Posts Tagged ‘Hess Collection’

10 Family Friendly Wineries in Napa Valley

Tuesday, August 9th, 2011

Napa Valley sees visitors from all across the world. For some visitors, Napa Valley is one of many stops in a state, and sometimes a county, that they have never seen before. Families planning a vacation will often list Napa Valley as one of the places they’d like to visit. This means, the whole family will be visiting Napa Valley. A family group usually consists of parents and children – and some of those children might be under the age of 21. With over 400 wineries to choose from in Napa Valley, Napa Wine Tours has compiled a list of 10 Family Friendly Wineries in Napa Valley.

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A View of the Fountain at Alpha Omega Winery by Napa Tourist Guide

Alpha Omega Winery
Visitors to Alpha Omega Winery can taste wines in the tasting room or out on the patio decorated with lush, comfortable, outdoor furniture. The patio deck stretches along the side of the building. While relaxing in the warmth of the sun, guests enjoy a view of vineyards as the backdrop to a large pool of water that features a unique fountain spraying water out of several jets. The picnic area is large and shaded. If you’re planning on bringing snacks to enjoy a picnic lunch, make sure to call ahead to see if the picnic area has been reserved for any special events.

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Castello di Amorosa

Castello di Amorosa
Castello di Amorosa was created to mirror a 13th century medieval Tuscan-style castle. Children under 5 are not allowed on the tours; however, there is a discounted rate for tours for minors between 5 and 20 years old. The tours vary in length and can include visits to different parts of this expansive castle. Parents with children of any age can also enjoy their visit without a tour. Admission into the castle covers tasting fees and additionally grants access to the two main levels of the castle. During the busiest time of year, a private tasting area is set up just for parents with children. While parents enjoy tasting Castello di Amorosa wines, their children enjoy coloring and sipping grape juice.

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Clos Pegase Winery

Clos Pegase Winery
Clos Pegase Winery offers tours of the winery, caves, and their resident art collection. There is also a self-guided tour of the art located in and around the winery. Visitors can set their own pace then enjoy a break in the picnic area with any tasty treats they’ve brought for lunch.

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Hess Collection by Judith V.

Hess Collection
A visit to Hess Collection is truly an adventure. The road to Hess Collection is a long road that winds through the forest. Nestled in the hills that provide a boost for a beautiful view of the valley is a stone building covered in ivy – this is the remodeled, historical building belonging to Hess Collection. Inside guests can decide to taste and take a self-guided iPod audio tour. Upstairs, the Hess Collection Contemporary Art Museum is open daily. Make sure to stroll through the gardens; they are a work of art themselves.

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Monticello Vineyards

Monticello Vineyards
The first thing visitors notice about family owned and managed Monticello Vineyards is that the tasting room and the Jefferson House Reserve Room are surrounded by trees. Once inside the tasting room, the wood paneling on the walls, exposed ceiling beams, and tasting counter built from old barrels creates a soothing coziness. The picnic area is located on a lush lawn.

pine ridge entrance 10 Family Friendly Wineries in Napa Valley

Pine Ridge Vineyards

Pine Ridge Vineyards
Pine Ridge Vineyards offers outstanding wines and outstanding views of the surrounding cliffs. Children are not allowed on tours; however, they are welcomed to enjoy the awesome scenery.

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The lush, open lawn area beyond the entrance to Robert Mondavi Winery

Robert Mondavi Winery
Visitors to Napa Valley make sure to stop at Robert Mondavi Winery. The entrance to the winery, built using mission-style architecture, includes a fountain, and a towering statue. There are different rooms offering different tastings and a selection of tours. Children under 13 years old are not permitted on the Signature Tour but children of all ages are allowed on the 30 minute Discovery Tour. Beyond the entrance is a lawn area that stretches along the back of the winery offering a view of the hills in the distance. Robert Mondavi winery also features an art collection of sculptures, artifacts, and paintings.

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Rubicon Estate

Rubicon Estate
Rubicon Estate offers many choices for tastings and tours. One of the most unique, family friendly choices for wine tasting is in Rubicon’s Mammarella Wine Bar. Rubicon Estate wines can be purchased by the glass in the Mammarella and visitors can choose between enjoying their wine indoors or outdoors. Outdoors includes a courtyard fountain where small, wooden sailboats wait for children to set them to sail.

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St. Supery Vineyards & Winery

St. Supery Vineyards & Winery
Visitors to St. Supery Vineyards can enjoy their gallery, a self-paced tour, and a game of petanque. Petanque is similar to Bocce. St. Supery supplies equipment and instructions for guests.

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Sterling Vineyards

Sterling Vineyards
A visit to Sterling Vineyards is a visit to a winery with one of the best views of Napa Valley. To reach the top of this amazing view from 300 feet above Calistoga, visitors ride an aerial tram that takes them up the hill and over the beautiful landscape. There is special pricing for visitors under the age of 21 and all visitors under 3 years old ride for free. Once at the winery, the views continue from the building inspired by Greek architecture.

