Napa Valley Hidden Wineries

View at Buehler Vineyards

Believe it or not, there are some hidden wineries in the Napa Valley. It is hard to escape the crowds when visiting the Napa Valley especially on weekends. These wineries of the Napa Valley are sure to be less touristy. Some of these wineries are open by appointment only but don't let that discourage you. They love to have visitors and will make you feel at home. There are several other hidden wineries in the Napa Valley but these are our favorites.

Tips for your Napa Valley Wine Tour

You are encouraged to have a designated driver. Consider hiring a limousine or van service.

First time to a winery in Napa? Find out what happens in a typical tasting room.

Are you wondering about how to taste wine? Wine Tasting Techniques

Most wineries in the Napa Valley charge a tasting fee. Expect to pay $10 or more to taste. Two people can always elect to share a tasting.

Plan a picnic lunch. This is one of wine country’s greatest pleasures.

If you cannot picnic, enjoy a delicious lunch at one of Napa Valley’s many fine restaurants.

We list premium lodging and budget lodging.

Pace yourself and make a day of wine tasting. Don't forget your camera.

Visiting three wineries in one day is enough to you keep you busy and content with the slow and easy pace of wine country.

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Winery Descriptions, Driving Directions, Tasting Room Hours

Trefethen Family Vineyards
Now in its third generation of ownership, this winery remains one of Napa Valley's best kept secrets. Perhaps because the winery is located at the very south end of the Valley and on a crossroad, many tourists miss this winery. The tasting room is amazing, located on the ground floor of the Trefethen winery built in 1866. It is designated as a National Historic Landmark. The wines are all well made but we think the Dry Estate Riesling is an absolutely fantastic bargain wine. The Cabernets are also terrific. This is a first class winery.

Tasting Room is open 10 to 4:30, 707-255-7700
Trefethen

Elyse Winery
The Elyse Winery is on Hoffman Lane on the west side of Highway 29 as you near Yountville. If you are traveling north from Napa, you will probably miss Hoffman Lane. That's a good thing because it is a dangerous left turn to get to Hoffman and Elyse on the west side of Highway 29. For safety sake, we encourage visitors to forget the left turn and instead exit a mile ahead at the first Yountville exit. Turn under the freeway and get back on Highway 29 going south. Technically, the winery is open by appointment only but will take visitors just about any time between 10 and 5. The owners are Ray Coursen and his wife Nancy. Ray does the winemaking and makes delicious red wines. One of our favorites is the Nero Mista, a blend of red varietals that makes a very food friendly and balanced wine.

Tasting room open daily by appointment only, 707-944-2900
E-mail: info@elysewinery.com, Elyse

Tres Sabores
Julie Johnson is the owner and winemaker of this secret and hidden winery near the base of the Mayacamus Mountains. You will need to call ahead to make an appointment and chances are Julie will lead you on a vineyard tour and have you taste her wonderful wines. Julie's Cabernet and Zinfandel vineyards are certified organic. You will see bat and owl houses, cover plants, and other sustainable farming practices. This a great trip out to the ranch and something you will not soon forget.

Tasting room is open by appointment only, 707-967-8027
E-mail: jaj@tressabores.com, Tres Sabores

Diamond Oaks Winery
This used to be the home of Robert Mondavi's winery called La Famiglia. Dinesh Maniar, a long-time San Franciscan who slowly accumulated some of the best vineyards in the area, owns the winery. The Diamond Oaks vineyards total 550 acres in four wine growing regions. The tasting room is beautiful with a large open area and views of the valley below. The tasting fee is $7 for four wines. The picnic area is secluded and absolutely beautiful. Purchase a bottle of the mildly oaked Carneros Chardonnay and enjoy it with your picnic lunch.

Tasting room is open daily 10 to 5, 707-948-3010
E-mail: info@diamond-oaks.com, Diamond Oaks

Summers Winery
Summers Winery is a small family-owned winery located at the very north end of the Napa Valley on Tubbs Lane. Summers has a very inviting picnic area that includes a Bocce Ball court. Two wines in particular standout at Summers Winery, the Charbono and the Petite Sirah. The Charbono grape used to be abundant in California but now there more than 100 acres of Charbono vineyards in California. This is a very food friendly red wine. The second wonderful wine is the Petite Sirah from Knights Valley. This is a big wine that is full of flavors.

Tasting room is open daily 10:30 to 4:30 , 707-942-5508
E-mail: beth@summerswinery.com, Summers

Chappellet Winery
Chappellet winery is one of those wonderful hidden wineries and a secret place that remains largely an undiscovered treasure in the Napa Valley. The location is off the beaten path on the eastern mountains of the Napa Valley and open by appointment only, so visitors tend not to flock to the Chappellet Winery. Chappellet is located near Hennessey Lake on Highway 128 about three miles east of the Silverado Trail. The views are fantastic. Chappellet is best known for its Cabernet Sauvignon grown on the estate hillside vineyard known as Pritchard Hill. If you would like to visit Chappellet, call the winery or visit their Web site to reserve a scheduled tour spot.

Tasting room is by appointment only Mon. - Fri. by reservation at 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., and on Sat. and Sun. by reservation at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., 1-800-494-6379 ex. 4270.
E-mail: toursandtastings@chappellet.com, Chappellet

Buehler Vineyards
You won't find too many visitors at Buehler because the winery is open by appointment only and the winery's location is at the base of Howell Mountain, some six miles in from the Silverado Trail. Don't let this stop you from visiting, the views are breathtaking and the wines are a great value. The winery has 55 acres of hillside vineyards planted with Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. The Cab and the Zin are priced very fairly and taste twice as good as many Napa wines at twice the price.

Tasting room open by appointment only, 707-963-2155
E-mail:buehlers@pacbell.net, Buehler