Wine Country has long been a playground for the rich and famous. Drawn to the glamour of Napa Valley, or the laid-back, rural vibe of Sonoma County, celebrities are coming here to enjoy the good life — some of them are even making their own wine.

From rock stars to movie makers, race car drivers to football players, check out the VIPs who are making wine in Sonoma and Napa. Find more celebrity hot spots in Sonoma and Napa Wine Country here.

Meghan Markle — As Ever rosé

Actor and Los Angeles-born Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle recently released a Napa Valley rosé as part of her “As Ever” lifestyle and kitchen products brand. The wine, released July 1 on the anniversary of Princess Diana’s birthday, is a Provençal-style rosé bottled at Kunde Family Winery in Kenwood. Markle’s 2023 Napa Valley rosé — As Ever’s first wine — is already sold-out online, but a Napa Valley sparkling wine and additional varietals will follow, according to the PR team.

Jessica Biel — Prophet & Poet

Earlier this year, actor Jessica Biel unveiled her locally made wine brand at BottleRock Napa Valley 2025. Her Healdsburg-based label, Prophet & Poet, currently offers a Cabernet Sauvignon, two Chardonnays and two blended reds. Biel’s wine label originated in 2019 when Jesse Katz, winemaker of Healdsburg’s Aperture Cellars, created a red wine blend as a wedding present for Biel’s younger brother, Justin Biel. Katz later suggested to the Biel siblings that they turn that wine into a label, and they were immediately on board. Katz tapped Christopher and Ariel Jackson, of Jackson Family Wines, to collaborate on the label’s inaugural release. Both Jessica Biel and Katz poured the label’s wine at this year’s BottleRock during a VIP Platinum Lounge event.

Max Thieriot — Senses Wines

Max Thieriot, the brainchild and star of the drama TV series Fire Country, co-founded Senses Wines with childhood friends Christopher Strieter and Myles Lawrence-Briggs in 2011. The Occidental winery sources grapes from the West Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley, producing an array of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, as well as a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

Ayesha Curry — Domaine Curry wines

Restaurateur, cookbook author and food television personality Ayesha Curry teamed up with her sister-in-law Sydel Curry (Steph Curry’s younger sister) and Napa’s Coup de Foudre Winery to launch wine label Domaine Curry in 2015. The sisters-in-law share a love of wine and have been spotted sipping wine at Scribe Winery in Sonoma. Their wines include the Domaine Curry Cabernet and the Domaine Curry Sauvignon Blanc.

Salma Hayek — Eisele Vineyard

Salma Hayek and her billionaire husband François-Henri Pinault own Eisele Vineyard east of Calistoga. In October 2020, Hayek made a public announcement on Instragram, in which she thanked the firefighters who saved the Calistoga vineyard from the Glass Fire. “I can’t help but feel an immense sense of gratitude for all the first responders that came to the rescue of so many people, animals and properties,” she wrote.

Brie and Nikki Bella — Bonita Bonita

The former professional wrestling tag team known as the Bella Twins announced in October 2020 that they were moving with their families to Napa Valley, according to People magazine. The identical twins had started producing their own wine in 2017 in partnership with Napa’s Hill Family Estate, its proprietor Ryan Hill and award-winning winemaker Alison Doran. Their first wine was a Cabernet Sauvignon named “Belle Radici,” which means “beautiful roots” in Italian, and the bottle was adorned with a sleek label depicting the twins. From there, the twins launched their own winery in Napa, Bonita Bonita.

Tori Spelling — The Tori Collection at HALL Wines

Actor Tori Spelling brought 90210 to Napa Valley when she announced on Instagram in November 2020 that she had partnered with HALL Wines to put together The Tori Collection of wines. “Getting the chance to meet and work with HALL and wine legend and my spirit animal Kathryn Hall was really exciting,” she wrote. Spelling handpicked 11 wines to include in her collection — ranging from a rich Cabernet Sauvignon to light and fruity rosé to canned wine, according to People magazine.

John Legend — LVE Collection Wines

Grammy, Golden Globe and Oscar-winning musician John Legend launched his LVE Collection Wines in 2015. Working with famed vintner Jean-Charles Boisset, Legend’s wines include sparkling rosé, as well as a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Chardonnay produced with fruit from Raymond Vineyards in Napa. Distributed nationally, the wines can be tasted at Raymond Vineyards and on tour with Legend.

Candace Cameron Buce — Bure Family Wines

“Fuller House” star Candace Cameron Bure and her husband, hockey player Val Bure, own Bure Family Wines in St. Helena. The couple began making wine in 2006, according to Wine Spectator. The couple likes to spend time in Wine Country and Candace Cameron Bure has been spotted at luxury restaurant SingleThread in Healdsburg. She shared in an Instagram post that she “brought a treat to drink” — a bottle of Screaming Eagle wine — when she took a friend to dinner at the restaurant in 2017.

Tamera Mowry-Housley — Housley Napa Valley

Actor Tamera Mowry-Housley, who got her start on the sitcom “Sister, Sister,” co-owns Housley Napa Valley with her husband, journalist Adam Housley. The tasting room is located in downtown Napa. The winery produces rosé, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Petit Sirah.

Guy Fieri — Hunt & Ryde

Guy Fieri bought a 5-acre vineyard of Pinot Noir grapes in the Russian River Valley appellation in 2013. In his first vintage, he sold his grapes to Jackson Family Wines for its La Crema brand and to Williams Selyem winery in Healdsburg. He then launched his own wine label, Hunt & Ryde, named for his sons Hunter and Ryder. Fieri collaborates with local vintner Guy Davis, of Davis Family Vineyards, to produce Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and a Cabernet “Trophy” blend.

