7 Best Kept Secret Wineries to Visit in Napa, California - with map!

Updated January 21, 2026

Del Dotto Venetian Estate Winery - Prettiest Winery in Napa Valley

7 Most Beautiful Wineries to go Wine Tasting in Napa, California

If you’re looking for the most beautiful wineries in Napa Valley, this guide focuses on wineries that stand out for their scenic vineyard views, unique architecture, and unforgettable settings. These are the wineries that feel just as special as they look—perfect for photos, relaxed tastings, and memorable Napa Valley experiences.

*Updated January 2026 to reflect current winery experiences and reservation policies.*

Napa Valley is my FAVORITE place for wine tasting and there are so many wineries to visit! Napa is located about 2 hours North of San Francisco and is considered part of wine country in Northern California. I LOVE WINE which makes it very difficult to figure out where to go in Napa since there are so many great options!

These Napa Valley wineries were selected not only for their great wine but also for their picture-perfect settings and scenic vineyard views — ideal for travelers who want more than just a tasting flight, but Instagram-worthy experiences and unforgettable landscapes.

I've not only done my own extensive research in personal tastings, so I have made this awesome map so you can see how close the vineyards are: 

Are you wondering where to stay in Napa and Sonoma? See our full reviews and how much we loved staying at the Cabernet House and ANDAZ NAPA in Downtown Napa, as well as the Hyatt Regency in Sonoma! My absolute favorite was the Alila in St Helena, they had bath tubs and fire pits on their guest room balconies!

Please see our related posts: HOW TO SPEND A WEEKEND WINE TASTING IN NAPA and THE BEST WINERIES IN SONOMA COUNTY which also coincides with this map!

Don’t leave for Napa without these essentials (see more in our Napa Winter Essentials Post or our Napa Packing Checklist post):

What Makes a Winery Worth Visiting in Napa Valley

• Vineyard views & landscape

• Unique architecture & tasting rooms

• Outdoor spaces & gardens

• Photogenic features (arches, fountains, vineyards)

---

Now, onto the best wineries for first timers in Napa!

Chappellet's vineyard on Pritchard Hill from the midst of Molly Chappellet's garden! Photo Courtesy of Chappellet

CHAPPELLET WINERY - Best Winery with Views in Napa

Addresses: Pritchard Hill Location 1581 Sage Canyon Rd, St Helena, CA 94574 (in the mountains with breath taking views) or their Sonoma Location 27 East Napa St, Suite A, Sonoma, CA 95476 (wine tasting room)

• Reservations Required?: Yes, book your wine tasting/tour here: Chappellet.com - Ask for Theo, she’s the best!

• Cost?: $$$ Tour and tastings start at $125 per person, the wine is worth every penny

• Food?: Cheese & Crackers

 I like to look for wineries that aren’t as mainstream, that might have a nice view, and great wine. My research this year found Chappellet atop Pritchard Hill with stunning views and some of the best red wine I’ve ever had! And I love my reds! I loved the history of the land and learning about the Chappellet family, owners of this breathtaking winery. We had such an amazing experience, I can’t wait to go back! 

See our full review here: Chappellet Winery Review

Chappellet Winery

---

Mumm Napa Best Vineyard Views

MUMM NAPA - Best Vineyard Views in Napa Valley

Address: 8445 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558

• Reservations Required?: Reservations are recommended but not required for fewer than six guests. Limited walk-in seating is available on a first-come first-served basis. Visit this link to book you reservation https://www.mummnapa.com/wine-tastings-and-tours/

• Cost?: $$ Tastings start around $48 on the patio/salon; Tours are $125

• Food?: Cheese/Crackers and snacks

Mumm Champagne is one of my favorites and the winery with vineyard views didn’t disappoint. I loved my visit and tasting so much, I even joined their wine club. The grounds are beautiful and the staff is very friendly. I can't wait to come back again and again! 

We walked up around 11a without a reservation and were seated immediately. Since it was December and on the cooler side, we opted to sit in the salon for our tasting.

Although this is more of a popular brand name, I had to include it because it’s my favorite!

---

Bunny Foo Foo at Hall Wines Vineyard

HALL WINES Napa Valley modern winery with vineyard views

Address: 401 St Helena Hwy, St Helena, CA 94574 (St Helena Location)

• Reservations Required?: Reservations recommended, walk-ins welcome. Groups 7+ please contact in advance.

• Cost?: $$$ Tastings: $40, Tours starting at $60

• Food?: Not really

I was excited for Hall since they specialize in Cabernet Sauvignon, winning many awards for their 100 point cabs! Also, not going to lie, I love bunny foo foo, especially when he is holding a light saber (Star Wars was released in theaters that weekend). Speaking of, they had amazing art throughout the winery, in the gardens, in the tasting room, everywhere!

This vineyard had more of a modern flair with an artistic eye, making it more unique. Their tasting bar was setup on the second floor near floor to ceiling windows with spectacular vineyard views. And we witnessed another beautiful sunset..

Related: See more St Helena Vineyards in our Curated Christmas in Napa: A Luxury 3-Day Guide to St. Helena & Yountville Post!

