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The 15 Best Wineries in Calistoga
Sweeping views of Napa Valley at sunset. Photo Courtesy of Bennett Lane Winery
Nestled away at the northern end of Napa Valley, just outside of Sonoma County, Calistoga is known as “Spa Heaven.” Relaxation-seeking visitors come from all over the world to experience the mud baths, massages, facials, and body treatments offered at dozens of spas and resorts in the area.
Now, what would a spa weekend be without some wine? Lucky for you, this idyllic town is also famous for its wines. The Calistoga AVA has one of the warmest climates in the Napa Valley, offset by cool nights thanks to breezes from the Pacific Ocean drawn in through the Chalk Hill mountain gap. The result? World-class wines that visitors can taste at the many welcoming tasting rooms throughout the region. Here are our top 15 must-visit wineries in Calistoga.
Photos Courtesy of Tamber Bey Vineyards
Tamber Bey Vineyards is part-winery, part equestrian facility in a gorgeous Napa Valley setting. Located at the Sundance Ranch in Calistoga, a 22-acre equestrian center, the winery itself was once a riding arena. It now features state-of-the-art winemaking facilities and a crush pad with 36 fermentation tanks built for vineyard-designate wines. This means you can sip world-class wines while you visit with resident horses and maybe even see them in action.
Insider Tip: Opt for the Savory Wine Tasting & Cookie Pairing Experience when you book your tasting and ask to try their signature cookies to nibble on creations like the “Lemon Loop,” “Cardamom Crunch,” and “Triple Threat,” all dreamed up to pair with each Tamber Bey wine.
1251 Tubbs Lane, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 942-2100
Housed in the property’s original yellow Craftsman house, Frank Family Vineyards has one of the most welcoming tasting rooms in the Napa Valley. Tastings take place on the inviting back patio, shaded estate courtyard, or in a private room at the Craftsman house. They also offer six different types of wine clubs to join, from varietal-specific to reserve, and everything in between.
Insider Tip: In addition to their lineup of still wines, including their signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Frank Family Vineyards also produces four different styles of sparkling wine worth exploring.
1091 Larkmead Lane, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 942-0859
When Canard Vineyard owners Rich and Carolyn Czapleski first purchased the 25-acre historic property in 1983, they were guided by the simple philosophy that “If you take care of the vines, the vines will take care of you.” This approach has allowed them to not only craft thoughtfully-produced single-vineyard wines that truly speak of the land from which they come, but also create a magical wine haven in the heart of Napa Valley. Wine lovers will swoon over Canard Vineyard‘s selection of premium wines made from sustainably-grown, dry farmed grapes, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and other Bordeaux varieties.
Insider Tip: Private tastings are by reservation only, which you can book directly with the winery. Be sure to taste one of Canard’s single-vineyard Cabs and one of their Zins, which contain fruit from their historic dry-farmed vines which were planted over 135 years ago.
1016 Dunaweal Lane, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 942-1149
This small-production winery specializes in Bordeaux varietals, all estate grown on their nearby two-acre vineyard. While highly allocated, vintner and artist Laurie Shelton’s wines are available to taste at her downtown studio and tasting room, CAMi Art + Wine, where her passions for contemporary art and wine come together in one chic, modern space.
Insider Tip: Laurie curates a collection of new art works several times a year, hosting artist receptions and art and dinner events. Good to know, if you fancy yourself a wine and art afficionado.
1333B Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 709-6889
This stunning 75-acre property, situated at an elevation of 850 feet and surrounded by forests, is a memorable place to taste Teachworth‘s noteworthy Cabernet wines, offering pristine views of Mount St. Helena and Napa Valley. Make an appointment for the 90-minute tasting, led by Winemaker Taylor Berkley Boydstun, to enjoy an in-depth exploration of their long history with Cabernet.
Insider Tip: For a fully immersive experience, book a stay at one of the three on-site guest houses, offering luxury amenities, peaceful surroundings, and, of course, sweeping views. The only caveat is that overnight stays are available to members only.
4451 St. Helena Highway, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 942-8432
This well-known property, located 300 feet above the town of Calistoga, offers some of the best views of NapaValley. Sterling Vineyards was inspired by Greek architecture and you’ll notice a distinctly Mediterranean feel to the arched bell towers and white washed walls of this property—Sterling’s founder, Peter Newton, once lived in Mykonos after all. While the design may be influenced by Greece, the wine is all Bordeaux. Fun fact: Sterling was the first California winery to produce vintage-dated Merlot.
Insider Tip: Wine lovers can take to the skies above Wine Country with Sterling Vineyards’ unique gondola experience. All tours and tasting options include a ride to reach the hilltop winery, offering great vistas of Napa Valley’s Calistoga from all angles.
1111 W Dunaweal Lane, Calistoga, CA 94515, (800) 726-6136
They call themselves “The friendliest tasting room in the Napa Valley.” We’d be pretty friendly too if we had racked up as many 90+ rated wines as Bennet Lane has. Bennett Lane specializes in classic Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as Chardonnay and a tasty red blend called “Maximus” that includes a touch of Syrah, Merlot, and Malbec against a Cabernet base.
Insider Tip: Bennett Lane offers two levels for their wine club, including the ‘Date Night Duo,’ two bottles shipped every other month, and the ‘Emperor’s Society,’ which includes access to Reserve wines and special Cabernets.