Francis Ford Coppola — Francis Ford Coppola Winery

Legendary film director, producer and screenwriter Francis Ford Coppola has been involved in the wine industry since buying Napa’s Inglenook Estate in 1975. Coppola expanded his wine empire to Geyserville when he opened his namesake winery in 2006. The winery includes a museum of memorabilia from his iconic films, such as The Godfather, Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Apocalypse Now. In 2015, Coppola bought a second winery, Virginia Dare. Both are open to the public.

John and Nancy Lasseter — Lasseter Family Winery

Lasseter Family Winery in Glen Ellen was founded in the early 2000s by Nancy and John Lasseter, the former chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar. The winery produces rosé, Sauvignon Blanc and a variety of red blends.

Robert Mark Kamen — Kamen Estate Wines

When screenwriter and producer Robert Kamen (the Karate Kid series, Fifth Element, A Walk In The Clouds, Taken and Taken II) visited Sonoma County in 1980 to celebrate the sale of his first screenplay, he fell in love with the land. He purchased a 280-acre mountaintop property and eventually transformed it into a world-class vineyard producing estate wines. Pop into Kamen Estate Wines’ tasting room in downtown Sonoma or make an appointment to visit the mountaintop vineyards.

Les Claypool — Purple Pachyderm at Claypool Cellars

The bassist and lead vocalist of the rock band Primus, Les Claypool has been living in the Russian River Valley region of Sonoma County since 1994. His Claypool Cellars produces sparkling wine, rosé and Pinot Noir under the Purple Pachyderm label. Wine club members receive bottles signed by Claypool in their shipments and get invitations to exclusive concerts where they can party like (and with) rock stars. Taste the wines at their appointment only “fancy booze caboose” in Sebastopol.

Dave Matthews — Dreaming Tree Wines

Singer-songwriter Dave Matthews entered the winemaking game in 2000, when he opened Blenheim Vineyards winery in Charlottesville, Virginia. In response to demand from his fans, Matthews partnered with former Clos du Bois winemaker Sean McKenzie to launch Dreaming Tree Wines. Distributed nationally, and reasonably priced, they produce a Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma County and other wines made with grapes from throughout California.

Jonathan Cain — Finale Wines

Musician and songwriter Jonathan Cain is the keyboardist and rhythm guitarist for Journey. (The keyboards on “Don’t Stop Believin’”? Yeah, that’s him!). When he isn’t touring the world, he’s enjoying his own wine journey with Sonoma County vintner Dennis De La Montanya. Proceeds from their Finale Wines, which include a rosé of Malbec and a Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, benefit charity.

Dwyane Wade — Wade Cellars

NBA star Dwyane Wade discovered his love of great Napa Valley wines while wining and dining with teammates Chris Bosh and Lebron James. The former professional basketball player partnered with his friend, Napa Valley vintner Jayson Pahlmeyer, to launch his own wine label, Wade Cellars, in 2015. Wade Cellars wines include a rosé and a Cabernet Sauvignon.

Yao Ming — Yao Family Wines

Former NBA All-Star Yao Ming fell in love with wine while playing for the Houston Rockets. Today, he owns and operates Yao Family Wines in St. Helena, producing age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon. The ultra-modern tasting room features food and wine pairings and a touch of memorabilia from Yao’s career in sports. He’s not only selling wine in Napa Valley, but also to great success in China, including in his hometown of Shanghai.

Charles Woodson — Intercept Wines

Former NFL football player Charles Woodson fell in love with wine and decided to learn more about the winemaking process during spring training for the Oakland Raiders, which takes place in Napa Valley. After a successful career in sports, including winning the Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers, Woodson started his own label, Charles Woodson’s Intercept Wines. Intercept Wines include a Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and a red blend.

Carmen Policy — Casa Piena

He might not have played on the field, but Carmen Policy helped bring the San Francisco 49ers four Super Bowl championships and was named “Executive of the Year” by the NFL and one of the “Most Influential People in Professional Sports” by GQ. Now retired, Carmen and his wife, Gail, operate Casa Piena (“Full House” in Italian) in Napa Valley, where they produce Cabernet Sauvignons that score high with Robert Parker. Wines are available on an allotment-only basis, with tastings available by appointment.

Dick Vermeil — Vermeil Wines

As an NFL coach, Dick Vermeil led the St. Louis Rams to their only Super Bowl championship, and also coached for the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. Born in Calistoga, it is no surprise that Vermeil started his own winery upon retirement. Vermeil Wines has a tasting room in downtown Napa and produces varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. Vermeil attends all wine member events, signing autographs and sipping the fruits of his labor.

Mario Andretti — Andretti Winery

Mario Andretti is considered one of the most successful race car drivers of all time. With that success comes not only a Ferrari (or two), but also a winery in Napa Valley that he co-founded in 1996. Wines run the gamut, from sweet Moscato and Riesling to beefy Cabernets and super Tuscans. Andretti Winery offers food and wine pairings in an Italian-inspired environment. Winery guests frequently brush elbows with Andretti and other race car drivers, especially when races take place at Sonoma Raceway.

Kevin Buckler — Adobe Road Winery

Race car driver and team owner Kevin Buckler has been producing wine in Sonoma County since 1995 at his Adobe Road Winery. Winner of Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, 24 Hours of Le Mans and numerous championships, Buckler and his wife, Debra, produce a wide array of wines from well-known vineyards, including Cabernet Sauvignon from Beckstoffer. Taste the wines at Adobe Road’s downtown Petaluma tasting room, complete with racing memorabilia.

