Situated on the eastern slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains, just west of St. Helena, is the Spring Mountain District—a serene hidden gem in Napa Valley renowned for its mountainside estates, historical wineries, exceptional wines, and breathtaking landscapes.

Established as an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 1993, the Spring Mountain District is defined by its unique blend of sedimentary and volcanic rocky soils, varied terrain, high elevation, and cool, wet climate. Home to approximately 1,000 acres of vineyards, this AVA is most widely planted to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, but you’ll also find Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Riesling, and Zinfandel grapes. Wines from this distinct part of Napa Valley are noted for their depth and complexity, balanced tannins, and age-worthiness.

Though just a few miles from downtown St. Helena, the area’s winding roads and lush forests impart a sense of secluded serenity. Its wineries, which are tucked off the road and hidden away from view, add to the allure, making a visit here feel like a discovery of Napa’s best kept secret. Ready to explore Spring Mountain? Here are nine wineries you won’t want to miss.

Fantesca Estate & Winery

Fantesca Estate & Winery is a tranquil Spring Mountain estate known for its elegant wines, crafted by esteemed winemakers Heidi Barrett and Tony Arcudi. During a private tour and tasting, you’ll have the chance to experience the appeal of this family-owned estate, from its rolling hills of vineyards to the impressive estate cave, before sitting down for an intimate tasting of Fantesca’s acclaimed wines, including a Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Russian River, Napa Valley Cabernet Blend, and Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. From the personalized hospitality to the stunning wines and beautiful surroundings, there is no doubt you’ll leave here wanting to return again.

2920 Spring Mountain Road, St. Helena, CA 94574, (707)968-9229

Stony Hill Vineyard

Since its founding in 1952, Stony Hill Vineyard has stood as one of Napa’s pioneering post-Prohibition wineries, earning a reputation for its dedication to classic winemaking. For many years, this fabled winery’s doors remained closed to the public, shrouding the estate in an air of mystery and allure. Now, under new ownership, Stony Hill welcomes guests to its serene property for tastings at the redesigned residence, which boasts a chic, mid century modern aesthetic. Outside, the relaxed setting of the stone patio will find you savoring pristine views of Napa Valley while you taste. Stony Hill continues to honor its heritage by crafting old-world style wines, from Syrah to Riesling to Cabernet, but it’s the precise, minerally Chardonnays that helped it earn praise as “America’s greatest white wine estate.”

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

Pride Mountain Vineyards

Perched atop Spring Mountain, Pride Mountain Vineyards is celebrated for its classically styled Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wines. The winery’s dedication to quality shines through in every bottle, making it a great spot for those seeking wines of depth and character, just without enormous price tags. Here, experiences are educational yet unpretentious, with tastings highlighting current releases and special selections. Book the Summit Room experience for a more intimate setting amidst the barrels.

4026 Spring Mountain Road, St. Helena, CA 94574, (707) 963-4949

Barnett Vineyards

Family-owned Barnett Vineyards is situated on the top of Spring Mountain—2,050 feet above sea level to be exact—where visitors will be rewarded with stunning views of Napa Valley below. In addition to scenic vistas from nearly every angle, expect friendly hospitality as you discover the winery’s expressive, small-lot Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc wines, each made from sustainably-grown grapes throughout Napa’s AVAs.

4070 Spring Mountain Road, St. Helena, CA 94574, (707) 963-7075

Smith-Madrone

Tucked off Spring Mountain Road, Smith-Madrone is a long-standing winery committed to crafting 100% estate wines from its dry-farmed, mountainside vineyards. Founded in 1971 by Stuart Smith, this Spring Hill gem is set at elevations ranging between 1,300 and 2,000 feet, with vineyards predominantly positioned on steep slopes. Smith-Madrone may be renowned for producing balanced, complex wines—including a vibrant Riesling that shouldn’t be passed up—but the small winery maintains a down-to-earth and relaxed vibe, making for a welcoming experience.

4022 Spring Mountain Road, St. Helena, CA 94574, (707) 963-2283

Spring Mountain Vineyard

Steeped in history, Spring Mountain Vineyard traces its roots back to the late 1800s, and was the first to plant Cabernet Sauvignon grapes on Spring Mountain. Though the sprawling estate was at one time three separate properties (each with their own vineyard and winery), Spring Mountain Vineyard now comprises 845 acres, with 226 acres under vine. Tastings and tours take place at the renovated Miravalle Mansion, a stately Victorian residence from the 19th century, where guests are invited to learn about the vineyard’s 150-year grape growing legacy and its efforts in sustainability through a variety of current release and library wines.

2805 Spring Mountain Road, St. Helena, CA 94574, (707) 967-4186

Vineyard 7 & 8

Situated on a 40-acre estate on the top of Spring Mountain, Vineyard 7 & 8 is owned by the Steffens family, who established their winery in 1999 with the aim of crafting outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines. The resulting wines are genuine expressions of the estate’s unique terroir. Visitors can enjoy said wines during intimate private tastings at the estate, where tastings are enhanced by breathtaking views of the sprawling vineyards below.

4028 Spring Mountain Road, St. Helena, CA 94574, (707) 963-9425

Behrens Family Winery

Behrens is a boutique winery known for producing wines from throughout Napa that are bold and expressive, much like the unique label art that adorns each bottle. Originally founded in 1993 as Behrens & Hitchcock Winery, the winery changed names when the Behrens family became the sole owners in 2005. While their portfolio changes each year, featuring a mix of blends and single varietal bottlings, you can always expect small lots of handcrafted wines that are as compelling as they are one-of-a-kind.

