Malibu Wine Hikes - Best Hike in Los Angeles, California

Malibu Wine Hikes Trail and Saddle Rock Wine!

Malibu Wine Hikes - The best thing to do outside in LA!

Address: 32111 MULHOLLAND HWY. MALIBU, CA 90265

Malibu Wines is a wonderful place to go for an outing with friends in LA. We hiked, saw some animals, savored rosé pops, got some wine to go, had some laughs - it was a perfect way to spend the day outside and socially distant. You may remember my Malibu Wines Safari post or the Malibu Wines Tasting Room in West Hills, but this time we tried a new experience, Malibu Wine Hikes!

Malibu Wine Hikes Trail

Our Wine Hike Experience

I went with 7 of my girlfriends, who I hadn’t seen since the beginning of the year! We wore masks (took them off for pictures) and kept our distance, it was so nice to see them in person and not on a screen!

We checked in and waited in the shade for our guide, Joe! He was nice, entertaining, and knew so much about the vineyard and grounds. Since we’re all concerned about the spread he took photos of us throughout the hike and sent them to us in a dropbox at the end of the day. This was above and beyond our expectations.

Strike a pose in the Santa Monica Mountains

Typically the hike starts with Rosé pops, but ours weren’t frozen enough, so they gave them to us at the end.

We toured around the grounds on a 2-mile loop, the trail wasn’t too steep. It took us about 3 hours, but we weren’t in any rush, just enjoying the sunshine and company. There were water stations at the beginning of the hike and about halfway through. You can bring your own reusable bottle or purchase one of theirs.

Joe would point out the crops that were growing in the gardens, and said we could try the berries (SNACKKKS).

Berries on the hike!

White Sage growing

There are even Chumash Native Cave paintings on the property and if you’re lucky, you might even find one of their spearheads!

Chumash Native Cave Paintings

The Woolsey fire in November 2018 took out the tasting room and a lot of the vegetation on the grounds. Luckily the animals were ok and from our hike, many of the crops came back and a lot of the vineyard survived! 2020 hasn’t been easy for anyone, but their safety protocols and open-air tours make it easier for people to be together and still do fun things! We saw zebras, water buffalo, and other animals!

Malibu Wines Zebras

After we were done touring around, we returned back to the entrance where we had our rosé pops and chose our bottle of wine to take to go. I like their rosé but went with the Merlot, which is a nice red with notes of spice and pepper. These weren’t full bottles but enough for 2 large glasses of wine!

Saddlerock wines

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Booking Your Hike Reservation

The grounds are not open to any to walk around, you must be on a tour or attend an event. Book your ticket and reserve your spot on malibuwinehikes.com. We booked 3 weeks in advance to get our desired date and time.

WINE HIKE - The open hike is a 2 mile loop hike where you get to explore the vineyards of Saddlerock Ranch, organic gardens, Chumash Native American cave paintings, and more! Guests will receive wine to-go when the hike concludes. $49/person

4x4 VINEYARD TOUR - There is also a vineyard tour that you ride in a 4x4 for an adventure tour around the Saddlerock Ranch Vineyards. Guests will explore the vineyards and natural areas on the property. Includes snacks, beverages and wine to-go! $375/Vehicle (each vehicle holds 1-5 people).

Saddle Rock Ranch Sign

Arrival and Parking

There is a huge dirt and gravel parking lot with plenty of parking spots. There are also nice trailer bathrooms in the parking lot too, better than a port-a-potty, but it’s not the Four Seasons or anything.

Don’t drink and drive!

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Other great LA posts:

How to Spend a Weekend Wine Tasting in Temecula, California (with map)

Temecula Wine Tasting is the best!

Best wineries and where to go in Temecula, California - with map!

My sister and I had a wedding to attend in Temecula and decided to make the most of it. Since it is only a few hours away from Los Angeles, we decided to drive up on a Saturday morning and come back on Sunday. We went to 4 wineries across the 2 days and here's how it went down..

My sweet sister kindly picked up some Starbucks and swooped me up along the way, leaving LA with enough time to drive to Temecula (approx 2 hours without traffic) to make it to our wine tour!

Here is a Temecula winery map made with the Wanderlog Travel Planner, so you can follow along, add to your Google maps account, or create your own personal map! Wanderlog allows you to create great maps and guides for any vacation! 