Randy Lewis — Lewis Cellars

Most race car drivers will never race in the famous Indy 500, but Randy Lewis has done it — five times. Lewis started Lewis Cellars in 1992 with his wife, Debbie, a longtime wine industry professional. Eventually the couple were joined by their son, Dennis. Their appointment-only Napa Valley tasting room features wines from throughout the region, which include Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and a Cabernet Sauvignon-based Cuvée.

Gavin Newsom — PlumpJack, CADE and Odette wineries

Gov. Gavin Newsom co-founded PlumpJack Winery in Oakville, CADE Winery in Angwin and Odette Estate in Napa.

No longer available / Not open to the public

Vince Neil — Mötley Crüe frontman Vince Neil launched his own “Vince” wine label in the early 2000s. Vince wines were produced by Adler Fels Winery in Santa Rosa, according to Wine Spectator.

Joe Montana — Iconic 49ers quarterback Joe Montana teamed up with winemaker Ed Sbragia to create Montagia, a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, according to Decanter. The wine was released in 1999, when Sbragia was the winemaker at Beringer Vineyards in St. Helena. In 2019, Montana listed his Napa estate for $28.9 million. It was later re-listed for $20 million less. The 503-acre ranch was originally priced at $49 million in 2009.

Dan Marino — Former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino put his name behind the Sonoma County-based Marino Estates Vintage “13” California Cabernet, which benefited the Dan Marino Foundation, according to Wine Spectator.

Nancy Pelosi — Rep. Nancy Pelosi and her husband, Paul, own a private vineyard on Zinfandel Lane in St. Helena.

Tommy Smothers — Late comedian Tommy Smothers — best known as half of the musical comedy duo the Smothers Brothers, alongside his younger brother Dick — owned Remick Ridge Vineyards in Kenwood.

Janet Balicki, Elissa Chudwin, Maci Martell and Sarah Stierch contributed to this article. 

The post The Celebrities Who Are Making Wine in Sonoma and Napa Wine Country appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Napa Valley is widely considered one of the premier wine destinations in the world. Millions of people come here each year to sip wine, eat good food and stay in luxury resorts. But with over 400 wineries to choose from, it can be overwhelming to plan a first visit.

To help visitors create a perfect trip itinerary, we have put together this list of Napa wineries that offer a great introduction to the superlatives of the region. And, because the ambiance and setting is just as important as the wine, we have created a photo gallery above that offers a peek at each winery.

Domaine Carneros

Every visit to Napa Valley should begin with bubbles. Founded by the famed Taittinger family, Domaine Carneros produces French-style sparklers from sustainably grown estate vineyards. Take in the vineyard views from a table on the patio — you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to a French countryside chateau.

Tasting to try: Domaine Carneros’s “A Journey to Southeast Asia” pairs sparkling wines with a menu inspired by the cuisines of Vietnam, Thailand and India. It includes savory and sweet bites and four sparkling wines: Ultra Brut, Estate Brut Cuvée, Brut Rosé and Verméil Demi-Sec. $99 for a 90-minute experience.

1240 Duhig Road, Napa. 800-716- 2788. domainecarneros.com

Schramsberg

Founded in 1862, Schramsberg is one of the oldest sparkling wine producers in California. The historic property was purchased by Jack and Jamie Davies in 1965 and is now listed as a California Historical Landmark, complete with a Victorian mansion. Shortly after buying the winery, the Davies made their first vintage of Blanc de Blancs — the first commercial use of chardonnay in a sparkling wine made in the United States.

Tasting to try: The cave tour experience at Schramsberg is educational, starting with a tour of the historic property and caves followed by an all-sparkling wine tasting, or three Schramsberg sparkling wines and three red wines from sister winery, Davies Vineyards. Cave tastings start at $85. By appointment only.

1400 Schramsberg Road, Calistoga. 800-877-3623. schramsberg.com.

Artesa

Both locals and visitors to Wine Country tout the views and wine at Artesa, where the hillside tasting room and winery overlooks 350 acres of vineyards. Opened in 1991 by Spanish winemaking family Codorníu Raventós, the winery offers estate-grown Chardonnay and Pinot Noir crafted by winemaker Paula Borgo. (“Artesa” means “handcrafted” or “artisan” in Catalan.)

Tasting to try: After snapping selfies by the winery’s impressive entrance, enjoy the classic “Taste of Artesa” pairing of Ibérico ham and wine by the modern Mediterranean tasting bar, or on the patio, which offers 360-degree views — on a clear day you can see San Francisco. $105 per person. Reservations recommended.

1345 Henry Road, Napa. 707-224-1668. artesawinery.com

Ashes & Diamonds

Midcentury-modern design and excellent wines make this one of the hottest destinations in Wine Country. The winery has been featured in a variety of lifestyle publications, including Architectural Digest, Vogue and Goop, but tastings here remain relaxed and casual, and come with great music playlists curated by winery owner Kashy Khaledi.

Tasting to try: It’s hard to go wrong with pizza and wine. The “A&D Wines + Shroomy Schmaltzy” tasting features pizza with locally foraged wild mushrooms, aged mozzarella and crème fraîche paired with three wines. Yum! $45 per person. Reservations required.

4130 Howard Lane, Napa. 707-666-4777. ashesdiamonds.com

Beaulieu Vineyard

“Beau lieu” means “beautiful place” in French, which was an apt name for this Rutherford property thought the de Latour family when they bought it in the early 20th century. One of the oldest wineries in California, Beaulieu Vineyard (or simply “BV”) is a must-visit for wine lovers seeking a touch of heritage with their estate Cabernet.

Tasting to try: The reservation-only “Legacy Experience” starts with a tour of the winery followed by a tasting of a selection of reserve wines in the winery’s Legacy Room. $130 per person. Reservations recommended.

