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Raymond Vineyards, St. Helena: The owner of this iconic winery, Jean-Charles Boisset, is a man who doesn't do boring. Known for his flamboyant style and love of all things over-the-top, a visit to one of his wineries is guaranteed to cheer you up. At Raymond Vineyards, visitors can choose from 10 experiences — our favorite is the "Corridor of Senses," which, you guessed it, engages all senses. It takes place in the winery's ultra-decadent Red Room. 849 Zinfandel Lane, Saint Helena, raymondvineyards.com. (Courtesy photo)
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Frame your selfie at Raymond Vineyards in St. Helena. (Courtesy photo)
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Tank Garage Winery, Calistoga: This northern Napa Valley tasting room has become a go-to spot for Bay Area visitors. Housed in a vintage gas service station, the winery showcases Instagram-worthy labels like their 2018 Fast Machine, a red table wine made primarily of Barbera with a retro-inspired label from LA-based artist and illustrator Graham Moore. A few times a year, the tasting room hosts Garage Sale events with pinball games, wine, food and a lot fun. 1020 Foothill Blvd, Calistoga, tankgaragewinery.com. (Courtesy photo)
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Tank Garage Winery's labels are artistic and Instagram-worthy. (Courtesy photo)
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Robert Mondavi Winery, Oakville: For first-time visitors to Napa Valley, Robert Mondavi Winery is usually at the top of the to-do list—as it should be: this winery creates varietal-specific wines that stand out. Their vineyard tours are also exceptional as is their summer concert series, now in its 51st year. Produced by the people behind BottleRock, it has hosted artists like Patti LaBelle, Ella Fitzgerald, Michael McDonald, Etta James, Boz Scaggs, and Blondie. 7801 St Helena Hwy, Oakville, robertmondaviwinery.com. (Courtesy photo)
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The Robert Mondavi summer concert series, now in its 51st year, is produced by the people behind BottleRock and has hosted artists like Patti LaBelle, Ella Fitzgerald, Michael McDonald, Etta James, Boz Scaggs, and Blondie. (Courtesy photo)
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Cakebread Cellars, Rutherford: This classic winery recently opened an expanded visitor center, complete with nine beautifully designed private tasting rooms. It is known for its culinary programs, including cooking classes and a pairing experience featuring bites from the estate gardens. This is also a popular spot for wine-loving parents: a special kid-friendly tasting room has coloring activities to entertain the little ones while parents sample three current-release wines. Check in advance that the room is open. 8300 St. Helena Hwy, Rutherford, cakebread.com.
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Cakebread Cellars's new visitor center has nine unique rooms for wine tasting, including the Annahala tasting room, named for one of the winery's Anderson Valley vineyards, where they grow Pinot Noir grapes. (Courtesy photo)
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Italics Winegrowers, Napa: One of the newest additions to Napa Valley's wine scene, this winery already has people talking. Their wine cave tasting experiences and Live in the Vineyard outdoor music events are big draws, as are their Bordeaux varietals and blends. Live in the Vineyard, a biannual music and wine experience, spotlights emerging and established artists. Tickets are not available for purchase; they can be won through online contests and promotions through radio stations or sponsors. 40 Rapp Ln, Napa, italicswinegrowers.com.
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Live in the Vineyard, a biannual music and wine experience, spotlights emerging and established artists. Find more information here. (Courtesy photo)
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Stewart Cellars, Yountville: This downtown Yountville winery is steps away from the iconic French Laundry but it has a lot going besides its proximity to the famous eatery. The luxe wine tasting space has a bohemian vibe with an oversized wood-burning fireplace and a covered outdoor terrace. Among several wine tasting experiences, the wine and chocolate pairing stands out as does the NOMAD collection of Cabernet Sauvignon wines and chocolate truffles (made by Yountville chocolatier Chris Kollars). Call for reservations. 6752 Washington St, Yountville, stewartcellars.com
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JaM Cellars, downtown Napa: For visitors looking for a good time with friends, this downtown Napa wine and music studio fits the bill. Order a flight of their wine offerings and put a vinyl on the record player or enjoy wine by the glass during their weekly live music JaMSessions, movie nights or music tributes. This tasting room is open late: until midnight Thursday through Saturday and 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday. 1460 1st St, Napa, jamcellars.com
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Clif Family Winery, St Helena: It makes sense that a winery opened by the makers of the Clif energy bar is a popular pit stop for cyclists. Conveniently located off Highway 29, the tasting room celebrates culinary and outdoor adventures with food, wine and group bike rides. Their breakfast pairing, Rise & Wine, is a popular option. We also like their Bruschetteria food truck, fueled by seasonal ingredients from the Napa Valley. 709 Main St, St Helena, cliffamily.com. (Courtesy photo)
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Castello di Amorosa, Calistoga: This medieval-style Tuscan castle in northern Napa Valley offers one of the most luxurious and expensive tasting experiences in Wine Country (starting at $950 and topping off at $20,000 per couple). For those of us with a regular income, there's a $30 self-guided tour and wine tasting, which gives access to the interior of the castle, including the torture chamber (!) The winery is also known for its wine club member events, such as their night of Italian romance on Valentine's Day: the Royal Hearts Dinner. 3801 St Helena Hwy, Calistoga, castellodiamorosa.com. (Courtesy photo)
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Ashes and Diamonds, Napa: When this Napa winery opened, Vogue Magazine said it was "changing the Napa Valley vibe." Two years later, Bay Area tourists and locals are still loving its combination of laidback and upscale. Pair wines and breakfast sandwiches during "Breakfast of Champions," an event taking place every Sunday in January. Included in the fee is a tasting of the winery's 2017 Blanc and 2015 Cabernet Franc paired with a Japanese Tamago Sando and the original A&D Breakfast Sandwich from the onsite culinary team. $35 ($15 for members). 4130 Howard Ln, Napa, ashesdiamonds.com. (Courtesy photo)
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Charles Krug, St Helena: Dating back to 1861, Charles Krug is the oldest winery in Napa Valley. But don't let that lead you to believe this is some stuffy old winery. Quite the opposite. Charles Krug hosts monthly comedy nights in the winery cellar, pairing good laughs with delicious wines and nibbles. This is one of the last stops on the Napa Valley Wine Train and, in addition to flights, visitors can also order wines by the glass—perfect for a picnic. 2800 Main St, St Helena, charleskrug.com. (Courtesy photo)
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Judds Hill, Napa: This winery's motto is “having a good time, making great wine with family,” and based on their Napa Valley happenings podcast, they definitely live up to this creed. If you are looking for a fun team building experience, take part in their Bottle Blending Day Camp. Group pricing starts at $115/person, and all participants leave with a bottle of the group's own Bordeaux-style blend. 2332 Silverado Trail, Napa, juddshill.com. (Courtesy photo)