Map courtesy of Wanderlog travel planner

ENTRANCE TO OLD TOWN TEMECULA

A little after 9a, we arrived at our hotel, the Extended Stay America (see review below), checked-in and called for our Uber to take us to the Stampede where we were to meet our tour, Grapeline Wine Tours Temecula, and get our taste on. 

Temecula Antique Shop

We entered through the Old Town, which the downtown area, that looked like an old miners town with wood-planked sidewalks and old tanks of all sorts, with antique shops galore! Super charming!

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Grapeline Wine Tours - Best Wine Tour in Temecula!

OUR WINE TOUR ITINERARY FOR THE DAY.

We booked a half-day wine tour for $95 which included tasting flights at 3 wineries, vineyard tour, cheese pairing, and a driver for the day. We reserved our spots about a month prior and emailed them directly, requesting the vineyards we were interested in.

The tour picked around 10a and was scheduled to drop us off at 2p just in time to get ready for the wedding we were attending at 5p. We were greeted by Robert, our guide, and he told us that we would be visiting all the wineries we requested and we had a great selection. He handed us a detailed itinerary and a discount card that basically gave 10-20% off all bottle purchases! He also told us the cheesiest, most amazing jokes to keep us entertained.

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South Coast Winery

STROLLING THROUGH SOUTH COAST WINERY, TEMECULA

We traveled about 10 minutes to our first stop, South Coast Winery.

The grounds were so beautiful, full of flowers and Instagrammable photo ops. The inside was different with animals everywhere. We went in for our tasting and we were the first and only ones there, but it was also 10:30am. Pamela helped us out, and she was very generous with her pours. She even volunteered to take a picture of us... and we got a selfie of her as well! Didn't even know she was taking it!

The most notable wines we enjoyed were:

1. Extra Dry Sparkling - Yummy Champagne taste

2. Boulder Red 2.0 - Closest to a petite Sirah

3. Wild Horse Peak Temporale - Earthy with a pepper taste

South Coast Wine Tasting Room

Robert kept us on schedule (even though we wandered off to take pictures) and got us back on the bus to take us to our next stop, Falkner Winery.

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Falkner Winery

Gorgeous Temecula Views from Falkner

Falkner had beautiful views from the top of the hill of Temecula Valley. We really wanted to come here because of the name to say things like Falk you and Falk off. Robert said no one had ever made those jokes before. We didn't believe him!

We went down into the cellar where we had the wine tasting along with a cheese and fruit pairing. Our fave was the Amante Super Tuscan which was similar to Sangiovese. I wasn't sure if I liked the Risque Riesling, or if I just liked the bottle and name... either way it wasn't bad! 

We were kinda disappointed we were in this dark room and the day was so beautiful. I was just excited that they let us keep the glass! FREE SOUVENIRS! 

Falkner Winery Free Glasses

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Europa Village Winery

THIS WAY TO EUROPA VILLAGE WINERY!

Our last stop was Europa Village Winery which was under construction but you couldn't really tell at first glance (especially after 2 other tastings). 

EUROPA VILLAGE WINERY - OUTSIDE TASTING BAR AND SEATING

EUROPA VILLAGE WINE TASTING PASSPORT AND COUPON

We were handed a tasting passport that they would stamp after each tasting (sometimes they forgot) and had a large selection of wines. Our favorite Europa wine was the Vendetta, which was a fruity yet rich red. We decided to buy a couple bottles and upon purchasing, we decided to become a member! 

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We were dropped back off at the Stampede in the old town area and picked up a pizza to eat at our hotel to get ready and go to our friend's wedding. We proceeded to eat our Shakey's pepperoni pizza and popped a bottle of Vendetta.

Old Town Temecula Restaurants

The next day we got ready (slowly) and sought out a good brunch spot. Our options seemed limited via Yelp so we decided we would drive through Old Town until we found a place we liked. 1909 was the happening spot, we put our name down for a 40-minute wait while we looked around for another restaurant before we ate each other out of starvation. Luckily it didn't come to that and right next door was Public House, which had a shaded patio and no wait! I had the eggs benedict with bacon (pork belly) and a coffee since we weren't ready for mimosas yet.

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Briar Rose Winery

Briar Rose Winery House - Straight out of a Disney movie

Before heading back to LA, there was one more spot we HAD to check out, Briar Rose Winery. It was like a Disneyland vineyard, with a cottage and princess statues. 

The gardens were filled with statues that were very Disney like. We were convinced that Snow White or Cinderella were going to come out and break into song at any moment! It didn’t happen, probably for the best!

