4 Best Wine Refrigerators for Small Spaces in 2022

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Want to store (and cool) wine in a compact space like an RV, a boat or yacht, or in a small apartment or condo? Wine refrigerators come in many different sizes, including large wine maturation cabinets, under counter coolers for entertaining, or stand-alone wine refrigerators. And, lucky for you, some of these refrigerators are quite compact.

As avid boating enthusiasts and road trippers dreaming of renovating an old RV for future travels, KnowWines explored compact wine refrigerators as well as solutions for keeping them closed when in transit. We share all our best recommendations and tips in today’s blog!

Before we continue with our recommendations for the best small wine refrigerators, though, a little about the KnowWines blog. We are an Amazon.com affiliate and we do receive a small commission if you purchase items through our affiliate links at no cost to you. The commissions we receive help us pay for web hosting fees, our podcast, products to test, and other costs associated with running this site. Thanks for using our affiliate links and supporting our independent blog!

Introducing Compact Wine Coolers

Why select a compact wine cooler?

Compact wine refrigerators were designed to fit in small spaces, to keep just a few of your favorite wines on for a short journey - say a weekend or even a couple of weeks (time flies when you’re having fun!).

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In our past blog on the best wine refrigerators for wine lovers and podcast episode on wine cabinets, we really go into detail about what to look for in a wine refrigerator regardless of size, explaining the impacts of light, temperature, humidity, and vibration. When purchasing a larger wine refrigerator, however, you are typically purchasing one for your home, not travel.

Compact wine coolers for traveling in boats or RVs come in a broad range of capacities, widths, price points, and construction types. As in most competitive retail spaces, you pretty much get what you pay for.

At the lower end, you’re likely to get a noisier unit. Cheaper units also may not have the flexibility to install as a built-in or to rotate the door for a choice of left or right opening (this can be important in small spaces). Cheaper units also come with cheaper packing material. You might also sacrifice some temperature control. 

At the higher price point, you pay for a higher quality compressor and some aesthetic design elements like wood shelves. You’re also more likely to get an after-sales service number and someone you can contact if any issues arise or if you need a part.  

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What Are Typical Small Wine Cooler Bottle Capacities?

Small wine refrigerators come in eight, 16, 18, 24, 28, and 32 bottle capacities. However, these are just general guidelines. In communicating these capacities, manufacturers are typically referring to Bordeaux-style bottles.

What Are Typical Small Wine Cooler Dimensions?

Unless designed to be free-standing, most small wine coolers are designed to fit inside a standard base cabinet of 15”.  

How to Choose A Small Wine Refrigerator

Chances are you won’t need a compact wine refrigerator to age a collection of fine wines over a course of years.  You are likely looking for a unit that will store wines at about 55 degrees F for a period of weeks or months.  Unlike larger maturation coolers, some slightly different criteria come into play.

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Design for Holding Wine Bottles

While this might sound like a no-brainer, we do see a lot of ads for wine refrigerators which are simply dorm-sized refrigerators with wire racks.  These units are not designed for maintaining the correct humidity or for holding wines steady in a moving RV or yacht. Even in a small condo or apartment, this style of refrigerator is undesirable for wine storage as bottles will roll around within the unit.

Noise

For smaller refrigerators in more confined spaces, noise can become an issue, especially at the low-end price range. We love wine refrigerators with compressors as they typically last longer than thermoelectric units, reducing the need for replacing the unit frequently. Compressor units typically last 8-10 years and can last longer if you don’t mind replacing a part here or there as the unit ages.  In our reviews, we pay special attention to the quality of the compressor and the noise it generates (as experienced by customer ratings).

Dual Temperature or Single Temperature?

We love to keep our electronics simple and as low maintenance as possible. If you’ve ever owned a three-function printer, the joke is “which function will break first.” We recommend a single temperature unit, and keeping the single zone set for 55 degrees F.   

Built-In or Free-Standing Compact Wine Refrigerator?

If you plan to install a wine refrigeration unit in an RV or boat where the unit will be placed into some sort of cabinet that is designed to vent out front, be sure to read the fine print. Otherwise, the construction materials behind the refrigerator could get too hot and ignite, potentially starting a fire in your small space.

Do I Need a Warranty?

From our over ten years experience in owning various wine refrigerators, we’ve noticed that if you are going to have a problem with your unit it is going to likely be when the unit is fairly new. These coolers can get damaged during transit or installation.  We recommend purchasing a small wine refrigerator with a premium credit card that extends the manufacturer’s warranty. For these smaller units, we typically don’t purchase a separate small appliance warranty. 

Also, don’t install these or any wine refrigerators next to an oven. Small wine refrigerators tend to have fairly thin side-walls as compared to a conventional refrigerator, allowing oven heat to penetrate and damage the wine or refrigerator.

Our Favorite Compact Wine Refrigerators

Best 12” Wine Cooler

We like the Kalmera 12” wine cooler for its small size, low noise compressor, and aesthetics.  

If you have an existing space utilized by an old trash compactor that you want to remove, this 12” wine cooler might be good for that. This could also be a good compact wine refrigerator for installing in an RV.

Features we like are the easy-to-use buttons, double-layer glass for UV protection, and a carbon filter to reduce odors. If your power happens to go out, when the unit restarts it will go back to the temperature you set it at.

We also like the sliding wood racks that hold up to 18 Bordeaux bottles. The top shelf of the unit is 4” high, so it can accommodate larger bottles like super-premium Chardonnay from Napa or many of the odd rosé bottle sizes from Provence or the Rhone.  

The blue lights in the unit can be turned off if you find that they are too strong. 

The door handle can be removed as well!




Best 15” Wine Cooler

If you have 15” opening to work with, this 30-bottle wine chiller by Colzer might work for you.  

This unit has oak shelves and the shelf spacing is 3.5 inches, so it should accommodate champagne easily. 

Take note that some wider-based rose wines and super-premium wide-bottom wine bottles might not fit. Check the diameter of your wine bottles before purchasing this or any compact wine refrigerator.  




Best Thermoelectric Countertop Wine Cooler

If you don’t have a 12” or 15” space under your kitchen counter, then you may be interested in this countertop wine cooler. 

With a very small footprint (12. 3"(L) x 22. 6"(W) x 19. 2"(H)), it holds eight bottles of wine on chrome racks.

