One might think that it would be easy to taste wine in Napa Valley at almost all hours of the day, but while there are lots of bars and restaurants that offer excellent wines by the glass and bottle, “last call” for tours and wine tastings at most Napa wineries is well before the sun sets over the vineyards.

Still, if you’re not much of a daytime drinker or are looking to keep tasting Napa Valley wines into the late afternoon/early evening, there are a few excellent wineries and tasting rooms where you can snag a reservation (or even walk in) until at least 5:30 p.m., including one that’s open until midnight.

PEJU Winery

If you want to taste most of this small family-owned winery’s estate-grown wines, including the popular Cabernet Franc, you have to either join their wine club or visit the winery’s tasting room. The latter sits inside one of the more recognizable buildings in Napa Valley, a copper-roofed, stone-faced building with a 50-foot tower at the end of a Sycamore tree-lined driveway and surrounded by gorgeous gardens with meandering walkways and outdoor sculptures. (Be sure to make time for a self-guided tour.) Reservations are recommended for all wine tastings and pairings, which are seated, with the last one offered at 5 p.m.

8466 St. Helena Highway, Rutherford, CA 94573, (707) 963-3600

Arch & Tower

Part of the larger Robert Mondavi Estate, Arch & Tower is the legendary wine label’s newest addition (and the only place to taste from the Mondavi portfolio while the iconic winery undergoes renovations this year and next). Located in the center of downtown Napa, Arch & Tower serves as a spot for unique events and experiences with beautiful views overlooking the river. Tastings include the Napa Exploration, The Taste of To Kalon, and The Legend Lunch, all paired with a select menu of everything from small bites to three course meals, depending on which option you choose. Arch & Tower is open daily, although their schedule does vary seasonally. Hours are from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm and tastings are only available by appointment until 4:00 pm. Some tastings, like The Taste of To Kalon, can only be reserved until 2:45.

930 3rd Street, Napa, CA 94559, (888) 766-6328, ext. 2

Lithology, The Lounge

Alejandro Bulgheroni, the mastermind behind Lithology, has brought together an all-star team to craft small-lot wines from esteemed vineyards throughout Oakville, Rutherford, and St. Helena. Explore the stunning portfolio of wines at the brand’s downtown tasting room and bar, known as The Lounge. Here, you can get a taste of the winery’s precision and care, with the last tasting starting at 4:30 pm (the tasting room is open until 6 pm).

1040 Main Street, #101, Napa, CA 94559, (707) 690-9923

Domaine Carneros

There is nothing quite like sitting on the terrace of the Château at Domaine Carneros while sipping sparkling wine and looking out at the vine-covered vineyard hills of Napa Valley’s Carneros AVA. It is truly an idyllic Napa Valley experience, especially when paired with caviar, crème fraîche, and potato chips. Reservations (available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) are required, and the last pour is at 5:00 p.m. Be sure to give yourself time to tour the beautiful formal gardens as they are truly spectacular.

1240 Duhig Road, Napa, CA 94559, (800) 716-2788

Alpha Omega Collective

Three very different wineries collide to form the Alpha Omega Collective in downtown Napa. Vintners Robin and Michelle Baggett pride themselves on producing the best varietals from across the world—including Burgundian wines at SLO’s Tolosa, Bordeaux-inspired wines at Napa’s Alpha Omega, and Mediterranean reds from Perinet in Spain’s Priorat. Select from three different tasting options, including their Signature Flight ($50), Curated Flight ($75), and Flagship Flight ($100). Not interested in a full tasting? They also offer wine by the bottle and glass. Should you start to get a bit snacky (don’t we all during a wine tasting?), Alpha Omega Collective encourages sippers to order from The Dutch Door, their next door neighbors who focus on sustainably made and locally sourced American classics. Tastings are by reservation only and run from noon until 7:00 p.m.

1245 First Street, Napa, CA 94559, (707) 294-6960

Acumen Wine

Perched on the slopes of Napa Valley’s Atlas Peak, Acumen crafts mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. Guided by famed Winemaker Phillip Titus, these wines express Napa’s mountain terroir through their small production PEAK wines and their vibrant and alluring Mountainside wines. Acclaimed for their beauty, balance, and age-worthiness, you can try these wines at the Acumen Wine Gallery in downtown Napa. Reservations are required and the tasting room is open Thursday through Monday until 6 p.m. (and Tuesday and Wednesday by appointment)—perfect timing for enjoying a late afternoon glass before dinner.