We didn't make a reservation so our only option was to buy a bottle or glass of wine to walk around. I got a glass of the White Zin which I hadn't seen white zin at any other vineyard (or ever) - it was refreshing and pink! 

Briar Rose Wine Tasting Room

Finally, it was time to head home to beat traffic. I took one last look at the rolling hills covered in grapevines. BUT, before we left, we needed ice cream! So we stopped at Creamistry for some Liquid Nitrogen ice cream and then got on the freeway.

VINES AND KATE SPADE ICE CREAM UMBRELLAS

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Where we stayed: Extended Stay America - Temecula Hotels - Wine Country

27622 Jefferson Avenue, Temecula, CA 92590

I would never stay here again. We booked through Expedia which apparently means you are automatically signed up for a smoking room. The lady at the front desk said it doesn't smell THAT bad. She at least let us check it out before we took it. The hallway smelled terrible but the room wasn't too bad. It had new hardwood floors and was relatively clean. The view was of the parking lot and the freeway, which you could hear the cars rushing down the 15. The clientele was interesting as people hung out and smoked blunts in the parking lot. We were worried our car wasn't going to be there the next day. Luckily, we spent just one night and had enough wine to make it bearable. I’d recommend staying at an Airbnb or some of the vineyards have fancy rooms available!

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If you have ever been to Temecula, let us know about your favorite places! We'll be back soon - I have to pick up wine at Europa Village for my wine club! A hot air balloon ride over Temecula is on my list, which my friend highly recommended! Please note this is not a sponsored post and based on my own personal experience, all thoughts are my own.

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Wine Tasting in Temecula

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Need another glass? Try these posts:

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)

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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

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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!

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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!

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

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 Need another glass? Try some more:

Malibu Wines and Beer Garden in West Hills - Los Angeles, CA

Malibu Wines and Beer Garden

Address: 23130 Sherman Way, West Hills, CA 91307

Hours: Open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. most nights, with an extension to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday

Website: https://www.malibuwines.com/malibu-wines-beer-garden/

I was ecstatic when I heard Malibu Wines was opening a tasting room in West Hills of the San Fernando Valley! I've been to their tasting room in Malibu and on the Wine Safari so I knew I would automatically like their new wine and beer garden. 

Check out our related post: Malibu Wine Safari

The venue is a historic 1930's mission-styled mansion initially owned by 1930s-era actor Francis Lederer, and was declared a historic cultural monument in 1978. For years it has been utilized as an event space but is now licensed to serve beer and wine to the public. No reservations required!

Walking in, I was excited to see their signature WINE sign just like the one in Malibu.

The garden is full of tables and chairs with areas also to put down a blanket on the grass. Near the tasting area there are barrels with tops so that you can enjoy flights or a glass of vino. I found it so enchanting with all the lights hanging from the willow trees. 

A band was setup on stage, playing live music all afternoon.

We had trouble finding a table so we posted up around one of the planters.

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WINE AND BEER SELECTION

The Semler family own the garden and serve their signature Saddlerock Ranch brand as well as the Selmer branded wine from their vineyard set in the Santa Monica Mountains. Wine and beer are served as flights, by the bottle or by the glass.

Ales from local breweries such as 14 Cannons, Modern Times, Cellador Ales, and Five Threads Brewing are served on tap. 

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FOOD

Two Doughs food truck is located just off the entrance providing pizza and charcuterie plates for guests. They even have salads! Note they only serve Friday nights as well as all day Saturday & Sunday.

Cheers! Will definitely be back soon!

Here are our some of our favorite things:

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Need more California Wine? Try these posts:

Winery Review: Chappellet Winery - Great views and even better wine!

Updated January 24, 2026

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

Chappellet Winery

Address: 1581 Sage Canyon Rd, St Helena, CA 94574

Website: https://www.chappellet.com

With thousands of wineries to choose from to taste wine in Napa and Sonoma up in Northern California, it extremely hard to pick which one(s) to visit. Although the big distributers such as Kendall Jackson or Mumm are some of my favorite, I also 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! 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! Now to the details…

Book your wine tasting tour here: Chappellet.com

Related Posts: see our Napa Winter Itinerary post

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FAMILY OWNED: The Chappellet Family

Chappellet - Close Up of Vineyard and Lake - Bob McClenahan photography

The Chappellet Family has owned the land on Pritchard Hill for 50 years and have pioneered their way to grow crops at a higher elevation and produce a luscious red wine. Dated back 4 million years, the area was once occupied by a 14,000 foot volcano! Over time and much erosion, the area has sculpted into what it is today with dramtic slopes and rocky volcanic soils. Rising between 800 to 1,800 feet with a variety of different exposures and soil types, the Chappellets along with the help fo David Pirio (vineyard manager) have worked hard to perfect farming techniques as well as practicing environmentally conscious farming methods. In 2012, Chappellet Vineyard was awarded organic certification from California Certified Organic Farmers.

