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

Wine and music collide at JaM Cellars, a one-of-a-kind, music-themed tasting room in downtown Napa. While this part of town used to have a reputation for being a little bit sleepy, JaM Cellars is breathing new life into Napa’s nightlife with their JaMSessions, an ongoing series of intimate, wine-fueled concerts that keep the party going long after dinner.

JaM Cellars is the brainchild of music lovers John and Michele Truchard, the “J” and “M” in JaM. As second-generation Napa Valley vintners, the Truchards have had a long history in crafting fine wines, but with JaM Cellars, they wanted to do something different by introducing super-approachable and affordable every-day wines to the market. These wines are made to be enjoyed with friends in a not-so-serious setting, so John and Michele designed a fun and unconventional tasting space, the JaM Cellars Wine & Music Studio, located on downtown Napa’s First Street.

The Setting

While JaM Cellars is a cool wine tasting spot during the day, it morphs into an incredibly cozy events venue with live music in the evenings, Thursday through Saturday. Napa Valley has a handful of larger concert venues, like the Uptown Theatre or the Napa Valley Opera House which houses both Blue Note Napa and the JaM Cellars Ballroom, but for the opportunity to comfortably lounge mere feet from the band, JaMSessions feel like a private show. You’ll want to reserve a spot and arrive early to snag the best view in the house, a collection of leather couches and chairs set up like a living room right by the stage, with Persian rugs and tables cleverly shaped like guitar picks. There’s also a handful of booths for groups and a few stools at the bar. Many guests simply choose to stand — it certainly makes dancing easier — but either way, there’s never the feeling of the space being overcrowded like a traditional concert.

JaM Cellars stays open much later (10pm Sunday – Wednesday and midnight Thursday – Saturday) than its downtown Napa counterparts and music is on theme everywhere you look. A private tasting room doubles as a fully-equipped recording studio, where the winery hosts virtual JaMHappyHours Wednesdays and Thursdays at 4pm and there’s also a state-of-the-art sound system, disco ball, an impressive vinyl collection, and vintage Rolling Stone magazine art plastered all over the walls, bringing you back in time to some of your favorite musicians in their heyday.

The Music

A mere $10 cover charge will get you in to enjoy their JaMSessions, which welcome a variety of acts both local and from further afield. The night I attended featured a JaM Cellars regular, the Eric Wiley Trio, a Funk/Reggae band with a Jazz flair. The songs were all covers of old classics — like the Steve Miller Band’s Space Cowboy, Get Up Stand Up by Bob Marley, and The Eagles’ Hotel California — and almost everyone in the room was either dancing or singing along (or both). At times, I could close my eyes and imagine myself on a tropical island, piña colada in hand.

These events take place on most Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, but check JaM Cellars Facebook page or website for listings. Live music on Thursdays is from 8pm-10pm while on Fridays and Saturdays the music runs from 9pm-11pm. With JaM Cellars’ connection to BottleRock Napa Valley (they are a five-time Presenting Sponsor) there’s a chance you’ll catch artists that also play the music festival (like Sam Johnson, Chris Pierce, and Mondo Cozmo). Other acts include nationally-acclaimed, touring artists (like Witherward), while others are based right in Napa Valley (including Full Chizel and JourneyDay). Book online via Tock to secure your spot.

The Wine

The wine is flowing all night long from the bar, available for purchase by the glass, flight, or bottle. You may know JaM Cellars for their popular Californian wines priced at under $20: the classic Butter Chardonnay, their signature JaM Cabernet, bubbles in the form of Toast Sparkling, and Sugar Sweet White, a Moscato. But don’t pass up the chance to try their Napa Valley releases exclusive to the JaM Cellars wine and music studio. Sip these side-by-side with their Californian counterparts for a fun taste test, or try the Napa Valley-only JaM Cellars Sauvignon Blanc and JaM Cellars Pinot Noir. There really is a wine here for everyone! Reservations are highly recommended through ExploreTock.com/JaMCellars. See you there!

Typically, when people think of Napa, they think of the picturesque landscape — sprawling estates with rolling hills, orderly vines of every varietal, the morning sun burning off the gray mist that blankets the valley.

There is much to love about that heavenly slice of Wine Country. But recently, I stopped through downtown Napa to visit JaM Cellars, which offers an unexpected taste of Napa Valley. Centrally located on First Street, next door to Andaz Napa and sister brand John Anthony Vineyards, it’s also a stone’s throw away from local restaurants such as Eiko’s Sushi, Grace’s Table, and Charlie Palmer Steak in the ultra-chic Archer Hotel.

Upon stepping through JaM Cellars’ doors, it was immediately apparent that this was not like any other Wine Country tasting room that I’d been to. Like all Napa and Sonoma tasting rooms, JaM was well proportioned and thoughtfully decorated. Unexpectedly though, this tasting room had walls that were papered with old Rolling Stones covers, a live band setup, an incredible vinyl collection, Eames lounge chairs, and an honest-to-goodness recording studio in the back.

