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BELOW IS A LIST OF SMALLER, LESSER KNOWN WINERIES. MORE RECOMMENDATIONS CAN BE FOUND HERE AND HERE.
PLEASE NOTE THAT MOST WINERIES REQUIRE RESERVATIONS, WHICH SHOULD BE MADE A FEW WEEKS IN ADVANCE.
 Smith MadroneREGION: Spring Mountain REASONS TO VISIT: One of the most down-to-earth wineries you'll ever visit with a location up way up close to the sky. There are a number of different lookouts and vantage points here, so make sure to leave time to explore a little. OTHER INFO: Smith-Madrone has been making well-balanced, complex, approachable, and reasonably priced wines since the 70s. |  CadeREGION: Howell Mountain REASONS TO VISIT: Architecture, view, and tastiness. Perched high upon Napa's elusive Howell Mountain, among a dramatic hillside of Manzanita trees, the 54 acre estate is home a unique, state-of-the-art winery, and is Napa Valley's first organically farmed, LEED Gold Certified Estate Winery. OTHER INFO: Founded by Gavin Newsom and Gordon Getty. |  RegusciREGION: Stag's Leap District REASONS TO VISIT: Regusci has been farming great wines for over a century. With an historic winery building dating back to the 1870’s, Regusci Winery offers a casual experience that brings together farming, wine making, family and a pet corgi. OTHER INFO: This is one of our favorite wineries and will be included as part of the wine tasting on Saturday, May 24. |
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 Vin Roc Wine CavesREGION: Atlas Peak REASONS TO VISIT: Staggering views from the hillside pavilion, which overlooks the valleys and vineyards below Atlas Peak. The winery also includes wine caves built right into the side of the mountain. OTHER INFO: The wines are bold, big, and worthy of collecting. While you're at Atlas Peak, stop by neighbors Antica and Bialla who both have fantastic views and wines. |  Hess CollectionREGION: Mount Veeder REASONS TO VISIT: Hess Collection Winery is a producer of great Napa Valley wines and offers a display of powerful modern art. Enjoy a guided tour of the Hess Collection Art Museum followed by a tasting of their current release wines, expertly paired with three exquisite creations from Hess Collection’s Executive Chef. |  ArkenstoneREGION: Howell Mountain REASONS TO VISIT: This family-owned and operated winery is up on Howell Mountain along with Cade and Viader. The grand caves and posh insider experience is balanced by the relaxed family members who lead all tours. OTHER INFO: While you're up on Howell Mountain, stop by neighbors Viader and Cade. |
 OvidREGION: Oakville REASONS TO VISIT: Ovid is beautiful inside and out, with a vantage point overlooking the center of the Valley from the winery deck. The wines are serious, sell out every year, and are perfect for the collector seeking cult wines that are hard to make and hard to find. OTHER INFO: Ovid was built by Backen Gillam Kroeger - the same architects that built the estate where we're getting married! |  HunnicuttREGION: St. Helena REASONS TO VISIT: Family-owned, hillside winery making fabulous wines and offering custom tastings in pristine settings. Hunnicutt has caves and a casual outdoorsy vibe with bocce courts. |  QuintessaREGION: St. Helena REASONS TO VISIT: All tours and tastings are customized for visitors and include a comprehensive look at the vineyard, winemaking facility and underground caves. All tours culminate in a relaxed sit-down tasting of three vintages at a private table. |
 ScribeREGION: Carneros REASONS TO VISIT: Winters locals - Andrew and Adam Mariani - revived the storied plot of a 19th-century German winegrower that fell into disrepair after Prohibition (left to bootleggers, the land is rumored to have hosted both a brothel and a turkey farm). OTHER INFO: The bucolic tasting room is a Sonoma hot spot thanks to a hilltop picnic area. |  Nickel and NickelREGION: Oakville REASONS TO VISIT: Nickel & Nickel winery is dedicated exclusively to producing 100 percent varietal, single-vineyard wines. The winery’s collection of classic barns along with the site’s original Queen Anne-style home brings the historic farmstead back to life, while housing a cutting-edge winery capable of hand crafting up to 25 single-vineyard wines. |  Kenzo EstateREGION: Oak Knoll REASONS TO VISIT: Kenzo "combines skillfully crafted wines with a beautiful Japanese artistry and aesthetic." Wine pairings include signature dishes from Bouchon served in the lounge or on the patio for you to enjoy an extended relaxed visit. |