1960 St. Helena Hwy., Rutherford. 800-373-5896. bvwines.com

Beringer

The first winery to have both a red and a white wine named “Wine of the Year” by Wine Spectator, Beringer has been crafting wines for nearly 150 years, making it the oldest continually operating winery in California. If that isn’t enough to convince you to visit, the gardens and the stately Victorian-era tasting rooms, housed in the Beringer family’s former home — the Rhine House — should seal the deal.

Tasting to try: The “Legacy Cave Tour” winds through the old winery and into the cave to explore the hand-carved tunnels. The tour includes a tasting of three wines. $35 per person. Reservations recommended

2000 Main St., St. Helena. 707-257-5771. beringer.com

Castello di Amorosa

It’s no surprise that some refer to Dario Sattui, a fourth generation vintner and the man behind Castello di Amorosa, as a modern-day Don Quixote. Sattui spent 15 years building this medieval-style Tuscan castle in Napa Valley as a place to showcase his wines. The result: a 107-room, eight-level, 136,000-square-foot building complete with drawbridge, secret passageways, torture chamber — and tasting rooms.

Tasting to try: The “Diamond Estate Tour” includes a guided tour of the castle and its production area, followed by a tasting of five current-release reserve and small-production wines. $75 per person. Reservations required. Adults only.

4045 St. Helena Highway, Calistoga. 707-967-6272. castellodiamorosa.com

Charles Krug

Charles Krug, an immigrant from the German state of Prussia and one of the pioneers of Napa Valley winemaking, founded this winery in St. Helena in 1861. Robert Mondavi, another winemaking legend, got his start here after he convinced his parents, Cesare and Rosa Mondavi, to purchase the historic winery in 1943. The winery has remained a Mondavi property for over 75 years and four generations.

Tasting to try: Charles Krug’s “Tour and Tasting” experience offers a taste of winemaking history and five signature, current release wines paired with a gourmet cheese and charcuterie board. $90 per person. Reservations required. Adults only.

2800 Main St., St. Helena. 707-967-2229. charleskrug.com

Chateau Montelena

We can thank this Calistoga winery, founded in 1882, for putting California wine on the international wine map. Yes, there once was a time when American wine was the laughingstock of France and its wine producing neighbors. But that all changed when Chateau Montelena’s 1973 Chardonnay won the famous Paris Tasting. Today, the winery continues to produce delicious and accessible wines, including their legendary Chardonnay and collectible Cabernet Sauvignon.

Tasting to try: The “Montelena Estate Collection” showcases the winery’s Estate Cabernet Sauvignon by offering a comparative tasting of four vintages. Don’t worry, you will get to taste the Chardonnay, too. Don’t leave the property without exploring its beautiful Chinese garden, lake and vineyards. $125 per person. Reservations required. Adults only.

1429 Tubbs Lane, Calistoga. 707-942-5105. montelena.com

Duckhorn

Wine lovers flock to Napa Valley for Cabernet Sauvignon, but on a first visit it is also worth seeking out Merlot. The best place to taste the resurgence of the ruby red is at Duckhorn Vineyards in St. Helena. Duckhorn Merlots have been named “wine of the year,” “Merlot of the year” and “just plain darn delicious” by a variety of publications, including Sonoma Magazine, so you don’t want to miss a taste while in Napa Valley.

Tasting to try: The unpretentious tasting room at Duckhorn is surrounded by beautiful gardens. Make a reservation on the veranda for the “Portfolio Tasting Experience” and enjoy five current-release wines: Paraduxx, Goldeneye, Migration, Decoy, Canvasback and Calera. Splurge on a cheese plate; it is a good excuse to linger. $65 per person. Reservations required. Adults only.

1000 Lodi Lane, St. Helena. 707-963-7108. duckhorn.com

Far Niente

Another Napa Valley landmark, Far Niente was founded in 1885 by John Benson, who made his money in the California gold rush. (Another fun fact: Benson’s uncle was famous American impressionist painter Winslow Homer.) The historic winery, surrounded by 13 acres of landscaped gardens, is located next to a hillside with 40,000 square feet of caves that age the winery’s award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

Tasting to try: The 90-minute “Tour and Tasting” experience boasts a sweet ending — a tasting of the winery’s lauded late-harvest wine, Dulce. Don’t miss a chance to see the oldest bottle of wine in California, an 1886 Far Niente Sweet Muscat, which the winery proudly displays. $130 per person. By appointment only.

1350 Acacia Drive, Oakville. 707-944-2861, farniente.com

Hall Napa Valley

One of the best things about Napa Valley is the diversity of wine tasting experiences available here. One minute, you’re sipping sparkling wine in a 100-year-old wine cave; the next, you’re tasting bold red blends surrounded by contemporary art. At Hall, pair eco-friendly wines with fine art — the winery is the brainchild of Kathryn Walt Hall (philanthropist and former ambassador to Austria) and her husband, Craig.

Tasting to try: The “HALLmark Tour and Tasting” includes a tour of the innovative production facilities in St. Helena, which will impress any techie, as well as the organic gardens. Then, enjoy a seated tasting where you will nibble on cheese alongside a flight of four wines. And don’t forget to snap a selfie with the Bunny Foo-Foo sculpture outdoors. $75 per person. Reservations recommended.

401 St. Helena Highway, St. Helena. 707-967-2626. hallwines.com

Inglenook

Founded in 1879, Inglenook was the go-to wine for the American elite — including presidents — by the turn of the 20th century. Today, Inglenook wines are among the most collected in the country. The winery was purchased by filmmakers Francis Ford and Eleanor Coppola in 1975 with profits from The Godfather films. Dress up and charge your phone for pictures — the property looks like a movie set.