The thermoelectric cooling system makes for a fairly quiet unit, and the interior light is soft interior light is not distracting. If you have the countertop space, this could be an attractive addition to your kitchen.

Adjustable feet help this to fit more snugly beneath cabinets and shelves.

Best Cheap Small Wine Refrigerator

On a budget? Go for this Schmecke 12-Bottle Compressor Wine Cooler Refrigerator. This unit may be too noisy in a closed in space like a boat or RV, but if you are looking for a unit to place in a bonus room or other space you are not reading or sleeping in, this is a less expensive option. This may also be an affordable wine refrigerator for a hair or nail salon.  

 
 

How to Secure Your Wine Cabinet Door in an RV or Boat

If your small space wine cabinet install is going to be inside a larger moving home like and RV, boat, or (lucky you!) a yacht, then you will want to consider adding additional measures to ensure that the door does not come flying open on rough seas or when rounding a mountain bend.

One of the most attractive and robust systems we have found is this door locking system by Guardianite.  

We like how it attaches with the easy to remove the sticker, exposing the 3M adhesive. 

RV and boating enthusiasts will like how the latch falls away and does not get in the way.  

In Conclusion

When looking for a small wine refrigerator for an RV, boat, condo, or apartment, there are a few great 12”, 15” and countertop units out there on the market. For under-counter mounting, we recommend a wine cooler with a compressor. 

Ideally, the unit has a wooden shelf or bottle-shaped holders to keep wine steady, especially if you are taking wine on the road or on a yacht.

If you are taking wine on the road (or open seas) with you, remember that extreme vibration may accelerate the wine aging process. Hence we don’t recommend multi-year storage of wines in a small wine refrigerator. Instead, keep wines for aging back at home in a large stand-alone wine cabinet, an under-counter wine cabinet or at a storage unit specifically designed for storing wine.  

Happy travels!

VinGardeValise Review

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If you are traveling to wine country and need a suitcase to carry back your finds, the VinGardeValise may be for you.  We’ve owned a VinGardeValise for seven years and have taken it on the road internationally and across the country at least four times per year.

Before we continue with our review, though, a little about the KnowWines blog. We are an Amazon.com affiliate and we do receive a small commission if you purchase items through our affiliate links at no cost to you. The commissions we receive help us pay for web hosting fees, products to test, and other costs associated with running this site. Thanks for using our affiliate links and supporting our independent blog!

History of the VinGardeValise

The VinGardeValise was invented by Barry Wax and has been on the market since 2014.  The first advertisement for this item is fun and descriptive, showing people throwing suitcases of wine down flights of stairs. Soon after seeing this video, I was at Clos du Val in Napa Valley where they were selling a few of these in the tasting room. I was enamored with its look and quality, so I picked one up.  

Wine Bottle Suitcases: Do You Need One?

No, you don’t really need the VinGardeValise. In fact, there are several other approaches to packing wine in a suitcase that you may want to try first. However, if you are frequently flying with wine and want a hard-sided suitcase designed for this specific use rather than leveraging or jury-rigging a solution, we highly recommend the VinGardeValise.

 
 

VinGardeValise: Special Features

When VinGardeValise was first released, the company encouraged feedback for future product releases. This customer feedback has led to various sizes and features over the years.

VinGardeValise, Various Sizes

12 Bottle Wine Suitcase

 
 

8 Bottle Wine Suitcase

 
 

5 Bottle Wine Suitcase

 
 

Colors of VinGardeValise

The attractive, hard-sheel exterior design of the VinGardeValise comes in Black, Burgundy, and Silver. You can select the color that goes best with your wardrobe or the rest of your luggage. Need two VinGardeValise wine suitcases? Get a silver one for your white and bubbly wines, and a burgandy one for the reds!

Construction of the VinGarde Valise

The VinGardeValise is constructed of a proprietary compound shell and foam inserts.  Older models had symmetrical wheels that worked quite well. The newer models have Hinomoto wheels which are even easier to maneuver, especially around the airport. 

Robustness of the VinGardeValise

Like we said, we’ve had our VinGardeValise for about seven years. Here are some photos of how the item as held up over the years. 

The inserts and interior have held up exceptionally well.  It still handles like a high-end suitcase.  

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Over the years, the exterior shell has understandably taken a little bit of a beating due to normal wear and tear in airports, trains, and cars.  Thanks to the dark coloring, however, the scuffs are hard to notice.

 
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The zippers have also held up well.  We’ve used other high-end suitcases for our regular luggage needs and have found that the zipper is usually the first items to malfunction. This has not been the case with the VinGardeValise. We’ve also never run into any issues with the straps around the suitcase.  We sometimes have wished that the straps were not there, as it is one more closure to deal with. However, it likely serves as an additional measure to keep the suitcase intact and keep its shape.

 
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Using the VinGardeValise for Liquor or Beer

If you purchase and travel with beer bombers, any of the VinGardeValise suitcases will work just fine for your 750 mL beer bottles. Here’s a photo of the VinGardeValise I have holding several types of alcohol.

 
 

If you will be traveling with smaller bottles of beer, you may want to consider the BiereGardeValise, which holds up to 19 beer bottles.  

 
 

How to Travel With Wine in a Suitcase

The main points to keep in mind when traveling with wine are to avoid too much heat or too much cold and try to minimize vibration as much as possible. Once you arrive home with your bottles, let them sit for at least two weeks before opening, to allow the contents to settle. Read our blog on how to check when when you fly for more tips on traveling with wine.

If you have a fairly short connection, chances are the foam insulation and hard shell will keep your wines nice and cool.  However, if you have a long haul flight during the peak of summer, you may want to consider one of these specially made Chiller Sheets that come in two sizes: one for the 12 bottle model and another for the 8 bottle model.  

 
 

While these chiller sheets are quite handy, I’ve found they don’t fit well into most itty-bitty hotel freezers so I’ve not taken the chiller sheet on any recent trips.  

Setting the Lock on Your VinGardeValise

If you’ve purchased a VinGardeValise but accidentally threw away or lost your lock set instructions (or you just drank too much wine to remember the code), check out this video for instructions on how to reset your VinGardeValise code.