1315 First Street, Napa, CA 94559, (707) 492-8336

Louis M. Martini

This historic St. Helena winery is best known for being one of the first wineries to open in Napa Valley after Prohibition and has built a reputation around its world-class Cabernet Sauvignon. The renovated historic winery has large glass walls that let in tons of natural light from outside, as well as one behind the Crown Bar in the main tasting room that offers wine tasters a view into the expansive oak barrel room. Louis M. Martini offers food pairings, an underground cellar experience, and cabana tastings, but that aforementioned bar is where guests who want to taste wine in the late afternoon will be. The winery is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week, and reservations are required with the last one at 4 p.m.

254 St. Helena Highway S, St. Helena, CA 94574, (707) 968-3362

Priest Ranch Winery

This Napa Valley winery is known for adventurous yet approachable wine made with minimal intervention. The tasting room is located in the heart of Yountville and features a large oak table and floors made with wood from the ranch, as well as a glass, temperature-controlled wine fridge that holds over 1,000 bottles. Walk-ins are welcome, and reservations are available until 6 p.m. (although if you want to explore something unique and pair your wines with bacon, the last reservation for that guest experience is 4:30 p.m.).

6490 Washington Street, Yountville, CA 94599, (707) 944-8200

John Anthony Vineyards

It’s somewhat difficult to find a place to taste wine after dinner in Wine Country, but at John Anthony Vineyards’ tasting lounge in the heart of downtown Napa, you can enjoy late night tastings. Sample the popular small-production Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon from the outdoor patio, in the tasting room, and in the private Reserve Room until 10 p.m., Sunday – Wednesday, and midnight on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. You can walk in, but reservations are encouraged.

1440 1st Street, Napa, CA 94559, (707) 265-7711

St. Clair Brown Winery & Brewery

In the event that there is someone in your group who doesn’t enjoy wine, or if you just want your furry friend to join you, this pet-friendly winery AND brewery is the place to go. Located in the Rail Arts District of Napa proper, St. Clair Brown’s greenhouse tasting room is the only place to get your hands on their hand-crafted wines and beers, which are produced in extremely limited quantities – best enjoyed with small garden-inspired share plates. Tasting reservations are available from noon until 6 p.m. Friday through Monday. Private bookings are also available from Tuesday through Thursday.

816 Vallejo Street, Napa, CA 94559, (707) 255-5591

In Napa Valley, “cult” associations aren’t necessarily a negative thing—in regards to wines and wineries that is. The label of cult wineries is often thrown around in the Valley as an elite title reflecting a winery with limited production of high quality wines and a dedicated following. Many of these cult wineries sell out of their vintages in days and have years-long waiting lists for memberships. Oh, and because of these traits, high price points are a standard of cult wines.

As we said, cult isn’t necessarily a negative term here in the Valley, but there are some winemakers and vintners who shy away from it because of what the expression has come to encompass. On the other end of the spectrum, consumers revel in the term, especially if they’re able to access some of these cult wines. Regardless of your opinion, however, cult wineries exist and are very much a symbol of Napa Valley (though there are cult wineries around the world, too). Below are 10 cult wineries in Napa Valley you should know about, including a few rising stars quickly joining the cult ranks.

Lithology

Lithology pays tribute to the study of Napa Valley’s unique geographic history lending itself to the region’s unmistakeable terroir. Most famed for their Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from their 13-acre vineyard under the Alejandro Bulgheroni Estate in St. Helena, Lithology also produces single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc sourced from the highly sought after plots of Beckstoffer Dr. Crane, Beckstoffer Las Piedras, and Beckstoffer To Kalon. The Estate recently added a tiny block of Sauvignon Blanc that is sure to be a cult hit of its own in seasons to come.

500 Meadowood Lane, St. Helena, CA 94574, (707) 963-6015

Screaming Eagle

No list of cult wines would be complete without pointing to Screaming Eagle, a label that’s considered to pioneer the category in the late 90s. Though cult status wasn’t the intention of Jean Phillips, who founded the brand in 1986, the wine’s notoriety has only compounded since its first 100 points by Robert Parker in 1997 (rating their very first vintage from 1992). The flagship Cabernet Sauvignon is traditionally blended with tiny amounts of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. You may find a stray bottle on the market selling in the range of thousands of dollars (their 2019 vintage starts at $3,899), however, the winery openly discourages resale from its exclusive members’ list.

Oakville, (707) 944-0749

Scarecrow

A minimalist label showcasing a household icon, Scarecrow pays homage to the original owner’s ranch where its ultra-premium Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are grown—JJ Cohn was Chief of Production at MGM during Hollywood’s ‘golden era’ and played an essential role in the production of The Wizard of Oz. While Scarecrow recognizes the eponymous, loveable character it’s also a symbol of prideful, American agriculture. The single-vineyard release sees no more than 2,000 cases bottled per vintage and is only available to mailing list members on a first-come, first-serve basis with no allocations.