Donn and Molly moved their family to Pritchard Hill in 1967 after discovering the beautiful vista views and an opportunity to make a living off of the land. The tasting room and production end are in a triangular shaped building that looks like it was built into a hill. The structure inside was upholstered and decorated with the most beautiful wood.

Chappellet main room - Holiday event

Today, their children Cyril, Carissa and Dominic Chappellet, now oversee the day-to-day operations. Cyril and Dominic deal with the management and logistics of business, where as Carissa is a lawyer as well as an artist, overseeing all legal affairs of the company as well as applying some of her artistic talents. She loved to draw dragons as a child, and wanted them to be put on wine labels. Donn told her that dragons didn’t have anything to do with the winery, so Carissa wrote her own book about the Dragons of Pritchard Hill.

Every year wine club members look forward to a new dragon design with a story to go with it on the back of the label!

Related post: See our Napa packing lists - Fall/Winter or Spring/Summer

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RED, RED WINE

If you like red wine, THIS IS YOUR PLACE! The Chappellets were inspired to create a world-class wine such as a Bordeaux. Of the vineyard’s 102 planted acres, approximately 65 are Cabernet Sauvignon, with the remainder consisting of small blocks of Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Chenin Blanc.

Wine Tasting and Tour

Chappellet's extensive 90-minute Vineyard Tour and Tasting includes a walk through the organic vineyards and a seated tasting of new releases. As I mentioned, it was POURING down rain so we got a quick tour of the facility and had a lovely tasting. Theo was our guide and she was unbelievable! So knowledgeable about the process and the Chappellet family, she really made the tour fun and interesting.

Book your wine tasting tour here: Chappellet.com Ask for THEO! :)

Wine tasting in the Rain = cover your glass!

We started with their 2014 Signature Chardonnay which had a creamy texture instead of the buttery oak taste I was expecting. Aromas of citrus and apricot went well with the notes of sweet oak and spice.

Then we proceeded through the bottle processing area to where the wine is stored and aged!

wine waiting for me to drink at Chappellet

Here Theo thoroughly explained how they cultivate and store wine, sprinkling in details of the land and environmentally conscious farming methods, as I had previous mentioned. We would have taken a tour of the vineyards but it was too wet and muddy so we moved into the tasting room.

Chappellet Wine Tour Seating

We tried a few amazing wines in here including:

• 2013 Chappellet Napa Valley Zinfandel - aromas of ripe berry, fig & plum, and layered black pepper, sage, cedar & briary spice. Very nice and smooth for a Zin! I loved the pepper taste to it, leaving a very earthy flavor to it.

• 2014 Chappellet Napa Vallet Malbec - aromas of cherry, creme de cassis and anise, with French oak-inspired hints of clove and nutmeg. On the palate wild berry, grenadine, chocolate and coffee.

• 2015 Chappellet Napa Valley Las Piedras - aromas of black cherry and cassis with a palate of dark berry, plum, and cedar. This was my favorite of them all! As a blend of 55% Cabernet, 20% Malbec, and a mix of Petit Verdof, Cab Franc, and Merlot, IT WAS PERFECT! Definitely ordering more bottles.

The art around the winery was so unique and beautiful. Most of the art was painted by the family or hand picked by the family.

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VIEWS

Chappellet Garden View - photo by Molly Chappellet

Of course the day we went it was pouring down rain so we didn’t venture out too far but the grounds were still beautiful! We got some great moody rainy pictures:

Chappellet Winery - best vineyard with views

Chappellet Winery - best vineyard with views, dramatic winter

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I would go back to Chappellet in a heartbeat for the wine, views and company! Thanks so much to the Chappellet team for hosting us!

Book your wine tasting tour here: Chappellet.com Ask for THEO! :)

Looking for great suggestions as to where’s to stay in Napa?

