Why you should visit downtown Napa wineries
This blog post covers the best wineries in downtown Napa, California.
In this post we’ll suggest 26 downtown Napa wineries to visit now. I’ll be honest – you’ll drink yourself under the table if you try to visit all of these wineries.
But the mantra “more is more” applies to the best things in life. And wine tasting in Napa Valley is surely one of the best things you can do with your time on this green earth.
So I’ve collected a list of over two dozens wineries. We love options!
Most people associate Napa with rolling vineyards and big estates.
Although it’s fun to explore the wine estates nestled throughout Napa Valley, it’s just as fun to explore the winery tasting rooms in Napa’s downtown area.
Downtown Napa tasting rooms are easily accessible. Because they’re within easy walking distance of one another you don’t have to drive.
Walking is an easier, safer, and cheaper way to travel between wineries.
Cheaper? Yes, it’s less expensive to use your own two feet instead of (a) renting a car or (b) booking a tour or (c) taking a bus.
Given how pricey Napa tastings can be, I’d say that’s a good thing.
How to access downtown Napa wineries in the Napa Valley
You can easily walk between the downtown tasting rooms on this list. However, you will need a car to reach the city of Napa.
If you don’t want to rent a car yourself you could take a shuttle from San Francisco to Napa. The Wine Country Airporter offers a ride from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Napa and vice versa.
The shuttle has eight daily pickup and departure times, so you’re sure to find a shuttle that works with your flight arrival time.
But if you plan on visiting wineries outside of downtown Napa then you may want to rent your own car. You can fly into an airport, rent a car, and drive to Napa, California.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is about a 90 minute drive from Napa, California. If you’re driving directly from San Francisco (the city, not the airport) it’ll only take 65 minutes to reach Napa.
Or you can fly into Oakland. Napa is an approximately 70 minute drive from the Oakland International Airport (OAK).
Once you reach the charming town of Napa, it’s a reasonable drive to other well-known wine towns. Yountville is a short 18 minute drive from Napa. St. Helena is only 18 miles from the city of Napa, which is a roughly 30 minute drive. Healdsburg is a 70 minute drive from Napa.
Tasting rooms: downtown Napa wineries to visit
Acumen
Acumen crafts mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc wine.
Their estate vineyards are perched on the high-mountain slopes of Napa Valley’s acclaimed Atlas Peak.
While Acumen sells the majority of their estate-grown Bordeaux varieties to other top Napa Valley wineries, they save the best for themselves. Winemaker Phillip Titus reserves grapes from his favorite vineyard blocks to make Acumen’s wines.
One of their current releases is a Cabernet Sauvignon with notes of cassis, cedar, roasted coffee, and anise.
The Acumen Tasting Room in downtown Napa is a modern glamorous wine tasting room full of warm gold light fixtures that soften contemporary photographs.
The space is open daily from 12-6 PM. Reservations are requested but walk-ins are welcome depending on availability.
Here’s a link to the Acumen Tasting Room reservation page.
Benevolent Neglect Wines
The Benevolent Neglect Wines tasting room is chic. So chic you’ll stop and wonder… Is this an interior design shop? Is it a record studio waiting room? But don’t let the Danish mid century modern furniture fool you. This is in fact a Napa Valley tasting room.
The carefully curated tasting room reflects their approach to wine. Benevolent Neglect Wines are handcrafted wines with minimal intervention.
Founders Matt, Ben, and Jef buy grapes from select vineyards across California and then craft wine to reflect the unique terroir of each place.
They do not use additives and their red wines are unfined and unfiltered.
Benevolent Neglect winery encourages guests to BYOV (Bring Your Own Vinyl) to share the music you love while you drink their wines. Fun!
Here’s the Benevolent Neglect Wines tasting room reservation page and their Tock profile.
Brown Estate
Brown Estate is Napa Valley’s first Black-owned estate winery.
In 1980 the Brown family bought an abandoned ranch in the eastern hills of the Napa Valley. In 2000 they debuted their first three vintages. And in 2017 they opened their downtown Napa tasting room.