Rutherford, (707) 963-3361

Stony Hill

Established in 1952, this storied Spring Mountain estate is more known for its white wines than its reds—quite unusual for wineries in Napa Valley. In fact, it’s been referred to as America’s greatest white wine estate. In 2009, the secluded winery started adding estate-grown Cabernet Sauvigonon and Merlot to its portfolio, but continued only selling its limited-production, cult-status wines through a mailing list. It wasn’t until recent years that Stony Hill started welcoming people to its exclusive property, where the revamped ‘Residence at Stony Hill’ greets guests with an inviting, mid-century modern setting. Since the winery still only produces small amounts of wine, guests are limited in how many bottles they can purchase to take home.

3331 St. Helena Highway North, St. Helena, CA 94574, (707) 963-2636

Harlan Estate

In 1984, Bill Harlan founded Harlan Estate with the goal to create First Growth California wines—reminiscent of the best Grand Crus from Bordeaux. Now recognized as one of the original cult wineries in the Valley, the estate is known for its two top-tier labels, The Maiden, and its proprietary Red Blend, produced from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot grown on Harlan’s 240 acres that rises in elevation from 225 to 1,225 feet above sea level. The varying elevation of the vineyards provide distinct terroir for these first growth wines which has undoubtedly contributed to the estate’s global reputation.

Oakville, (707) 944-1441

Promontory

One of three wineries under Domain H. William Harlan (the others include the aforementioned Harlan Estate as well as BOND), Promontory made a name for itself as a relative newcomer to the Valley. The Harlan family acquired the 860-acre property in 2008, and have maintained its ruggedness–a facet that makes both the wine so special and limited as less than 10% of the land is under vine. The first Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend to hit the market was in 2009 (though Promontory produced a 2008 vintage, the owners were not happy with the result and will not sell it). Promontory differs from many other cult wineries as it offers a tasting room (by appointment only) and allocation of wines.

1601 Oakville Grade, Oakville, CA 94562, (707) 944-0125

Component Wine Company

This boutique label was founded by Michael Kennedy, former sommelier and wine director for chef Eric Ripert’s Blue at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, with a mission to isolate specific parcels of vineyards from top sites throughout the Valley to hone in on the beauty of each single “component”—grapes that’re typically thrown into a blend. Component’s first wine from Napa was a 2013 Petit Verdot (only two barrels were produced). In 2014, they added Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc to their portfolio. Today, Component produces around 750 cases under the guidance of winemaker Marc Gagnon, the former assistant winemaker at Screaming Eagle and head winemaker at Bryant Family Vineyard, who joined the team in 2019.

270 Kreuzer Lane, Napa, CA 94559, (707) 332-2499

Bella Oaks

In 2019 — Bella Oaks’ latest release—only 430 cases were produced of their proprietary, single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyard sits in the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains, in what’s known as the Rutherford Bench, and dates back to the mid-19th century. When Suzanne Deal Booth purchased the property in 2010, she enlisted some of the best in the industry to revitalize this historic plot and simultaneously emphasize biodynamic practices, including vineyard manager David Abreu, winemaker Nigel Kinsman, and master blender Michael Rolland. The estate achieved certified organic status in 2019, of which the same year’s vintage received 100 points by Antonio Galloni of Vinous Media.

1350 Bella Oaks Lane, Rutherford, CA 94573

Roy Estate

This 47-acre estate was purchased in 2017 by Stephan Crétier and his wife Stéphany Maillery specifically for its world-class vineyard blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, which comprise their portfolio of wines today: Roy Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Roy Estate Mr. Evans Proprietary Red, and only released in exceptional vintages, Roy Estate La Rêveuse. Since then, Robert Parker, Jr. has described this Napa property as “a hidden gem and top under-the-radar wine estate” producing wines of elegance and length. Each vintage never exceeds 1,500 cases, but La Rêveuse typically caps out at 50 cases or fewer.

1220 Soda Canyon Road, Napa, CA 94558, (707) 968-1710

Vice Versa Wine

Founded in 2003 by Montreal-native Patrice Breton, Vice Versa Wines are predominantly sold as futures directly to consumers per their mailing list. That means many of these wines are sold before they’re even bottled, which is a nod to the label’s success in the Valley. For the 2019 vintage, Vice Versa released 13 wines—primarily Cabernet Sauvignon but two outliers included Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Platt Vineyard—totaling 3,020 cases. Aside from Platt and their own estate vineyard, Vice Versa sources grapes across vineyards recognized for their exclusivity and excellence, including; Beckstoffer To Kalon (the 2019 single vineyard expression recently received a second 100 points from The Wine Advocate), Beckstoffer Dr. Crane, Beckstoffer Las Piedras, Beckstoffer George III, and Steltzner.

