Our Napa 2019 trip began with the ultimate dream come true – stepping into the Blending Room at Raymond Vineyard to become a Winemaker for a Day. Among glittering chandeliers and candelabras, we learned the art of crafting a Bordeaux-style red blend, hand-bottling our creations to take home a luxury souvenir. After savoring the fruits of our labor, we enjoyed an afternoon of wine tasting, from the historic charm of Beringer Vineyards to the boutique elegance of Crocker & Starr, ending at Cosentino Winery as the sun dipped over Napa’s rolling hills – a day straight out of a wine lover’s fantasy. 🍷

Napa Winemaker & Tasting Itinerary

This itinerary is based on a trip on August 7, 2019.

• 🍷 10:30 AM – Raymond Vineyard: Winemaker for a Day (🎟️ Reservation required, $175/person, 1.5 hr)
• 🍕 12:30 PM – Lunch @ Pizzeria Tra Vigne
• 🍷 1:30 PM – Beringer Vineyards (Shared tastings $25-40, walk-ins welcome)
• 🍷 3:00 PM – Crocker & Starr (🎟️ Reservation required for Wine experience – $95) 
• 🍷 5:00 PM – Cosentino Winery (open until 6 PM)
• Other wineries (time permitting)
  • 🍷 Newton Vineyard (no walk-ins available)
  • 🍷 Inglenook (walk-in tastings)
  • 🍷 Cakebread Cellars 
  • Other Napa wineries we visited on our San Francisco trip (Chateau Montelena, Sterling, Castello di Amorosa, V. Sattui, Robert Mondavi and Domaine Chandon).
• 🍽️ 5:15 PM – Dinner at Brix with live music
• 🎵 Optional: Tonga Room (Live music starting 8:15 PM)

For more pictures & tips on other wine region and baseball stadium visits on this trip, check out our blogs:

• 🍇 An Afternoon at Livermore Valley Wineries
• 🍇 Zinfandel Dreams in Lodi Central Valley
• ⚾️ San Francisco Giants Oracle Park
• ⚾️ Oakland Athletics Alameda County Coliseum

🥼 Raymond Vineyard

We had an unforgettable, hands-on experience at Raymond Vineyard, where we lived out the ultimate fantasy of becoming Winemakers for a Day. Draped in shimmering silver lab coats beneath a canopy of dazzling chandeliers, we stepped into a world where science met splendor. Using fancy volumetric flasks and pipettes, we crafted three unique Bordeaux-style blends, swirling, measuring, and tasting like true artisans of the vine. After perfecting our signature creation, we bottled, corked, capped, and crowned it with a custom label – a bespoke bottle of Napa Valley luxury, made entirely by our own hands. 🍷✨

⛲️ Beringer Vineyards

Stepping onto the historic grounds of Beringer Vineyards felt like entering a storybook. As the oldest continuously operating winery in Napa Valley, Beringer blends Old World elegance with California charm, offering a glimpse into the region’s deep winemaking roots. Towering redwoods, the iconic Rhine House, and beautifully manicured gardens set the stage for a leisurely tasting of rich Cabernets and smooth Chardonnays. With walk-in tastings available and a welcoming atmosphere, Beringer was the perfect place to sip, stroll, and soak up a piece of Napa’s timeless magic.

🛢️ Crocker & Starr

Tucked away on a quiet, sun-drenched estate, Crocker & Starr offered a more intimate side of Napa – one where passion, craftsmanship, and history poured into every glass. This boutique winery, set against a backdrop of lush vines and rustic charm, delivered a personalized tasting experience that felt like a hidden gem. We savored elegant, meticulously crafted wines while learning the stories behind each vintage, surrounded by the serene beauty of St. Helena’s countryside. Every sip captured the spirit of tradition and innovation that makes Napa’s smaller estates so unforgettable.

☀️ Cosentino Winery

Our final stop at Cosentino Winery brought a bold, lively finish to the day’s adventures. Known for its approachable, high-quality reds, Cosentino offered a relaxed, welcoming vibe that invited us to kick back and savor every last moment in Napa. We sampled a red wine on the sun-dappled patio, surrounded by vibrant flowers. With its unpretentious charm and beautifully balanced wines, Cosentino was the perfect place to toast a day well spent – a spirited reminder that Napa’s magic lives just as much in the moments as it does in the glass.