Three wineries NOT TO MISS in the Napa Valley!
The amount of wineries and tasting rooms in the Napa Valley is overwhelming to say the least. We weeded through a lot of the chaff and here are three not to miss:
1. Alpha Omega Winery
We loved all of the wines poured during the tasting (except for the rose). The tasting room and facility is one of the prettiest we visited with soaring ceilings, huge windows opening onto views of the hills and vines and an over all sleek, modern, fresh feel. The staff was knowledgeable but accessible- maybe one of the reasons all of the hip young locals we crossed paths with over the course of our visit recommended it. They're also open til 6pm, two hours later than most tasting rooms.
2. Swanson Vineyards
One of the more delightful, if not the most delightful setting we've experienced. Off the main drag, Swanson is tucked behind a large gate (you must make an appointment), and offers two styles of tastings: the Bon Vivant, a more formal, more expensive tasting, and the more casual Sip Shoppe tastings. We opted for the Sip Shoppe tastings and enjoyed sitting in the garden that feels like the South of France, while being educated by Johnny Cigar, a young man from Brooklyn very reminiscent of Jason Schwartzman, who conducted our tasting. The styling of the house, garden and wines is impeccably festive and lighthearted which is why you go....
3. Knights Bridge Winery
We have in fact already regaled you with snapshots and love for this magnificent, elegant, boutique winery. Our tasting with Tim Carl, the Managing Director and one of the partners behind the winery, was as authentic and intimate an experience as you could hope for. Driving just north of Calistoga on tiny dirt roads, we found ourselves in the heart of the Knights Bridge vines, in Tim's "backyard" with views of Mount St. Helena. After a walking tour through the vines sampling various grapes, we wound up at a picnic table set with their various wines and sat down with Tim for the tasting. What a way to learn about wine! Their chardonnay is one of our absolute favorites, as well as their more affordable Huge Bear chardonnay.