1461 Railroad Avenue STE 100, St. Helena, CA 94574, (707) 412-8423

Wine isn’t the only wonderful, carefully crafted drink worth imbibing while visiting Wine Country. A little known fact about Napa Valley and Sonoma County is that there are several artisan distilleries and small-batch breweries also available for tours and tastings (and some that offer bites to go with those libations). If you’re looking for a bit of a break from vino on your next visit, here are the best local brews and craft spirits with which to tempt your palate.

Grape-Based Organic Vodka

Hanson of Sonoma Distillery

This family-owned craft distillery in Sonoma focuses on creating organic, grape-based, gluten-free, and non-GMO vodka. Typically, vodka today is made from sorghum, corn, rice, rye, or wheat. Hanson Vodka is made from grapes, which means the distillery turns grapes into wine, and then wine into vodka (the perfect fit for vodka made in Wine Country). Their infused vodkas are flavored with real, organic ingredients, and feature flavors such as cucumber, ginger, mandarin, habañero, boysenberry, and espresso. Reserve a spot in a vodka tasting, cocktail tasting, martini and caviar pairing, or try their introduction to mixology course with Hanson craft cocktails. Best of all, you get to enjoy it all in their beautiful, spacious tasting room, amid a library of color-coordinated vodka bottles.

22985 Burndale Road, Sonoma, CA 95476, (707) 343-1805

A Bustling Brewery at Oxbow

Fieldwork Brewing

Founded in Berkeley, CA, this local brewery has a beautiful taproom in the bustling Oxbow Public Market in downtown Napa. Fieldwork Brewing features a rotating tap list of fresh releases, which can be enjoyed by sampler flight, by the glass, or to-go in cans, growlers, and Crowlers. Order food to enjoy with your beer, or grab something from one of the top-notch vendors in the Oxbow Public Market; you’ll have plenty to choose from to pair with your drinks.

610 First Street, Napa, CA 94559, (707) 266-1582

Speakeasy Spirits

Napa Valley Distillery

The first distillery to open its doors in Napa Valley since the end of Prohibition, this family-owned and operated distillery offers educational distillery tours, followed by tastings of flights of their award-winning products. With two locations for you to choose from, you can customize your craft spirit experience. Transport yourself back to the Roaring Twenties with a tasting at the Grand Tasting Salon, which is one part art deco speakeasy, one part tiki room, and all parts tasty spirits and education. Reservations are suggested, so be sure to book early to guarantee a spot. If you’re already headed to Oxbow Public Market (where there is no shortage of options for food, drink, and people watching), visit Napa Valley Distillery’s tasting bar, replete with mahogany wood vibes and brandies galore. Taste through a flight, and don’t forget to check out their bitters collection — the largest collection on the West Coast.

Grand Tasting Salon: 2485 Stockton Street, Napa, California 94559, (707) 265-6272

Tasting Bar at Oxbow Public Market: 601 First Street, Suite 8, Napa, CA 94559, (707) 226-9269

Urban Winery Meets Vegan-Friendly Brews

St. Clair Brown Winery & Brewery

This boutique urban winery, nano-brewery, and culinary garden is located right in Napa a few blocks from the main hub. The brews are made on-site in small batches, featuring 14 different offerings of beer, with more developing all the time. The beers tend to be unfiltered and more malt-driven, favoring a less bitter or ‘hopped’ profile for friendlier food pairings. And vegans, rejoice! With the exception of their Honey Wheat Ale, all other brew offerings are vegan. For those ready to take their beer love to the next level, St. Clair Brown offers their own Beer Boot Camp, where you can learn tastes and semantics at a technical beer tasting, enjoy a beer paired lunch, and brew beer with Brewmaster Elaine St. Clair herself.

816 Vallejo Street, Napa, CA 94559, (707) 225-5591

A Taste of Italy in a Bottle

Prohibition Spirits

For a truly unique tasting experience, head over to Prohibition Spirits in Sonoma to try some of their Italian craft spirits. Located on the Sonoma Plaza, Prohibition Spirits is known for their award-winning Limoncello (an Italian lemon liquor), but also offers tastings of their other speciality spirits, such as their gins, rums, and whiskeys. The Groth husband and wife team fell in love while exploring Sonoma, then decided they wanted to bring Limoncello (what they affectionately term ‘sunshine in a bottle’) to Wine Country. So they moved from Boulder, CO to Sonoma County and started producing California’s first organic Limoncello. Prohibition Spirits offers tastings and light bites in their tasting room, as well as group experiences and a traveling cocktail bar for private events.

