Hidden Gems of Napa Recommended Itinerary

I was recently referred to three Napa Valley wineries that I never would have found on my own but were such amazing finds that I have to share with you! These are not the least expensive wines or visits you’ll have but they are worth the time, money and effort to find and visit! I show them here as a single itinerary for a very special weekend in The Valley but you could just visit one in the course of another itinerary altogether. Here’s how I would plan a perfect weekend in Napa Valley visiting three amazing venues… This is written with COVID-19 requirements for outdoor visits in mind! 

 

10:00 AM Barnett Vineyards

Start your day on idyllic Spring Mountain. For $80pp enjoy a 75 minute tasting at 10, 12:30 or 3pm. Barnett Vineyards is a secluded mountaintop location atop terraced vineyards overlooking the valley. Views are stunning. I haven’t seen the tasting room due to COVID but the outdoor accommodations are all I need! Wine educators are informative and entertaining. Wine is superb.

They have a lovely Chardonnay, Merlot and two intense and delightful Cabernet Sauvignons. If you’re lucky enough to time your tasting when the Tina Marie Pinot Noir is available you’re in for a treat! But if not, it’s a great find at Total Wine too, but you won’t get the views or experience! This is a small family run winery and one of the few that can plant on such a steep slope due to terracing, so the terroir is unique. All the wines are worth buying, we keep going back for a little more! =)

12:00 PM Lunch

I have a few lunch recommendations depending on what you’re looking for. Each location is in St. Helena en route from Barnett to DANA Estates and fits into this itinerary easily. Pick your poison. For a quick fairly thin burger with picnic table outdoor seating you can try

1:00 PM DANA Estates A short 10 minute drive from downtown St Helena at 1500 Whitehall Lane you will find DANA Estates. DANA Estates occupies the grounds and ruins left by a ghost winery established in 1883. Reimagined by famed architect Howard Backen, the building is opulent but not overdone, a retreat in the middle of your day. Complete with a library, reception, tasting room and wine making facilities your visit includes a tour of the estate. Whether you choose the ONDA or VASO tasting experience, you will be the only guests you encounter as you enjoy a private hosted tasting experience enjoying their Rutherford and Howell Mountain wines. Known for their stunning, age-worthy yet silky Cabernet Sauvignons, guests of both [VASO and ONDA] experiences will enjoy a Cabernet Sauvignon vertical tasting of the label in question.

ONDA is the more exclusive line with wines made from the first press. VASO, with equally stunning wines are offered at a more approachable price point. VASO is also known for their unusually age-worthy oaked Sauvignon Blanc that is worth the trip alone! Worth the trip to buy a bottle! Book a 90 minute tasting at VASO or ONDA.

• VASO experience $85pp in the luxuriously appointed outdoor barn, wines range in price from ~$85/bottle. I recommend this visit as your first experience with DANA estates. It’s an easier price point and may just get you hooked! 
• ONDA experience $175pp tasting room in the opulent converted ghost winery building, currently due to COVID, you will be greeted outside at the gate and enjoy your tasting outside the building in the beautiful courtyard. Cabernet Sauvignons start at $195 per bottle. 

Contact Jooyeon with questions about allocation program or visits.

3:00 PM John Anthony, Church Vineyard 

Your final stop for the day! A 30 minute drive from DANA Estates, a visit to John Anthony’s Church Vineyard is private and complimentary for those who make friends with the winery (see below).

For this visit, set aside 2 full hours to be safe. For timing and travel purposes use Hopcreek Pub as your guide since the location of the Church Vineyard is a closely guarded secret. Your tasting experience may start off with the usual tasting menu for John Anthony: they make a lovely sparkling wine, a few Sauvignon Blancs and a Chardonnay. These are all very nice wines. But John Anthony’s calling is in his reds. An older Merlot, full of tertiary flavors is a delight to any wine lover. After a few minutes in the glass you’re greeted with aromatic tobacco, figs, shoe leather it’s heaven! The Cabernet Sauvignon offerings are no less stunning with the reserve having more of the heavy Napa acids and tannins you may have come to expect. While their Napa Cab is more silky and fruit forward. If you are intrigued by the wines but can't make a reservation you might try some of their wines at their 1st Street Napa tasting room for just $30pp. But trust me, it's not the same as a visit to Church Vineyard! To make your one-time complimentary appointment to visit John Anthony, check out details and availability here then email dallas@javwine.com before the end of 2020 and reference Elissa's WineSkipping Blog post. You're welcome! Also join our virtual tasting in September '20!