 Conn CreekREGION: St. Helena REASONS TO VISIT: Founded in the early 1970’s, Conn Creek was among a small group of wineries leading a renaissance of the Napa Valley, and played an important part in establishing Napa Valley’s reputation as a fine wine growing region. The winery features a Mediterranean-style building, an English garden, and a dedicated barrel room including a comprehensive blending experience. |  Opus OneREGION: Oakville REASONS TO VISIT: It's one of the most famous Napa wineries for a reason - high profile wines, iconic architecture, a picturesque wine barrel room, and top notch tours. The quiet profile of Opus One architecture blends with the natural surroundings – the vineyards and rolling hills of Napa Valley. |  Larkmead VineyardREGION: Calistoga REASONS TO VISIT: Larkmead Vineyards is nestled at one of the narrowest points of the valley floor, surrounded on all sides by vineyards and mountains. The vineyards are renowned, the winery is designed by famous architect, Howard Backen, and the wines are excellent. |
 GargiuloREGION: Oakville REASONS TO VISIT: Gargiulo Vineyards is family-owned and operated and only slightly off the beaten path. It’s fun and casual but elegant and the wines vary from collectibles to bottles that are ready to drink on the spot. Right in the center of Oakville, Garguilo has a deck/lounge with views of the valley, a flower garden that winds throughout the artistically designed property and guitars casually displayed inside that are available to play. |  ViaderREGION: St. Helena REASONS TO VISIT: Viader exemplifies the valley’s elegant, personal, private, experiences — and you'll get a beautiful view of the valley from their mountainside tasting room. This family-owned and operated winery has a range of varietals and a great reputation for their bold reds. Their Tempranillo has been garnering a lot of buzz in the valley as of late. |  VengeREGION: Calistoga REASONS TO VISIT: At Venge Vineyards has a newly- remodeled, stylish house for tastings and a brand new wine facility; but the architecture and feel remain relaxed so that you'll be comfortable no matter what your mood or attire. |
 RombauerREGION: St. Helena REASONS TO VISIT: One of our favorite wines. The tasting room is small and low key. Be sure to ask to see the views from the garden. |  Hall WinesREGION: Rutherford REASONS TO VISIT: A beautiful winery with one the most impressive wine cave in the valley. Only an art collector extraordinaire and former Ambassador to Austria could fathom the possibilities for a jaw-dropping, showcase chandelier for Hall Winery’s Rutherford caves. |  Domaine CarnerosREGION: Carneros REASONS TO VISIT: A big, French chateau in the middle of Napa Valley. This is the perfect place to start your day - with excellent guided tours, sparkling wine flights and cheese tastings on the patio. |
 Chateau BoswellREGION: St. Helena REASONS TO VISIT: Chateau Boswell Winery believes in making small quantities of premium wines. Cabernet Sauvignon was the first wine made here in 1979. They have now added many more variants to their list. Only hand labor is used in the vineyard and the estate. The farm is completely organic and sustainable agriculture is the norm. Tour and wine tasting is by appointment only, so remember to call first. The estate is pet friendly, so don't hesitate to take yours with you! |  SchramsbergREGION: Calistoga REASONS TO VISIT: Tastings include an educational tour through the historic sparkling wine caves. During your tour, your guide will share the rich history of Schramsberg and the 125 year old caves, introduce you to the classic method of producing sparkling wine, and end with a tasting of four Schramsberg wines. |  RuddREGION: Oakville REASONS TO VISIT: Rudd is a beautiful property on the corner of Oakville Crossroad and Silverado Trail near such luminaries as Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle. Food and wine entrepreneur Leslie Rudd bought the property in 1996, bringing it to prominence with the help of famous names such as former winemaker David Ramey and consulting vineyard manager David Abreu. |
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