VinGardeValise and Luggage Fees

The VinGardeValise was designed to avoid excess weight and, as such, excess luggage fees. When full of bottles, it weighs less than 50 lbs.

Where to buy VinGardeValise

We hope you enjoy traveling with your new VinGardeValise!

Cheers!

Best Bordeaux Wine Maps

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Earlier in the year we wrote a blog on the wide world of wine maps, surveying wine maps from regions across the globe. In today’s blog, we’re looking specifically at wine maps of Bordeaux.

Bordeaux is the largest wine region in the world, so naturally there are many wine maps of the area, all with different target audiences in mind. That’s good news, as wine lovers may want Bordeaux wine maps for a variety of reasons, from trip planning to decor to study and reference.

Before we continue with Bordeaux wine map recommendations, though, a little about the KnowWines blog. We are an Amazon.com affiliate and we do receive a small commission if you purchase items through our affiliate links at no cost to you. The commissions we receive help us pay for web hosting fees, products to test, and other costs associated with running this site. Thanks for using our affiliate links and supporting our independent blog!

Types of Bordeaux Wine Maps

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There are a wide variety of Bordeaux wine maps available for wine enthusiasts, students of wine, winemakers, and journalists.

There is no one-size-fits-all “best” wine map of Bordeaux. However, KnowWines has collected a number of great Bordeaux maps over the years, and here we are sharing a few of our favorites!

Don’t have time to read through our recommendations? Spoiler alert: all of our overall favorite Bordeaux Wine Maps are located in the book Inside Bordeaux by Jane Anson.  

Easy to Read Bordeaux Wine Maps 

Maybe you’re a new wine enthusiast and you want a simple, trendy, and visually pleasing Bordeaux wine map. Or perhaps you teach wine classes at a bottle shop or wine bar and are looking for great decor. These Bordeaux wine maps are visually appealing even in low light conditions. We like the larger font as well. Overall, these maps are well constructed. However, we took our map to an Office Depot to get it laminated so that it wouldn’t get stained or written on.  

 
 

Bordeaux Wine Maps for Decor

In addition to the Wine Folly map above, we like this classic map that goes well with traditional decor. While the font is fairly small, it looks great in a frame.

 
 

Bordeaux Wine Maps for Tour Planning

Having been to Bordeaux four times now, we’ve amassed quite a collection of maps, books, and guides on Bordeaux. Here are our new favorites and a few of our old ones.

BORDEAUX SIP BY SIP BY NICOLE CROFT

This is an excellent resource for DIY trips to Bordeaux, and for finding exceptional values on off-the-beaten path Bordeaux. We’ve taken Nicolle Croft’s tour in the past and it was delightful. Check out our interview with Nicolle on Bordeaux Buzz podcast!

 
 

BENJAMIN LEWIN GUIDES

Benjamin Lewin has two good resources detailing the locations of the classified and up-and-coming chateaux in Bordeaux.  There are also details in these books on recent vintages and their hours and tour availability in addition to maps.  

BENJAMIN LEWIN GUIDES: RIGHT BANK BORDEAUX

 
 

BENJAMIN LEWIN GUIDES: LEFT BANK BORDEAUX

 
 

MICHELIN WINE MAPS

We usually plug in our final destinations for a wine tour on our iPhones, however for the research phase, we prefer old school maps to a four-inch screen. While there are plenty of Michelin maps available at bookstores and online retailers, one complaint is that they are more for “passing through” purposes than they are for planning a trip. One exception is this Vins de Bordeaux map available on Amazon:

 
 

Bordeaux Wine Maps for Wine Enthusiasts

If you are looking for wine maps that are more detailed than the Wine Folly map or a travel guide, check out this book by the Bordeaux Wine School. In addition to several maps, there is a good introduction and deep (but not too deep!) dive into the wines and the region. This is not a stuffy, dry resource, there are plenty of photos and graphics to illustrate maps and points.

 
The Essential Guide to Bordeaux Wines
By Bordeaux Wine School, Brissaud, Sophie
Buy on Amazon
 

Bordeaux Wine Maps for Wine Certification Studies

  • DE LONG BORDEAUX MAP: While there is not a Bordeaux-specific wine map from Steve De Long, there is this recently released box set which does include a Bordeaux map on the Wine Map of France. 

  • WINE SCHOLAR GUILD WINE MAP OF BORDEAUX: Members of the Wine Scholar Guild can get access to many maps for studies. 

  • INSIDE BORDEAUX BY JANE ANSON: Our top pick for Bordeaux reference maps, Inside Bordeaux by Jane Anson, has a number of Bordeaux maps. This simply gorgeous book is currently occupying our nightstand. The crux of the book is maps, all of them detailing the best soils and terroir of Bordeaux.

Vintage or Antique Maps of Bordeaux

Sites like ebay, Etsy, and Amazon have vintage or antique wine or city maps of Bordeaux. The price and availability of antique Bordeaux maps varies significantly, so check out those sites for vintage or antique maps of Bordeaux.

 
 

Bordeaux Wine Map Wrap-Up

There are a number of maps available to help you visualize Bordeaux, plan a trip, or simply decorate.  

If you like to geek out on soils, the Inside Bordeaux book is a must. If you are interested in a general overview of the region, check out The Essential Guide to Bordeaux Wines. 

Off the beaten path more your style? Check out Nicolle Croft’s new book Bordeaux Sip by Sip highlighting independent wine producers in Bordeaux like Chateau Coutet.

Finally, if you are looking for a colorful and introductory map of Bordeaux, we really like the bright and large font of the Wine Folly map.

Cheers!



Wine Glass Travel Case

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Some wine lovers like to travel with their own glassware, especially to a vacation rental where the glassware is often suboptimal or missing altogether. You might be thinking, “Really? Do people actually travel with wine glassware?”

Yep, they sure do. But to be fair, traveling with glassware is often more about being prepared for unknown situations than it is about being a snob. In fact, if you are prepared in advance for a trip to wine country, you will also be prepared to safely bring back souvenir wine glasses from your favorite wineries.

Before we continue with our wine glass travel case reviews, though, a little about the KnowWines blog. We’re an Amazon.com affiliate and we do receive a small commission if you purchase items through our affiliate links at no cost to you. The commissions help us pay for web hosting fees, products to test, and other costs associated with running this site. Thank you for using our affiliate links and supporting this independent blog!

