Chateau Montelena

What it's like

Chateau Montelena sits at the northern end of Napa Valley, close to Calistoga, in a historic stone chateau. Tastings are seated and run in small groups, with a maximum of eight guests per experience, and the winery also welcomes walk-ins for its simplest option.

Who it's best for

Cabernet and Chardonnay drinkers, history buffs, and visitors who want a choice between a quick stop and a longer, guided visit. Everyone tasting must be 21 or older and pre-paid.

What to book

The menu is broad:

• A Taste of Montelena: $65 per person, about 45 minutes, seated at a communal bar in the Chateau. It is also available as a walk-in daily from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Story Behind the Bottle: $75 per person, about 60 minutes, using projection mapping and historical imagery to tell the estate story
• Explore Ageability: $95 per person, about 75 minutes, with library and current wines
• The Montelena Estate Collection: $125 per person, about 90 minutes, a comparative tasting of four Estate Cabernet vintages
• Estate Walking Tour & Tasting: $85 per person, about 90 minutes, and a Vineyard Tour & Tasting at $110
• Legacy in the Glass: $300 per person, private, about 90 minutes

Prices exclude sales tax, and many fees are credited with a qualifying purchase or membership.

Tasting hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, and the winery closes on some holidays and private-event dates, so check current times on their site before you go. Plan on a designated driver or rideshare.

How it fits into a day

It is a comfortable 45 minutes from downtown Napa, so make it a destination rather than a quick add-on. Book a late-morning slot, then have lunch in Calistoga. Sterling Vineyards and Schramsberg are both nearby.