Andaz Napa Review

Hyatt Regency Sonoma Review

Cabernet House - Bed and Breakfast in Napa Review

Alila St Helena

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Wine Tasting in Napa and Sonoma Weekend Itinerary with map!

Where to go Wine Tasting in Napa and Sonoma - map included

For my 31st birthday, I couldn't decide what I wanted to do. Gathering all my friends at a loud bar doesn't have the same ring as it did when I was 21. People told me I would slow down at some point, but I think I've just figured out better use of my time. ;-) So Josh and I decided to explore wine country! Now we go back every year for my birthday!

Here’s my map that I made to see which vineyards/wineries (Instagrammable for sure) I wanted to go to:

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Getting to NorCal Wine Country from Los Angeles

We just did a weekend getaway leaving Los Angeles late Friday night and coming back late Sunday afternoon.  Since it was a such a quick trip, we decided to stay in Santa Rosa and Napa instead of San Francisco because the commute to San Francisco is about an hour each way.

Oakland had cheaper and more desirable flights times on Southwest, so of course we used points and our companion pass that we earned with points. We got a decent rate on a rental car from Alamo and by 9:30p on Friday night, we were on a crazy rainy road to Santa Rosa. 

There was a toll bridge for $5 which was well worth not driving the extra hour or so that google maps suggested to avoid toll roads. It took us about an hour to get to Santa Rosa from Oakland (not bad)!

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RESTAURANT & BREWERY: Third Street Ale Works

Address: 610 3rd St, Santa Rosa, CA 95404

We drove straight to the Third Street Aleworks before it closed for a bite to eat (and maybe a beer or two). It reminded me of a grungier BJ's Brewery, with a bigger selection of their own brews made in-house. For a little over $20 they brought out their taster collection of 18 beers in 4-ounce glasses. I, of course, liked the IPA's and made Josh drink everything else, especially the sours. 

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Where to Stay in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County

HOTEL: Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country

Address: 170 Railroad Street, Santa Rosa, California, USA, 95401

We checked into our hotel for the night, the Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country which had been renovated recently. The lobby had a lodge feel with a beautiful Christmas tree in the center of the room. They even had warm apple cider for guests! The hotel rooms were very modern and beds were pretty comfortable. Had a perfect night sleep for a full day of drinking. 

See our full review here: HOTEL REVIEW: Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country

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RESTAURANT & BREWERY: Russian River Brewery

Address: 725 4th St, Santa Rosa, CA 95404

The next day, we were contemplating on going to breakfast or getting in line for the Russian River Brewery. We went RRB! Business opens at 11a and there was already a line for people to run in and get their Pliny the Elder supply for the weekend. We couldn't decide what beers to get so we decided to taste them all (it was cheapest that way, at least that's how we looked at it). It's 5 o'clock somewhere.

We consumed Pliny the Elder, Belgian Sours, IPAs, all before noon! After some tasters, some pizza bites (they were so good), and a purchase of 12 bottles or so, we left satisfied and happy.

PRO TIP: we brought bubble wrap and a wine travel case to bring back on the flight, which meant we had to check our carry-on but it was worth it!

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Best Wine Tasting at Santa Rosa Wineries

See our full post of our favorite Sonoma County Wineries here: Best Wineries to Visit in Sonoma

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. 

Afterwards, we went to my favorite place in the land of a trillion bubbles, Korbel Champagne Cellars. Apparently, their Natural champagne has been served at the celebratory presidential inaugurations since 1981 and the actual winery has been in existence for over 132 years.

Korbel offers 4 complimentary champagne tastings. Beware of their red Rouge champagne. It's different. They even have an organic champagne! 

They also offer tours but we didn't really care to walk around the grounds for hours (it was cold), we had other places to explore and it was getting dark fast. 

WINERY: Kendall-Jackson Winery

Address: 5007 Fulton Road, Fulton, CA 95439

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.

Our next stop was the Kendall-Jackson Winery. We almost skipped it but it's one of my Dad's favorite wines, so we had to get him a bottle or something for Christmas. We stepped up to start tasting and looked at all their different options. We explained to our host how we'd like to get a special bottle and he recommended the Stature Chardonnay which was $100 a bottle and probably the best Chardonnay I've ever had. Compared to their everyday Chardonnay, the Stature was smooth, fruity and had a rich taste. We ended up buying a bottle for my Dad and signed him up for their wine club for the year!