Why Bring Your Own Glassware?

Benefits of Bringing Your Own Glassware

When you rent a house on AirBnB or stay at a relative’s home, you don’t know what the wine glass situation will be. 

If your reputation as a budding wine enthusiast precedes you, your host may be expecting a knock-out wine experience as a benefit of an invite. If you are going to share wine with a partner or friends/family in a new locale, it helps to be prepared with quality wine glasses.

Here are a few things we’ve run into over the years when it comes to wine glass inventory at rental homes:

  • Dirty wine glasses.  Gross!  Glasses might be dirty from days or months of non-use, or they may be hazy from too many cycles in the dishwasher. 

  • Cheap, thick-rimmed wine glasses or wine glasses with too much “personality” (over-use of hand lettering, glue gun art, or extravagant laser edging).  Nothing takes the fun out of wine tasting more than drinking a special wine out of a “Mommy’s Sippy Cup” wine glass.  

  • No wine glasses at all.  Perhaps the HomeAway host does not offer wine glasses for personal reasons, thinking it might cut down on partying or save them the trouble of replacing broken wine glases.

Bringing your own wine glass can eliminate the need to stop and buy new wine glasses or hunt down extra strength cleaner to remove dust or even dead flies!

Downsides of Bringing Your Own Glassware

While there are several upsides to bringing your own glassware, there are some downsides, including the following:

  • Bringing your own glassware takes up valuable space in your luggage.

  • Glassware could break in transit.

  • You might accidentally leave behind your glassware at the rental.

Bringing Your Own Wine Glasses on an Airplane

In the United States, you can bring empty wine glasses on the airplane. We recommend that you already have the wine glasses packed away safely in your hand luggage using any one of the methods we share below. If you’re planning a trip to wine country, you can also check wine when you fly!

Best Wine Glass Travel Cases

When it comes to wine glass travel cases, there are a few decent products on the market.

However, when possible, we prefer to go the DIY route, reusing household items that might fit the bill, especially when planning a trip to wine country. In this case, we might not need to take any wine glasses on the outbound portion of the trip, but we may need to be prepared in advance for bringing back any souvenir glasses from wineries.

DIY Wine Glass Travel Cases

Pro Tip: Keep the box your wine glasses came in, as it can double as a wine glass travel case! Canisters from wines like tawny port or the boxes that whisky often come in make great travel cases.

Most food-safe storage or pantry containers over 6.5 L can accommodate easily one - if not two - wine glasses.  Be sure to measure the length and width of your wine glass(es) to make sure that they will fit.

With any of the DIY approaches, make sure to pad around each wine glass bowl with packing paper or bubble wrap so that the bowls are not clanking against each other in transit.  

 
 

Riedel Wine Glass Travel Case

This wine glass travel case by Reidel holds three universal wine glasses and standard red (Bordeaux) glasses.  Unlike our DIY solutions, this wine glass travel case can hold three to five glasses.  And it has a shoulder strap!

 
 

This travel case will not hold extra-large glasses like Pinot Noir glass that have a wider bowl. Note that some users indicate that after a year or so that the bag may start to give off plastic or rubbery smell.  

Ravenscroft Crystal Ultimate Travel Case

This wine glass travel case is similar in size to the Riedel travel case and is a good option if you don’t want a big brand name on the outside of your bag. It also is fairly compact and will pack easily.

 
 

Like the Riedel bag, some users find that oversized wine bowls (like Pinot Noir-specific wine glasses) may not fit in this travel case. Glasses with especially long stems may not either.

In Conclusion

Thanks for reading our review of wine travel bags.

As we discussed, some wine lovers may want to travel with their wine glasses. Reasons for this may include being prepared at an unknown destination that might have unclean glasses (or none at all).  Other wine lovers might want to purchase a wine travel case or come up with a DIY wine travel case solution if they are traveling to a wine region and want to bring home souvenir wine glasses.  

Wine glass travel cases are certainly optional wine hobbyist accessories. Through the years, we have found that one can often “make do” with solutions like liquor bottle boxes, shipping tubes, pantry tubs, or boxes received as wrapping for purchase or gift.  

Whatever solution you choose for your next getaway, we wish you happy travels!

Cheers!

The World of Wine Maps

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Anyone who has been to a wine shop or tasting is likely familiar with wine maps (and wine lovers’ affinity for them). In wine shops, you’ll see them on display, on shelf talkers, and as handouts.

So, why all the maps? In today’s blog, we explain why wine maps are so beloved to wine enthusiasts. We’ll also share where you can get great wine maps of your own.

Whether you want a wine map for wine education, as home decor, or to plan a trip, we’ve got the 411 on all the best wine maps!

Before we continue with our recommendations, though, a little about the KnowWines blog. We are an Amazon.com affiliate and we do receive a small commission if you purchase items through our affiliate links at no cost to you. The commissions we receive help us pay for web hosting fees, products to test, and other costs associated with running this site. Thanks for using our affiliate links and supporting our independent blog!

Why All The Wine Maps?

Wine is an agricultural product. With the label on the bottle indicating origin, a bottle of wine invokes a sense of place. Lovers of wine often have a case of wanderlust, and poring over wine maps (as you enjoy a glass of wine from that region) can help satisfy that passion for travel. Or, if you’ve already done a great deal of traveling in wine country, wine maps can take you back to the terraced vineyards of the rustic Rhone Valley or the rolling hills of Saint-Émilion in Bordeaux.

More so than other agricultural products (there are no asparagus maps, for example), wines carry the characteristics of the places they are grown in their taste, color, and aroma. Wine reflects the quality of the soil and the sunlight of its region, as well as the particular details of elevation and climate. You can learn a lot about a wine by studying the map of where it is grown.

Wine students and enthusiasts also have an interest in learning the geographic areas that are in scope of AOCs or appellations.

Do I Need A Wine Map?

You certainly don’t need a wine map to enjoy wine, but it can definitely be an entertaining accompaniment to your evening pour. In fact, many sommeliers and wine collectors have larger collections of wine books and maps than they do of wine!

