Quixote Winery

What it's like

Quixote is one of the most unusual buildings in the valley, designed by the artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, with curves, color and a living roof, and the estate's wines are made by Philippe Melka from Stags Leap District vineyards. Visits are by appointment only, seven days a week, with first appointments at 10:00am and last at 3:00pm.

The lineup scales up. The Taste of Quixote is a casual sampler of estate wines for $50 per person, about 45 minutes, for guests 21 and older. The Estate Tasting is $80, a seated, hosted session with a gourmet cheese pairing, about an hour. The Estate Tour and Tasting is $100 and adds a look at the production facility and barrel room, 75 to 90 minutes. The Food and Wine Experience is $150 per person ($90 for wine club) with seasonal culinary pairings, and the S'mores and Cabernet Experience is $110 ($30 for club) with a four-year Cabernet vertical. Both of those need at least 72 hours' notice and are for groups of two to eight.

Who it's best for

People who care about the building and the story as much as the wine, and anyone who likes Petite Sirah. The S'mores session is a playful change from a standard flight. It is a poor choice for a last-minute plan, given appointment-only rules.

What to book

Reserve through the visit page or call the winery. Pick the sampler for a short stop, the Estate Tour for the full story, and the pairing experiences if you want to linger. The winery is closed on New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, July 4th, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Plan a designated driver, rideshare or driver-guided tour.

How it fits into a day

Quixote slots in well between Odette and Baldacci or Regusci along Silverado Trail. Allow an hour or so, and head to Yountville or Napa for lunch.