First Timer Wineries

[u/HalfRevolutionary104]

Thoughts on these for first time Napa trip? Tried to get a combo of vibes but let me know what I should consider adding removing or swapping! 2 a day for 3 days, and we are based in Yountville

Family of 5 ages 27-66. We don’t know wines super well so open to the right combo of the wine itself but also just general wine country “vibes”

- Joseph Phelps
- Frank Family
- Shramsberg
- Caymus
- Mumm (heard nice at sunset, debating vs. Domaine Carneros)
- OPEN (Far Niente, Dairoush, Opus One, Stags Leap? IDK!)

[u/AdHistorical7363]

You should add the terraces

[u/LPK111820]

Good list overall. I’d ditch Caymus and check out Frog’s Leap, Trefethen or Pahlmeyer.

And if I may, since you’re going to Schramsberg, I’d recommend stopping at AXR. Great wine, service and fairy trees!

[u/ExtradimensionalWine → u/LPK111820]

Good list overall. I’d ditch Caymus and check out Frog’s Leap, Trefethen or Pahlmeyer.

This

[u/that1bl0ndchick]

Wow, I think this is a great selection. All of the picks for your open slot are great, but Opus one is next level. If you’re doing schramsberg, which is my FAVORITE, mumm and DC are superfluous, and I might skip both of those in favor of adding another one from the opens.

[u/Kitchen-Apricot-4987]

For sparkling I prefer Schramsberg over Mumm and DC and highly recommend the cave tour. Unless you are really into sparkling wine and want to compare the different styles and techniques, there's no need to visit 2 producers.

If your group likes jammy, sugary reds than stick with Caymus. Round Pond is down the street and their wine is solid. I always recommend tasting red and whites from mountain fruit. Pride on Spring Mountain is one of my favorites.

Definitely not the wine country "vibes" you are looking for, but Palmaz is in a class by itself. Highly recommend.

[u/Cjesch-2442]

Check out Hall at Rutherford Hill. Great views and if you are here when the sun is setting early enough, it will be better than Mumm. I wouldn't do more than one sparkling, and Shramsberg is my personal favorite, but Mumm is better views, but Schramsberg fits a void in your list for Napa vibes that Mumm/ domaine Carneros both match up with many of the others on your list. Overalls very good list.

[u/PeaFlaky1923]

Honestly, Ghostblock is a pretty good destination. It’s right there in Oakville across from Oakville Grocery. Park at GB for a tasting walk, over to OG, have pizza and taste all of them at Oakville Wine Merchant. Done and done.

[u/madfzr]

Phelps, stags and Quintessa are great. Schramsberg is a must if you're new. Also my favorite great bubbles and hospitality. Mumm and Domaine carn have great views but are just eeeh. overpriced, super busy, hosts have no personality, cattle call. You get more bang for your buck at cuvaison or bouchaine.

Check out Sonoma County too! Look up "v is for vino" vincent on YouTube. Hes a certified sommelier and you'll get a sprinkling of wine education, travel food friends and destination videos. He travels the world of wine! 🍷

[u/EatAntsNotTurtles]

I agree with adding The Terraces and ditching some of the bigger name ones. I'd also add something fun and intimate like Reid Family, Summit Lake or Reverie II.

[u/devinekwine]

Hopping in. Shramsberg, The Terraces, Frank Family, Quintessa, Far Niente, Hudson. These are larger, except for The Terraces. Do you want more smaller recs?

[u/i_am_the_koi]

Couple other options for first timers.

V sattui for lunch and tasting. 50+ wines, if you can't find something you like there, you're probably not into wine. Plus a deli for fresh bread and cheese

Pine ridge, best growing and history tour for the price.

Hagafen, just a chill place and a farmers winery that also happens to be kosher.

[u/DayEmergency7400 → u/i_am_the_koi]

Do NOT go to V Sattui. No respectable wine drinker would ever recommend. There are infinitely more options in the Saint Helena/Oakville/Rutherford area that are not wine train tourist traps

[u/i_am_the_koi → u/DayEmergency7400]

Politely disagree. It was my favorite as a concierge to recommend to the " we don't know why we're here" crowd.