3340 CA-128, Calistoga, CA 94515, (877) 629-6272
This small, family-owned winery was founded by Brian Arden, who ventured to Calistoga from Orange County in 2008 on the quest to make quality, boutique Napa Valley wine. While only a few years old, the picturesque winery, nestled along the Silverado Trail, has earned loyal fans for its welcoming hospitality and small-production Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc wines.
Insider Tip: Brian Arden has its own garden and dedicated chef, so don’t miss the winery’s spectacular 5-Course Farm-to-Table Wine & Food Experience, featuring a walking tour and several courses of seasonal delights paired with wine.
331 Silverado Trail, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 942-4767
Housed in a 1930s-era service station with vintage Americana décor, this winery is one of the hippest in Calistoga. Tank Garage Winery specializes in one-off, limited release California wine blends, with labels that deserve a gallery of their own, created from collaborations with photographers, tattoo artists, designers, and unique brands. Rumor has it there’s even a backroom speakeasy at the winery.
Insider Tip: In 2019, the winery launched an initiative called Tank Cares. Purchase something from this online collection of wine, cool clothing, and tunes on vinyl, and know that a portion of the profits go toward a charitable cause. Since 2019, Tank Cares has raised over $85,000.
1020 Foothill Boulevard, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 942-8265
Seth Cripe left his Florida hometown and drove to Napa Valley at 17 to pursue his dream of becoming a winemaker. In 2008, he established LOLA with the goal of making world-class wines “of purity and soul” at reasonable prices. Today, this boutique winery sources top quality fruit from various appellations throughout Napa and Sonoma to pour for guests at their welcoming tasting room, “The LOLA House,” in downtown Calistoga.
Insider Tip: Try LOLA’s spectacular Artisan Series Cabernet Sauvignon, only available directly from the winery. In case you need another reason to visit, the winery was named one of the Top 16 Wineries to Visit in Napa Valley by the SF Chronicle, so they’re obviously doing a few things right.
916 Foothill Boulevard, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 342-0623
This Diamond Mountain property features not only breathtaking panoramic views but also one of the most historically significant cluster of buildings dating back to the 1800s. Owners Kisha and Jason Itkin have worked to integrate as much of this history as possible, while also building a state-of-the-art winery and tasting salon.
Insider Tip: Theorem tapped legendary Napa Valley winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown to create world-class wines that express the character of the sites and soils in which the fruit is grown. Theorem’s “Hawk’s Prey,” a single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, and their Diamond Mountain Merlot, are some of the finest examples of this vision come to life.
255 Petrified Forest Road, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 942-4254
Founded in 1895, the Larkmead estate is one of the oldest family-owned properties in The Napa Valley. Each and every tasting experience is personalized and unique, taking place on the tranquil patio, and includes an in-depth tasting of Larkmead’s lineup of truly stunning premium wines.
Insider Tip: Larkmead’s flagship wine, “Solari” Cabernet Sauvignon, pays homage to owner Kate Solari Baker’s parents Larry and Polly Solari, who purchased the estate in 1948. The wine reflects the remarkable terroir of one single plot of vines, and is considered one of the finest expressions of Napa Valley cabernet.
1100 Larkmead Lane, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 942-0167
This family-owned and operated winery overlooking the Palisades is less than five minutes from downtown Calistoga. The family firmly believes winemaking starts in the vineyard—through the soil, climate, and grape growers—and Amici wines reflect the painstaking care taken in each plot of land through to the final product in the glass.
Insider Tip: Amici offers two tiers of wine club memberships. Both offer access to both Reserve and Vineyard Designated wines.
3130 Old Lawley Toll Road, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 967-9560
While Napa Valley is indeed famous for its amazing Cabernet Sauvignon, there are also some gorgeous sparkling wines to be found. For over 50 years, Schramsberg—“America’s House of Sparkling Wine”—has been crafting classic method bubbly as well as still wines. The property features candlelit 130-year-old caves that house up to 2.7 million bottles of aging sparkling wine, which are a bit eerie and a bit romantic at the same time.
Insider Tip: Sign up for one of the winery’s “camp” programs and join other wine enthusiasts from around the country for a three-day, hands-on, totally immersive behind-the-scenes look at how Schramsberg sparkling wines are made from vineyard to glass.
1400 Schramsberg Road, Calistoga, CA 94515, (800) 877-3623
Legend has it that the word “elusa” was used by the original inhabitants of Calistoga to signify keeping ahold of something precious. When this boutique Napa Valley winery landed on the name Elusa, their goal was to communicate their commitment to producing minimal intervention wines that protect and respect their vineyard origins. Elusa was founded on the belief that “Locally-sourced goods should remain native and pure.” This philosophy informs everything about the winery, from the property’s rustic-modern design that connects architectural elements to natural surroundings, to the portfolio of world-class wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Sauvignon Blanc.
Insider Tip: Level up your wine tasting experience by booking a private, curated tasting. This exclusive experience will give you a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into making Elusa wines through a guided vineyard and winemaking facility tour, as well as a tasting of Elusa’s wines, including rare and library selections.
400 Silverado Trail, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 403-6644
Conclusion:
Sure, Calistoga charms with hot springs and beautiful scenery, but its world-class wines shouldn’t be overlooked. Whether you’re soaring above the vineyards, savoring a glass of bubbly, or discovering exclusive wines not found on supermarket shelves, each of these 15 Calistoga wineries promises a memorable Calistoga experience.
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