KENDALL-JACKSON WINERY

Josh and I are a bigger fan of red wine, especially Cabernet Sauvignon, so we asked what was the best of the 8 or so that they offered. Of course their Stature version was the best, but we were looking for a more affordable price point. We ended up loving the Hawkeye Cabernet which had a deep cherry taste with some Earth taste to give it full body. We ended up liking it so much and because we signed up for the wine club, we bought 6 bottles and 2 of the Stature! 

It was getting dark and late, so we drove to our hotel in Napa to take a nap-a. Haha ;-)

NIGHT APPROACHING KENDALL-JACKSON WINERY

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Where to Stay in Downtown Napa Valley

BED AND BREAKFAST: Cabernet House - Old World Inn $$

Cabernet House, Old World Inn is the best place to stay in Napa, California. Not only is it affordable, but their prime location gives you access to everything - restaurants, shops, and of course wine tasting rooms! Their rooms have different themes, my favorite was the Starlight Room which had a skylight above the bed!

See our full review on the Cabernet House here: HOTEL REVIEW: CABERNET HOUSE

HOTEL: River Terrace Inn - A Noble House Hotel $$

Address: 1600 Soscol Ave Napa, California, 94559

The location of the River Terrace Inn was perfect. Located in downtown Napa Valley, walking distance from restaurants and shopping, and also along the river. The only problem was the walls of the room were a little thin, but if you have enough wine, you won't notice. They had a great outdoor area with wine and fire pits! 

Andaz Napa Hotel

HOTEL: Andaz Napa - Hyatt $$$$

Address: 1450 1st St, Napa, CA 94559

The Andaz Napa is designed like a boutique hotel and doesn’t look like your typical Hyatt property. Located in the heart of Downtown Napa, this gorgeous hotel is the perfect place to unwind at the end of the day. The rooms are large with a cozy fireplace separating the living room and bedroom.

See our full review on the Andaz Napa here: HOTEL REVIEW: ANDAZ NAPA

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Restaurants in Napa, California 

RESTAURANT: TORC

Address: 140 Main St, Napa, CA 94559

Their wine selection was full of great choices including many from the local wineries and their food was very farm to table from local farmers prepared in an open kitchen that is part of the restaurant. We sat at the bar and enjoyed some cocktails, jamon (cured ham) and cheese. For dinner, we enjoyed an amazing steak, mac n cheese, pork, and some excellent ice cream for dessert (of course).

I made our reservation about a month in advance through Opentable.

 RESTAURANT: COLE'S CHOP HOUSE 

Address: 1122 Main St, Napa, CA 94559

We love a good steakhouse, Cole's Chop House, was our kinda place! I made the reservation about 2 weeks in advance through Opentable. Ribeye steaks topped with sides of a delicious Red Wine Veal Reduction sauce and the Peppercorn Sauce along with a side of Yukon Gold Mashed potatoes, were the ticket here.

Not to mention a very sweet Birthday dessert - brownie sundae with caramel gelato. Mmmmm.

RESTAURANT: JAX DINER

Address: 1122 1st St, Napa, CA 94559

For brunch, we went somewhere to get a big breakfast and we were successful. Jax had amazing beignets covered with powdered sugar as well as free tater tots if you showed the coupon on Yelp. So we got both of course on top of their special of the day on the chalkboard: Bacon Eggs Benedict (which you would think you couldn't have enough bacon, this was a little over the top, delicious but filling).

We also got the French toast bites but they were more of a crouton consistency instead of bread like.

You're probably thinking, how many people came to breakfast? Oh, just the two of us. Smart thing we did was take some of the food to go to eat after wineries. ;-)

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Favorite Wineries for Wine Tasting in Napa

I recommend picking 3 wineries to stop at on your last day. This way you can spend some quality time at each one and enjoy your tastings!

BEAUTIFUL FALL IN NAPA

ME: WHAT IS THAT? JOSH: A BUNNY WITH A LIGHTSABER. DUH!

WINERY: Hall Wines - Wine Tasting Room

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

• Reservations Required?: Not required but recommended 

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

• 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. 

WINERY: Mumm Napa

Address: 8445 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558

• Reservations Required?: Reservations are recommended but not required for fewer than six guests. Call 866.783.5826 to make a reservation. Limited walk-in seating is available on a first-come first-served basis.

• Cost?: $$ Tastings are $25 to $35 on the patio/salon; Tours are $40 

• Food?: Cheese/Crackers and snacks

Mumm Champagne is one of my favorites and couldn't wait to visit. 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.

