29, and by the fourth pour of the fourth winery everything tastes like, well, wine. I suggest:
- One in the morning around 10:00 or 10:30, when palates are fresh and rooms are quiet.
- A long lunch, ideally a picnic or a terrace table, with plenty of water.
- One or two in the afternoon, finishing by 4:30 so you can rest before dinner.
Mix the big names with the small ones
A classic estate with a famous label is worth seeing once, for the architecture and the history. But some of the most memorable visits happen at family wineries producing a few thousand cases a year, where the person pouring probably picked the grapes. Our concierge keeps a list of producers who love first-timers and won't make you feel rushed.
It also helps to vary the style of wine. Try Sauvignon Blanc in St. Helena, sparkling wine and Pinot Noir in Carneros, and Cabernet in Oakville or Rutherford. Tasting across the valley teaches you more in a day than a week of reading.
How to actually taste
There is no wrong way, but a simple routine helps you remember what you liked. Look at the color against something white. Swirl, then smell. Take a sip and let it sit for a moment before you swallow or spit. Then ask yourself one question: would I want another glass of this with dinner? That's it. Notes like "cassis" and "graphite" are fun, but they're not a test.
The best tasting note is the one you'll remember at the wine shop back home.
Spitting is completely normal, by the way. Professionals do it all day. Every tasting room has a spittoon, and nobody will think twice. Dumping the rest of a pour is fine too.
Getting around safely
Napa is a long, narrow valley, and the roads are busy with visitors who have been tasting. Please plan transport before you plan wineries. The easiest options are:
- A private driver for the day, which our concierge arranges from $125 per hour.
- Ride-hail cars, which work well between Napa and Yountville but can be slow to reach up-valley estates.
- Bikes on the flat Vine Trail for a short morning visit, before any tasting.
What to wear and bring
Wine country casual is the rule. Closed shoes are a good idea because cave tours and vineyard walks involve gravel and uneven floors. Bring a layer, since caves and cellars sit around 58 degrees even in August. Eat a real breakfast, carry water, and leave room in the car for a case of wine. You will want it.
Shipping wine home
Most wineries ship to the majority of US states, and it is usually cheaper to ship a mixed case from one place than several single bottles. If you are flying, a case fits in checked luggage in a padded wine shipper, which we keep at the front desk for guests.
Start at home
If you're staying with us, begin with the Cellar Door Tasting on your first afternoon. It's six pours in 90 minutes, with no pressure and plenty of questions welcome. By the end, you'll know whether you're drawn to bright whites or structured reds, and we can shape the rest of your trip around it.
