Wine country’s elegant tasting salons and rolling vineyard estates offer everything a wine lover could want on a Napa Valley group wine tour: world-class art collections, artisanal food pairings, and of course, boundless natural beauty.
What many visitors may not know is that the Napa Valley is divided into different regions. Each AVA (that’s American Viticultural Area) within Napa Valley produces distinct wines with regional nuances and flavors. This has to do with terroir—the soil itself, the microclimate of the region, and the topography of the vineyards–among other factors.
One of our favorite AVAs is Calistoga, a hidden gem to the north of historic St. Helena. Tucked into redwood forests, under gorgeous mountain views, Calistoga offers a variety of wineries and tasting experiences sure to satisfy everyone on your Napa Valley group wine tour. Join Dynamic Wine Tours for a quick virtual tour of Calistoga’s top wineries!
Chateau Montelena
1429 Tubbs Ln
Calistoga, CA 94515
(707) 942-5105
Perhaps the most famous winery in the region (and some might say in all of the Napa Valley), Chateau Montelena is a landmark of the area’s history and of American winemaking. The winery’s Chardonnay beat out French wines at an important international tasting in Paris back in 1976, which made California a respected producer world-wide. The historic Chateau is now the tasting room, where your Napa Valley group wine tour can select from several menus. Or choose from other options like the Vineyard Tour, where a wine educator takes your group through the vines to discuss how the grapes are grown. Learn a little, and enjoy the views a lot! With an extensive wine portfolio, Chateau Montelena is a great choice for group tours made up of lovers of red and white wines alike.
Tamber Bey Vineyards
1251 Tubbs Ln
Calistoga, CA 94515
(707) 942-2100
Tamber Bey Vineyards is part of the Sundance Ranch, a world-class equestrian facility, and the tasting room is located in the former barn clubhouse. Your Napa Valley group wine tour is welcome to visit the horses while they sip Tamber Bey’s classic Bordeaux and Burgundy varietals. The property also boasts spectacular views of Mt. St. Helena and the Palisades, which you can enjoy during your choice of tastings and tours. But whichever you choose, don’t forget to add the winery’s signature cookie tasting to your flight of wines!
Laura Michaels
2250 Lake County Hwy
Calistoga, CA 94515
(707) 942-9251
The handcrafted wines of Laura Michaels live up to their namesake! Michaels has coordinated everything from grape sourcing to running the winery since its founding in 1999, and today she participates in all aspects of winemaking. Each (very) limited, vintage showcases amazing Napa Valley wines, including high-scoring Cabernet Sauvignons. Because the production is so small, tastings are by appointment only, so be sure to plan ahead for this special stop on your Napa Valley group wine tour.
Dutch Henry Winery
4310 Silverado Tr
Calistoga, CA 94515
(707) 942-5771
If your Napa Valley group wine tour wants an escape with a touch of whimsy, then you can’t miss Dutch Henry! The popular barrel cave is ideal for aging their premium Napa Valley wines, and owner and winemaker Scott Chafen admits, “There is a Hobbit in all of us who loves to be underground.” The gorgeous estate winery is also home to a coterie of four-legged helpers who patrol the bocce courts and vineyards, and welcome guests on their tastings and tours. And there are plenty of tasting and tour options to choose from. Our favorite is the Reserve Tour and Tasting, which includes a barrel tasting and a seated tasting inside the cave itself!
Calistoga has many great wines and destinations, and we’d love to share them with you. Join Dynamic Wine Tours to visit these estates and others on your Napa Valley group wine tour! . If these wineries sound like places you’d like to experience for yourself, call us on (707) 252-2300 or get in touch with us on our website here today to build the best Napa Valley wine tour.
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