5 Napa Valley Wineries to Visit This Summer

 

Napa Valley. The mere mention of the name evokes images of idyllic rolling hills, five-star resorts, Michelin-starred chefs, and wine--incredible wine. The heart of California’s wine country, Napa Valley is home to over 400 wineries, producing some of the finest vintages in the world.

Ninety-five percent of Napa Valley’s wineries are family-owned, meaning you’ll feel at home no matter where you go. With so many wineries to choose from, you’ll find something for everyone. However, with all of these options, finding the right one can be a little overwhelming. To make things easier, here are five Napa Valley wineries you must pay a visit to this summer.

 

Established in 1996 by famed racecar driver Mario Andretti, Andretti Winery does what most celebrity-owned wineries do not: produce spectacular wine. The winery exudes the laid-back nature of Italy--Andretti’s childhood home. Here, you can taste some of the finest Italian and French varietals in a relaxed environment.

 

Created by the Taittinger family of French champagne fame, this stunning chateau is a must for any Napa visitor. Modeled after an 18th-century French manor owned by Taittinger, at Domain Carneros, you can enjoy incredible sparkling wines modeled after their French counterparts from one of the winery’s three terraces or take a tour and get an in-depth look at the creation of sparkling wines.

 

A visit to Castello di Amorosa will take your breath away. This winery is styled after a 13th-century Tuscan castle and took 15 years to build. The castle has everything you’d expect, from gargoyles to a draw bridge over a moat. Castello di Amorosa produces beautiful, handcrafted, Italian-style wines.

 

One of Napa Valley’s original wineries, Inglenook was created in 1879 by Finnish wine connoisseur and sea captain Gustave Niebaum. The winery was purchased in 1975 by famed film director Francis Ford Coppola, who has spent considerable time and money into bringing it back to its original glory; he recently purchased the rights to the Inglenook name in order to preserve the winery as a Napa standout. Take a tour of the amazing grounds and revel in the history of this beautiful winery.

 

No trip to Napa Valley is complete without a visit to V. Sattui. It’s Napa Valley’s most popular winery--and for good reason. Originally started by Vittorio Sattui in 1885 upon immigrating to the United States, V. Sattui was forced to shut down during prohibition, and it lay dormant until Vittorio’s grandson Dario resurrected it in 1976. Today, you can enjoy one of their 80 varietals from the lovely, Old World-style grounds.

 

Whichever wineries you choose to visit this summer, make sure to check ahead for availability and reservations.

For more information about the Napa Valley, visit my blog. If you’re interested in purchasing Napa Valley real estate or need a real estate agent, contact me today. It would be my pleasure to assist you throughout the process.