The safest way for your family to travel in Napa Valley is to contact Napa Wine Tours. With our diverse fleet, you’re sure to find the vehicle that best fits your family’s needs. You professional, private, experienced chauffeur will negotiate the roads and make sure you arrive where you want to be, when you want to be there.

10 “Must See” Wineries to Visit in Napa Valley

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

Napa Valley is renown for its world-class wines, breath taking panoramic views, and sense of elegance and escape from reality. When planning your next trip to the beautiful Napa Valley, don’t be overwhelmed with the hundreds of winery choices across the county. We’ve selected 10 of the many quality and unique wineries in Napa Valley. Whether it’s the architecture, ambiance, gardens, history, or art that draws you to these wineries, they’re all unique in their own way.

kuleto estate winery 10 Must See Wineries to Visit in Napa Valley

The Kuleto Estate Winery

2470 Sage Canyon Road
St Helena, CA 94574
Phone: (707) 963-4859

This winery estate offers tours by reservation only, however, the formality involved is worth the chance to taste the premium Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sangiovese, Syrah, and Zinfandel that Kuleto offers as their primary wine selection. Pat Kuleto, owner of the estate, is also responsible for many of the Bay Area’s best restaurants.

beaulieu vineyard 10 Must See Wineries to Visit in Napa Valley

The Beaulieu Vineyard

1960 St. Helena Highway
Rutherford, CA 94573
Phone: (707) 967-5200

This vineyard was historically innovative in the wine and vineyard industry; Beaulieu made waves by introducing the oak barrel aging process. Beaulieu is constantly updating their Napa Valley events, always eager to keep wine aficionados interested in both the product, and the process.

hess collection 10 Must See Wineries to Visit in Napa Valley

The Hess Collection

4411 Redwood Road
Napa, CA 94558-9708
Phone: (707) 255-1144

The Hess Collection Winery stands out amongst other Napa vineyards as an opulent jewel, not only for its superior product, but for its unconventional attraction. Not only can you tour, taste, and enjoy the Hess Estate, but you can also experience the art gallery located on the estate as well.

domaine chandon 10 Must See Wineries to Visit in Napa Valley

Domaine Chandon

1 California Dr
Yountville, CA 94599-1426
Phone: (707) 944-2892

Domaine Chandon is known most affluently for its sparkling wines and champagne; a favorite of this writer and many other wine aficionados, are its sparkling Rose variety. Chandon’s restaurant, étoile, is nationally acclaimed and the winner of the Best of Award of Excellence from the Wine Spectator in August 2009, among many other accolades.

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Pine Ridge Winery

5901 Silverado Trail
Napa CA 94558
Phone: (707) 253-7500

This Napa Valley winery focuses on Sustainable Farming in order to develop a superior product. The winery offers tours that begin in the vineyard, travels through the wine production facilities and aging caves, and ends a private cellar for a seated wine and cheese pairing.

joseph phelps vineyards 10 Must See Wineries to Visit in Napa Valley

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

200 Taplin Road
Saint Helena, CA 94574-9544
Phone: (707) 967-9153

Just a bit beyond the usual Napa and Sonoma wine tours, you’ll find the secluded winery and estate of Joseph Phelps, one of the few vineyard owners who still believes in the intimacy involved in the wine making process. Phelps personally oversees and manages the product of his efforts.

sterling vineyards 10 Must See Wineries to Visit in Napa Valley

Sterling Vineyards

1111 Dunaweal Lane
Calistoga, CA 94515
(800) 726-6136

Sterling Vineyards features the only aerial tram in Napa Valley. Enjoy the unbelievable view from above followed by a tasting and a self-guided tour of the art gallery and the winery.

clos pegase 10 Must See Wineries to Visit in Napa Valley

Clos Pegase

1060 Dunaweal Lane
Calistoga, CA 94515
Phone: (707) 942-4981

This stunning winery combines wine with art and architecture. Clos Pegase offers daily tours and tastings. Purchase cheese in their Visitor’s Center and enjoy a bottle of your favorite Clos Pegase wine in their picnic area shaded by a 300 year old Oak Tree.

robert mondavi winery 10 Must See Wineries to Visit in Napa Valley

The Robert Mondavi Winery

7801 St. Helena Highway
Oakville, CA 94562
Phone: (707) 226-1395

Once you’ve had your fill of secluded California winery estates, and retro-Italian architecture, the Spanish-Mission style Robert Mondavi Winery and Estate awaits. The winery is host to a variety of events such as concerts, art exhibits, and their regular tasting tours.

rubicon winery 10 Must See Wineries to Visit in Napa Valley

The Rubicon Winery

1991 Saint Helena Highway
Rutherford, CA 94573
Phone: (707) 963-9099

This estate has its claim to fame by its former name, the Niebaum-Coppola Estate Winery; it was owned by the filmmaker Francis Ford-Coppola. Under Coppola’s high standards and superior technique, the vineyards were reunited, and the chateau that overlooked its expansive valleys for almost two centuries is once again part of its legendary wine making process. Rubicon is diamond in the crown of Napa Valley wineries.