It may sound gimmicky at first blush, like a Hard Rock Cafe of Wine Country, but it wasn’t — the people I met there were as excited about music and community as they were about wine. The result of the décor and the easy personalities I encountered at JaM Cellars all contributed to the relaxed, intimate, and (perhaps most importantly) non-intimidating vibe in which to try wine — an unexpected experience in Napa Valley.

Anyone who’s been wine tasting knows, the conversations that happen are often about flavor profiles, vineyards, barrels, and the aging process. While there’s something to be said for understanding what you’re drinking, sometimes I just want to hang out and drink great wine, and get to know the people pouring on a human level in addition to learning about the wine. With JaM, the focus is on creating a refreshing environment where people can enjoy their wines while surrounded by their friends, whether that is in a lounge-like setting with an acoustic rock show going on, or during a progressive pop synth show with dancing under the sparkling disco ball.

Owen Ridings, the wine and music studio manager at JaM Cellars, was on site to greet me when I arrived early on Sunday. Dressed in jeans, a dark cardigan, Chuck Taylors, and black-framed specs, he seemed less like a traditional Napa Valley wine manager and more like an indie bookshop owner or the singer-slash-guitarist of a band (the latter of which turned out to actually be true).

But still, he did know a lot about wine. We reclined on couches around a glass coffee table, with a perfect view out the airy front windows of downtown Napa. Ridings took out their hugely-popular Butter Chardonnay and did a side-by-side pour of two appellations — one chardonnay made from a range of California growers’ grapes and the other from exclusively Napa Valley grapes, which is only available at their Wine and Music Studio.

In between our conversations about their record collection, podcasts, and the accessibility of wine, I learned to taste the difference. The education was dispensed in such a way that I remembered words like ‘rich’ and ‘creamy’ and was completely comfortable admitting — in an environment so laid-back — that I couldn’t detect the hints of baked lemon or vanilla.

As we tasted and chatted, Ridings went on to share more about the story behind the wine. I learned that wines produced exclusively from Napa Valley vineyards vary from year to year. Napa Valley exists in a unique microclimate, and fluctuations in that microclimate affect that season’s crops. And since wine designated from a certain Napa Valley appellation means that wine is exclusively grown, harvested, aged, and bottled in Napa Valley, the sum of all those microclimate changes are compounded in that end product — the bottle of wine. The result can sometimes be devastating when Napa Valley suffers unseasonable weather or a natural disaster, but when things go well, as they do more often than not, wines produced in Napa Valley can be more vibrant and aromatic than those from elsewhere in California.

Not all vintners can source from some of the best growers in Napa Valley, but the team behind JaM Cellars has a long history here in Wine Country. The owners, husband-and-wife team John and Michele Truchard (the ‘J’ and ‘M’ of JaM Cellars), are second-generation Napa Valley vintners. With the success of their high-end John Anthony Vineyards already under their belt, John wanted to create great wine for the everyday drinker. I was surprised to learn that the JaM label was created during the recession in the aughts, but I shouldn’t have been — people always want quality, affordable wine. John relies on his long-standing relationships with growers to control the entire vertical process of winemaking, creating a quality wine at a reasonable price, then distributes through popular markets and grocery stores. (I’ve since found JaM’s handy WineFinder on their website, JaMCellars.com, that shows you everywhere you can find their wines around the country).

We moved onto the California Candy Dry Rosé. Named for its eye-candy appeal, this wine is as pretty as it is delicious — perfectly crisp and clean on a warm spring morning in Wine Country. Next, Ridings poured the Napa and California JaM Cabernets while I asked him about the studio itself. What’s it like to work in this space? A part shop, part live music venue where the owners have consciously moved away from what can sometimes be the sterile grandeur of tasting rooms of yore.

He details anecdotes of his favorite memories: guests who geek out over the vinyl collection, the reaction from the crowd when the giant disco ball is turned on, sourcing local talent for intimate shows during one of their JaMSessions, and bringing the community together with late night events (there’s not usually much open in Wine Country after dinnertime, but JaM Cellars is open until 10pm most nights and until midnight on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings).

In short, his favorite moments are the ones that are about the people and their stories; that everyone happens to be enjoying great wine is the cherry on top. Those moments come in the tastings at JaM Cellars, but also on a larger scale at festivals such as BottleRock Napa Valley, among others. As the presenting sponsor of BottleRock, they host the JaMPad, which features intimate shows and DJ dance parties between sets. Their special California Candy Frosé was a hit last year in the toasty Napa Valley sunshine, so here’s to hoping they’ll bring that back. For a brand that has dispensed with the pretension and stuffiness, and embraced all the fun and bringing-togetherness aspects, a frozen rosé isn’t blasphemous — it’s irreverent, welcoming, and fun, just like tasting at JaM Cellars, and just like how creating a memory around delicious wine should be.