Napa Valley, California: City Play List

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

• BV

• 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

• The Prisoner

• BV

• 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