Tasting to try: During the “Private Library Tour and Tasting” explore the chateau and grounds, wine in hand. Then visit the caves, the vineyards and one of the oldest winemaking facilities in the country, with huge redwood barrels. End the experience with a seated tasting of library wines paired with artisan cheese. $150 per person. By appointment only.

1991 St Helena Highway, Rutherford. 707-968-1161. inglenook.com 

Robert Mondavi Winery

One of Napa’s most well-known wineries has temporary downtown digs. Robert Mondavi Winery’s Arch & Tower has moved into the city’s historic Borreo building. (The space was formerly occupied by Stone Brewing Co.). Mondavi’s wine tasting experiences will take place at the downtown Napa location while the namesake winery property in Oakville undergoes a multi-year renovation.

Tasting to try: Robert Mondavi founded his namesake winery in 1966, planting Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. The “Napa Exploration” tasting introduces you to four Estates-tier wines. Snag a seat on the River Terrace and take in views of the Napa River while you sip and swirl. $65 per person. Reservations required.

930 Third St., Napa. 888-766-6328, robertmondaviwinery.com

Silver Oak Cellars

This Napa Valley winery was founded in 1972 by onetime Colorado oil prospector Raymond Twomey Duncan and winemaker Justin Meyer. Their goal: to make Cabernet Sauvignon aged exclusively in American white oak. Today, Silver Oak Cellars is operated by Twomey Duncan’s  sons, David and Tim Duncan, who are committed to sustainable winemaking practices and operations and continue to focus on Cabernet from Napa Valley and Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley.

Tasting to try: The “Silver Tasting and Tour” allows visitors to observe the winemaking process from a glass-enclosed cellar while sipping cab in a modern tasting room built from hand-quarried limestone. Pinot lovers will enjoy the opportunity to taste bottles from Silver Oak’s sister property, Twomey. Tastings start at $65.

915 Oakville Cross Road, Oakville. 707-942-7022. silveroak.com

Spottswoode Winery

This family-owned and operated winery is setting the standard for sustainability in Napa Valley. In 1985, Spottswoode was the first in Napa Valley to farm organically. In 2020, the estate earned biodynamic certification and became the first Napa Valley winery to earn B Corp Certification. Most recently, Spottswoode added Regenerative Organic Certification to its long list of eco-friendly accomplishments.

Tasting to try: Private “Estate Tastings” are hosted by appointment Monday through Friday. After touring the estate and learning about the winery’s farming practices, you’ll enjoy a seated tasting of current-release Spottswoode wines. $150 per person.

1902 Madrona Ave., St. Helena. 707-963-0134, spottswoode.com

Tres Sabores 

This family-owned, woman-led winery produces organically farmed wines in a postcard setting. Along with vineyards, owner and winemaker Julie Johnson tends to pomegranates, Meyer lemons, olives and more. A plus: leashed dogs are welcome with advance notice.

Tasting to try: Grab a seat on the sunny patio or at a shady picnic table and sip on five current releases while watching hummingbirds in the heirloom garden, sheep “mowing” in the vineyards, and red-tailed hawks soaring above. $60 per person. A locally-sourced cheese and charcuterie platter large enough for four can be reserved for an additional $28. Reservations required.

1620 South Whitehall Lane, St. Helena. 707-967-8027, tressabores.com

Dana Rebmann contributed to this article. 

The post The Best Napa Wineries for First-Time Visitors appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

The past few years have certainly been a time of change, but one change is for the better: we spend more time outdoors now than we did before the pandemic. From dining to wine tasting to weekend excursions, we want to soak up the scenery and fresh air every chance we get.

The town of Yountville is built for an alfresco lifestyle and can easily be added to a Sonoma County getaway. In this walkable village with dramatic mountain views, you’ll find Michelin-starred restaurants and many of Napa Valley’s top wineries. Make it a day trip or a full weekend of outdoor activities. Here are our top picks in Yountville.

Dine

Yountville is known for its many excellent restaurants, and here’s a fun fact: the Napa Valley town boasts the most outdoor dining spots per capita in Wine Country, with all of its restaurants and cafés offering open-air seating.

Famous French Laundry owner and chef Thomas Keller debuted his new Regiis Ova Caviar and Champagne Lounge as a pop-up last June. This summer, he decided to make the destination restaurant permanent. Lucky us, because this is a delight for lovers of the salty fish roe.

The caviar and champagne lounge features Keller’s own Regiis Ova brand in Siberian, Royal, Ossetra, Hybrid and Supreme styles. The caviar is served with classic garnishes and potato blinis (15 grams for $50-$65), or stuffed into darling little waffles, laced into crab on Parker House rolls, atop French onion dip with kettle fried potato chips, or as a crown to deviled eggs.

To sip, choose the Champagne flight ($65), bringing 2 ounces each of three elegant quaffs. Relax on the all-season patio, complete with shade, a fountain, and a cozy fireplace.

6480 Washington St., Yountville, 707-947-7181, regiisova.com

Chef Michael Chiarello owns Yountville’s popular Ottimo and Bottega. Now, he gives us the new Coqueta, boasting delectable Spanish cuisine. This is food for sharing, in bold flavors like Spanish white anchovies with Manzanilla olives, piquillo peppers, Basque piparra peppers and pickled kumquat; or olive oil-poached, head-on gulf prawns in robust black garlic-chile sauce.

Dig into paella Valenciana, too – it’s a marvelous mélange of grilled rabbit, snap peas, carrots and Spanish Bomba rice cooked in roasted carrot sofrito and rabbit broth. To sip, sample housemade sangrias (try the Basque favorite mix of Mexican Coke, red sangria and cinnamon), or a margarita topped in “salt air” (a tasty dollop of salted foam). The shaded, wood plank deck is the place to sit.

