Spend an entire day visiting (and tasting) the most iconic and breathtaking wineries in Napa Valley.
From Carneros to Calistoga, the beautiful Napa Valley changes at every stretch and curve. There’s so much to discover and explore! Suppose you had one day to tour and wanted to make it perfect. What would you do? The Heritage Wine Trail is one simple answer. It takes away all the guesswork, with pre-arranged stops at four iconic wineries and a picnic lunch. Each winery treats you like a VIP and offers an utterly unique experience while you sample many fabulous wines. The timing is generous and so is the price: just $99 for the entire day. Now, isn’t that heavenly!
Acacia Vineyard, Carneros
Start your day in the heart of the Carneros region—renowned for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Acacia Vineyard adjoins 13,000 acres of wetland marsh and is a proactive steward of the land, so it makes sense that your visit will begin with a vineyard tour. Learn about the winery’s many ecological initiatives, and stay on the lookout for the lone acacia tree among the vines. Acacia is known for its personable and knowledgeable staff so don’t hesitate to ask questions! Your next stop will be the tasting room where you will taste five of Acacia’s favorite wines.The tasting room sits on a hilltop that (on a non-foggy day) affords fantastic views of San Francisco, San Pablo Bay, and Mount Tamalpais. PSSST… Many Acacia wines have been awarded 90 or more points.
Oakville Grocery, Oakville
Stop to pick up your prepared picnic lunch at this neat little grocery store stocked with all sorts of goodies. If they’re offering samples, feel free to indulge—but save your lunch for later!
Beaulieu Vineyard, Rutherford
Legend has it that Fernande de Latour, wife of this renowned winery’s founder, Georges de Latour, exclaimed "Quel beau lieu!" (French for "What a beautiful place!") when she first saw the stunning Napa Valley floor near Rutherford. Don’t be surprised if you do too, as you approach Beaulieu Vineyard (BV) for your second winery visit of the day. You’ll be treated to a guided tour through the century-old Redwood Tank Forest and continue on to the Heritage Room for a barrel tasting. See if you can detect the nuances of French and American oak! Between samples, have a look around: the Heritage Room was designed as a tribute to the history of BV and the Napa Valley. Year after year, Beaulieu Vineyard fulfills Georges de Latour’s original dream, setting the benchmark for rich, classic Napa Valley wines. To demonstrate this, you will sample two current releases, followed by the signature Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, crafted since the 1936 vintage. PSSST… Beaulieu Vineyard hired Napa Valley’s first trained enologist, the renowned André Tchelistcheff, in 1938.
Provenance Vineyards, St. Helena
The first thing you’ll likely notice when you arrive at Provenance Vineyards is the striking architecture. A sharp contrast from your last stop, the tasting room radiates warmth with a brilliant red exterior and a floor fashioned from oak barrel staves. This is no surprise when you learn that the renovated building has been open for just 10 years. Named Provenance, a word meaning "origin" or “source," the winery is dedicated to producing elegant, powerful wines that express their top vineyard origins. After a warm greeting, you’ll be invited to taste three current releases, followed by a decadent pairing of Port with Merlot chocolate sauce, and a taste of Hewitt Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. When you feel it's time for lunch, the grounds that surround Provenance Vineyards’ tasting room are utterly beautiful—ideal for your picnic. Select a wine from the tasting menu and soak up the scenery. This is what wine tasting in theNapa Valley is all about. PSSST… Many of the tasting room wines are limited production wines.
Sterling Vineyards, Calistoga
Last, but definitely not least, you’ll visit stunning Sterling Vineyards. You’ll readily be able to pick out its Greek-inspired architecture set on a 300-foot-high hill overlooking Calistoga, the northernmost town of the Napa Valley. The breathtaking aerial tram ride up to the winery sets the tone for this truly memorable tasting. After you disembark, you’ll be greeted with a glass of wine to savor as you take it all in: magnificent artwork and glass walls giving you a bird’s eye view of the winemaking process. There are also strategically placed motion-activated flat screen TVs to explain exactly what is going on down there. Next, you’ll go to the barrel room and then a scenic terrace where you’ll enjoy a seated tasting of three Sterling Vineyards wines. PSSST… Sterling Vineyards is known for impeccable hospitality, so don’t feel rushed. Relax and relive your day.
To learn more about this wine adventure, visit heritagewinetrail.com
Touring & Tasting is a media company that produces a wine and travel magazine and is also partner in the Hitched Wine Club.