23592 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, CA 95476, ​(707) 933-7507

Unique Libations in Santa Rosa

Cooperage Brewing Company

Brewer and founder Tyler Smith likes to focus on variety at Santa Rosa’s Cooperage Brewing Company, experimenting with different yeasts, hops, bacteria, and barrel types to develop unique libations. Take your time sipping and tasting here; there are TVs showing sports games for your viewing pleasure, but if that’s not your speed, there are also plenty of board games on hand to make a few beers with friends even more enjoyable. A rotating schedule of food trucks each week completes the experience.

981 Airway Ct., Suite G, Santa Rosa, CA 95403, (707) 293-9787

Post Up With Your Pup

Lagunitas Brewing Company

A local favorite, this Petaluma establishment has a huge, ever-rotating selection of sours, ciders, ales, and stouts. Post up in their taproom or nab one of the many picnic tables outdoors. It’s pet-friendly, so there’s usually a handful of dogs enjoying the sun while their humans listen to the live music in the beer garden. And with a food menu of nachos, burgers, chicken wings, and other tasty pub fare, you could easily while away an afternoon here. In fact, we recommend it.

1280 North McDowell Boulevard, Petaluma, CA 94954, (707) 778-8776

Northern California in a Bottle (and Can)

Fogbelt Brewing Company

This craft brewery and gastro-pub celebrates the North Coast and even names each of their beers after a prominent coastal Redwood tree only found in the ‘fog belt’ — the area along the Northern California coast that’s typically covered in fog, which produces a unique ecosystem. At their original brewery and taproom in Santa Rosa, you’ll find stately brews available on tap, local and seasonal fare, and a rotating selection of events each month. Their second location in Healdsburg, known as Fogbelt Station, is a beer garden next to the historic train station, offering both brews and food. Too early for beer? The Station café is open in the mornings to serve coffee, espresso, and pastries.

1305 A Cleveland Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95401, (707)978-3400

‘Tis the season for twinkling lights, cozy nights, and bubbly. Sparkling wine can and should be enjoyed year-round (not just on New Year’s and other special occasions), but we can’t deny that it’s especially primed for the holiday season. So, as you start to plan your annual festivities, why not throw a sparkling wine-themed party?

Nobody does it better than Napa’s iconic chateau, Domaine Carneros, so we asked them for some tips on throwing the perfect sparkling soirée that’s equal parts elegant, easy, and fun. Channel your inner Audrey Hepburn and follow these six easy steps to a bubbly good time.

Step 1: Select the wines

The wine is obviously the most crucial component to your sparkling wine party and selecting a variety will not only ensure that you have something for everyone, but also encourage your guests to explore different styles of sparkling wine.

You don’t have to splurge on expensive French Champagnes. High quality sparkling wines can be found at a much more approachable price point from wineries like Domaine Carneros, which employ the same method traditionelle (meaning the wine undergoes a second fermentation in the bottle) as used by French Champagne houses.

Choose wines that are both dry (like an Ultra Brut) and sweet (like a Demi-sec), or sparklings made with different grape varieties. For example, Blanc de Blancs, like Domaine Carneros’ Le Rêve, are crafted with 100 percent chardonnay grapes, while Blanc De Noirs are made solely with pinot noir grapes. Others are blends. This Sparkling Classics trio is a great place to start, or opt for the Sumptuous Sparkling Sampler for something a little more special.

For a true party-pleaser, throw a late-disgorged sparkling wine into the mix. These wines spend more time aging on the lees (yeast) in the bottle, which results in an added complexity and rich, nutty flavors.

When considering how much wine to purchase for your party, keep in mind that each bottle of sparkling wine yields about eight glasses. Expect each guest to have at least one drink per hour, so multiply your guest count by the number of hours your get-together will run, then divide that number by eight. You can also use an online drink calculator, like this one from Evite.

It doesn’t hurt to add a few extra bottles. Nothing stops a good time quicker than a wine shortage and if you have leftovers, you get to drink it.

Step 2: Prepare simple, light bites

Every good party needs food, but don’t feel the need to go overboard. The goal is to enjoy yourself and engage with your guests — not spend your entire soirée stuck in the kitchen — so keep it simple and choose small bites or appetizers that can be prepared quickly with little to no cooking time.

Luckily, sparkling wine is one of the easiest wines to pair food with. It truly goes well with almost anything, so you don’t need to stress over conflicting flavors. Cheese and charcuterie never fail, but popcorn is another foolproof option that’s affordable, quick and easy, fun, and as a bonus, on theme with the popping of corks. Serve with an array of seasonings so that party-goers can experiment with different pairings.

