Napa Valley is a California region known for its beautiful vineyards and the premier wine it produces. Located approximately one hour from Sacramento and one hour and a half from San Francisco, this place offers a combination of Mediterranean climate, food, and lifestyle. We recently visited Napa, and today we are taking you through our top Napa Wineries List.
Robert Mondavi Winery
This place dates back to 1966 when Robert Mondavi established his namesake winery at the renowned To Kalo Vineyard. Mr.Mondavi was a pioneer in producing excellent wine and delivering successful marketing and technical strategies that brought world recognition to Napa Valley.
Today, 56 years after its establishment, Mondavi Vineyard is recognized as one of the world’s finest “Grand Cru” and holds first place on our top Napa Wineries list.
Visitors Info: Mondavi Winery is known for its Cabernet Sauvignons and signature Fume Blanc.
An interesting fact is that Mr.Mondavi produces his wine from a single grape variety.
This winery has a prime location at the heart of Napa Valley and offers a variety of tasting and culinary experiences for its visitors.
Tasting Experiences
To Kalon Reserve Tasting
Book this tasting to discover a selection of To Kalon wines, and indulge in unique food pairing. You get to experience all of that from their gorgeous patio overlooking the vineyards. The duration of this tasting is 75 minutes.
The Estates Collection Tasting
Here, you will indulge in their Estate Collection wine selection, also from the commodity of their gorgeous patio. The duration of this tasting is one hour, and the age limit is 21.
Culinary Experiences
Vineyard to table lunch
By booking this experience, you can enjoy locally sourced foods prepared by their excellent chefs, paired with wines from their Estates selection. The lunch is offered daily at 12:30 pm, with a duration of 90 minutes. We recommend that you make reservations at least 48 hours in advance.
Legacy Dinner
Celebrate the unity of wine and food with this exclusive multi-course meal. During this dinner, you will discover their vintage and rare selections from the five decades of Mondavi winemaking.
Historical Info: In 2008, the Univerity of California, Davis, established the Robert Mondavi Institute for wine and food science.
Your Robert Mondavi Winery proudly represents its chief winemaker, Genevieve Janssens, whose wines are globally recognized and of excellent quality.
Visitor Info: Robert Mondavi Winery is rated nu:1 in North America and nu:5 in the world.
Another excellent point is that this winery is Napa Green Certified. The Mondavi family has partnered with Napa County Resource Conservation District and created NSWG. They aim to preserve water, control erosion, manage pests, and much more.
Robert Mondavi Winery is a must-visit when in Napa!
Del Dotto Napa Valley
Del Dotto Winery dates back to the late 80s. During that time, Mr.Del Dotto started collecting wine bottles and showing interest in wine production. He aimed to continue his family name and wine roots that go back to the 1400s.
In 1988 during a visit to Napa, he and his wife fell in love with the beautiful 1912 Frank Lloyd Wright house (Rutherford property). They decided to purchase it on the spot and created what is today one of the most beautiful wineries in Napa.
Since then, they have spent the last 25 years perfecting the production and operation of his three wineries: Historic Del Dotto, Del Dotto Estate, and Piazza Del Dotto.
Here, the main focus is the production of small premium wines. They specialize in Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, and Sauvignon Blanc.They also produce Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and limited Syrah, Sauvignon blanc, and Sparkling grenache.
Visitors Info: Del Dotto's executive chef is Joshua Schwartz.
Del Dotto's Wineries
Historic Caves Winery
The winery caves date back to 1885, and David and Yolanda restored them in the late ’90s.
Del Dotto Estate Winery and Cave
This winery branch opened in 2007 as an homage to Del Dotto’s family Venitian roots. The exact location is the original property that Dave and Yolanda purchased back in the 80s, and it’s genuinely a marvelous vista.
Piazza Del Dotto Winery and Caves
This branch of Del Dotto Wineries is an Italian-inspired barn surrounded by acres of Cabernet, 17th-century fountains, and vegetable gardens. There is also an outdoor area with peacocks, pheasants, and doves. You are welcome to visit this property seven days a week, until 5 pm.
Del Dotto Tasting Experiences
All three locations offer a tour of the Caves, along with wine tasting. Upon arrival, you start with a glass of white wine, followed by a selection of reds and touring inside the cave. Next, you will have the opportunity to taste side-by-side a Cabernet aged in French Oak and the same Cabernet aged in American Oak. Your experience ends with a pour of featured bottled wine and house-made sourdough pizza.
In addition, Piazza Del Dotto offers Food and Wine Pairing experience. This experience happens on Saturdays, and reservations are required. The tour starts with a group barrel tasting in the caves, followed by a welcome bite of four luxurious small plates and a special glass of wine.
Make sure to allow approximately two and a half hours for this tasting, and enjoy!
Mumm Napa Brut Prestige
Mumm Winery roots are returning to GH Mumm (the leading international champagne brand in France). Established in the late 1970s, this winery still honors the traditional winemaking techniques of its French heritage.
Historical Fact: This Napa Sparkling wine carries much more medals than any other in its class.
Mumm Winery makes its wines using a process called Méthode Traditionnelle by using 13 special steps behind the making of each bottle.
First, the grapes are hand-harvested in the early mornings, followed by fermentation at cool temperatures. The next step is blending, followed by bottling and second fermentation. Then, approximately 18 months of yeast aging is a must, followed by the wine disgorged as a brut style and aged again for three months. In the end, you get sparkling perfection in a bottle.
The winery is located in Rutherford, alongside the Silverado Trail, and offers various experiences for visitors.
We loved visiting Mumm Brut Prestige, and we can certainly say it is one of the top wineries in Napa.
Mumm Brut Prestige Tasting Experiences
Outdoor patio
Book this experience, and indulge in a unique selection of Brut Prestige wine, with views of the Rutherford vineyards from their outdoor patio. The duration is 60 mins, and the deck is open from 10 am to 6 pm.
Oak terrace tasting
Enjoy limited production wines paired with a cheese selection from their private patio. Make sure to allow 75 mins, and know an age limit of 21.
Vineyard Green
Taste a unique collection of wines directly from their Vineyard Green courtyard. Relax and unwind, enjoying nature, surrounded by beautiful greenery. This 60 min experience is available Fri-Sun, from 10 am to 6 pm.
Visitors Info: Mumm Napa Brut Prestige is a dog-friendly winery.
This winery is a must-visit when in Napa.
Traveling within US West Coast? Check out our 24 Hours Itinerary in Los Angeles or our Weekend in Vegas Itinerary.
Have you ever visited Napa, California, and which winery from our Napa Wineries List is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.
