UNIQUE
They do things a little different here.
JCB Yountville
There is nothing Jean Charles Boisset does, that doesn't reflect him and his flashy ways to a T. Excessive? Yes. Fabulous? Absolutely. Too much? eh, maybe sometimes - but we LOVE it. JCB turned some proverbial heads when he opened his first tasting room and atelier in Yountville. It's glitzy, glamorous, and looks like a combination of the Moulin Rouge and Mariah Carey's dressing room. For you ladies and gentleman looking for a little more sparkle in your glass (and life for that matter), head to JCB for some well deserved fun.
MEMENTO MORI
The Memento Mori tasting room in downtown Napa is a departure from the white-washed, sliding barn doors and modern farmhouse aesthetic we're used to seeing in the valley. But it's a welcome one. Guests can expect a little COA (Champagne on Arrival) as well as a comfy, industrial chic interior to get to know the wines. Though Memento Mori is translated from Latin as “Remember That You Will Die," the founders of the mega-hit winery have their own translation: Remember To Live."
Since launching in 2010, the wines of Memento Mori have seen nothing but critical praise. Their flagship blends prized sites from Beckstoffer's heritage vineyards - Beckstoffer Las Piedras and Dr. Crane - as well as a few others like Vine Hill Ranch and Oakville Ranch. Under the direction of winemaker Sam Kaplan, both the flagship and their new single vineyard bottlings are among the most sought after in Napa Valley. The wines are on the pricier side at around $225, but well worth the splurge if you can find the extra coin.
silver trident
Ralph Lauren and a winemaker walk into bar. For the person looking to redesign his/her home interior whilst having a fabulous Napa Valley wine tasting, look no further than Silver Trident. A beautifully designed showroom featuring the latest in the Ralph Lauren home collection, a private parlor to taste custom bites by the private chef designed to pair perfectly with the Silver Trident wine, and an upstairs space where you can pick our your new living room with an interior designer, raise your hand if that sounds amazing. You know who are.
Clif family winery - velo vino
For the cycling enthusiast, food-truck loving, I'm not super into fancy wine tasting traveler. From the people that brought you Cliff bars (yes THOSE cliff bars), welcome to Velo Vino. Park your bike on the rack and get in line at the Bruschetteria truck, conveniently (and almost permanently) parked next to the less mobile tasting room. Order up, you guessed it, some bruschetta and grab a coconut water from inside to rehydrate. You'll want to eat lunch on the shaded back patio, but afterward head inside to grab some cycling gear, gels, goos, water and of course, a quick wine tasting at the wine bar. Welcome to Napa.