Establishment neighborhood
Turnbull Wine Cellars
8210 St. Helena Hwy., Oakville
Counting Robert Mondavi and Cakebread as its neighbors, this small, family-owned and operated winemaker doubles down on its small-but-mighty Cabernet Sauvignon. (This spring, they played host to our first-ever Napa road-to-table event.) Here, second generation vintner Zoe Johns, who took the helm of Turnbull at the age of 33, brings her vision for a modern vineyard to life: a tasting gallery features a rotating roster of artwork from artists like Berenice Abbott, Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, and Herb Ritts, while a more elaborate private tasting and pairing program leans heavily on what's freshest from the garden. It goes without saying that the vineyard views are pretty killer from just about everywhere on property, too.
Nickel and Nickel
By appointment only, this vineyard and winery sits on 42 acres of what was an original 1880's farmstead.
Gargiulo Vineyards
575 Oakville Crossroad, Oakville
Lauded as one of the most highly regarded Cabernet Sauvignon producers in the region, this winery boasts deep family roots.
915 Oakville Cross Rd., Oakville
Silver Oak has long been lauded for its Cabernets–consistently selling out of its releases for years (the same goes for the Pinot Noirs and Sauvignon Blancs produced by tis sister winery, Twomey). Run by Vintner David Duncan, the absolutely gorgeous space is located in the center of the valley, in the middle of Oakville. The winery throws the biggest release-day parties of the year, a tradition (and category) cemented since the 1980's when wine enthusiasts started showing up the day of the release. This is an all-around beautiful, successful vineyard not to be missed.
Mustard's Grill
Cindy Pawlcyn was a big part of the first generation of chefs who established Napa as a culinary destination, and her casual grill has been equally loved by tourists and locals for the 30 years since. Order the Mongolian pork chop and onion rings, and take advantage of their wine list, which is surprisingly comprehensive for such a laid-back spot.
Opus One Winery
Opus One only produces one blend every season, and their vintages represent some of the most upscale and expensive wines on the market. The estate, which is meticulously maintained, is fittingly grand. We recommend making an appointment for one of their informative tours if you have time—they have a cavernous cellar (the French oak barrels are only used once) and a very large lab, plus, it's fascinating to find out what it takes to make wines that usually sell for more than $200/bottle.
7900 St. Helena Hwy, Oakville
Oakville Grocery
7856 St. Helena Highway, Oakville
We love this beautiful little market and its gorgeous selection of prepared goods. It's a great stop if you want to bring home gifts to friends who aren't big drinkers, and the convenient location along the St. Helena Highway makes it an easy spot to pick up a sandwich (we like the Muffaletta or the fried chicken) on your way to a winery. There's also a location in Healdsburg.
Rudd Winery
Leslie Rudd is also the owner of the Dean & DeLuca brand, and his eponymous winery is everything you'd expect from the owner of the original gourmet food destination. Stunning grounds, classically big California Cabs, an elegant tasting experience, and of course, a solid selection of Dean & Deluca goodies for purchase. Rudd's daughter, Samantha, works full time at the vineyard, making the business a true family operation.