WINERY: Castello di Amorosa

Address: 4045 St Helena Hwy, Calistoga, CA 94515

• Reservations Required?: Not required but recommended - 707-967-6272

• Cost?: $$$ Starts at $30 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

This 13th Century Tuscan inspired castle is picture perfect! 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 everyday in Napa.

The tour seemed worth it if we had more time: Reserve a tour with a guide through the Castello, including the lower levels which feature our Torture Chamber, Armory, and Grand Barrel Room, followed by a tasting flight. Of course the torture chamber and armory semi appealed to us, we will definitely come back to this one.

WINERY: Del Dotto Venetian Estate Winery

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

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

• Cost?: $$$ Bar Tasting – $45 or Cave Experience & Barrel Tasting (90 min) $60 per person Mon-Thu, $75 per person Fri-Sun

• 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.

Had to make a reservation for this one, but since it was December and not too crowded I called a coupe of hours before and was able to get a reservation. The tasting was more expensive than other vineyards, it was $45 per person, at least it included cheese, bread and olive oil! I highly recommend venturing into their gorgeous Venetian caves the tour with barrel tasting is $75. Check out that chandelier! The wines were good, but I think they were overpriced. The tasting room is beautiful decked out with venetian paintings, tiling, marble pillars and expensive wines.

Currently, our family produces cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot, sangiovese and sauvignon blanc from our Napa Valley vineyards, as well as pinot noir, chardonnay and limited amounts of syrah, sauvignon blanc, sparkling grenache and mourvedre from our Cinghiale (wild boar) Vineyard in the King Ridge region of the Sonoma Coast.

WINERY: Domaine Chandon

Address: 1 California Dr, Yountville, CA 94599

• Reservations Required?: Not required but recommended - call 1-888-242-6366, Opt. 2

• Cost?: $$ Tastings $20 and up 

• Food?: Snacks are available

The grounds here looked like a giant beautiful park. Upon entering the winery there is a wall of upside down wine bottles artistically designed and lit. The tasting room gets pretty busy but just elbow your way up to the bar and you'll get served. The servers also make specialty cocktails if you ask nicely!

This was our last stop of the day and I love my bubbles! I felt like I had tasted most of the champagnes Chandon had to offer, but our bartender had a special drink he makes that tastes like apple cider.

ME IN MY HAPPY PLACE!

The specialty drink, called Spiced Apple Punch, had the following in it:

·       2 oz Spiced Simple Syrup (1 cup water; 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 cinnamon sticks; 1 small piece nutmeg)

·       2 1/2 cups apple cider (unsweetened)

·       1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

·       2 oz honey

·       750ml (1 bottle) Chandon Brut Classic

After our 3rd winery, the trip was over and it was time to head to Oakland airport for our 7p flight. I was sad that it was over but had a wonderful birthday weekend! Thanks, Josh! :) 

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Please note this is not a sponsored post and based on my own personal experience, all thoughts are my own.

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 More Napa Blog Posts:

WINERY REVIEW: Scribe Winery in Sonoma, California

WINERY REVIEW: Scribe Winery

Address: 2100 Denmark Street, Sonoma, California

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.

Website: http://scribewinery.com/

There are so many options when looking at Napa and Sonoma for wine tasting it’s overwhelming! I’ve been to Napa quite a few times and there is always a new place to discover and tons of wine to try! We went to Scribe on our last trip and it was divine! Food was served, wine was poured, good times were had by all!

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. 

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ABOUT SCRIBE

The history of the winery is interesting. The winery was founded in 2007 on a property that pioneered pre-prohibition Sonoma Valley winemaking. As stated in their About section on their website:

Managed by fourth-generation California farmers and brothers, Andrew and Adam believe that the best wines are a result of a healthy relationship between man and nature, and that a vineyard managed in harmony with the greater ecosystem results in more site-specific wines that represent a sense of time and place. When vinified with non-interventionist methods, the result is a distinct wine that faithfully reflects what the vineyard naturally expresses.

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FOOD AND WINE

Scribe 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 at cute picnic tables.  

Scribe is known to produce vibrant, terroir-driven wines, 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. 

We’ll definitely be back!

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Need another glass of wine? Try these:

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! :) 

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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

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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.

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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. 

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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! 

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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! 

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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.