It’s important to know, though, when buying a wine map, that many wine maps online and in print will have errors. People copy from each other and errors proliferate (as is so common on the internet!). We can direct you towards the most reputable wine map makers, but remember that even the best maps may have typos and errors, as they are all made by humans.

What Are the Different Purposes for Wine Maps?

Wine maps are used in a variety of purposes and by different types of users. Consider the following:

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  • Wine Maps for the Wine Trade. These maps tend to focus on on geography, individual vineyards, geology, water, proximity to bodies of water and mountains or valleys (elevation), regulation aspects like the delimitation lines for an AOC or appellation (e.g. what land is in or out of scope for labeling purposes).

  • Wine Maps for Decorating. Wine maps are very colorful and make beautiful framed art for dining rooms, living rooms, and kitchens. Perfect decor for wine lovers!

  • Wine Maps for Wine Pros. Wine pros, who may use maps for educating others about wine, tend to rely on DeLong maps or The World Atlas of Wine (more on those below!).

  • Antique Wine Maps. Antique wine maps, great for collectors, can be found on eBay or Etsy.

  • Wine Maps for Travel Planning. Tourist wine maps can be found on the websites of wineries in the region you plan to visit (we’ve also listed a few below!).

What Are The Best Wine Maps?

Wine lovers and serious students of wine will routinely point to the first two resources we list here as the best wine maps. We also share a great comprehensive set of wine maps plus a few examples of good wine maps for planning a visit to wine country.

Best Wine Map for Wall Display

Steve De Long was an architect with a passion for wine. When he first started looking at wine maps in the early 2000s, he thought, “Well, that’s been done.” However, after digging deeper into the topic he found that a lot of wine maps were full of errors.  

What started as a side gig for Steve has turned into a full time small business dedicated to making limited production high-quality wine maps. When Steve got started, he didn’t realize what a demand there is for high quality wine maps. In fact, there’s been such demand for the maps that a few years ago counterfeiters made illegal and low-quality copies of his maps and sold them on Amazon! Thankfully, that’s not a problem today.  

Steve’s wine maps are made by painstakingly reviewing the governmental documents of various countries followed by tedious proofreading. Behind the scenes there’s also a lot of emailing to confirm content. Here’s one of France:

 
 

Steve’s maps are have become quite well-know. They’ve even been in movies (Patriot Day) as props!  Steve is currently working on a book about the history of food pairing.  

KnowWines is a proud Kickstarter contributor to his recent project, the Wine Maps of the World Essential Collection, coming out in July 2020. If you’re interested in learning more about Steve’s maps and his map-making process, check out more of his work.

Best Wine Maps in a Book

Recently updated in 2019 is the 2020 James Beard Award-Winning book The World Atlas In Wine, weighing in at almost 5 pounds and boasting over 400 pages. The first edition of this classic wine book came out in 1971, and each edition has grown along with the changes in the wine world. Eric Asimov of New York Times calls it “the single most important reference book on the shelf of any wine student.”

 
The World Atlas of Wine 8th Edition
By Johnson, Hugh, Robinson, Jancis
Buy on Amazon
 

In addition to 230 maps in the book, the book has been significantly updated since the 7th edition of six years ago. This video explains more about those updates:

 
 

Best Set of Maps for Wine Enthusiasts

Maps for enthusiasts are likely to be colorful and more geography based, with a focus on familiarizing wine fans with the general size of a given wine region and proximity to cities or other wine regions. Emphasis is placed on font size and just enough information to get the desired point apart.

This set of 24 wine maps by Wine Folly is a great collection of the world's major wine-producing countries and regions.  

 
 

Best Wine Maps for Travel Planning

Tourist wine maps, intended to travel along with you in a purse, carry-on, or backpack, are convenient additions to your wine country travels. They also make great collector’s items and serve as mementos of your trip.

Here’s a great travel map for Napa and Sonoma:

 
 

Here’s a travel-sized book of Virginia wine country maps:

 
 

And here is a Michelin guide to wine regions of France:

 
 

Other Places to Buy Wine Maps (or Get Them for Free!)

  • Bookstores in wine regions

  • Online retailers

  • AOC / Appellation office in wine region (cheap or free) or tourism offices (for example Napa Valley Vinters or St. Emilion Tourisme.

  • Some Wine Stores have maps available as part of in-store or online classes, or at special tasting events.

  • Educational bodies Like IWG or WSET provide wine maps for free or as part of a membership.

Wine Map Conclusion

Interest in maps is increasing along with consumer interest in knowing where food and drink comes from. This is also true about wine maps for wine enthusiasts.

The recent success of the SOMM movie series and food television in general has led to an increase in students in wine programs (such as WSET) and sommelier certifications. 

Currently, there are a number of maps available on the market intended for various audiences. We’re big fans of the Steve De Long maps as well as the World Atlas of Wine.  

We love that wine maps can make us feel well-traveled without ever leaving our living rooms!

Happy mapping!

Wine Bottle Protector Sleeves

0429 Wine Travel Bags.jpeg

Are you a wine lover who enjoys bringing back a souvenir or two?  Or a business traveler who likes to bring back a gift for a spouse, partner, or colleague?  There are a number of wine travel bags on the market to help you transport that special gift. Wine bottle travel protectors increase the likelihood that the wine bottle you place in checked luggage will make it home safely and not spill all over the contents of your luggage.

Wine Bags for Travel

Most wine bottle bags are designed to protect wine bottles placed inside checked luggage.  These wine bottle protector sleeves are great for when you want to transport one or two bottles of wine in your luggage.

Wine bags keep wine bottles (and other bottles like craft beer bombers, artisanal vinegar, olive oils, and perfumes)  from breaking during rough luggage handling by providing some padding/protection for the wine bottle. They also help protect your packed items and the bottle’s label.  

We have reviewed several wine travel bags, including our favorite, the JetBag:

 
 

Before we continue with our review, a little about the KnowWines blog. We are an Amazon.com affiliate and we do receive a small commission if you purchase items through our affiliate links at no cost to you.  The commissions we receive help us pay for web hosting fees, products to test, and other costs associated with running this site. Thanks for using our affiliate links and supporting our independent blog!