---

LARKMEAD VINEYARDS WINERY - Unique Winery in Napa Valley

Larkmead Winery - patio vineyard views

Address: 1100 Larkmead Ln, Calistoga, CA 94515

• Reservations Required?: Yes, https://www.larkmead.com/visit/ Book in advance!

• Cost?: $$$ About $90 for a tasting; Bottles start at $75

• Food?: Not that I could see, just lots of wine!

Their website says it best: "Surrounded by the serenity of our beautiful vineyard, each visit to Larkmead is personal and unique. Guests enjoy a private guided tour of the winery followed by an in-depth tasting with a dedicated member of our team. Our cellar library holds over 2,000 bottles spanning two centuries." Their cabernets were smooth and rich (and perfect).

Wine is served in fancy Zalto glasses which run about $75 a pop!

---

CASTELLO Di AMOROSA - Scenic Winery Castle in Napa

CASTELLO Di AMOROSA Wins Scenic Winery in Napa Valley and Kid Friendly

Address: 4045 St Helena Hwy, Calistoga, CA 94515

• Reservations Required?: Yes, you must have a reservation in advance.

• Cost?: $$$ Starts at $45 just to get into the castle and comes with a tasting. Designated Drivers also need to pay an entrance fee, even if they aren't drinking! There are guided tours and food pairings as well.

• Food?: Yes, see the Royal Pairings Menu

• Kid Friendly! It is $25 for kids to join but they will be entertained!

This 13th Century Tuscan inspired castle is picture perfect scenery for a winery! You can visit the knight’s hall and their flagship cabernet sauvignon is a must-try. Animals from goats to chickens surround the castle, including some gorgeous peacocks! Not something you see every day in Napa.

---

Domaine Carneros looks like an elegant French Chateau

DOMAINE CARNEROS is the most Elegant Winery in Napa Valley

Address: 1240 Duhig Rd, Napa, CA 94559

• Reservations Required?: Yes, Reserve or call 707.257.0101 ext 150, daily 9-5 PST

• Cost?: $$ Daily tastings start at $45, Tours are $125 see more info here: Visit Domaine Carneros

• Food?: Snacks are available, food pairing is an option here.

The French Chateau esthetic at Domaine Carneros is utterly breathtaking! Walking up through the garden among the waterfalls feels like you galavanted across the world to a European vineyard! We made a reservation in advance and were seated right away. I love Champagne and the sparkling wine here was to die for. Since it was my birthday, the waiter was so kind to bring out a bottle of their best reserve wine, Le Reve, and give us a taste!

---

Del Dotto Wine Caves

Del Dotto Venetian Estate Winery - Prettiest Winery in Napa Valley

Address: 1445 St Helena Hwy, St Helena, CA 94574

• Reservations Required?: Yes, Reserve here or call: (707) 963-2134

• Cost?: $$$ Bar Tasting – $75 or Cave Experience & Barrel Tasting (90 min) $120 per person

• Food?: From house-cured salumi and slow braised meats to vegetables from their garden and Grandma Dee’s handmade ravioli, Chef Joshua and the entire culinary team collaborate on a unique menu that embodies the season and pairs perfectly with the wines.

The tasting was more expensive than other vineyards, but it included cheese, bread and olive oil! I highly recommend venturing into their gorgeous Venetian caves known as the tour with barrel tasting. Check out that chandelier! The tasting room is beautiful decked out with venetian paintings, tiling, marble pillars and expensive wines making it the prettiest winery in Napa!

---

Do you have any wineries that we need to add to our list? Let us know in the comments below!

If you liked this post please share it on your favorite social media site using the Share button below because we’d love to get the word out! Feel free to pin this to your favorite Pinterest board:

---

 Need another glass? Try some more:

5 Best Wineries to Visit in Sonoma County for Wine Tasting (with map)

GUNDLACH BUNSCHU WINERY in Sonoma Valley

5 Best Wineries in Sonoma, CA for Wine Tasting (map included)

We love visiting Sonoma and Napa but are always overwhelmed by where to go in our short time we are there! So many wineries, so little time! What is the most picturesque winery? Which winery has the best wine? Is Sonoma far from Napa? It can get confusing, so let me give you a little tour! Also, I suggest you check out the 7 Best Kept Secret Wineries in Napa! Open that in a new tab to check later!

Sonoma County borders Napa County and encompasses Sonoma, Santa Rosa, and Russian River Valley. See the google map below!

We knew we wanted to stop in Santa Rosa to go to the Russian River Brew Company, so we decided to spend the night at the Hyatt Regency Sonoma on Friday night so that we could have a full day in wine country! 

