As a tour guide in Napa, I am often asked what my favorite wineries are. Well, I have to ask if I am driving or personally tasting. If I’m driving, my favorite wineries are ones with lots of shade and wifi! If I’m tasting, my favorite wineries are ones that don’t require a drive. Part of the beauty of living in downtown Napa is that everything is (pretty much) walkable, so if I’m tasting, then I’m looking for a place that we can walk to.
So let’s start with something close to home. A short walk from our house into downtown on Main Street is Vintner’s Collective, an iconic stone, 2-story building that was constructed in 1875.
When I moved here 30 years ago, it had been vacant but was originally built as a saloon and brothel (not uncommon in Napa, our house was too). In 2002, it opened as Vintner’s Collective, where you can taste and purchase small production wines from Napa and Sonoma. It is kind of a perfect stop for all wine enthusiasts. You can hang out at the bar and sample their formatted tasting menu, or you can let them know what style of wines you enjoy and they will take you “off menu” to cater to your palate.
If you really wanted to have a more personal tasting, you can book a table upstairs with a cheese + charcuterie board with local chocolates. I often drop in to see my buddy Mike for his witty sarcasm and to taste what he has been pouring lately. Always makes the walk home a little bit better.
Looking for a place where you can taste different styles from different producers? Drop me a line and we’ll get you set up with Mike and his team at Vintner’s Collective on your next visit.