Napa from Above: Tasting with a View

Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Tucked into the hills east of St. Helena, Joseph Phelps offers one of the valley’s most serene places to sip. Its terrace looks out over sweeping vineyards to the rolling hills beyond. Settle in as the light shifts across the vines and taste the wines that made the estate famous, above all Insignia, the celebrated Bordeaux-style blend first released in 1974. It’s a reminder of why Phelps helped shape modern Napa Valley. With the view stretching to the horizon, every glass feels like a moment to savor slowly

Rombauer Vineyards
High on a pine-shaded hilltop just north of St. Helena, Rombauer feels like a peaceful retreat above the valley floor. Winding garden paths lead past sculptures and quiet corners to spots with sweeping views of vineyards and mountains. The family’s legendary Chardonnay, rich, creamy and generous, tastes even better in the dappled shade of the pines. It’s a place to slow down, breathe in the mountain air and let the valley unfold below you.

Chateau Montelena
At the northern tip of the valley, near Calistoga, Chateau Montelena pairs history with one of Napa’s most enchanting settings. Behind the 1880s stone chateau lies Jade Lake, a tranquil Chinese-inspired garden with willows, footbridges and small islands reflected in still water. It’s a dreamlike spot to pause after tasting the wines that put Napa on the world map. Montelena’s 1973 Chardonnay famously triumphed at the 1976 Judgment of Paris, defeating France’s finest white Burgundies. Strolling the lake’s edge with that story in mind makes a visit truly unforgettable.