But if you really want to get creative, international spices and salty foods go surprisingly well with sparkling wine, including caviar, chips, and Asian and Moroccan flavors — so much so that Domaine Carneros even built some food and wine experiences around these, offered at their Carneros winery. Feel free to get inspired to cook up something fun at home, but if Moroccan food isn’t in your repertoire, just order takeout from your favorite, local spot, plate it, and no one will know that their host wasn’t busy in the kitchen all day.

Step 3: Choose your glassware

Some people think that you need a special shape of glass for each type of wine, but Domaine Carneros’ team doesn’t believe in taking things so seriously. While flutes or coupes (shallow bowls) are traditionally used for sparkling wine, a standard wine glass will work just fine. Or, mix and match your glassware to keep things light and fun.

Domaine Carneros sells a set of six stemless, gold-embossed flutes in a mix of patterns that come with a bottle of Brut Rosé. Or, you can check out this set of four elegantly etched flutes to go with your bubbly. You may also consider picking up some wine glass charms to help your guests keep track of their glasses. This will save you time on dishes later.

Step 4: Decorate

You can keep it simple when it comes to décor too. Fresh flowers and table confetti go a long way to making a party pop, as do gold, silver, and white ornaments and ribbon. For something unique that is sure to delight your guests, freeze fresh cut roses or your favorite flower into an ice tray and then place these flower ice cubes in your chiller or ice bucket. When your friends go to refresh their glass, they’ll be greeted by this beautiful, unexpected surprise. Here’s how to make your own floral ice cubes.

Step 5: Make it interactive

Place tasting score cards by the wine (with pens) and encourage your guests to fill them out. These are a great tool for sparking conversations, so feel free to get creative or find some to print online. Conveniently, Domaine Carneros offers bubbly tasting cards you can print at home. The tasting score cards will prompt your guests to sip thoughtfully — considering the colors, aromas, and flavors of each wine — and then discuss and debate their favorites with other party guests.

6. Be ready to serve

The second-most important ingredient to your wine party, after the sparkling wine, is ice. Buy a lot of it, so that you don’t risk running out. Bubbly simply doesn’t taste good warm.

Make sure you have multiple wine chillers or ice buckets on hand so that you can keep all of your wines cold at once. Check out this sleek and practical wine chiller from Domaine Carneros, which keeps your bottle cold for up to nine hours (not that it’ll last that long) and makes a statement in your home. For multiple bottles, a large galvanized tub works, but if you want to go the most affordable route, simply use your kitchen sink! Scrub it clean, fill it with ice, and slide the bottles in.

Put your wine on ice long before your guests arrive, but if you’re running late or forget, there is an easy hack for chilling your wine in half the time. Add a few tablespoons of salt to your ice bucket, stir it occasionally, and the bottle will be ready to pop in about 15 – 20 minutes.

Et voila! Now that you have all the essential tips for throwing the perfect sparkling wine party, it’s time to pop those corks and share your sparkling party experience by tagging @domainecarneros. Of course, you don’t need a lot of guests to throw a sparkling wine party this season. In fact, a party of two sipping bubbly in front of the fire is perfectly acceptable in our book.

When we think of Napa Valley wine, the first grape, without fail, that comes to mind is… you guessed it: cabernet sauvignon. Napa Valley has indeed earned a reputation for producing some of the world’s finest cabernet sauvignon. However, the region is home to a whole world of other wine grapes that make equally interesting and delicious red wines, on their own or in a blend.

We’ve compiled a list of some great Napa Valley wines that aren’t cabernet sauvignon to consider, but don’t feel limited by the selections here. There are plenty of other non-cabernet reds worth exploring, so get sipping.

Zinfandel

Zinfandel made a name for itself in the early 1970s during a stuck fermentation at Sutter Home Winery, resulting in the sweet style we all know as “white zinfandel.” However, the grape actually has a long history. Known as “America’s Heritage Grape,” with a genetic link to Croatia’s tribidrag and Italy’s primitivo, it is capable of producing a range of wines from pink and sweet, to rich and jammy, to earthy and structured, and everything in between. According to UC Davis, while cabernet sauvignon has claimed its synonymity with Napa Valley winemaking, zinfandel is in fact the only important vitis vinifera grape variety identified closely with the state of California.

Wines to try 

Brown Estate Howell Mountain Zinfandel, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, $60

Cabernet Franc

Cabernet sauvignon wouldn’t even exist without one half of its parentage – cabernet franc, who canoodled with sauvignon blanc to produce the king of Napa grapes. Much like the parent of a famous child actor, cabernet franc is deserving of recognition in its own right. Cabernet franc is most associated with adding structure and aroma to Bordeaux, and producing light-bodied, “crushable” red wines from France’s Loire Valley. However, in Napa Valley, its wines can be as robust and heady as its offspring, so be sure to give it a second look as an often more reasonably priced alternative to cabernet sauvignon.

