City Playlist: Napa Valley, California

Wine isn’t just a beverage for me—it’s an experience, a ritual, and a passport to the land and people behind every bottle. I’ve cultivated a deep love for wine over years of travel, exploration, and indulgence, and Napa Valley remains the heartbeat of that passion. Each visit feels like stepping into a dream of vine-draped hills, cellar secrets, and sunlit tastings that linger on the palate and in memory. I’ve had the privilege of sipping my way through an impressive array of vineyards, from the elegant charm of Domaine Chandon’s sparkling creations to the grand medieval castle at Castello di Amorosa.

My journey has taken me through the terroir-rich tastings at Nickel & Nickel, the luxury of Opus One’s iconic vintages, and the warm hospitality of Silver Oak—both in Napa and Healdsburg. And if I had to choose one standout that has truly captured my heart, it’s Alpha Omega; their wines aren’t just my favorites—they’re, hands down, my gold standard. From the earthy depth of Twomey’s merlots to the legendary prestige of Robert Mondavi, the soulful ease of Frogs Leap, and the majestic architecture of Darioush, every stop on my wine trail has offered its own magic. The list goes on—Peju, Sequoia Grove, Cliff Family, O’Brien Estate, Spottswoode, Inglenook, Charles Krug, Pride Mountain, and many more—all of which have deepened my appreciation for the craftsmanship, culture, and connection that wine can offer. This passion is something I love sharing, one tasting, one story, and one unforgettable vineyard at a time.

Here is a great list of our go-to wine tastings & wine clubs.

• Silver Oak Napa Valley (Napa location)
• Silver Oak Alexander Valley (Healdsburg location)
• Alpha Omega ** (my personal favorite wine globally)
• Domaine Chandon (sparkling wine)
• Castello di Amorosa (it’s a huge castle)
• Twomey (Calistoga location) (whites & merlots)
• Nickel & Nickel (do the terroir tasting!)
• Opus One (pricey pre-pay reservation)
• Robert Mondavi is nice
• Frogs Leap
• Peju
• Sequoia Grove
• Cliff Family Vineyards
• O’Brien Estate Winery
• Darioush Winery
• Castello di Amorosa
• Spottswoode
• Inglenook Winery
• Artesa Vineyards
• Domaine Carneros
• Luna Vineyards
• Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars
• Charles Krug
• Pride Mountain
• Amizetta
• Fleury
• Gamble Family
• Hill Family
• Somnium
• O’Connell Family
• Red Stitchand
• Bricoleur

If you are looking for wineries closer together for your visit, here is an AVA list of our favorites:

🍇 Oakville AVA

The Oakville AVA is famous for its powerful, structured Cabernet Sauvignon. Located in the heart of the Napa Valley floor, it is known for rich, full-bodied wines with notes of black currant, cassis, and cedar.

• Opus One

• Robert Mondavi

• Silver Oak Napa Valley (the Napa location)

• Nickel & Nickel

• Gamble Family

• Plumpjack

• Darioush Winery

• O’Brien Estate Winery

🍇 Rutherford AVA

The Rutherford AVA is well-regarded for producing Cabernet Sauvignon with a distinct “Rutherford dust” character, a flavor often described as a fine, dusty cocoa or earthy spice. This AVA is on the valley floor, just north of Oakville.

• Alpha Omega

• Frog’s Leap

• Peju

• Sequoia Grove

• Inglenook Winery

• Spottswoode

🍇 Stags Leap District AVA

The Stags Leap District AVA is known for producing elegant Cabernet Sauvignon wines that are rich and concentrated but also possess a remarkable sense of finesse and a unique “dusty” tannin structure.

• Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars

• Cliff Family Vineyards (tasting room is in St. Helena, but they source grapes from various AVAs, including Stags Leap District)

🍇 Los Carneros AVA

Located in the southern part of Napa Valley, the Los Carneros AVA is a cooler climate region due to its proximity to the San Pablo Bay. It is particularly known for producing high-quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, as well as exceptional sparkling wines.

• Domaine Carneros

• Domaine Chandon

• Artesa Vineyards

🍇 Calistoga AVA

The Calistoga AVA is at the northernmost end of Napa Valley and is one of its warmest regions. The wines here, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, are known for being bold and robust.

• Twomey (Calistoga location)

• Castello di Amorosa

• Luna Vineyards

• Charles Krug

🍇 Howell Mountain AVA

The Howell Mountain AVA is a sub-appellation located on the eastern side of the valley, known for its high elevation and volcanic soils. The wines here are typically full-bodied, with high tannins and concentrated dark fruit flavors.

• O’Connell Family

• Cade Estate (not on your list, but is a sister winery to Plumpjack, which you have listed)

• Robert Foley Vineyards

• La Jota Vineyard Co.

• Ladera Vineyards

• W.H. Smith Wines

🍇 Spring Mountain District AVA

The Spring Mountain District AVA is another mountain-based region on the western side of the valley. The wines from here, especially Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, are known for their complexity, structured tannins, and aging potential.

• Pride Mountain

• Amizetta

• Stony Hill Vineyard

• Barnett Vineyards

• Spring Mountain Vineyard

🍇 Diamond Mountain District AVA

The Diamond Mountain District AVA is a mountain-based AVA on the western side of the valley, north of Spring Mountain. Wines from this region are known for their firm structure, minerality, and intense dark fruit flavors.

• Schramsberg (Not on your list, but an important producer of sparkling wine)

• Cain Vineyard

• Hall Winery

🍇 St. Helena AVA

The St. Helena AVA is located in the narrowest part of the valley floor and is one of the warmest. It is known for producing powerful, full-bodied wines with ripe fruit flavors and soft tannins.

• Charles Krug (also listed in Calistoga due to its location at the northern end of the valley, on the border with St. Helena)

• Spottswoode (also listed in Rutherford)

• Ladera Vineyards (tasting room is in St. Helena, but vineyards are in Howell Mountain)

• Ehlers Estate

• Merryvale Vineyards