8 Vineyards with Tastings On-Site & To-Order
Wine tastings are a great way to sample delicious varietals while surrounded by the beautiful settings of the enchanting vineyards where they are grown. For those who cannot visit or prefer a tasting in the comfort of their home, a wide range of successful wine producers have put together curated tasting kits “to order.”
For either experience, we’ve pulled together 8 California wineries. They offer both stunning on-site tasting experiences as well as creative virtual tasting programs. See if you recognise any of the following properties and surrounding vineyards, before finding out details in the respective descriptions below.
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Far Niente Winery has been crafting excellent wines in Napa Valley since 1979. Nowadays, it is a recognised benchmark producer of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon in California. In addition, it features one of the most enchanting setting for tastings in the valley. There, visitors will feel like they are taking a walk into the past. Sprawling gardens and imposing wine caves create a magical oasis in which to sip the winery’s best products. Furthermore, it’s fun to stroll around the vast property and take in the breathtaking vistas of the enchanting vineyards beyond. For those who want to explore award winning flavours at home, the vineyard offers a curated virtual wine tasting program.
Nickel & Nickel in Oakville, Napa Valley, has dedicated itself to producing 100% varietal, single-vineyard wines. Thus, they can best express the distinct personality of each vineyard they work with. The partners of Far Niente established the winery in 1997. Since then, they have focused on producing Cabernet Sauvignon from the appellation’s most significant growing regions in this winery. Furthermore, a range of single-vineyard Chardonnays, Merlots, and Syrahs can be tasted in a great setting close to the enchanting vineyards that supply the grapes. Beyond that, Far Niente’s virtual terrain tasting journey through the portfolio is available for stay-at-home explorers.
Enroute Winery allows you to discover the magic of Russian River Valley via the amazing style of its wines. Indeed, they have been able to capture the distinct taste of the area, benefitting from the serene setting. For one, there is the dense fog courtesy of the proximity to the cool Pacific Ocean. In addition, the gravelly soil combined with the microclimates of the Russian River add to the magic. All in all, the conditions work in concert to create some of the most textured and graceful Pinot Noirs. For those who like to do wine tastings, it’s fun to ride a bike from one of the many enchanting vineyards to another. For remote tastings, the winery offers the EnRoute Pinot Noir “to go” via Far Niente’s Epicure Flight.
Cast Estate brings people together in Sonoma County in a way that’s personal and unique. The winery offers a variety of hand-crafted wines, honouring the infinite potential of varietals, terroir, and winemaking creativity. In addition, the winery hosts tastings on a stunning hillside perch. Guests get to slow down and celebrate the moment while enjoying the beautiful setting. Indeed, visitors especially enjoy looking out over the organically tended enchanting vineyards and the gorgeous Dry Creek Valley beyond. Cast Virtual Kits are available for tastings in the comfort of your home.
Bella Oaks is a vineyard nestled in a quiet corner of the famed Rutherford Bench. There, it has been able to establish a name for producing some of Napa Valley’s most noteworthy single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons. In addition, the winery features a mesmerising labyrinth for visitors to the estate. Its design references the medieval labyrinth in the French cathedral city of Chartres. Artisans established it beneath a ring of old olive trees in order to invite visitors to take a leisurely stroll. Most interesting, the stones were sourced from the streets of Dublin, Boston, and the mountains of Montana. Virtual tastings are available for stay-at-home explorers.
Domaine Chandon is a well known Napa Valley winery located in the town of Yountville. Established in 1973 by Moët et Chandon, it was the first French-owned sparkling wine producer in Napa. Since then, Chandon has continued to combine traditional French techniques and winemaking knowledge with the sun-ripened wine of California. Thus, they are able to craft sparkling wines of the highest quality. Virtual tastings packages are definitely a fun alternative without having to get into a car or plane.
The Taittinger family of Reims, France, founded Domaine Carneros in 1987. It has since become one of the most outstanding sparkling wine producers in California. Their process begins with impeccable Carneros grapes, most of them grown in the winery’s own Napa Valley estate vineyards. From there, the acclaimed sparkling wine cuvées are crafted using a production process that is an exacting and time-consuming art. In turn, Domaine Carneros is able deliver a superior sparkling wine experience. You can try it for yourself via their virtual tasting program.
San Francisco Magazine recognised MacRostie Winery and Vineyards as ‘Best Winery in Sonoma’ in its Best of Wine Country Awards. The magazine also acknowledged their ‘Best Tasting Room in Napa and Sonoma’. Since then, MacRostie has established itself as one of Sonoma’s defining wineries. In fact, it has become a highly successful purveyor of a balanced, age-worthy Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. Visitors enjoy intimate seated tastings overlooking the beautiful views from the patios or indoor areas. Virtual tastings are available for off-site discovery.
For hosting your own tasting party, here are 10 additional ‘distinct tasting options’:
- Celebrated: Tasting with Celebrities
- Customisable: Priority Wine Pass
- Conferenced: Onx Virtual Guidance
- Educational: Great Wine Teachings
- Entertaining: Wine & Comedy Offer
- European: Old Continent Wine Virtuality
- Excellent: Sophisticated Digital Tasting
- Green: Biodynamic and More
- Paired: Virtual Chefs & Sommeliers
- Sample-sized: Virtual Sample Sips
Several of the programs also offer virtual tutoring. Having an expert available to walk you through your virtual tasting of course provides some valuable benefits. For one, professional sommeliers and wine stewards are deeply knowledgeable about their wines. They love to sharing how the wines are grown and produced, as well as how they are best enjoyed. Furthermore, they are happy to help walk novices through the finer points of the wine tasting experience. Last but not least, they are a great resource for delicious food pairing recommendations.
For those of you who prefer wine tastings on location, check out WineTourism.com as a great resource. The online booking platform is designed to make wine tastings easily accessible to wine enthusiasts around the globe. In fact, it presents over 5000+ experiences, from wine tasting to participation in winemaking classes in stunning locales.