This is the most well-known and visited winery in Napa Valley. The hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the winter and 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the summer, no appointment necessary, 7 days a week. V. Sattui is constantly evolving and improving their guest experiences, most recently adding a Concierge Service designed to tailor visits based on guest preferences. It's a fan favorite because of its old-world Italian charm, more than 60 different wines, including sparkling wine and Port-style wines, expansive picnic grounds, personalized winery and barrel tasting tours, food pairings, a legendary deli with fresh food and cheese, and a friendly, knowledgeable, well-trained staff. It's also one of the few wineries that consistently wins top awards for wines created by winemaker Brooks Painter, who joined V. Sattui from Robert Mondavi Winery in 2005.

The main tasting room is as close to a party as you'll get in often-seriously elitist Napa; it's always packed with visitors, and there are frequent BBQs, special events, entertainment, and weddings all year. Conversations about serious wines with wine expert Marc Golic can be found in the Vittorio Tasting Room (Tower). Stefano Masanti, the winery's full-time wedding and special events Michelin Star chef, ensures that exceptional cuisine matches glamorous events. Joe Schneider, the Culinary Director, combines award-winning wines with weekly food pairing and tasting events.

Detailed information:

Address: V. Sattui 1111 White Lane, St. Helena, CA 94574

Website: www.vsattui.com

Castello di Amorosa understands the importance of making a good first impression. This authentically styled, 13th Century Tuscan castle winery on a Calistoga knoll is unlike any other. Owner Dario Sattui (founder of V. Sattui Winery) spent 15 years building the castle, which incorporates all of the elements you'd expect from an authentic Italian castle. A drawbridge-equipped moat, high stone walls, gargoyles, a church, and a fully equipped torture chamber will fascinate and delight your senses. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Primitivo, and Sangiovese are among the handcrafted Italian-styled wines produced by the castle winery.

There are several guided tours and tastings available. The castle hits all the right notes: delicious wines only available at the winery, breathtaking grounds, delectable food, and a friendly, knowledgeable staff. It's busy and crowded. The castle grounds and five tastings are included in the $25 admission fee.

Detailed information:

Address: Castello di Amorosa 4045 St. Helena Hwy, Calistoga, CA 94515

Website: www.castellodiamorosa.com

Spottswoode is a true family-owned historic winery on St. Helena's west side. The estate, founded in 1882 by George Schonewald, is distinguished by the historic Victorian home depicted on their wine labels. Mary Novak, the company's founder, has been a vital part of the fabric of Napa Valley and its wine community since 1972. Her intelligence, wit, humility, and vivacious personality continue to inspire everyone at Spottswoode. Her two daughters, Beth Novak Milliken, President & CEO, and Lindy Novak, who runs the winery's wholesale marketing program, now run the winery.

The family produces a small portfolio of four delectable varietals: Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Albario. Their tasting room and hospitality are housed in a charming Victorian farmhouse nestled among the vines. Monday through Friday at 10 a.m., tours cost $75 per person. Tours are limited to a maximum of 10 people at a time, so reservations are required. (On their website, they recommend 4–6 weeks.) On Yelp, Spottswoode is consistently rated as one of the best wineries in Napa (five stars).

Detailed information:

Address: Spottswoode 1902 Madrona Avenue, St. Helena, California 94574(707) 963-0134

Website: www.spottswoode.com

Gustave Niebaum, a Finnish sea captain and wine connoisseur, founded the elegant, ivy-covered Inglenook in 1879 as one of the original Napa wineries. Gustave was devoted to producing fine wines in small quantities. During the reign of John Daniel Jr. (Niebaum's grand nephew), many Hollywood legends were drawn to this Napa treasure in the 1930s and 1940s. Carole Lombard, Clark Gable, and Jean Harlow are just a few of the famous names. Unfortunately, Inglenook fell on hard times in the 1960s, and John Daniel Jr. died in 1970. Francis Ford Coppola purchased the infamous winery from the Niebaum family in 1975 and spent a significant amount of time, money, and energy restoring it to its original, magnificent splendor.

It was known as Niebaum-Coppola, Coppola, and Rubicon until 2011, when Francis Ford Coppola purchased the Inglenook trademark for more than he had paid for the entire estate. He has since restored the estate's historic name, Inglenook, and promoted it as the true crown jewel of Napa Valley. Tours are only available by appointment and are well worth taking in order to appreciate the amazing historic grounds.

Detailed information:

Address: Inglenook Winery 1991 St. Helena Highway, Rutherford, CA 94573

Website: www.inglenook.com

Artesa offers the best Napa scenery of any of the ten wineries. The family-owned winery is located on the estate's highest hill, which encompasses 350 acres. A terrace provides stunning views of the surrounding countryside and, on clear days, the San Francisco skyline.

The architecture of Artesa is inspired by a variety of Spanish Mediterranean themes. The name Artesa, which translates to "handcrafted" in Catalan, was changed from Codorniu Napa in 1997. Today, Artesa wines are made from the varietals that have made Carneros and Napa Valley famous: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Tastings cost $35, $45, or $55 per person, depending on the rarity of the wines served. The scenery is beautiful as you absorb and enjoy some truly great wines.

