Sittuated in a taupe-and-white contemporary farmhouse, Duckhorn Vineyard’s tasting room is light and bright, with a club-like ambience. Visitors are served the day’s selections, which they can enjoy while seated at small, square tables. Be sure to check out the collection of vintage duck decoys. 1000 Lodi Lane, St. Helena; 707-963-7108.
Rombauer Vineyards is one of the few wineries in Napa that does not charge for tastings and, considering the high quality of its wines, this is quite a bargain. The winery is located at the top of a forested hill that affords views of the western mountain range. 3522 Silverado Trail, St. Helena; 800-622-2207, 707-963-5170.
Mumm Napa Valley is the place to sample a variety of sparkling wines. Try to grab a table on the patio and enjoy the vineyard views, and allow time to tour the winery’s outstanding collection of photographs by the legendary Ansel Adams. Winery tours are offered hourly from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day. 8445 Silverado Trail, Rutherford; 707.967.7700; www.mummnapavalley.com.
Paraduxx is one of the Trail’s newer wineries. An offshoot of Duckhorn Vineyards, the winery is known for its zinfandel-cabernet sauvignon blends, which include other red grapes in a ratio that changes with every vintage. Inside the farmhouse-style tasting room, which opened in 2005, visitors will find a variety of chairs, tables and ottomans where they may relax while a server brings them samples, along with a bowl of spiced almonds and a bottle of spring water. 7257 Silverado Trail, Napa; 707-945-0890, 866-367-9943.
With its ochre and terra cotta color scheme, Silverado Vineyards looks like a miniature version of a Tuscan village on top of a knoll in the prestigious Stags Leap District. The handsome, 4,000-square-foot tasting room is best known for its cabernet sauvignon, merlot and chardonnay. Tasting fee. 6121 Silverado Trail, Napa;; 707-257-1770.
Pine Ridge is a charming family-owned winery nestled against a hillside. In addition to the tasting room, chardonnay, merlot and cabernet sauvignon may be sampled in the Hillside Room inside the aging caves. These special tastings require reservations and include samples of reserve wines paired with artisan cheeses. 5901 Silverado Trail, Napa; 800-575-9777.
Luna Vineyards is known for its pinot grigio, sangiovese and other Italian varietals as well as California wines. These are served in Villa Luna, which is an unusual blend of California Craftsman style and Tuscan architecture. 2921 Silverado Trail, Napa; 707-255-2474.
Continue the Silverado Trail Scenic Winery Drive
Marty OImstead is the author of several travel books, including "Hidden Wine Country"(co-authored with Ray Riegert) and the "California Directory of Fine Wineries", all of which are available on Amazon.com.
Photo Credit: The pictures on this page are by Marty Olmstead.