Located a short drive northeast of San Francisco, California’s famed Napa Valley is renowned as one of the greatest winemaking climates in the world. With such a magnificent concentration of top vineyards and wineries right next door to each other, it was difficult to choose only a few for this list of our favorites in the area.
1022 Main Street, (707) 944-1441
Combining traditional vintner methods with a state-of-the-art facility, Harlan Estate takes advantage of technological precision to aid in the production of its “non-interventionist” wines—meaning each wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered. Among the 240 acres of pristine and natural splendor, Harlan Estate only has about 40 acres under vine, once again ensuring the selectivity of the harvest to produce a superior wine with a deep, complex, and concentrated taste that has a long finish. Unfortunately, the estate is not open to the public, but its wines are available to the dedicated and searching oenophile.
1 California Drive, (888) 242-6366
Unlike other vineyards in the Napa Valley region, Chandon began as the U.S. venture of French winemakers Moët &Chandon with the vision of starting the next world-class sparkling winery. With roots dating back to the original Benedictine monk, Dom Perignon, who created the first champagne, Chandon, harnesses traditional, centuries-old methods of winemaking that gives their bubbles a unique character.
1000 Lodi Lane, (888) 354-8885
Since the founding of Duckhorn Vineyards by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn in 1976, they have remained passionately dedicated to crafting the finest Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot varietals in the region. Owing their success to their self-described enchantment with the Merlot grape and the unique soil conditions of the vineyard on the slopes of Howell Mountain, Duckhorn Vineyards has become renowned for their complex and consistent flavor profiles.
4411 Redwood Road, (707) 255-1144
The Hess Collection of Napa Valley is truly a unique vineyard experience. Unlike other wineries of the area, The Hess Collection boasts not only a superb winemaking facility, but is also home to The Hess Collection Contemporary Art Museum, which features works from the private collection of proprietor Donald Hess. The impressive holdings range over a span of fifty years and include major works from Abstract Expressionism through contemporary artists
of today.
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