Purpose of Single Bottle Wine Bags

Most wine sleeves are purchased for the following purposes:

  • Protecting wine bottles from breaking during air, cruise, and car travel

  • Protecting wine labels from getting scuffed or marked up in a suitcase

  • Protecting other packed items from stains in case the wine bottle does break or the bottle closure (e.g. cork or screw-cap) is compromised while flying

Single bottle wine bags don’t take up much space and are a great item to slip in the suitcase when traveling to a wine region.  Wine sleeves take up much less space in a checked bag when compared to a wooden bottle box coming from a winery.

Most travel wine bottle protectors are not very decorative.  If you’re looking for a more decorative and re-usable bag for gifting wine, check out our blog on re-usable wine gift bags.

It is possible to ship wine in a bottle bag. However, we would recommend using a single bottle shipping container like this one, which provides a little more structure than a wine bottle sleeve designed for air travel.

 
 

How to Select Wine Sleeves

When it comes down to it, there are two types of wine sleeves on the market: reusable or single-use wine sleeves.

How do I discern between a single-use or reusable wine bottle bag?  Single-use bags will have adhesive strips that enclose the wine bottle in the bag.  Reusable wine bottle bags will have plastic or Velcro sealing mechanisms.  

Almost all the wine bottle protectors we’ve used are constructed of plastic.  At the end of the day, disposable wine bottle protectors will cost the least. We have a strong preference for reusable wine sleeves so as to reduce landfill waste.  

Types of Wine Travel Bags

We’ve been using wine travel bags for over ten years, and we’ve experienced all different bag types, including the ones reviewed here.  Here are a few types of bags on the market:

Jet Bags - Absorbing Wine Sleeves

Our favorite wine bottle protector has several stand-out features. First, the bag has diaper-like material inside which provides both padding and absorption in case the enclosed bottle leaks or breaks during travel.  Secondly, the bag stands up when a wine bottle is inserted in the bag. Third, the bag has a handle whereas many other wine bags do not. Recently, JetBag has come out with an assortment of bags in addition to its flagship original.

 
 

Pros:

  • Sandwich-bag type closure is easy to open and close, even with one hand

  • Absorptive “diaper” material in case of breakage

  • Made in the USA

  • Available in attractive designs

Cons:

  • With repeated use over the years, the plastic seams may separate (though any slit on the side of the bag can be fixed using packing tape).

  • Extreme temperatures can compromise the bags

Inflatable Wine Bottle Protectors

Perhaps you prefer to have inflatable options for wine bottles, especially if your checked bag won’t be completely full.  The generous size of an inflated wine bottle protector will help reduce the likelihood that a bottle will break as the bottle is suspended in a “pillow.”

Inflatable wine bottle protectors come with a small hand-held syringe that inflates the protector.  While the wine bag is reusable, it does not deflate for storage. The bags hold air for months after inflating.

 
 

Pros:

  • Lightest weight wine bottle protectors

  • Less plastic than most other wine bottle protectors

  • Greatest cushioning to protect the bottle from impact

Cons:

  • They don’t “deflate” - once inflated they take up much more space than other wine bottle protectors

  • Requires bringing along air syringe when you travel, to inflate the wine bags.  If you forget the syringe at home, you can’t inflate the bag.

  • No liquid containment should the cork come out or the bottle break

Wine Wings Reusable Clear Wine Sleeves with Bubble Padding

If your cruise line or airline requires transparent bags, the Wine Wing reusable wine sleeves may be for you.  The exterior of these bags is the thickest of all the other bags reviewed. These bags were designed by an Australian pilot for his wine-loving wife.  

 
 

Pros:

  • Inner cushioning is attached to the thick plastic exterior layer, meaning that the bubble wrap won’t bunch up to the top of the bag when inserting a wine bottle

  • Transparent bag, which may be recommended or required for some cruise or airlines

  • Heavy-duty Velcro closure - easy to close

Cons:

  • No absorptive layer

FlyingTrav Discreet Wine Sleeves

While we’ve experienced very little theft from checked luggage over the years, there may be circumstances in which a little discretion comes in handy.  Perhaps that special bottle is a well-recognized luxury brand and you want to be discreet. Or you’ve purchased a bottle of wine and don’t want that special someone to see the bottle while you unpack.

 
 

Pros:

  • Solid white, cannot see into the bag from the outside - offers protection from prying eyes and sunlight

  • Pliable and attractive exterior protective layer - no rough edges

  • Two layers of bubble wrap (most wine bags utilizing bubble wrap have only one layer)

Cons:

  • Bubble wrap not attached to exterior protective layer - bubble wrap may bunch up. Simply hold the bubble wrap with one hand while inserting the bottle with the other to prevent bubble wrap bunching 

WineSkin Single-Use Wine Sleeves

WineSkin wine travel bags were the original wine sleeves. These wine sleeves are commonly found at wineries and airport shops that cater to air travelers.  We’ve also seen them in some wine bottle shops. While we prefer to purchase re-usable wine bottle bags, we have used them before and have been pleased with their performance.

 
 

Pros:

  • Lightweight

  • Tough vinyl exterior 

  • Good seal

Cons:

  • Not re-usable (designed for single use)

  • The double-adhesive seal can be a little tricky to manipulate for people with clumsy thumbs (which may be a result of a long wine tasting session)

Alternatives to Plastic Wine Sleeves

Prefer non-plastic options to wine sleeves?  In over 20 years of traveling with wine we’ve yet to have a wine bottle break. Ultimately, the secret to not having a bottle break is having a fully packed bag so that the bottle is not banging around inside a suitcase during transport. When we’ve forgotten to add a wine travel bag to our planned checked bag, we’ve used hiking socks to protect the bottle and label during transport. Socks like this Made In USA variety will serve the purpose well. Simply place the wine bottle into one sock and then place the second sock over the top of the bottle.

 
 

Wine Bottle Bag Conclusion

If you are a frequent air traveler or are looking forward to a trip to wine country, we really recommend investing in a few single wine bottle sleeves to protect the two or three special bottles you want to bring home with you, as well as the wine’s label and your packed clothes!

In almost 20 years of wine travel, both domestically and internationally, we know that one can never be certain that the wine point of sale will have wine travel bags available, so we suggest that you keep one or two inside your checked luggage bag just in case. Our favorite is still the reusable Jet Bag.

 
 

Happy travels and cheers, from KnowWines!