Today Brown Estate continues to make excellent Zinfandel as well as Merlot, Petite Sirah, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Their sister label House of Brown crafts vegan-friendly wines in a sustainable manner. These “anytime-anywhere wines” are an extension of their “feel seen” ethos.
The Brown Estate tasting room in downtown Napa is open Tuesday through Sunday with scheduled seatings between 10:30 AM and 4:30 PM. They strongly recommended you make a reservation for Friday and Saturday.
Here’s the winery’s visit page and their Tock profile.
St. Clair Brown Winery & Brewery
If you love gardens and plants then you will love St. Clair Brown.
This winery and brewery located in the Rail Arts District of Napa has a greenhouse tasting room.
Even better, they have a culinary garden with fruit trees and raised garden beds.
Guests can enjoy their wine, beer, and nonalcoholic drinks in the greenhouse or garden. A short but sweet food menu is available too.
During the winter months (November through February) service moves from the garden to their winery across the street. So it’s best to visit St. Clair Brown during spring, summer, and early autumn.
The St. Clair Brown tasting room is open for tastings Friday through Monday from 12-6 PM. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday they’re available for private bookings.
Wine tastings range from $60 to $125 per tasting. Beer tastings are typically $30. And the “Zero Proof Tasting” is $30 per person.
Here’s the St. Clair Brown Winery & Brewery Tock profile.
JaM Cellars
Chances are you’ve seen a bottle of JaM Cellars wine before. Their famous “Butter” chardonnay is well marketed.
In fact most of their bold yellow labels say “BUTTER” in giant letters. Which lets you know exactly what kind of wine you’ll find here: buttery California style Chardonnay.
In addition to Chardonnay, JaM Cellars makes Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, two Cabernet Sauvignons, and sparkling wine.
The name “JaM” is short for John and Michele, who own the winery. I assume the name JaM inspired the “jam session” feel of their winery tasting room.
The room looks like a recording studio lounge (or at least what I think a recording studio looks like) complete with low leather couches, retro sound equipment, and a disco ball.
They even host jam sessions in their JaM Cellars Wine & Music Studio in downtown Napa. Live music is scheduled multiple nights a week.
Unfortunately JaM doesn’t have their own jam line. Missed opportunity if you ask me. I like jam and jelly.
Anyways, here’s the JaM Cellars Tock page. It’s a popular spot with loads of great events so book your reservation in advance.
Ackerman Family Vineyards
The Ackerman Family Vineyards tasting room is housed in a gorgeous Victorian Era home.
This home, called the Ackerman Heritage House, dates back to 1889.
The Ackerman Heritage House offers several tasting options.
The “Ackerman Tasting” includes a taste of three wines for $65 per person. You can add a cheese pairing too if you’d like. The typical tasting takes place in the tasting salon. But you can also enjoy the tasting outdoors in the Victorian estate courtyard. Be sure to ask for the al fresco tasting when you book your reservation.
The “Social Wine & Plated Lunch” is a communal lunch housed in their dining room. The three course lunch costs $135 per person and includes a wine pairing with every course.
The “Ackerman Tour and Collectors Tasting” includes a house tour and a wine tasting. Guests can tour the house and then gather in the tasting salon for a private seated tasting. This luxury wine tasting experience costs $150 per person.
They also have afternoon tea! The Ackerman Tea Ceremony includes dainty tarts, savory small bites, French jazz, and period-correct antique china. This tea ceremony would be a lovely way to spend the afternoon if you love tea or if you just want a break from wine.
Here’s the Ackerman Family Vineyards Tock profile.
Azur Wine Lounge
The Azur Wines tasting room in downtown Napa is an American winery with a French touch. The proprietor Elan Fayard studied in Bordeaux and Provence, France.
Elan returned to the United States and settled in Napa. Today she focuses on Cabernet Sauvignon and rosé.
Azur Wine Lounge offers wine flights of three to four pours. The “Sip Flight” displays three iconic Azur wines. The “Sense Flight ” is four pours of their refined wines. And the “Savor Flight” is four pours (one rosé, three reds).
