You can't do it all in Napa — The Mark of Joy

According to some other folks, there are over 500 wineries with tasting rooms in Napa. Wow. That’s even more than I would have guessed. No wonder everyone, including myself, stresses about which wineries to visit. I was at a wedding in Hawaii the week before my Napa visit and I think I asked every single person I talked to which wineries I should see. The best and worst part about asking this question, is nearly NO ONE said the same wineries. There are millions of lists on the web that claim to list the best wineries to visit, so I won’t attempt to create a list of my own. Also, I’ve only been to 3 so that just wouldn’t be possible, but here is some advice I deem pretty solid.

Skip the free tasting. This is the best way to avoid crowds and bad wine. Sure it’s appealing to drink for free, but trust me, you didn’t fly all the way to Napa for bad, free wine. Treat yourself and pay for the tasting.

Split tastings. You don’t have to have your own tasting at each winery. Not only will splitting tastings save you money (nod to those who still want to save $$ while avoiding free tastings) it will also help slow down the pace at which you catch a buzz.

Taking in the view at Stags’ Leap Winery

Don’t try to see them all. I think three wineries in a day is the maximum you can really enjoy. Consider not only doing a tasting but taking a tour at one of them, include a meal or snack at one of the spots, and make sure to slow down and enjoy the tastings in the beautiful setting. Sure it leaves those of us with FOMO with some serious angst about what we missed, but I assure you it’s the best way to truly enjoy your winery experience.

Beware of joining wine clubs. If you do a full day in the wineries and don’t join a wine club, I seriously applaud your self control. There is something about the environment that makes you take out your wallet and sign up for a club you never even knew about. After a day of fancy tastings, I didn’t just want to join a wine club, I NEEDED to join a wine club. I’ll admit, it’s fun to get my 6 boxes a year with wine that is well beyond the cost of my usual $14 bottle I get at the store here. It’s also an expense I certainly did not need to add to my budget and will likely cancel after a full year of enjoyment. In the midst of my wine tastings, I convinced myself I’d fly back to Napa regularly to attend member events making the membership worth it. Comical really.

So where should you taste wine?

While I can’t guarantee these are the BEST wineries to visit, I can share my experience if that offers any help to you in your planning process.

Stags Leap Winery- Not to be confused with Stags Leap Wine Cellars. The winery is actually an estate that allows a limited number of visitors each day. It’s a historical tour that describes the long, complex and incredibly interesting story of the estate. Following the tour of the house and grounds, is a tasting that provides more than your fair share of wine. I liked this visit because it was rich in history. The woman who gave the tour was a great storyteller.

Alpha Omega- Also referred to as AO, this is the place that was most recommended to me during my winery surveys. While I can’t compare it to many other places, I can tell you that the wines are delicious and the grounds are even better. The space is very comfortable and certainly invites you to come and stay for a long while!