Wines to try 

Foundry Stagecoach Vineyards Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley, $110

Peju Winery Persephone Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley, $85

Merlot

Being in the Sideways “I am NOT drinking any [expletive] merlot!” crowd is so 2004. It’s time to give this grape another serious look because it’s capable of producing some of the most lush, softly textured red wines out there. If you tend to shy away from the grippy tannins of a cabernet sauvignon, you will delight in the velvety palate of a beautiful merlot, which provides a superb backdrop for a wide range of dishes, from rich winter stews, to burgers and veggies on the grill on a hot summer afternoon.

Wines to try 

Charles Krug Winery Napa Valley Merlot, Napa Valley, $25

Theorem Vineyards Diamond Mountain Estate Merlot, Diamond Mountain, Napa Valley, $90

The Petits

These grapes may have the French word for “small” in their names, but they are by no means diminutive in flavor or body. Petit verdot has long played a supporting role in traditional Bordeaux bottlings, contributing color, spice, and tannin to the blend. However, California winemakers are realizing that it is capable of producing brooding, inky red wines with notes of plum, black fruits, violet, and spice all on its own. Ditto for the small, thick-skinned petite sirah – not to be confused with syrah; it’s actually a totally different variety also known as durif – that yields richly flavored, chocolatey red wines with high acid and high tannin.

Wines to try 

2017 Ehlers Estate Petit Verdot, St. Helena, Napa Valley, $65

Goosecross Cellars Petit Petite, Napa Valley, $95

Pinot Noir

Ah, the fickle, fussy, frustrating pinot noir grape most famous for being the wine grape, along with chardonnay, of France’s celebrated region of Burgundy… and for its starring role as the anti-merlot wine in the movie Sideways. Being a thin-skinned, early-ripening grape, pinot noir tends to thrive in cooler climates, which makes it ideal for the coastal AVA of Carneros (a region that, like Burgundy, is also known for chardonnay), which spans both Sonoma and Napa counties. These wines are elegant and intoxicatingly perfumed, making them wonderfully food-friendly or captivating enough to sip on their own.

Wines to try 

Sean W. McBride Winery Kim Giles Vineyard Pinot Noir, Carneros, Napa Valley, $50

Tulocay Winery Coombsville Pinot Noir, Coombsville, Napa Valley, $35

Syrah

Like many of the grapes listed here, syrah is widely associated with another French wine region – France’s Northern Rhône Valley, where it is characterized by its signature peppery note. However, syrah (or shiraz as it’s known in Australia, where it is also famous), is a remarkably diverse variety that, like most grapes, takes on distinct characteristics depending on where it’s grown and how it’s produced. Napa Valley syrah can range from earthy and peppery, like its French counterpart, to more fruit-forward, with notes of blackberry, black licorice, and anise, like an Aussie shiraz.

Wines to try 

Bennett Lane Winery Syrah, Atlas Peak, Napa Valley, $62

Keenan Winery Syrah, Coombsville, Napa Valley, $42

Malbec

Another component in the classic Bordeaux blend, as well as Argentina’s hallmark grape variety, malbec has seen a steady increase in plantings in California over the past few years, and many California winemakers use it to make their Meritage (a wine blend made up of Bordeaux’s “noble” varieties, like cabernet sauvignon and merlot). Malbec is a sun-loving grape, so California is the perfect home for it. In Napa, it produces intensely hued, full-bodied wines with moderate acidity and tannins, and lots of plum, blackberry, and spice.

Wines to try 

Mt. Brave Malbec, Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley, $80

James Cole Estate Winery Oak Knoll District Malbec, Oak Knoll, Napa Valley, $75

The Underdogs

Feeling adventurous? There are dozens of different grape varieties that thrive in Napa Valley, so don’t be afraid to explore the ones you don’t see very often, or can’t easily pronounce. Some of our favorites include Italian superstars like sangiovese, barbera, and nebbiolo, as well as other Spanish and Rhône varieties like tempranillo, grenache, and carignan. There’s also an entire world of offbeat and traditional red blends out there – some featuring a small percentage of cabernet sauvignon, if you need a little bit of familiarity with your obscure varieties. There are endless permutations and combinations of different ways grapes can work together to create exciting and unique wines, so don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone to experience the creativity of Napa’s most talented mad scientist winemakers.

