5 Napa Valley Wineries To Visit On A Weekend

NAPA VALLEY, CA — As coronavirus vaccinations continue to ramp up, Californians are returning to their favorite pastimes — including wine tasting and traveling. But residents won't have to leave the state to experience the perfect vineyard getaway.

Californians can enjoy endless wine lists, worldly sommeliers and the European-inspired architecture of wineries nestled within the Golden State's very own Napa Valley. For Bay Area residents, Napa Valley is just a quick drive away. For Angelenos, it's a half-day scenic road trip up the coast.

Here are five unique Napa wineries to visit this weekend (or any!):

1. Cakebread Cellars

This sprawling vineyard is home to the warm and welcoming Cakebread Cellars, built in 1973. The Cakebread family planted their original Cakebreak sauvignon blanc in 1972 on a 22-acre parcel of land in Rutherford.

The winery is known for its chardonnay is currently offering in-person tastings Thursday-Monday by reservation only.

Reservations can be made by email at cellars@cakebread.com or by phone at 800-588-0298.

2. Del Dotto Napa Historic Winery & Caves

Located just a short jaunt up Highway 29 is Del Dotto Napa Valley's newest winery, Piazza Del Dotto. On this eclectic property, visitors can sip wines inside a marble-lined cave in the heart of Oakville.

The Cave Experience & Barrel Tasting costs $80 and includes wine produced in oak barrels from the great forests of the world, according to the vineyard's website.

At the Piazza, visitors will find a barn surrounded by an 8.5 acre property with vegetable gardens, 17th century fountains and an outdoor barn with turkeys, peacocks, pheasants and doves.

The vineyard is open five days a week, Wednesday-Friday.

Reservations can be made here.

3. Beringer

Beringer, a world-famous vineyard, has been serving Californians for 144 years as one of the state's oldest wineries. Over the last several decades, Beringer winemakers have acquired some of the most prestigious vineyards in Napa Valley, according to its website.

Beringer's 1884 fieldstone Rhine House tasting room is iconic of Napa Valley and is an absolute must for first-time visitors. Currently, the winery is only offering outdoor experiences by reservation only.

Reservations can be made Wednesday-Monday. Explore their tasting packages and experiences here.

4. Chateau Montelena

You may recognize this famed property from the 2008 movie Bottle Shock. If not, this winery is quite a sight for first-time visitors. Located at the top of Napa Valley in Calistoga, the vineyard boasts an enchanting castle.

It is famous for winning the white wine section of the "Judgement of Paris" wine competition. Its chardonnay competed against nine other wines from France and California, according to its website.

The winery is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by reservation only. Either call 800-222-7288 or email service@montelena.com to book an appointment.

5. Castello di Amorosa

This property features yet another one of Napa Valley's enrapturing castles.

Walk the grounds of Castello di Amorosa and explore the castle's magical Tuscan architecture as you sip classically structured Italian-style wines. Its wine is meant to reflect the Golden State's unique climate, soil and growing conditions, according to its website.

"Our philosophy is to make elegant, intensely flavored, and well-balanced wines that showcase the 'terroir' of each unique vineyard site," winemakers wrote on Castello di Amorosa's website.

This 13th-century Tuscan style winery was also known for its luxurious and intimate guided Diamond Estate Tour & Reserve Wine Tasting, which will be returning June 16.

The winery is open daily by reservation only from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call the winery at 707-967-6272 to make a reservation.