In Wine Spectator’s latest issue, its editors invite readers to meet them at the wine bar — specifically, their 38 favorites across the United States, plus three international ones for good measure. The roundup features a dazzling selection of standout wine bars that provide guests with an unforgettable experience. And three of them, naturally, are in Wine Country.
As the cover story for Wine Spectator’s October issue, wine bars get the special treatment, with establishments segmented by region and given thorough reviews by in-the-know editors. The result is an itinerary-worthy lineup of places that are sophisticated yet approachable, lending to the evolution of modern wine bar culture.
Among its 10 favorite wine bars on the West Coast, Wine Spectator recommends one in Healdsburg and two in Napa. Here’s what you need to know to start planning your visit.
Healdsburg
Maison Healdsburg
After Healdsburg’s highly acclaimed Bergamot Alley closed in 2018, the town went without a single wine bar for years. There have been upscale tasting rooms and cocktail bars aplenty, but no casual hub for wine lovers. That is, until SingleThread alums Evan and Jade Hufford, along with their business partner Ryan Knowles, opened Maison Healdsburg in 2023.
“Maison is a place to truly geek out,” said Healdsburg native Aaron Romano, Wine Spectator’s senior editor of its Napa tasting department, in his review. Romano noted the wine bar’s 600-bottle list of mostly California coastal wines, along with rare bottlings and a healthy dose of global selections. Maison also pours over 40 rotating wines and sakes by the glass. Additionally, Maison offers wine seminars, blind tastings and food pop-ups featuring renowned chefs from Wine Country and beyond. 210 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, maisonwinebar.com
Napa
Bounty Hunter Wine Bar & Smokin’ BBQ
Founded 30 years ago in an 1880s-era building in downtown Napa, Bounty Hunter embodies an Old West theme while marrying award-winning barbecue with a 400-bottle list of mostly Californian wines. MaryAnn Worobiec, Wine Spectator’s senior editor and Napa Bureau Chief, described Bounty Hunter as “one of the original wine bars, with a formula and vibes that prove popular with locals and tourists alike after all these years.”
Bounty Hunter is for the casual wine consumers who want a side of whimsy and comfort food with their glass. It features cheeky wine flights to suit all tastes, like the “Killer Cabernet” and “Pinot Envy.” Worobiec highlighted such menu favorites as the signature beer-can chicken, wood-smoked St. Louis pork ribs and a Southern-style pimento cheese dip. 975 First St., Napa, 707-226-3976, bountyhunterwinebar.com
Compline
After veteran sommeliers Matt Stamp and Ryan Stetins opened Compline in 2017, it soon became a hot spot for excellent wine and dining. The wine bar and restaurant became a quadruple threat when the founders added a separate wineshop and tasting bar in 2022. Compline has an impressive 1,000-bottle wine list, featuring a vast international selection along with California wines.
In her review, Worobiec highlighted Compline’s “wine-friendly menu with delectable pastas … seasonal produce and shareable plates.” Plus, find “top-notch burgers,” daily rotating wine flights, a shady outdoor patio and events with visiting vintners. 1300 First St., Suite 319, Napa, 707-492-8150, complinewine.com
Find more favorite local wine bars here.