This time of year always makes me reminisce about my trips to California’s Wine Country. I have made it kind of a birthday tradition to fly out there for a long girls’ weekend where we indulge in great food, amazing wine, and even better company.
Unfortunately, this year I will enjoy my birthday from Florida, but you bet I’ll be enjoying my favorite wines from one of the wineries below.
Whether you are planning your first trip to the wine country or are looking for new inspiration, I am confident there is something for everyone on this list. From casual wine drinkers to experts, from white wine to red, I have rounded up my top four favorite wineries to visit so you can plan your next trip out west.
Far Niente : Napa Valley (For the White Wine Drinker)
- On all my trips to Napa Valley, I make it a priority to stop at Far Niente to enjoy a tour and a tasting. Thankfully, a close friend is a member of their wine club and always hooks this up for free. Although $80 is a lot for a tour and tasting, I promise you it’s worth the money. Included in this 60-minute tour, you get to walk the incredible grounds of Far Niente. You see everything from the wine-making process to the caves where the wine is stored. You even see an incredible vintage car collection. At the end of your tour, you also get to enjoy a pretty extensive tasting of their family of wine. My favorite is their Chardonnay, which is a yearly wine award winner.
Silver Oak : Napa Valley (For the Red Wine Drinker)
- Down the road from Far Niente is another favorite red wine of mine called Silver Oak. Their tasting is $30 per person, and you get to taste some incredible Cabernets. The tasting is pretty informal, which gives you an opportunity to explore the grounds. (No need to make a reservation.) After your tasting, you get a very nice souvenir wine glass you can use nightly back home. I know I do!
V. Sattui : Napa Valley (For the Wine and Cheese Lover)
- This is the perfect winery to spend the day at. With an on-site market, you can gather everything you need to have the perfect picnic. On my last girls’ trip, we bought a bottle of their red wine and loads of supplies to make our own charcuterie board. There is plenty of outdoor picnic style seating, and it is the perfect winery to visit if you happen to be bringing kids with you to wine country.
Gundlach Bundschu : Sonoma Valley (For the Laid Back Wine Lover)
- Hands down my favorite winery to visit. I love the atmosphere of this winery. It is a lot more down to earth than you will find at most wineries in Napa Valley (at least the ones I have been to). This winery is easy to do a walk-in tasting and enjoy the company of the other visitors and employees. You really feel like you learn about the wine, the history of the winery, and what makes Gundlach so special. Make sure that if the Tempranillo is not on your tasting list, you ask for a sip because it is one of my favorites!
Need more wine country inspiration? Be sure to check out our other blog posts!