Visit the wineries of Napa Valley

Visiting Napa wineries

The Napa wineries are something every wine lover should see at some point in his or her life. If you’re going to a small winery, call ahead make an appointment so they know when to expect you and have someone to talk to you. Many Napa wineries have permit restrictions and can only accommodate so many visitors each day, and have scheduled tastings at specific times. If you’re planning to visit during the tourist season, schedule your appointments weeks in advance so you can see the Napa wineries you want to visit.

Tasting fees can be anywhere from $5 to $50 per person — more if you plan on including lunch or a tour, class or seminar. Tipping is not necessary, although if you are bringing a large group you may want to do it anyway.

One of the best Napa wineries near St. Helena

Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards in Napa Valley,a 10-minute drive from downtown St. Helena, produces world-class wines at affordable prices. An example of what this winery has to offer is the Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, a wine that comes only from the best of the vintage. The 2011 Signature Cab is an intensely dark purple and red wine with an intense aroma of dark berries, smoke, blue flowers, anise and other spices, tar and minerals. It tastes as good as it smells, with a fruity palate of blackberries and blueberries with hints of violets, licorice and smoke. This is a rare vintage, produced in a cool year when yields were low. Join their wine club and buy some today.