Great Outdoor Tastings In Napa Valley

Napa Valley’s first LEED Gold certified estate winery, CADE Estate is nestled above the valley on Howell Mountain Road. The 54-acre property includes 21 acres planted to vine — 19 of which are dedicated to cabernet and two acres to merlot grapes. CADE also produces two sauvignon blanc wines.

Along with tasting experiences on the outdoor courtyard patio and winery terrace,  tours and tastings include a modern tasting lounge and custom-built cave. Make reservations for an outdoor tasting in Napa Valley by emailing [email protected] or calling 707.965.2746.

Originally a frog farm in the 1800s but now four decades strong, Frog’s Leap has been farming organically since 1988. Their focus on balance, restraint and respect for the terroir is essential to complementing (not forcing) nature’s efforts to grow excellent grapes. This family-friendly winery welcomes children on certain tastings, and feel free to bring a four-legged friend on a leash to enjoy the outside property alongside you. Above all, remember their motto: “Time’s fun when you’re having flies.” For a tasting, email [email protected] or call 707.963.4704.

Employing a multivineyard, multivarietal winemaking strategy, B Cellars delivers a selection of whites and reds with distinct character, depth and layers of flavors. Several tasting experiences are available; Archer’s hosts recommend the Vineyard Trek, which tours the garden, estate grounds and caves. Typically served in the Hospitality House, guests enjoy  five award-winning wines selected from our portfolio of appellation and vineyard designates and proprietary blends, along with seasonal "B Bites." To reserve this or other great outdoor tastings in Napa Valley, call 707.709.8787.

In the Oakville appellation is Gargiulo Vineyards, a trusted partner of Archer Hotel. The Gargiulo family owns two vineyards that focus on nurturing world-class cabernet sauvignon grapes. Guests tour the property and, on sunny days, taste the single vineyard estate wines on the terrace that overlooks Oakville. Owner Jeff Gargiulo has his own band, The Silverado Pickups, and his guitar gallery is in the tasting room. To set an appointment for a tasting, contact estate director Sharon Sidhu at [email protected], or call 707.944.2770.

Kenzo Tsujimoto, the owner of CAPCOM (creator of such videogame franchises as “Street Fighter” and “Resident Evil”), is also the owner of Kenzo Estate, named by Bonfort’s Wine & Spirits Journal as a “Top 100 Winery in the World.” With 3,800 acres at an altitude of 1,600 feet above the valley floor and only 150 of those acres planted to vines, Kenzo Estate is planted to Sauvignon Blanc and Bordeaux varietals. Give the aromatic rosé Yui (represents unity in Japanese) a taste. For a tasting reservation, email [email protected] or call  707.254.7572.

The second-generation brother- and sister-owned and operated Round Pond Estate lies in the Rutherford region and grows sought-after sauvignon blanc and cabernet sauvignon fruit. Weather permitting, several tasting options include the Taste of the Estate — a property tour with panoramic views of the vineyards and the Mayacamas mountains beyond, along with an olive oil tasting and a flight of our signature Round Pond wines with a cheese and charcuterie plate. An olive press is on property (Archer adores Round Pond’s varietals of olive oil). Make reservations via email at [email protected] or on roundpond.com.

The oldest winery on Pritchard Hill is the family-led Chappellet Vineyard. It was one of the first wineries to plant cover crops as a method for soil conservation and erosion prevention. An acclaimed producer of cabernet sauvignon, their portfolio also include chardonnay, chenin blanc, merlot and cabernet franc. Tours begin in the cellar before moving outdoors to see the organic vineyards and outstanding views of Lake Hennessey and beyond. For a tasting, email [email protected] or call 707.286.4219.