White Wine in Napa Valley
Napa Valley is famous for Red Wine. You don’t have to spend much time in Napa to hear “Cab is King”. Cabernet Sauvignon is the beloved grape of many wineries with its other Bordeaux reds (Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot) planted in good measure. In Napa Valley’s cooler area, Carneros AVA, Pinot Noir is the star with Chardonnay as its companion wine.
Does that mean Napa has nothing to offer white wine drinkers? What if you’re traveling with a friend or loved one who prefers white wine? This is where it’s good to know the white wine depth and general culture of different wineries. Some only have one “official” white on their flight, but they have other whites in the back, give a “above and beyond” personal experience, and so they may pop open another white wine for you (especially if you’re hoping to bring wine home with you). Some wineries, if you call in advance and give them a heads up, can custom curate a flight for you. Other wineries are known for their white wines and always pour at least 2.
White Wine Tour Tips:
Visit one winery during your day where can do a mostly/all white flight. Some wineries have all white flights and want the whole party to enjoy the same, and some educators are given freedom to customize for red or white drinkers (this is where knowing the individual wineries pays off).
Make sure to visit wineries that have at least one white wine (some are red wine only which can shock those who prefer the lighter juice).
Go to small wineries which have a mix of wine and will curate to guests, or larger wineries where wine educators are given freedom.
White Wine Spots to Consider:
Tamber Bey - A boutique winery on a beautiful horse ranch estate, Tamber Bey is relaxed and welcoming. Tastings typically include a Sauvignon Blanc, a Chardonnay, and a Rosé alongside their reds.
St. Supery will often design an all or mostly white wine flight for guests
William Hill - Well known for its white wines, particularly Chardonnay,and sweeping views from its outdoor patio.
Miner Family Winery - With a huge range of Rhone and Bordeaux grape varietals, Miner family greets you with a Viognier but has many other whites on offer, too. When you book their private tasting on the veranda or in their cave, let them know you lean toward white wines, and the host will often swap out a red for you.
V Sattui & Castello di Amorosa - Especially great for white wine drinkers who enjoy sweeter wines or who are still exploring varietals trying to pin down their favorites, V Sattui lets guests customize their tastings from an extensive selection. With the same owner, Castello di Amorosa also allows guests freedom to customize their flight. Both wineries have reserve tastings available with similar customizing opportunities.
Cakebread - Their standard flight features a Sauvignon Blanc and a Chardonnay from Napa Valley. They used to do an all-white wine flight, but alas, no more.
Stony Hill - For decades this boutique winery has been celebrating white grape varietals which are now rarely grown in Napa Valley. Their offerings include a beautiful Riesling and a sweet but very well-balanced dessert white. It is an elevated experience for the appreciator of fine white wines.
Trefethen - Willing to pour an all white flight for some guests and a red flight for others, Trefethen is a family-owned winery who treats white wine lovers well. Their Dry Riesling is a reason to visit on its own, but they also have Sauvignon Blanc, a white blend, and a Chardonnay in addition to a Rosé.
Bouchaine - In the cool of Carneros, this beautiful estate has so many amazing wines on offer: Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Oaked and Unoaked Chardonnay and others! Their Pinot Noir is so wide ranging, there may be one which converts some white wine drinkers to the dark side. They allow you to select which wines you’d like to enjoy.
Rutherford Ranch - With numerous Chardonnay and a Sauvignon Blanc on offer, this can be an excellent stop for white and red wine lovers. They also have custom chocolates to pair with their wines, which makes some red wine more enjoyable for white wine lovers.
Happy Drinking!
Whether you prefer white wines are are just looking to balance out the amazing red wines you’ve found elsewhere, the above wineries in Napa Valley showcase the breadth of the area and the skills of our winemakers with red and white wines alike.
And remember, there are many white wines of great renown world wide, so while people may say things like, “you’re in the wrong Valley for white wine” or you may feel self-conscious, have no fear, there is plenty of excellent white wine to be found in Napa Valley. And everyone should drink what they love while being open to expanding into new possibilities. Many a white-wine visitor ends up finding red wines they love in Napa Valley because the wines are so delicious.