And if you need some rosé for the road, grab a bottle here. Azur even sells their 2022 rosé in keg form. Something you never knew you needed.
Here’s the Azur Wine Lounge tasting page and their Tock account.
Gamling & McDuck
The Gamling & McDuck is not your typical clean-cut Napa winery.
They describe themselves as eclectic, irreverent, and mischievous. In other words, they’re fun.
Gamling & McDuck specializes in Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc. Their downtown Napa tasting room is the perfect place to sample their delicious wines.
They offer three wine tasting experiences.
The “Wild Wild West Tasting” is short but sweet (and free).
The “The BIG PICTURE Tasting” leads you through six of their favorite wines. It starts at $36 per person.
Or you can book the full “Club Tasting” and sample some unique small production wines. The Club Tasting starts at $71 per person but it’s free for wine club members.
When you visit the Gamling & McDuck tasting room be sure to:
- Leave your kids at home
- Leave your half eaten leftovers in your car
- Bring your dog (if it’s a friendly dog)
- Buy the pimento dip from Jeffries General next door. But don’t eat it inside (see rule #2)
Here’s a link to the Gamling & McDuck Tock profile.
Roots Run Deep Winery
The Roots Run Deep Winery tasting room is housed in a 120-year-old craftsman. This historic home in downtown Napa lends a warm and welcoming atmosphere to every wine tasting.
The traditional tasting includes five wines for $40. Or you can taste five reserve Cabernet Sauvignons for $70. Tasting fees are waived with a minimum purchase (per guest).
All guests must be 21 years of age or older.
The Roots Run Deep Winery tasting room is open Friday through Monday from 12-7 PM by appointment only.
Here’s the Roots Run Deep Winery Tock profile.
Housley Napa Valley
Housley Napa Valley is a family-owned winery that boasts over 250 medals.
The Housley Napa Valley tasting room is nicknamed the “Living Room” because they want guests to feel relaxed and at home.
The typical wine tasting includes five wines for $25. A glass of wine ranges from $8-12, which is super reasonable in Napa. You can even add a chocolate pairing for $12.
The Housley tasting room is open seven days a week from 11 AM to 7 PM. Reservations aren’t necessary to taste.
Also, fun fact: actress Tamera Mowry married into the Housley family. Does anyone remember the show Sister, Sister? I do! Tamera Mowry-Housley and her husband Adam document their life in Napa in their YouTube series “The Housley Life.”
Robert Mondavi Arch & Tower
Arch & Tower is Robert Mondavi Winery’s new tasting room.
Robert Mondavi’s main tasting room in Oakville, California is undergoing multiyear renovations. So they’ve established the Arch & Tower tasting room in Napa in the meantime.
This elegant riverfront tasting room is located in the historic Borreo building in downtown Napa. The indoor tasting room overlooks downtown Napa and the outdoor terrace is equally lovely.
You can book a “Napa Exploration” tasting, which includes four wines from The Estates Collection. This $78 per person tasting lasts for 75 minutes.
For $150 guests can enjoy the “To Kalon Reserve” tasting, which features wines from their legendary To Kalon Vineyard.
The kitchen prepares small savory bites to enjoy alongside the wine. If you’d like a full meal you’ll need to book the three-course “Legend Lunch.”
The Robert Mondavi Arch & Tower tasting room is open seven days a week. Sunday through Wednesday it’s open from 11 AM to 4 PM. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday it’s open from 11 AM to 7 PM.
Here’s the Arch & Tower Tock profile.
John Anthony Wine & Spirits
John Anthony Vineyards combines precise grape growing and meticulous winemaking.
Founder John Anthony Truchard learned the art of growing grapes from his father and some of Napa Valley’s viticultural icons.
Today his wines reflect the unique terroir of several Napa Valley AVAs and single-vineyard sites.
The John Anthony Vineyards tasting lounge in downtown Napa has a lot going on. You can choose between a traditional tasting either inside or outside. And there are wine and food pairings like a “Bubbles & Caviar” tasting and various special events.
Their “Sundays with Chef” events feature food crafted by their estate chef who previously worked at The French Laundry. The Quarterly Dinner Series is a good chance to compare and contrast current release wines with vintage renditions.
The winery’s tasting lounge in downtown Napa is open seven days a week. They’re open Sunday through Wednesday from 10 AM to 10 PM. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday they’re open from 10 AM to 12 AM.
Here’s the John Anthony Vineyards Tock profile if you’d like to make a reservation.
Krupp Brothers
Jan and Bart Krupp founded Krupp Brothers winery. Their tasting room in downtown Napa is located near Oxbow Public Market.
It’s the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a flight, a glass, or a bottle of wine.
Krupp Brothers winery offers two flights. The Signature Tasting includes four wines paired with small bites for $45 per person. The Reserve Tasting showcases four limited production reds plus small bites for $65 per person.
The Krupp Brothers tasting room is open daily from 12-8 PM. You can make a reservation through their Tock profile.
Robert Craig Winery Tasting Salon
Robert Craig Winery relocated their downtown Napa tasting room to 2nd Street. This new tasting salon resembles a stylish living room.
It’s cozy, comfortable, and decorated in neutral colors. Guests can choose to sit inside the salon, on the porch, or on the outdoor patio.
The Robert Craig Winery tasting salon is open daily by appointment from 10 AM to 4 PM.
Robert Craig Winery offers several tasting experiences. Two tasting experiences take place in their downtown tasting salon. And the third experience is hosted at their estate vineyard on Howell Mountain.
The “Salon Select Experience” ($35) is a traditional tasting. It includes five current release wines which may range from a bright mineral-forward Chardonnay to a smooth Cabernet.
The “Howell Mountain Intensive Experience” introduces guests to small lot and library offerings made from grapes grown in their Howell Mountain estate vineyards. This tasting takes place at the downtown Robert Craig Winery tasting salon.
If you’d like to actually visit the Howell Mountain estate then book the “Summit Experience on Howell Mountain.” This exclusive mountaintop visit includes a rare selection of wines, a special barrel tasting, and spectacular views of the Napa Valley. The Howell Mountain tasting is not open to the public so you’ll need to book this experience in advance. It costs $125 per person.
Here’s the winery’s CellarPass profile if you’d like to make a reservation.
Levendi Winery
The Levendi Winery tasting room in downtown Napa is located in the iconic First Street Napa shopping district. A large gold mural graces the wall behind the bar.
Levendi offers an indoor and outdoor space, small plates, and wines by the bottle or glass.
The Levendi Winery tasting room is open Monday, Thursday, and Sunday from 2-7 PM. On Saturday they’re open from 1-9 PM. They’re closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Here’s the Levendi Winery Tock profile if you’d like to book a tasting in advance.
Bonita Bonita Wine
Nikki and Brie, the founders of Bonita Bonita Wine, describe themselves as “farmers, visionaries and artists.”
Bonita Bonita Wine makes Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, and Chardonnay. They also make a rosé from Pinot Noir and sparkling wine.
Bonita Bonita sources their grapes from Hill Family Estate, which is another family owned winery in Napa Valley.
Visit their speakeasy style tasting room to try their wine. Tastings are by appointment only from Thursday through Sunday from 1-5 PM.
You can book a wine tasting on their Tock profile.
MaCo Vineyards Tasting Room
Friends Roberto Corona and Jesus Maciel founded MaCo Vineyards in 1980. The winery’s name is a fusion of their surnames.
This family owned winery believes in sustainable farming and socially responsible practices. They craft traditional Cabernets and Zinfandels – and usual items like Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc – in a sustainable way.
The MaCo Vineyards tasting room in downtown Napa has fun elements like a neon sign that says “¡una copa más!” It is indeed a good place to get another glass of wine.
Or you can choose from between their three wine flight options. There’s the Classic Flight for $50, the Estate Flight for $60, or the Red Flight for $70 per person.
The tasting room is closed Tuesday and Wednesday but open the other five days of the week. Here’s the MaCo Vineyards Tock profile.
Btw if you plan to visit Napa during the summer you can check out their Summer Series Party.
Mark Herold Wines
Founder Mark Herold believes winemaking is the perfect blend of art, science and culture.
Mark grew up in Panama and studied ecology at UC Davis. In 1992 he made his first barrel of wine.
Mark brings a scientific approach to every bit of the winemaking process. His wines range from Sauvignon Blanc to Cabernet to a port-style dessert wine made from Viognier grapes.
The Mark Herold Wines tasting room in downtown Napa offers two different wine tasting experiences. Guests can enjoy a reserved seated tasting in the tasting lounge.
Or you can enjoy a casual tasting at the bar. Walk-ins are welcome for parties with fewer than six people.
The Mark Herold Wines tasting room is open seven days a week. It’s open Sunday through Thursday from 11 AM to 6 PM. On Friday and Saturday it’s open from 11 AM to 7 PM.
Chateau Buena Vista
Chateau Buena Vista has an opulent tasting room located in the heart of downtown Napa.
They offer several tasting experiences in their Art Deco inspired tasting room.
The “Taste of Buena Vista” tasting is a typical wine flight. It features three samples for $40 per guest.
The “Champagne and Caviar” tasting costs $100 per guest.
If you’re a chocolate lover, there’s a “Cabernet and Chocolate” tasting that costs $75 per guest. It includes four handcrafted chocolates made by Earth & Sky Chocolates, which shares a retail space with Chateau Buena Vista.
And if you’re really feeling indulgent you can book “The Ultimate Indulgence” pairing, which combines champagne, caviar, cabernet, and chocolate. Sounds lavish!
The Chateau Buena Vista tasting room is open six days a week. They close on Tuesdays.
Every Thursday from 4-8 PM they host Happy Hour, which offers 25% off by-the-bottle and by-the-glass wines.
Here are the winery’s tasting descriptions. And here’s their Tock profile.
No Love Lost Wine Co.
PSA to all the natural wine lovers reading this post: visit this place if you’re in Napa!
No Love Lost Wine is one of Napa Valley’s best natural wine producers. They work exclusively with family-owned growers who prioritize organic and sustainable practices.
They utilize a mix of traditional and more unusual grape varieties.
Well known wines such as Napa Cabernet, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc are the backbone of this winery. But they also craft lesser-known grape varieties such as Counoise and Carignan into wonderful wines.
No Love Lost Wine Co. has a tasting room in downtown Napa. The tasting room opens at noon every day except for Tuesday (when they’re closed).
Here’s the No Love Lost Wine Co. Tock profile. Their guided tasting costs $35 per person.
Mayacamas Downtown
The Mayacamas tasting room is a great place to grab a glass of wine in downtown Napa.
It’s open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 6 PM. They’re closed Monday and Tuesday.
Tastings start at $35 per person. The Mayacamas downtown tasting room also has a variety of local cheeses that pair well with their wine.
Reservations are recommended at their downtown tasting room. But walk-ins are welcome depending on availability. Here’s a link to the Mayacamas Tock profile.
Mayacamas Winery even makes certified Kosher wine. The winemaking team works directly with their Rabbinic winemaking team to craft single vineyard expressions. It’s a very small (and very special) production.
Bazán Cellars
Bazán Cellars is the lifelong dream of Mario Bazán, who immigrated to the Napa Valley from his native Oaxaca, Mexico.
Mario honed his agricultural skills while working for prestigious wineries like Robert Mondavi Winery and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars.
Mario’s wife Gloria Bazán manages the winery’s business activities and consumer relations. Together they’ve created one of the loveliest family owned wineries in the valley.
You can sample their wellmade Cabernet Sauvignons at their downtown Napa tasting room, which has both an indoor tasting room and an outdoor patio.
The Bazán Cellars Tasting Room offers three wine tasting experiences. Each tasting includes five pours.
The “Tradition Tasting Experience” is $55 per guest. The “Legend Tasting Experience” is $85 per guest. And the “Cabernet Tasting Experience” includes both current and library wines and costs $100 per guest.
Here’s the Bazán Cellars Tasting Room reservation page, which links to their OpenTable account. The tasting room is closed Monday and Wednesday.
Quilt & Co.
Joseph Wagner is a fifth-generation winemaker born and raised in Napa Valley.
His company Quilt & Co. has four branches. There’s Belle Glos, which offers single vineyard California Pinot Noirs. His subsidiary Napa Valley Quilt specializes in Cabernet Sauvignon.
Böen focuses on “Coastal California” Pinot Noirs and Chardonnay. And Elouan looks to Oregon for its Pinot Noir grapes.
As you can see, it’s quite a range. Luckily you can sample this selection at the Quilt & Co. tasting room in downtown Napa.
The typical flight costs $55 for five wines. For an additional fee you can upgrade to Reserve wines.
Also, Quilt & Co. has the only rooftop tasting lounge in downtown Napa.
Yup, that’s right. I imagine it’s tough to get a seat on weekends. Thankfully you can reserve an outdoor table or a rooftop tasting.
Here’s the Quilt & Co. Tock profile if you’d like to secure your spot.
Kerr Cellars
Kerr Cellars is owned by professional golfer turned vintner Cristie Kerr.
This boutique winery employs a passionate team of talented people to craft Napa Valley and Sonoma County wines.
Winemaker Helen Keplinger leads the Kerr Cellars winemaking team. She oversees the creation of wines like Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, Yountville Malbec, and Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
In 2023 Vinous Media named Keplinger the “Winemaker of the Year.”
The Kerr Cellars tasting lounge in downtown Napa is a great place to grab a glass of wine. You can choose between three wine tasting experiences. The Portfolio Tasting ($50), the Terroir Tasting ($75), or the Vintner’s Select Tasting ($95).
You can book a reservation through the winery’s Visit Us page.
Shadowbox Cellars
Shadowbox Cellars makes acid-driven wines to complement food.
Chardonnay, Semillon, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon comprise the backbone of this winery.
The tasting experiences at Shadowbox Cellars are unusual. The “Salt & Acid Pairing Experience” pairs five limited production wines with “exotically flavored” potato chips. The cost is $85 per person.
The “Private Winemaker Experience” goes far beyond a traditional tasting. For this special experience winemaker Justin Preiser will host an intimate meal designed to complement his wines.
Here is the Shadowbox Cellars reservations page where you can make a booking.
Gustavo Wine
Gustavo Wine creates Old World style wines that are balanced and food friendly.
Winemaker Gustavo Brambila believes winemaking is an art form. His wines reflect his “passion, heritage and lifetime love affair with wine.”
Gustavo Wine offers four wine tasting experiences at their downtown Napa tasting room. All four experiences last for roughly 90 minutes.
The “First Flight” includes four wines for $45 per person. The “Second Flight” has five wines for $60 per person.
For $65 you can sample four Cabernets in the “Third Flight.” And the fourth option is a wine tasting with Gustavo Brambila.
The tasting room is open from 12-6 PM Wednesday through Monday (12:30 PM on Sunday). They’re closed Tuesdays.
Here’s a link to their Square site where you can make a reservation.
Similar wine regions to explore
Napa Valley is the epicenter of California wine country. If you’d like to explore more Napa wineries then check out our posts on the Napa Valley.
Our list of the best boutique wineries in Napa Valley is a great place to start if you prefer small wineries with an intimate feel. Think one-on-one chats with the winemaker and barrel tastings.
Downtown Napa is exciting and glitzy. But more casual California wine country towns have their virtues too. Our blog posts on the best wineries in Healdsburg and the best wineries in Yountville are a good place to start.
Sonoma is another popular destination in Northern California wine country. These wineries in Sonoma Square are within easy walking distance of one another. And they make fabulous natural wine and organic wine. Easy, walkable, and delicious? Say no more!