6525 Washington St., Yountville, 707-244-4350, coquetanv.com

Just a minute southwest of town, the Lakeside Grill at Vintner’s Golf Course is off the radar for most people, but it’s a terrific, retro-style spot for comfort eats like golden crisp onion rings, nachos of housemade tortillas smothered in melty Jack and Cheddar, and a truly great Chinese chicken salad with cellophane noodles and housemade Hoisin dressing. You know, the stuff we all secretly love.

Other favorites include a terrific taco salad brimming with spicy carne asada, rice, beans, shredded lettuce, sour cream, guacamole, cheese and salsa; and a big, juicy burger with bacon, onion ring, mushrooms, Swiss cheese and ranch dressing on a French roll. To sip, order an ice cold beer. To sit, kick back on the patio with views of the ninth hole, flower gardens and lake.

7901 Solano Ave., Yountville, 707-944-1992, vintnersgolfclub.com

Wine

Across from Yountville’s North Block hotel and restaurant, you’ll find an elegant compound housed in charming stone buildings. This is the home of Southside café and coffee bar, plus the Stewart Cellars tasting room.

Reserve a seat on the flagstone courtyard for a first-rate Portfolio Flight wine tasting, and request sips of two brand new releases, as well.

The NV Sparkling Riesling is the winery’s first-ever sparkling wine, and it’s enchanting, bright and bioche-y with hints of apple and pear. The 2021 Sonoma Mountain Rosé is a rarity, too, made of 90% Pinot Gris and 10% Pinot Noir, fermented for just 15 days on the skins for a pale pink color and crisp, beautifully floral character.

6752 Washington St., Yountville, 707-963-9160, stewartcellars.com

Certainly you know that Zapp’s Cajun Crawtators potato chips are the perfect pairing for an elegant rosé. Oh, you didn’t? Then head over to Silver Trident Winery for the Potato Chip Extravaganza featuring artisanal potato chips paired with Silver Trident wines.

Through the guided, high-end “picnic,” you’ll find that Symphony No. 9 Sauvignon Blanc goes well with Route 11 Sour Cream ‘n’ Chives chips, Benevolent Dictator Pinot Noir matches with Zapp’s Cajun Dill, and Playing with Fire red blend likes Zapp’s Voodoo smoky paprika and garlic. For al fresco finery, you can choose a seat on the patio overlooking excellent people-watching on Washington Street.

6495 Washington St., Yountville, 707-945-0311, silvertridentwinery.com

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Embrace all of the outdoors via a hot air balloon ride with Napa Valley Aloft. You meet the flight crew at V-Marketplace in Yountville, then head to a remote wilderness launch site.

Depending on the weather, you might reach heights of up to a stunning 4,400-foot elevation, soaring over mountaintops, vineyards, water reservoirs and forests.

The big wicker basket transporting you is sturdy, the hour-long flight surprisingly smooth, and the landing is actually graceful, thanks to your seasoned pilot manning the whoosh-roaring propane burners.

6525 Washington St., Yountville, 707-944-4400, nvaloft.com

The post Best Places to Eat and Drink Outdoors in Yountville appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Napa is one of the most popular destinations for wine tasting in the world. But with hundreds of wineries to choose from, deciding where to start sipping can be difficult.

Downtown Napa offers a great introduction to the area with a variety of tastings rooms that allow visitors to sample a selection of wines from the same winemaker or even different wineries. Many of the tasting rooms here are family-owned and operated, which gives visitors an opportunity to meet the people behind the wines. And, as an added bonus, downtown Napa also is home to several breweries and distilleries. The best part: Whether you prefer wine, beer or spirits, all tasting rooms are within walking distance, so you can park your car and get your steps in.

From old-school to modern and sleek, from the classics to new favorites, click through the above gallery for some of the best spots for tasting wine, beer and spirits in downtown Napa. 

Jess Lander contributed to this article. 

The post The Best Tasting Rooms in Downtown Napa appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

After being stopped in its tracks at the onset of the pandemic, the Napa Valley Wine Train is once again inviting wine (and train) enthusiasts to hop on the one-of-a-kind attraction starting Monday.

The train is a popular way to explore Napa wines and cuisine, while taking in the views of the valley’s rolling hills and vineyards. The first experience to be relaunched Monday is the fan-favorite Legacy Tour, which begins with sparkling wine, is accompanied by a four-course gourmet meal and tour of Napa Valley, and ends with a photo opportunity and exclusive tastings at local wineries.

More winery tours and even a Murder Mystery Tour will be opening in mid-June.

To give back to the community after months of pandemic struggles, the Napa Valley Wine Train has partnered with OLE Health to host a temporary vaccination clinic at their train station since mid-April. Additionally, health care workers will be offered complimentary tickets to celebrate the train’s reopening, as a way to thank them for their efforts in the fight against COVID-19.

The train’s antique rail cars became a space for dining service in 1989, but the railroad they travel on opened in 1864 as a route to take passengers from south Napa to Calistoga. The 16-car train is one of a few historic passenger trains that are still in operation in the United States. Visit winetrain.com for more information or to reserve your spot.

The post All Aboard! Napa Valley Wine Train Resumes Operations appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Many workers have had to embrace a working from home routine since the start of the coronavirus pandemic and, as they’ve done so, they’ve discovered its pros and cons. Casual workwear, less commuting and more flexibility are some of the perks but, on the downside, there’s the feeling that the boundary between work and home life becomes increasingly blurred. For parents, working from home can pose another set of challenges as many children are now at home, instead of at day care or in school.

So what’s a worker to do if they’re getting tired of the at-home scene? In Wine Country, they can book a hotel suite.