Saint-Émilion in Bordeaux

During one of our annual visits to the Bordeaux region of France, we fell in love with the village of Saint-Émilion. Feeling felt that this village and its surrounding area warranted a deeper dive, we went back in October 2019 as Saint-Émilion celebrated 20 years as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

Here, we cover our favorite Saint Émilion restaurants, St Émilion Hotels, off-the-beaten-path recommendations, and tips and tricks for getting the best Bordeaux. While some of the most expensive wine in the world is from this region, the number of small, independent producers still make it one of the few places to find great values, including some of the best red wine under $30 in the world.

First a little about KnowWines and this blog. We paid for all of our wines, visits, dinners, and tours on this trip.  We are Amazon.com affiliates and we do receive a small commission if you purchase guides or maps through our affiliate links.  The commissions we receive help us pay for web hosting fees, products to test and other costs associated with running this site - thanks for supporting our blog!

Church in St-Emilion France.JPG

What is Saint-Émilion?

St Emilion, Saint Emilion, orSaint-Émilion? So many spellings for this unique place! It took us awhile as Americans to figure it all out!

Saint Émilion, the Person

In the 8th century, a Breton man left his home area of Vannes and wandered this region of France (before it was France) and came upon the Ascumbas area, which is where the village of Saint-Émilion is today.  Looking for peace and prayer, he lived in a cave and was later joined by fellow Benedictine disciples.  Later they carved a church out of a single piece of limestone, a site you can still visit today. After his death (late 8th century), the village was named in his honor.  Since then, several different religious orders have inhabited the area, contributing to monastic life and religious architecture.  In fact, some of the wineries touch the Santiago de Compostela pilgrim route.

Saint-Émilion Area and History

The village of Saint-Émilion is surrounded by 22 villages and communes, each with its own history and activities.  It is located west and north of the city of Bordeaux, by about 40 kilometers (25 miles). 

Saint-Émilion limestone has been mined for centuries, resulting in a labyrinth of caves. One can combine a cave visit and wine tasting at Châteaux Franc Mayne. This limestone, mined by hand and chisel, was used to build a number of monuments and walls.  Many of the structures in the area were built for defensive fortifications, religious reasons, symbols of power, and later for aesthetic purposes.

The Libournais and Saint-Émilion Wine Region: Terrior, Soil, and Vineyards

 
 

This region has a unique microclimate due to its location between two rivers (the Dordogne and Isle rivers), the abundant presence of limestone, rolling hills, natural springs, and soils comprised of limestone, iron-rich clays, gravels, and sand.  Its close proximity to the Atlantic ocean and all the rivers in the area keep the temperatures fairly constant and moderate.  

Merlot and Cabernet Franc grow well in this region.   And where the soils are a little warmer, vignerons will plant Cabernet Sauvignon as well. 

When perusing wines at Saint-Émilion bottle shops, you will find an array of wines from one of ten Libournais regional AOCs as well as other, less restrictive AOCs in the region.  These are Fronsac, Canon-Fronsac, Pomerol, Lalande de Pomerol, Saint-Emilion, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Saint-Georges-Saint-Emilion, Lussac-Saint-Emilion, Montagne-Saint-Emilion, and Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion.

(An AOC, or Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée, s a system in France to clearly define the area of origin from which a specifically labeled appellation product like wine can be created and labeled under specific production methodology.)

What we found unique in this area is that grapevines were growing on all different aspects (meaning that vines faced north, south, east, and west).  In many of the world’s grape growing regions, the vines might just face south or southeast or southwest. These viticulture practices, as well as highly variable soils, mean there is a lot of diversity of expression of Merlot and Cabernet Franc and there are lovely blends of these two wines to explore in the glass.  

If you want to learn more about the Saint-Émilion wine classification system, the folks over at Wine Cellar Insider have a good resource on this topic including the current Châteaux classifications. 

St Emilion Chateaux Franc Mayne Cave Wine Limestone.jpg

What to Do in Saint-Émilion

Travelers and religious pilgrims have flocked to Saint-Émilion for centuries to view the rolling hills, valleys and plateaus, natural water springs, caves, medieval limestone churches and chateaux, and yes, to enjoy the wine.  

Today’s travelers will find the following sights and activities in the greater Saint-Émilion area :  medieval monastic limestone ruins, limestone buildings reflecting over eight centuries of architecture, Roman ruins, grape growing and wine production, fine wine tasting and bottle shops, fine dining and gastronomic delights like macaroons and lampreys (scary looking but tasty aquatic animals), fishing, hiking in rolling hills, driving on winding roads, and pockets of forest. 

When to Go to Saint-Émilion

Late March through November are peak times for visiting Saint-Émilion.  Many shops, inns, and restaurants close in January and February, or are only open on the winter weekends to attend to weekend-trippers. 

How to Get to Saint-Émilion

How to Get to Saint-Émilion from Paris

This rural wine region is fairly easy to get to, especially from CDG Airport in Paris.  One can fly on Air France several times per day from CDG to BOD or take the train from CDG Airport to the Bordeaux St-Jean train station.  

How to Get to Saint-Émilion from Bordeaux

From BOD airport, you can take a taxi or Uber to Saint-Émilion.  You could also take a bus, taxi, or Uber from BOD to St-Jean train station.  

From the St. Jean train station, you can take a regional train to the edge of Saint-Émilion and walk up the hill 1.5 km to your hotel or Airbnb. Have luggage? Contact the Tourism Office, which is open every day of the year except Christmas o arrange a taxi or Tuk-Tuk to ferry you to your hotel or room.

If the regional train is not running that day (construction, strike, etc.) you can take an Uber from the train station to Saint-Émilion.  To make yourself easy to find, order your ride near one of the small hotels across the street from the train station.  Last, you can rent a car online or over the phone from the Bordeaux airport or at the St-Jean train station.  

Parking in St Émilion

While there is not a lot of parking available in Saint-Émilion, there are spaces around the churches and near Place Bouqueyre in the lower part of the village.  As we visited in October, we had no difficulty finding angled parking west of the Tourisme Office for the cost of about 2€ per hour.  Those seeking free parking or parking an RV will need to park outside the village - this is also where free parking is available.  