From Santa Rosa, there are 2 ways to get to Napa:

1. Up the 101 through Russian River and come around via the 128 through Yountville, Callistoga, and Rutherford.

or

2. Drive through Sonoma on the 12. Either way, you will find wine, see our favorite wineries in Sonoma County!

I even made a google map to help me lay out the land to see where the vineyards are:

When we head up to the Napa/Sonoma area, we love staying at the Hyatt Regency Sonoma or the Cabernet House! Also, check out our perfect weekend itinerary from last year: Wine Tasting Weekend in Northern California

ONTO THE WINERIES! :) 

---

BEST SONOMA WINERIES FOR WINE TASTING

Scribe Winery - Sonoma

SCRIBE WINERY

Address: 2100 Denmark St, Sonoma, CA 95476

• Reservations Required?: Yes, must be made in advance - Call: 707.939.1858

• Cost?: $$$ but includes a meal and tasting for $60 per person

• Food?: YES! Awesome food at that.

See more in our detailed post on Scribe: Winery Review: Scribe Winery

With a drive-way lined with palm trees, this is a true California vineyard! A beautiful house sits atop the property with a fabulous patio to enjoy wine along with a few courses AND a stunning view! Inside, the house was so cute and chic, looking like it came straight out of a home and garden magazine. 

Scribe Wine was on my list of wineries to visit last year but for the price of the tasting it seemed too expensive. Wrong! Not only do they have generous pours, but a delightful meal that goes along with the tasting.  

My favorite wine was the estate Chardonnay, not too buttery and rich, but refreshing.

For $60 per person, we tried the Hacienda Menu including 4 wines paired with the perfect food. We started with olives, almonds and radishes with our first course. We were pleasantly upgraded with a second course including salad, then a third course with a chicken dish and focaccia bread!

The wines were pricey, but we did get a bottle of their sparkling wine and it was one of the best I’ve ever had. 

I would definitely go back to this one!

See more in our detailed post on Scribe: Winery Review: Scribe Winery

---

GUNDLACH BUNSCHU WINERY

GUNDLACH BUNSCHU WINERY

Address: 2000 Denmark St, Sonoma, CA 95476

• Reservations Required?: No, but they are recommended. Make yours today: GunBun.com

• Cost?: $$ Range of flights $20+

• Food?: Cheeses and snacks can be found at the Donkey bar (no reservation required)

Not only fun to say but great wine too! Call it GunBun for short!

We had some time to kill before our tasting at Scribe, so we stopped at GunBun right next door, no appointment required. It’s the oldest family owned vineyard by 6 generations and is bonded winery #64 in California. They know what they're doing here. 

Kathryn, our wine hostess, was lovely and went into great depth of the history of the vineyard and its founders. With 320 acres, the grounds were gorgeous and they even have cave tours seasonally ($45 per person). 

Specialties included more red wines, we especially liked the Cabernet and Malbec best, but also really enjoyed the cuvée as a bonus tasting! If it had been a tad warmer, we would have loved to sit on the patio.

---

BEST RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY WINERIES FOR WINE TASTING

Korbel Winery

KORBEL CHAMPAGNE CELLARS

Address: 13250 River Rd, Guerneville, CA 95446

• Reservations Required?: Nope, but click here for their free tour hours!

• Cost?: $ FREE! That's right, free tastings! No purchase required! 

• Food?: There is a little cafe that has snacks and sandwiches.

Champagne is my favorite type of wine and you can always find a bottle of Korbel in my fridge! For over 135 years, Korbel has mastered making the perfect bottle of champagne. Free tours are offered throughout the day and FREE wine tasting are provided in their tasting room. 

---

BEST SANTA ROSA WINERIES FOR WINE TASTING

Kendall-Jackson Winery

KENDALL-JACKSON WINERY

Address: 5007 Fulton Rd, Fulton, CA 95403

TASTING COUPON: Click here to print a Two for One Tasting Coupon for our Estate Tasting. Offer available for up to 4 guests.

• Reservations Required?: Nope

• Cost?: $$ Wine flights range from $15-25 - try their Stature! 

• Food?: Wine and Food pairing available by Appt or there is always a chocolate or cheese pairing available.

Kendall-Jackson makes my favorite Chardonnay so we had to check it out while we were there! Also, take a stroll through their garden and say hi to the chicken coop! 

---

Paradise Ridge Winery

PARADISE RIDGE WINERY

Address: 8860 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood

• Reservations Required?: Nope

• Cost?: $$ Tasting Fee: $15 -$20 refundable with a 2 bottle purchase

• Food?: Wine and Cheese tastings. There are tables outside for picnics! 

Unfortunately, the Russian River Estate is closed as most of the vineyard was lost in the Tubbs 2017 fire. Their Kenwood location is up and running as they rebuild! 

---

Planning a Napa Valley Trip?

If you’re visiting Napa for the first time, these guides can help you plan the perfect trip:

- Where to stay in Napa Valley

- Best time of year to visit Napa

- Napa Valley itinerary (2–3 days)

When we head up to the Napa/Sonoma area, we love staying at the Hyatt Regency Sonoma or the Cabernet House! Also, check out our Wine Tasting Weekend in Northern California itinerary and the 7 Best Kept Secret Wineries in Napa.

If you liked this post please share it on your favorite social media site using the Share button below because we’d love to get the word out! Feel free to pin this to your favorite Pinterest board:

---

Need another glass of wine? Check these out: