6 Napa Wineries That Every Oenophile Should Know

Napa Valley is the heart of California's wine country. With rolling hills and a Mediterranean climate, it is ideal for growing some of the world's best grapes. Visitors might be overwhelmed by the number of vineyards to see, so this list, in no particular order, highlights some of the best producers in the region.

The #1 entry is V. Sattui Winery, a family-owned operation established in 1885 and located in St. Helena. The company sells red, white, and sparkling options, including varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel. In addition, V. Sattui sells a line of dessert wines.

Visitors can enjoy tours and tastings, and the on-site marketplace sells cheeses, charcuterie, salads, and gourmet foods to sample. The grounds have a picnicking area where guests can eat and drink comfortably.

Coming in at #2, we have Turnbull Wines. All the company's offerings are estate-grown, meaning every step of the grape growing and winemaking process is overseen by the winery. Its proprietary red blend, Bonne Vivant, is created with Syrah and Lagrein grapes grown on its Fortuna Vineyard estate.

Visitors to Turnbull can select from a few tasting experiences. One, for a more casual event, allows guests to roam the vineyard on their own. Another is a curated sampling and tour, during which a personal wine educator leads groups around. Also, there is a private space available for Turnbull members to book for an intimate, guided tasting with friends.

Next up, at #3, we have Bouchaine, the oldest continuously operating winery in Carneros. Its 2016 Estate Pinot Noir was awarded 92 points by Robert Parker Wine Advocate, and the 2016 Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay earned 94 points.

In Bouchaine's Wine Club, members enjoy exclusive perks, invitations, and discounts. They also receive the company's offerings delivered to their homes four times a year, along with notes and recipes. The vineyard has been featured in numerous media outlets, such as The Press, Wine Spectator, and Forbes.

At #4, we present Miner Family Winery, a libation-making operation tucked into the eastern hills of the Oakville appellation, inside the heart of Napa Valley. It sources grapes from a number of vineyards throughout the region, making wines such as Merlot, Malbec, and Rhone-style blends.

Miner offers several different tasting experiences for guests. Some are meant to share current releases, while others allow visitors to try their hand at blending wine after sampling some of the varietals available. There are various membership opportunities for those who wish to receive Miner's wines on a regular basis.

The #5 entry is Joseph Phelps Vineyards, a family-owned and operated winery founded in 1973. The company controls and farms hundreds of acres of grape plants on several estate vineyards in St. Helena, the Stags Leap District, Oakville, Rutherford, Oak Knoll District, Carneros, and South Napa Valley.

Phelps is best known for its flagship Napa Valley blend of red Bordeaux varietals, Insignia, first produced in 1974. Guests can enjoy a tasting on the vineyard's terrace, where a Wine Educator is present to guide groups through their selections, and food is available to pair with the libations.

Last but not least, at #6, we present St. Supery Estate Vineyards and Winery. Located in the renowned Rutherford growing region at the heart of Napa Valley, it focuses on Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and additional red Bordeaux varietals.

St. Supery's wines are 100 percent estate from grape to bottle, which means the producer has complete control over how its fruits are grown and how its libations are made from crush through bottling. The winery is Napa Green certified, meaning it follows a strict protocol of sustainability practices.