Napa Wineries that are Worth Exploring

Napa Valley wineries

When planning a trip to Napa Valley, with plenty of wine tastings and visits to vineyards, start by finding a place to stay in the area. There are lots of little bed-and-breakfasts in Napa Valley, mostly vintage homes. As for transportation, at the airport at San Francisco, Oakland or Sacramento, you can rent a car. The San Francisco and Oakland airports also have shuttle bus service.

The towns of Calistoga, St. Helena, Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford and Angwin all have interesting places to visit. But of course what you’re really here for are the renowned Napa wineries. There are many vacation packages that will let you tour the Napa wineries alone, as a couple or in a small group. If there are specific Napa wineries that you particularly want to visit, or if you want to take in some of the other attractions of Napa Valley, you can put together your own itinerary. The usual tasting fee is $10 to $20 per person per winery. Keep this in mind when planning your budget.

Napa winery wine clubs

Many vineyards have their own wine clubs. Joining one of these clubs will get you discounts on their wines, complimentary tastings, and invitations to cave tours and other social occasions for yourself and your friends.

One of the best Napa wineries near St. Helena

Some of the best California wines come from Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards in Napa Valley. Just a 10-minute drive from downtown St. Helena, these vineyards produce world-class wines at affordable prices. The vineyard is a 40-acre estate just south of Howell Mountain. Wine Merchants Gourmet includes them in one of its Middle Valley tours.

One of the more famous wines produced by Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards is the intense dark purple and red 2011 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon. Drawn exclusively from the best five barrels of the 2011 vintage, this rare wine is the child of a wet, cool year that produced low yield but high quality. The wine has an aroma of dark berries, leather, smoke, tar, blue flowers, spice, anise and minerals. The palate is dominated by the fruitiness of blackberry and blueberry, with hints of violets, licorice and smoke and the finest tannin’s from barrels of French oak. This is a wine that will improve for decades.

Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards has been owned and operated by the Anderson family since 1983. Anderson’s wines are sold online and in five locations in Napa Valley, and many other locations nationwide. By ordering six bottles per year, you can join their wine club, giving you discounts on many of their finest wines, tickets for two to their parties and a complimentary cave tasting. Buying 12 or 24 bottles will gain you more tickets and the chance to bring more guests.