An afternoon of wine tasting in Napa Valley– the stuff dreams are made of, right?  Definitely! But also a bit daunting to plan.  Who’s open when?  Which wineries are by appointment only?  Where are tastings offered in vineyard settings versus downtown tasting rooms?  With literally hundreds of options, it can be overwhelming to decide where to go.  Fortunately, living in the Bay Area, I have the opportunity to visit wine country frequently, so I’ve got you covered!  Whether you are in town on vacation or a local on a day trip, here are three wineries you can visit easily in one afternoon of wine tasting in Napa Valley.

Artesa Estate Vineyards and Winery

Artesa is one winery I love to take friends to when they are visiting the Bay Area.  Set high up on a hill with rolling vineyards below; the view from Artesa is breathtaking.  You’ll definitely want to spend some time outside, before or after your tasting.

You don’t need a reservation for their classic tasting, so I’ve dropped in several times over the years.  You get five tastes in their classic flight.  When I still mainly drank white wine, Artesa was the first place with a Merlot that I really loved.  Now that I mostly drink reds, I can appreciate their wines even more.   I visit less frequently since they’ve closed the patio and sitting areas to everyone except their wine club members- but if you’ve never been to Artesa it’s worth a visit at least once, for the solid wine selections and great photos ops.

Brown Estate Winery

I  first heard about Brown Estate  shortly after the now infamous #LaughingWhileBlack  incident on the Napa Wine Train.  I wanted to go wine tasting and hoped to support any Black owned wineries in the area.  Brown Estate, the first and only Black owned estate winery in Napa Valley had recently opened their tasting room in downtown Napa.  TK made us a reservation to check it out.  Riding the elevator to the second floor and stepping into the Brown Estate tasting room, we were welcomed into a tastefully designed and sophisticated space.

If I were to ever host a birthday party for myself, this is the type of space I envision.  Classy and refined, with some swag.  R&B music softly wafting through the space, we were the first reservation of the day and got a chance to enjoy our tasting with virtually no one else there.

A Taste for Chaos

TK and I both selected the Intro Flight and shared the cheese sampler plate; including red wine ginger snaps (yum!) and a variety of cheeses.  What stood out about this tasting was that I liked all three wines I tried.  It was at this tasting that I discovered and fell in love with Chaos Theory.  Confession time: Chaos Theory doesn’t bring out the best in me.  It makes me selfish and a little greedy.  I don’t like to open a bottle with too many people around.  Once you taste it, don’t be surprised if you only share your bottle with your closest friend or your boo- or no one at all.  You don’t judge me, I won’t judge you, deal?

That Time I Saw Angela Davis In The Restroom

I’m pretty sure this is the first time I’ve even taken pictures of the walls in a bathroom- but it felt necessary.

My initial impression was right – Brown Estate got swag, all day.  I won’t spoil the surprise for you, but there are several people immortalized in this unique wallpaper.  When you visit, take a few minutes to check it out for yourself; I was thoroughly entertained.

Andretti Winery

Andretti Winery has an old world charm and feel; ornate fountains and beautiful architectural detail, the exterior feels very much like you’ve been transported to Tuscany.

We enjoyed the five flight tasting of Napa Valley varietals on our most recent visit; including an awesome Cabernet Sauvignon.  When my preference was still sweeter dessert wines, Andretti had my favorite with their Montona Moscato.

Sit out on the patio and enjoy your wine and the view of the vineyards.  If you have the time and interest, book a tour of the property with your tasting.

Brown Lady Tips for Wine Tasting in Napa Valley

So those are my recommendations for an afternoon in Napa.   I’d suggest making a reservation for Brown Estate, the other two are fine to drop in.  I selected these three based on their proximity to one another (~10 miles from your first stop at Artesa to your last at Andretti).  Also, for the diversity of experience- you’ll get amazing views at Artesa, a refined downtown tasting at Brown, vineyards at Andretti and a variety of great wine along the way.   Some of the regions best experiences, all in one afternoon!

A few general tips to make your wine tasting experience amazing:

Don’t Forget Your Passport

If you plan more than one trip to wine country annually, you may want to consider purchasing the Napa Valley Passport.  The passport is good for two people and at any given time there are dozens of offers and discounts available from area wineries.  Complimentary or 2 for 1 tastings, discounts on wine purchases and other deals; the passport can pay for itself in one trip.  I’ve found the passport deal on Groupon and Living Social in the past, making it an even better deal.  Nearby Sonoma has a passport as well.  If you get the Napa passport and a friend gets Sonoma, you’re set for the year!

Eat Breakfast

Or brunch, but eat something substantial before you start tasting wine.  Even if you aren’t someone who usually eats in the morning, or you usually just grab coffee- not today.  Please don’t be the person who’s loud and drunk at noon, off three sips of wine.  Grab a muffin or a breakfast sandwich and a bottle of water and pace yourself, so you don’t miss out (or embarrass your friends)!

The Early Bird Gets the Wine

If you’re heading to Napa from the San Francisco area, plan to give yourself about 2 hours to get to wine country (especially on a weekend).  Traffic can be rough, especially as you get closer to Napa.   Also, be aware that wineries close relatively early (between 4-5pm).  If you want to visit about 3 wineries and take your time at each, you’ll need to be at your first stop by about 11am or noon.

There are so many amazing options in the region, I have a feeling this will be the first post of a series.  I’ll have to head back up North to do some research.   Even if it means drinking amazing wine, sitting in the sun surrounded by vineyards; I’m making that commitment.  It’s a hard job, but someone has to do it.   More itineraries to come!  If you’ve been wine tasting in Napa Valley, what are some of your favorite wineries?