Where are the best Calistoga wineries to visit?
This isn't an easy question to answer. The Calistoga AVA (American Viticultural Area) produces some of the best grapes in all of California. The unique blend of altitude and soil in the Calistoga area gives wine growers the conditions they need to produce highly concentrated fruit. That means the local winemakers are starting with the best possible raw materials for their wines. The result is world-class wine when these grapes are given to talented winemakers.
The other joy of visiting the best wineries in Calistoga is the lack of crowds. This end of Napa Valley seems to benefit from its distance. The crowds thin out and the wineries get more welcoming! That is the perfect mix for a great day of wine tasting.
The Best Calistoga Wineries For Visitors
Envy Wines | 1170 Tubbs Ln
It's important to us that wineries are welcoming. When you are spending your hard earned money on wine tasting, you deserve to be treated with respect at a minimum right. Then there is another level of winery tasting rooms. These are the ones that make you feel like family. Envy Wines welcomes guests with open arms. They take the time to get to know you and understand your wine preferences. You will get an education as you taste through their offerings.
Envy also makes great wine. This makes the fun and welcoming tasting room more special. Calistoga is at the northern end of Napa Valley, so you know there will be Cabernet Sauvignon. Envy makes highly rated cabs and Petite Sirah. They have a number of 90+ ratings under their belt if that matters to you. The combination of great wine and service makes Envy Wines one of the best Calistoga wineries for visitors.
Madrigal | 3718 North Saint Helena Highway
This next winery offers a great place to relax and take in the beauty of Calistoga. The winery is run by the third generation of the Madrigal family. They first started managing vineyards in the 1930's. This family knows how to get the best out of Napa Valley grapes! In the 1990's they decided to get in on the fun of making wine. You should be happy they did. Whether you love reds or whites, this Calistoga winery will have a wine to suit your tastes. Cabernet Sauvignon is the primary varietal you'll find at the winery, but they venture out into Tempranillo, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc.
Madrigal offers a range of tasting options. You can enjoy a basic tasting for $25 or get more adventurous with cheese pairings. The lunch pairing is probably the best way to fully enjoy what this winery has to offer.
Brian Arden | 331 Silverado Trail
Brian Arden Wines has been a labor of love since 2007 when 26-year old Brian Harlan began making wine in the Napa Valley. The Harlan family has been growing and selling old vine Zinfandel grapes from their Lake County ranch for decades. The vineyards passed down from generation to generation without its a winemaker ever turning the grape business into a wine business. Brian became the first to make wine for the family. You can enjoy their wines at the modern tasting room in Calistoga.
The winery doesn't require a reservation. This is a big bonus in Napa where so many wineries now require you to book in advance. The other thing that makes Brian Arden Wines one of the best Calistoga wineries to visit is the variety of wines they pour. You can enjoy more than high-quality Cab Sav at this boutique winery.
Dutch Henry | 4300 Silverado Trl N
Another one of the best Calistoga wineries to visit is Dutch Henry. This winery has an admirable focus on sustainability. They also produce all organic wines. The winery's atmosphere is very comfortable. They don't get bogged down by the glitz and glamor of certain other Napa wineries.
This winery focuses exclusively on red wines, so not a stop for Chardonnay lovers. This Calistoga winery is a must stop for anyone looking for top Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. We suggest you try their "reserve tour and tasting". This includes a tour of the wine caves, winery, a barrel tasting and seated tasting 0f Dutch Henry's reserve wines. This is a great educational tasting experience!
Don't forget to try the Calistoga olive oil while you are at the winery.
Frank Family Vineyards | 1091 Larkmead Ln
We love that you can find great California sparkling wine at one of the best Calistoga wineries for visitors. The Frank Family Vineyards tasting room has been a regular on lists of the best Napa Valley wineries to visit. They keep showing up because of the mix of service and great wine. You are going to want to make a reservation here. The winery requires it Friday - Sunday, but you should book the other days as well.
The winery has an elevated tasting experience. This is a pairing of their top flight wines and a charcuterie plate from Ottimo Restaurant in Yountville. We suggest you opt for this tasting, but it isn't cheap. If you can find a way to save at some other wineries, this is the place to splurge!
Von Strasser | 965 Silverado Trl
The last stop on our list of the best Calistoga wineries to visit is Von Strasser. This is another great boutique Napa winery. You can expect a warm welcome and fewer crowds at this unique wine tasting room. The hordes of Napa rarely find their way up here, so you benefit from a little more calm and the chance to focus on the wine.
The winery offers a beautiful wine and cheese pairing and some truly unique wines for the Napa Valley. The owner is of Austrian descent. That is why they offer Gruner Veltliner. This is a classic Austrian white wine that is gaining a big following in California. Rudy, the owner, was the first American intern at the famed Chateau Lafite-Rothchild and he is a graduate of the famed UC Davis enology program.
This is a must stop on your tour of Calistoga wineries!
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