Tapping into a national trend, a handful of Sonoma and Napa county overnight accommodations are now offering packages and promotions designed to give locals and visitors an incentive to focus on work in different surroundings. Guest rooms can be booked for daytime hours, often without the requirement of an overnight stay.

“Sometimes you need a change of scenery to get creative juices running. Sometimes you just need peace and quiet,” said Brooke Ross, director of sales and marketing at the Hotel Trio in Healdsburg, one of the local properties offering work-from-hotel deals.

The Trio is renting its meeting room for full ($200) and half ($125) days. The hotel also is offering special room rates starting at $185 per night, so guests can stay for multiple nights to get their jobs done and, during their stay, receive room service from a robot named Rosé.

Elsewhere in Healdsburg, the Harmon Guest House recently rolled out a similar offer, but it comes with a futuristic twist: a Sonoma-made workstation dubbed Altwork. The adjustable desk comes equipped with a 32-inch screen and special seating that allows guests to sit, stand — even lie down — while doing their work or making video calls.

Harmon only has one Altwork, so advance reservations are necessary. As part of this deal, guests at the Harmon Guest House can book a suite (rates start at $425 per night) and reserve the Altwork station for an additional $200. Day use of a suite with the Altwork station is also available for a flat fee of $300; with this offer, guests can use the setup for a maximum of 12 hours. They also get in-room snacks, free parking and free Wi-Fi.

Circe Sher, partner of Piazza Hospitality, which owns Harmon Guest House, said hotel staff sanitizes the Altwork station after each use. She added that she sees the concept of hotel-rooms-as-offices catching on.

“The trend we have been seeing is guests looking at longer stays where they can come enjoy the Wine Country and continue to work during their stay,” she wrote in a recent e-mail.  “We want to provide an amazing space for that so they can be highly productive and then go and enjoy themselves.”

Thanh Nguyen booked the Harmon Guest House package and said it was a perfect escape. The entrepreneur, who splits time between Healdsburg and San Francisco, said he particularly appreciated the Altwork station, which enabled him to work in different positions than usual.

“We have standup desks in my office but this was quite nice,” he recalled. “I didn’t try the laying but I did try the sitting and standing. It was nice to have varied positions. I was able to churn through the stuff I had to do quickly.”

Other hotels are either offering or considering different options that would facilitate remote work. The Andaz Napa, which is owned by Hyatt, is offering the “Work from Hyatt” package with room and workspace options starting at $139 per night for stays of at least seven nights. In Calistoga, Solage has a deal through which hotel guests can rent out pool cabanas as offices. Other properties, such as The Sandman in Santa Rosa, said they were considering adding a similar promotion.

The notion of designating hotel rooms for day-use only is not new: Yannis Moati founded an entire company on the concept back in 2015. That company, HotelsByDay, has grown to include more than 1,500 hotels, and has seen a significant uptick in the number of inquiries for day-use bookings since the start of the pandemic.

Moati said the current situation will force hotels to reinvent themselves to stay alive, and he predicted that offering rooms for day-use only is one of the directions they will go—anything (within reason) to turn a profit.

“A hotel is a big box full of space,” he said. “We hope this is a way for hotels to monetize the fact that [space] is something everybody seems to want right now, and they’re looking for spaces they know are safe.”

The post Tired of Working From Home? Work at a Wine Country Hotel Instead appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

One of the world’s most notable graffiti artists has returned to her native Napa to add her work—legally, this time—to the growing number of public art pieces that comprise the town’s Rail Arts District.

The artist, known only as ELLE, unveiled a new untitled piece last fall, which depicts several women against a backdrop of colorful patterns drawn from Mexican folklore and textiles.

The artwork covers all sides of a railroad car that is parked along the route of the Napa Valley Wine Train and, according to ELLE, it perfectly captures the mission of her art: To use bold colors and eye-catching images to promote strong women.

“It’s important for me to represent powerful females who are kicking ass and breaking glass ceilings,” said ELLE, who uses a pseudonym because so much of her early work was technically illegal. “When I started, very few women were doing graffiti and the world of street art was predominantly male. My whole career has been about changing that.”

ELLE’s ties to Wine Country and the North Bay run deep. She attended a local catholic elementary school. She graduated from Napa High School. She attended the University of California, Davis. She has nearly a dozen family members who live and work in the Napa Valley. She still has friends in the area.

ELLE has also drawn inspiration from people and places in the Napa Valley. During her younger years, she admired the work by local artists such as Gordon Huether, and she loved visiting the modern art collection at Hess Collection, a winery on Mount Veeder. She said she also was influenced by her Napa High school art teacher, Chuck Svendsen.

All these connections make coming home even sweeter.

“It’s pretty neat to finally have a piece in my hometown,” she said, noting that the women on one side of the train are pinky-swearing, a reference to her youth. “To be honest it’s really great to see the city of Napa embracing street art in general.”

ELLE certainly is no stranger to the spotlight; the graduate of Napa High School has been creating public art for more than a decade.

In that time, her work has been exhibited in the prestigious Saatchi Gallery in London, Urban Nation Museum in Berlin, and as a 200-foot-tall projection onto the facade of the New Museum in New York. ELLE painted a 120-foot wrap around the Nike Headquarters building in Melbourne, and Vogue Australia featured ELLE’s art in a story about 32 pieces of Melbourne street art to see before you die. Her graffiti is even featured in the Tom Clancy video game, The Division.

The young artist has also engineered multiple collaborations with the sportswear brand Reebok, including the ELLExReebok graffiti legging and the ELLExReebok yoga capsule collection.