4078 Spring Mountain Road, St. Helena, California, 94574, (707) 963-1774

Keenan Winery

At family-owned Keenan Winery, the emphasis is on crafting premium Bordeaux-style wines that are not only pure in varietal character but also boast great aging potential. However, expect a more lithe and delicate touch compared to the typical lush style of the region. Beyond the noteworthy wines, the family is proudly dedicated to sustainability, implementing eco-friendly practices in everything from sustainable farming to powering the winery with solar energy. While the wines consistently earn high praise from top critics, tastings at Keenan remain approachable and welcoming. Guests are even welcomed to bring a picnic and savor it at the outdoor tables, surrounded by the picturesque vineyard views.

3660 Spring Mountain Road, St. Helena, CA 94574, (707) 963-9177

More than just revered for its world-class wines, Napa Valley is legendary for its warm hospitality. This authentic, welcoming atmosphere always comes from the true passion for wine of the people behind the estates; no one exemplifies this more than Susan and Duane Hoff, founders of Fantesca Estate & Winery.

Love and Wine

Susan and Duane met in college, when Susan was working for her small family business, Sound of Music. The small electronic chain quickly grew and Duane soon joined the family business, which became known as Best Buy. The duo continued to grow with the company and held executive positions at the Minneapolis-based operation. By 2004, The Hoffs were ready for a new chapter; they fell in love with a 53-acre estate in the Spring Mountain AVA of Napa, which they purchased and named Fantesca Estate & Winery.

The Making of a Superstar Team

The Hoffs realized they had something special in their Spring Mountain estate and knew they needed a highly skilled winemaker to bring out the full potential of this Napa Valley site. They tapped famed winemaker Heidi Barrett to join Fantesca in 2008. Barrett, who came to the estate after her tenure at Screaming Eagle, brings her deft touch to the estate cabernet sauvignon and the All Great Things Red Blend, as well as Fantesca’s Russian River Sonoma Chardonnay.

Fantesca continued to build its superstar team when former sommelier and wine expert DLynn Proctor joined as Winery Director in 2018. One of the stars of the wine documentary SOMM, which follows aspiring professionals on their journeys to become Master Sommeliers, Proctor was also a finalist in The Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Société Mondiale du Vin “Best Sommelier in America Competition.”

The Estate

On the Spring Mountain estate resides an elegant winery, tasting deck, olive trees, and a honey bee hive, where the winery produces small batches of jams and honey as gifts during the holiday season. In addition, a spectacular mountainside cave, believed to be an abandoned silver mine, creates a naturally temperature-regulated resting home for aging wines and hosting playful barrel sample tastings.

Fantesca’s 10-acre Spring Mountain vineyard is home to cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot. Various blocks of different expositions and soil types give their estate wines a beautiful complexity and elegance. Originally planted in the 1860s as part of Caroline Bale’s dowry to Charles Krug, the site is that of Napa royalty.

The Wines

When thinking about which wines to produce, the Hoffs knew they wanted to stay very focused on a limited selection to craft the highest-caliber wines. From the Fantesca vineyard comes two of Fantesca’s signature wines: the Spring Mountain cabernet sauvignon and the All Great Things Red Blend. In Russian River Valley, the focus turns to elegant chardonnay and King Richard’s Reserve, a compelling pinot noir.

Events

As Fantesca continued to grow and garner accolades, the Hoffs felt strongly about creating special tasting experiences for their collectors; today, events are central to Fantesca’s ethos. Over the next few months, several unique events give visitors the opportunity to intimately explore the wines beyond the tasting room.

9 Stars Culinary Experience

Wednesday, November 13 – Saturday, November 16, 2019

An extraordinary gastronomic experience, 9 Stars gives guests a memorable tour of three of the Hoff’s favorite Three Michelin-starred restaurants. The first evening, participants will enjoy an 11-course tasting menu at Sonoma’s much-buzzed about SingleThread, helmed by acclaimed chef Kyle Connaughton, followed by an evening stay and breakfast the following morning at the SingleThread Inn. That day, Susan and Duane Hoff, along with vineyard owner Pam Bacigalupi, will provide a tour of Bacigalupi Vineyard, and the subsequent tasting at Fantesca Estate and Winery will bring the vineyard experience full-circle. After, the group will settle into their accommodations at Meadowood Napa Valley. Dinner that evening will be at the revered The Restaurant at Meadowood with chef Christopher Kostow, along with sommelier-guided pairings. The next day, a private jet will escort diners to New York City, where a completely different vibe awaits. After a night’s rest at the The Pierre and a day of free time to explore the city, the event will culminate at Le Bernardin for the final, memorable Michelin-starred dinner.

Mardi Gras in New Orleans

Thursday, February 20 – Sunday, February 23, 2020

There’s no other celebration like Mardi Gras; for Susan and Duane Hoff, who were were honored as King and Queen of the Krewe of Mid-City in 2017, the fête holds special meaning. The Fantesca couple will host guests for four days during the beloved celebration, starting with dinner at famed restaurant R’evolution. The following evening’s Bal Masque is one of the most elegant affairs of the weekend; party-goers will dine and dance at this formal event. The celebration culminates with the big parade, where revelers will ride the Fantesca float during the procession.

Kentucky Derby in Louisville, KY

Friday, May 1 – Saturday, May 2, 2020

The thrill of the races can get anyone’s heart pounding and the Hoffs bring the magic up close with their Kentucky Derby experience. The VIP suite is located right on Millionaires’ Row, offering optimal views of the action. In-suite hospitality, VIP Fast Track passes, and gift bags will complete this exciting viewing party.

For more information on all events, visit their website or email Mandi Ackerman at mandi@fantesca.com.