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Need another glass of wine? Check these out:

HOTEL REVIEW: Cabernet House, an Old World Inn - Napa, California

Napa has quite a few options of places to stay and I loved our stay at the Cabernet Inn. This bed and breakfast had a different theme for every room.  It wasn’t quite like the Madonna inn, but still a nice place to stay! 

Related Post: Sonoma County Wineries

Located near the heart of downtown, nothing was too far! Restaurants, shops, wine tasting rooms all found within walking distance!

Also, the room rate was under $200 a night and came with breakfast! What a steal! We ALWAYS find THE BEST rates through Booking.com. See deals of up to 50% off! You can save a bunch of money if you book a bundle flight+room+rental car! They even have apartments, lodges, and houses you can rent, just like AirBnB or VRBO! By booking through this link, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link!

This post contains affiliate links in which if a room is booked, I receive a commission at no cost to you. Please save this link! 

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Related Post: Napa and Santa Rosa Weekend Itinerary

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Starry Night Room

We chose the room, Starry Night, which had a skylight above our bed! At night we saw the stars and even the moon orbit from window to window! 

There was also a patio that had a jacuzzi tub. Not a whirlpool jacuzzi, a bath tub. Weird, right? 

We probably would have used it if it wasn't 40 degrees outside. Speaking of bathtubs, the bathroom had a footed tub with an old fashioned toilet where you pulled a lever to flush! 

I loved this room, I would definitely stay in here again!

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Bella Tuscany Room

The house had multiple bedrooms upstairs, but there were only 3 bedrooms downstairs. It was perfect, our friends picked the Bella Tuscany Room and it happened to be right across from us. 

Decorated with an Italian flair including some fine Tuscan accents, this room was a fairly good size! But it also had a bathtub in the middle of the room. Again, weird, right?

But these hedges and doors were adorable! This room had very little natural light, but was fine for a quick night stay!

Check out more themed rooms here: Cabernet House Rooms

Find the BEST rate for a room at the Cabernet House here: Booking.com

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Common Areas

Since this is a bed and breakfast that used to house a family (see the history toward the bottom of this page), it is basically a large house with the works including a family room, dining room and kitchen. Since we went in December, it was decorated for Christmas and felt like home!

There was fresh coffee in the morning and hot water for french presses, hot cocoa, or tea available 24/7.

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Breakfast

Served from 8:30-10am

For breakfast, we waltzed out in our sweats and socks and sat at the dining room table. There were a couple of ladies who had prepared the food and were serving the dishes. It was almost like a restaurant except everyone gets the same thing. I grabbed a coffee and when I came back to my seat a place setting was setup for me. Minutes later, one of the ladies brought me a plate that had an egg souffle, a cranberry muffin, and fresh fruit. DELICIOUS! 

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Happy Hour

The inn hosted a wine and cheese party at happy hour in their wine cellar from 5:30-6:30pm at their main location, Hotel Napa Valley, featuring local Napa wines. As we were finishing up, the power went out. Not creepy at all when you’re alone with your friends in a dark basement. Emergency lights lead us to the first floor and we discovered the whole block was out! 

Extras!

1. For a small fee, the Cabernet House can provide massages in your room, wine, flowers, and even offer breakfast in bed!

2. Room service hours are from 8:45-10:00am and from 3:00-11:00pm.

3. At 7:30pm, small handmade chocolate nibbles (made from Ghirardelli and Callebaut dark chocolates) are provided until they run out! 

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Parking

There was a parking lot in the back but there weren't any spots available. Luckily, there was a ton of street parking and we parked right in front.

History 

This hotel is rich in Napa history! Per the Cabernet House website, it was built in 1906 by E. W. Doughty, a master craftsman responsible for building many of Napa’s landmark homes and churches, including the Noyes Mansion, current home of Wine Spectator Magazine. Doughty also built Napa’s library and train stations. Many of his buildings still stand more than 110 years later, a testament to Doughty’s skill and expertise. 

Doughty built it to house his family and as such, it is a classic contractor’s home, full of rich architectural detailing he could show to potential clients. 

In the 1970's, a spa tub builder added a few spas in the shape of grapes and years later her actually purchased the house! He began the extensive restoration and renovation to convert the home into one of Napa Valley’s very first bed and breakfast inns.

One of the inn’s first guests back in 1980 was Paul Newman, who stayed here when he raced his cars at Sears Point.

Read more here: Cabernet House History

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Convinced yet?! Find the BEST rate for your stay at Cabernet House just like we did by clicking here: Booking.com

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