Napa Wineries

When you think of wine in California, it's likely that the first thing that comes to mind is "Napa Wineries." With approximately 660 operating wineries in Napa County, there's no wonder why Napa wineries have become so well-known nationally.

Napa County wineries got their start in 1836 when George Calvert Yount planted the region's first grapevines. It wasn't until 1861, however, that Charles Krug established the first commercial winery in Napa. Within 30 years there were over a hundred Napa wineries in operation, and the number has grown exponentially ever since.

There was one exception to the growth of Napa Wineries, however. For fourteen years, the Prohibition jeopardized Napa Valley wineries and kept most from producing Napa Valley wines. Fortunately for Napa Wineries and wine enthusiasts everywhere, Prohibition ended and Napa Valley wineries continued to boom.

The Napa County wineries are dispersed among fourteen Napa Valley Appellations including: Atlas Peak, Chilies Valley District, Diamond Mountain District, Howell Mountain, Los Carneros, Mount Veeder, Oak Knoll District, Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena, Spring Mountain District, Stags Leap District, Wild Horse Valley, and Yountville.

Each Napa Valley Appellation offers slightly different growing conditions, which gives the Napa wine produced in that individual Napa Valley Appellation a noticeable distinctness from other Napa wines. Napa Valley is well-known for its sumptuous wines, some of them produced at world-famous wineries in Napa Valley.

It is impossible not to mention the Robert Mondavi Winery when speaking of Napa Valley Wineries. This famed Napa Valley Winery is known for being one of the fore-runners in Napa Valley Wineries and instrumental in making a name for California wine in general. This Napa Winery is arguably the most recognized winery in the world, and as a result, is the most frequently visited.

Another well-known Napa Valley Winery is that of the Rubicon Estate, made famous by its Godfather owner Frances Ford Coppola. This Napa Winery produces superior Napa Valley Wines and offers a tour as well as one of the best facilities for wine tasting in Napa Valley.

There are numerous wineries in Napa Valley that are rich with history and famous for their unparalleled Napa County wines. But, no matter which Napa County winery you visit, you will be treated to the incomparable taste of Napa Valley Wines.

Although the region is relatively small, Napa Valley wines are produced in large variety. This is due, in large part, to the number of different microclimates in each Napa Valley Appellation.

Some of the most prominent wines in Napa County include: Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel. A visit to many of the Napa County wineries will provide you with a sneak peak at the finest Napa Valley wines.

One of the main attractions of wine connoisseurs visiting California is the Napa Valley wine tasting. At a majority of the Napa Valley wineries you will find a welcome and knowledgeable staff excited to entice your palette with their own Napa wine.

Wine tasting in Napa Valley is a great way to sample Napa County wines without having to buy the bottle. The best part of Napa Valley wine tasting is when you find a Napa County wine that you love, you can usually purchase it to enjoy at home.

When you embark on a Napa Valley wine tasting tour, it is important to have a designated driver. To make the most of their enjoyment of wine tasting in Napa Valley, many tourists choose to sign up for a guided tour or even a private limo.

Fortunately, there are a number of touring options to choose from when planning your Napa Valley wine tasting adventure. With the large number of Napa Wineries to visit, you will benefit from the knowledge of a Napa Valley wine tasting tour guide who knows their way around the Napa County wine region. The most important part of your Napa Valley wine tasting experience is to sit back, relax, and enjoy!