Wines to try 

Longmeadow Ranch Winery Peter’s Vineyard, Mayacamas Estate Sangiovese, Napa Valley, $80

Mi Sueño Winery Tempranillo, Napa Valley, $60

Wine is not just grapes; it’s a storyteller that shares tales about the region, the people, and the culture behind it. While it’s easy to drink wine, learning to taste wine brings about a greater appreciation for all the other elements that go into the glass. Whether you’re a beginner who’s first getting into wine or an aficionado, learning how to properly taste can help you distinguish a good wine from a great wine and enhance your overall drinking experience.

GETTING STARTED

Mindset

The first thing to remember is that tasting is about learning. There’s never a right or wrong answer to the aromas you detect or the different flavors you taste. Wine professionals are always tasting because they too need to educate themselves. With thousands of grapes growing in hundred of regions around the world, there’s no possible way anyone can know it all; never be intimidated.

Glassware

There is a dizzying array of glass options available, all meant to enhance certain characteristics in different wines. However, one good quality all-purpose glass is really all you need for wine tasting, especially if you’re a beginner. One wine professional I know swears by his $60 Zalto glass, but personally, my favorite tasting glass was a souvenir from a wine event. Try to avoid plastic when possible; while they’re great for the pool, they can affect the way the wine smells and tastes.

Temperature

In America, we have a tendency to serve whites a bit too cold, which masks the nuances, and reds a bit too warm, which enhances the alcohol. Ideal temps are around 40-50 degrees for sparkling wines and light, dry white wines; 50-60 degrees for fuller bodies white wines and light red wines; and 60-65 degrees for full-bodied red wines.

Environment

Any time wine is front of you, it’s a great time to taste. That being said, if you really want to focus, a well-lit room with minimal distractions, such as music, is the ideal tasting environment. Perfume and cologne can interfere as well, so it’s best to forgo scent altogether.

HOW TO TASTE

Color

Hold the glass up to a white background and tilt it away from you. You’ll want to notice the the range of hues, which could be an early indicator of grape varieties. For whites, this could go from very pale yellow-green to deep gold, while reds can display ruby, garnet, or even amber. The color on the rim of the wine can also tell a story: older whites will have a bit more of a burnished gold, while older reds may have a tinge of brown.

Aroma

Swirl the wine around a few times to give it some air and allow the aromas to open up. Stick your nose in the glass – don’t be afraid to really get in there – and take some deep whiffs. Move your nose around the glass in quadrants; you can pick up different aromas this way.

When I first started tasting wine, I created different categories of aromas, and thought about each one individually, as if running down a list:

• Fruit
• Spices/Herbs
• Earth/Savory (such as meat and tobacco)
• Flowers
• Nuts

From there you can start getting specific: What kind of fruit are you getting? Red berries? Pears? Is it a black pepper kind of spice or a sweet baking spice? As you start to identify scents, you can create new categories for yourself, such as vegetal notes. It’s a wine tasting technique I still use today as I find this methodic way of tasting helps me sort through and pinpoint different aromas.

The different scents can give you clues to how a wine is made and its age. Creamy, buttery, and popcorn notes, commonly found in white wines, indicates a wine has gone through malolactic fermentation, a process where malic acids are softened and converted into lactic acids. Coconut, vanilla, or oak notes present the possibility of barrel aging. Young wines will often have an exuberant fruit character, but older wines will develop what’s known as tertiary aromas; for white wines, that can be nutty tones while red wines may showcase leather, tobacco, and meaty notes.

Taste

With your first sip, hold the wine in your mouth, swirl it around, and suck in a little bit of air. Note how it feels on your palate and on your tastebuds. When assessing wine, there are several things to think about:

Dry vs Sweet – Often, fruity wines are misconstrued as being “sweet” wines, when in fact they’re dry. Sweet wines, such as dessert wines, will have some perceptible sugar on the tongue.

Acid – That mouthwatering effect is due to the acid in wine. The higher the level, the more you’ll salivate. Wines described as “zippy” and “fresh” are often high in acidity.

Body – A common analogy to describe body is skim milk to whole milk. The weightier the wine, the more body it’s considered to possess.

Tannins – The dry, astringent feeling red wines give you is often due to the tannins, which are chemical compounds found in grapes, but can come from oak barrels as well. Tannins give wine structure and as wine ages, tannins soften and become more integrated.

Length – When a wine lingers in mouth long after you’ve swallowed, it’s considered to have a long length and is often an indicator of a well-made wine.

Simple vs Complex – One-note, simple wines do have their place (think poolside sippers), but complex wines keep evolving and revealing nuances. This is the kind of wine that you keep going back for, whereas simple wines might be a one-and-you’re-done scenario.

Flavors – The aroma categories also apply here; by going through your list, you can identify different flavors that appear on your palate.