Hagafen Cellars

Hagafen is a small, owner-run estate on the Silverado Trail just outside the city of Napa, and the tasting setup is refreshingly simple: you book a private table on an outdoor patio, with Cabernet Sauvignon vines in front of you. Ernie Weir, who owns the place, makes the wine and manages the vineyard, and the brand dates to 1979, with the Silverado Trail property bought in 1986. He is on the site as Don Ernesto, and the winery says guests may even run into him.

What it is like: a garden-side tasting rather than a big hospitality complex. Each visit starts with a splash of sparkling wine, and your host talks you through the flight and the winery's story. The walls inside carry artwork by Irit Weir. The site calls the setting dog friendly (on leash) and family friendly, and it invites you to bring your own snacks, which makes it an easy stop for a relaxed afternoon.

Who it suits: groups who want an unhurried seat in the vines rather than a standing bar, visitors curious about a long-running family winery, and anyone who likes the idea of tasting reds and a few whites and rosés in one sitting. The site also notes that Hagafen has been served at the White House since 1981, which gives you something to ask about.

What to book: tastings are offered daily by appointment through Tock. The Signature Tasting runs four rotating wines, red, white and rosé, for $45 per person. The Reserve Reds tasting focuses on four limited-production reds for $55 per person. Groups of seven or more can book a set menu of four wines at $55 per person plus a service fee, offered at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Club members get complimentary tastings four times a year for up to four guests.

How it fits into a day: you are on the Silverado Trail, so it is a natural pairing with other estates along the road, and a short drive back to downtown Napa for dinner. Arrange a designated driver, a rideshare or a driver-guided tour before you start tasting.