Detailed information:

Address: Artesa Vineyards & Winery 1345 Henry Rd., Napa, CA 94559

Website: www.artesawinery.com

This majestically grand château, founded by the noble French family behind Champagne Taittinger, is a splendid way to enjoy the Carneros Appellation of Napa. This stunning fairy-tale estate was inspired by Taittinger's 18th-century French mansion. The cellars, carved into the hillside below the winery, are brimming with exceptional sparkling wine reminiscent of those crafted by Taittinger (Champagne) himself. The winery is located in Napa Valley's southernmost region, near the cooler climate of San Pablo Bay. There are three terraces from which to enjoy spectacular views while sipping exceptional sparkling and Pinot Noir wines.

If you choose to take a tour, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at how sparkling wines are made, from vineyard harvesting to bottling. The tour concludes with a wine tasting paired with artisan cheeses, gourmet caviar, smoked salmon, and charcuterie while seated in the Louis XV–inspired salon or on the terrace overlooking the vineyards. Reservations are required and tastings are from 10:00am–5:30pm.

Detailed information:

Address: Domaine Carneros 1240 Duhig Rd., Napa, CA 94559

Website: www.domainecarneros.com

Luna Vineyards was founded in 1995 by Michael Moone and George Vare. The small estate vineyard is both magical and modern, and it is conveniently located near downtown Napa (and a short distance from the Silverado Resort). You can leave your car at your Napa B&B and ride your bike to the vineyard. Luna is Napa's largest Pinot Grigio producer. They have a sunny patio area with plenty of comfortable chairs where you can relax while tasting their wines.

With music playing and a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere, the location feels more like a wine bar than a working winery. From the rooftop tower, you can also enjoy beautiful scenic views of the historic Silverado Trail overlooking the vineyards. They specialize in Atlas Peak mountain varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese, in addition to Pinot Grigio. Reservations are strongly advised, and the estate is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Detailed information:

Address: Luna Vineyards 2921 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558

Website: www.lunavineyards.com

Opus One Winery provides a luxurious, albeit slightly formal, wine experience. The estate is breathtaking, especially as you drive down the center drive to the winery entrance. From the upstairs terrace, you can see the vineyards of Opus One and get a sense of the beauty of Napa Valley. This is a winery where you can lose yourself in a wonderful glass while surrounded by sophistication. It doesn't get any more luxurious than this, so make sure to take plenty of photos while you're there.

The Winery tours are by appointment only, and reservations must be made at least a month in advance. Sandy, Nancy, Vicki, Hank, and Japanese-speaking Kaede are their best and most knowledgeable tour docents. Opus One only makes one wine, a Bordeaux-style Cabernet Sauvignon blend, so expect to taste just one lovely red wine in a slightly pretentious and pricey setting. Opus One is well worth a visit. Ours are available for tasting from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Detailed information:
Address: Opus One Winery 7900 St. Helena Hwy., Oakville, CA 94562
Website: www.opusonewinery.com

Warren Winiarski founded this winery in 1970 and brought international acclaim to Napa Valley winemaking when their 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon won the famous 1976 "Judgment of Paris" tasting. In 1996, a bottle of 1973 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon was inducted into the Smithsonian National Museum as a result of winning first place in this competition and to commemorate the impact the achievement had on the US wine industry as a whole. The winery's newly remodeled facility serves as a focal point with panoramic views of the vineyards and Napa countryside.

According to founder Warren Winiarski, the winery's cave "is the moral center of the universe". In the center of the vaulted caves, he installed an incredible floor-to-ceiling Foucault pendulum. It's an incredible sight to see as it swings methodically. In addition, in the summer of 2007, the winery was sold to a joint venture by Château Ste. Michelle and Marchesi Antinori, so Winiarski is no longer involved. Reservations are necessary.

Detailed information:

Address: Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 5766 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558

Website: www.cask23.com

Andretti Winery is the ideal way to escape to the "old world" without leaving the comforts of Napa Valley. Mario Andretti, one of the greatest race car drivers of all time, and his good friend Joe Antonini, the ex-CEO of K Mart, founded the winery in 1996. They were both passionate about great wine and the pleasures of Italy's laid-back way of life. As a result, they made the decision to make wine and entertain guests in Napa Valley.

Their winery is a reflection of their two passions. A visit to Andretti Winery will provide you with some of the best Italian varietal wine this side of Tuscany, as well as wonderful French varietals. Combine that with the laid-back hospitality of the Andretti staff, and you have one of the best wineries in Napa Valley for first-time visitors. The winery offers a fantastic selection of wine tasting experiences. Make a reservation as soon as possible. Toplist recommends a tasting with a food pairing, but any of their experiences will satisfy.

Detailed information:

Address: 4162 Big Ranch Rd, Napa, CA 94558

Website: https://andrettiwinery.com