In 2019 alone, ELLE visited Melbourne for a solo show inside the prestigious Rialto Towers; Amsterdam for a joint solo exhibition with Vroom and Varossieau Gallery; and Neuf-Brisach, France, to paint inside the MAUSA Museum.

Few of those accomplishments meant as much to ELLE as returning to Napa.

The city’s Rail Arts District–RAD for short—has become a hotspot for cutting-edge public art. Established in 2016, the group is a nonprofit organization led by the Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition, the Napa Valley Wine Train and the local arts and business communities, and it spans a 1.7-mile section of an industrial neighborhood that parallels the Wine Train tracks through downtown Napa.

Along this stretch, artists have turned the backs of warehouses and signal boxes into canvases for murals of varying size. ELLE’s piece is the first to appear on a train car itself; though the car can move, it will be parked in its current location indefinitely.

Some of the other artists with work in the RAD include Mikey Kelley, Fintan Magee, Felipe Pantone, and bumblebeelovesyou.

For the latest pictures of ELLE’s work, follow her on Instagram.

The post One of the World’s Most Notable Graffiti Artists Leaves Her Mark on Napa Valley Train Car appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Wine Country is a traveler’s dream destination year round but autumn might very well be the best time to visit — at least if you’d like to pair wine-sipping with some leaf-peeping. While the end of summer means we say goodbye to pool days at Coppola and playing in the ocean by Salmon Creek, fall paints vineyards and parks in a golden hue while wineries ramp up for harvest and holiday festivities. If you love fall as much as we do, click through the gallery for the best Sonoma and Napa spots for taking in the season. 

Did we miss one of your favorite spots? Let us know in the comments.

The post Beauty and The Leaf: 15 Favorite Sonoma and Napa Spots for Fans of Fall appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Whether you’re lucky enough to live in Wine Country, or just visit on occasion, it doesn’t hurt to have daily reminders of what a truly beautiful and interesting place this is. Perhaps the best way to do that? Following these great Wine Country Instagram accounts, which showcase all the best this region has to offer.

From Tucker Taylor’s images of the produce he grows in Kendall Jackson’s culinary garden to Scott Schultz’s fun and honest peek behind the curtain at Jolie Laide Wines to the dramatic images photographer Adam Decker produces during harvest season, these are our picks for
who to follow on Instagram.

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and tag @sonomamag in your Wine Country photos. 

The post 10 Wine Country Instagram Accounts You Need to Follow appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Wine lovers are known to geek out over vertical tastings that feature different vintages of the same wine.

Now, a Napa winery is taking things in a different direction, inviting guests to sample same-vintage cabernet sauvignons from 12 of the Napa Valley’s 16 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs).

Presented by 1881 Napa—the latest venture from wine magnate Jean-Charles Boisset—these horizontal tastings are intended to give guests a sense of how terroir can change the taste, minerality, body, aroma, and texture of the same wine.

“We felt it was essential to give a comprehensive look at the Napa Valley and present it to the world in a way everyone could understand,” says Boisset, who, along with his team, has named the new tasting “Embark on a Journey Throughout the Valley.” The price tag: $175 for twelve 2-ounce pours. (For the math nerds out there, that’s just about a bottle’s worth of wine at roughly $14.50 per glass.)

The team at 1881 Napa takes a novel approach to winemaking.

Instead of vinifying grapes by vineyard block or vineyard, winemaker Thane Knutson separates grapes by appellation (or AVA) and makes distinct wines from each batch. (Thanks to the size of Boisset’s wine empire, Knutson can source grapes from 13 of the Napa Valley’s 16 AVAs). He then applies the same winemaking technique across the board: every batch spends the same amount of time in tanks, with skin on, and the wines are aged in the same percentage of French Oak barrels (about 50 to 60 percent).

Other tastings at 1881 Napa group the 12 AVA-specific cabernet sauvignons into three geographically distinct regions: Mountaintop, hillside, and valley floor. Each tasting comprises four wines from each region of the Napa Valley and lasts between 30 and 45 minutes. For the big tasting, guests receive samples of 12 wines and usually sip for 2 hours.

Each experience also includes visuals: Jars of soil from each AVA provide proof of the different terroir.

“The range of soils and flavors opens a door for fantastic conversations about what makes cabernet taste how it does,” says Knutson. “It’s always eye-opening how different neighboring appellations can be. St. Helena gives you a sexy and feminine texture on the palate. Rutherford, right next door, creates this powerful and dark cocoa texture. And that’s just those two.”

Boisset echoes this sentiment: “We’re really trying to change the perception that Napa is a one-trick pony when it comes to wine. We’re not just cab. We’re not just Bordeaux blends. And different location can create vastly different wine.”

At press time, 1881 Napa had sold 28 twelve-wine tastings—approximately seven per month since opening in June of this year. But, in true Boisset fashion, this is more than just a tasting room: the white Victorian just north of Oakville Grocery doubles as a museum of winemaking. It boasts 30-foot ceilings and two stories with distinctly different experiences.

Walls on the ground level are lined with one-of-a-kind decanters from Boisset’s personal collection, which tops 2,700 vessels. The second floor features a wraparound balcony with farm tools from the early days of winemaking in the Valley. There’s also a small room with photographs that tell stories of some of the most famous farmers from this era.

Perhaps the most iconic feature is on the ceiling: A map of the AVAs that comprise the Napa Valley.

Even if you don’t spring to taste wine, a visit to 1881 is a deep dive into the history of winemaking in Napa. Thankfully, there’s more than one way to drink it all up.

Open 7 days a week, 10 am to 6 pm, 7856 St. Helena Highway, Oakville, 707-948-6099, 1881napa.com.

The post New in Napa: Horizontal Tasting of Wines from 12 AVAs appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.