What to Wear in St Émilion

It is a pre-requisite to wear very sturdy shoes.  Also, you will often see people in dark jeans or dark slacks, raincoat or jacket, scarf, dress shirt.  In the evening you might see dresses with low-heeled shoes (cobblestones, steep streets).

When visiting vineyards, go business casual with hiking boots, walking shoes, or dressy but sturdy boots.

We did see a few people more dressed up, usually on their way to weddings or celebrations, or fine dining at the two-Michelin star Hostellerie de Plaisance.

What You Won’t Find in St Émilion

Saint-Émilion has a population between 2,000 and 3,000 people, and the surrounding villages and communes in the area are fairly small as well. You will not find any of the following in this village:

  • Fast food chains

  • Retail shopping

  • Nightlife after 9 pm

  • Close parking during the summer and around harvest

Wine shop in Downtown St-Emilion.jpg

Where to Eat in Saint-Émilion

Each time we’ve been to Saint-Émilion, we’ve made the time and budget for lunch at Hostellerie de Plaisance.  Here, one can choose menu items a la carte, go for a three-course menu that is choice of the chef, or take a longer multi-course menu.  Plan two to three hours minimum for this experience.

If you want something more casual, a little cozier, and have one to two hours for lunch or dinner, try L'Envers du Décor.

For those wanting views of vineyards in nearby Pomerol, the Terrasse Rouge Brasserie Restaurant was lively and modern.  

Those looking for a romantic, quintessential, small village dining experience with fireplace and exposed limestone walls might try Réserve de Presbytère, an excellent value for the money.

In the village, you can find a small grocery store selling fresh fruits, bread, French cheeses, snacks, and milk.  Next door is a butchery selling fresh cuts of meat and a variety of charcuterie. 

Where to Stay Near St Émilion

There are a number of hotels, inns, and rooms available in Saint-Émilion which are great for one or two nights in the village. For those wanting to stay near vineyards and away from the village, or who wish to take a longer look at the entire Libournais region, look east to the region of Castillon.

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We enjoyed our stay at Chȃteau du Palanquey in nearby Sainte-Colombe. This recently opened five-room establishment is run by a family and features a wine cellar, spa, spacious parking, vineyard views, and contemporary yet cozy rooms. Throughout the Chȃteau (formerly a winery) there are various nooks for reading, playing billiards, or enjoying wine and snacks by the fireplace. Outside you can walk around the grounds or take a stroll on gravel roads through the vineyards. Gracious hosts Melanie and Laurent will also help you with restaurant reservations, wine visits, and drive recommendations, and will also offer you breakfast, lunch, or dinner with 24 hour notice. One can also purchase wines from their cellar to enjoy.   

Wine Tasting in St Émilion

After visiting for three years, our favorite wine shops for tasting and making purchases are ETS Martin and Vignoble and Chateaux. Both offer shipping to the United States. I’ve used both for shipping and have had better luck with ETS Martin. We’ve always received our shipments in North Carolina within 5-7 business days.  

Saint-Emilion winemaker Chateau Guadet.jpg

When tasting at any of the bottle shops, be aware that some wines are only available to purchase in the region, while other wines are imported to the United States and can be purchased stateside at a lower cost. We chose to purchase wines at these establishments that can only be obtained in the region or older vintages that are very expensive here in the States. 

If you prefer not to ship, and simply want to purchase a couple of bottles from bottle shops or a winery, check out our article on how to fly with wine if you purchase wine from the vineyard and want to carry it back with you.

Wine Touring and Tasting in St Émilion

A few short years ago, not many wine estates were open for tasting and tours. Today over 130 wine estates are open to the public! Wine tour operators in many wine regions are little more than drivers shuttling drinkers between chȃteaus. Upon arriving at chȃteau, the host may be the winemaker or an intern or family member tasked with guiding tourists through a facility.  

To increase the odds that you have a good experience, we recommend knowledgeable tour guides who have years of experience in several areas of the wine industry to connect you to real winemakers and small, independent producers like Chȃteau Guadet.

Alternatively, if a guide is not in your budget, we highly recommend the Bordeaux Right Bank guide. This is an excellent resource with one-pagers on many chȃteau in the region, and includes the relative quality of the wines, history of the chȃteau, whether or not you can buy wine, and if they accept visitors. This guide can also come in handy for when you are shopping at bottle shops in the area or back at home.

 
 

Have you been to Saint-Émilion? Did you have a favorite wine, restaurant, hotel, tour, or experience?  Please, let us know in the comments below! And if you are looking for more travel tips, drop us a line at jolene@knowwines.com.

Cheers!

The Chappellet Winery

Are you seeking an off-the-beaten path wine tour with some of the most stunning scenery in Napa Valley? 

Do you enjoy classic California Cabernet Sauvignon?

Are you (and perhaps a small group of friends) looking for a Napa winery with great value Cabernet Sauvignon as well as collectible fine wines? 

Then a visit to Chappellet Winery may be a good fit for you!

In 2019, KnowWines visited Chappellet Winery and enjoyed a private tour with tasting.  Here’s our review of the visit. And before you head to Napa, check out our free e-course and blog about places to stay in the valley.

Things to consider before visiting Chappellet Winery

This winery tour is good for anyone interested in an off-the-beaten path tasting experience in one of Napa Valley’s legendary wineries.

The tour is great for the following types of travelers:

  • Wine lovers who want to avoid a bar-type atmosphere that can be found at some wineries on the main roads in Napa County

  • Wine enthusiasts who want a private or semi-private tasting experience

  • A mixed group of wine tasters with interests at various price points

  • Collectors of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon wines

The winery tour and tasting experience is not ideal for these types of travelers:

  • Fast paced service in a noisy, vibrant setting

  • Travelers who need to be on their smartphone nonstop (beautiful rural regions frequently have poor cell service)

  • Travelers with pets or companions under 21

  • Wine enthusiasts afraid of narrow, winding roads

  • Wine tasters expecting a free or discounted wine tasting fee with wine purchase 

Before purchasing a Chappellet Winery tour and tasting, you will need to consider the following:

  • Do you want a private or semi-private experience?

  • How much do you want to spend on the experience? 

  • Do you want to taste current releases or the more premium wines from Chappellet?

  • How much time are you willing to spend (most of Chappellet’s wine tastings take 90 minutes)?

Where is Chappellet Winery and Pritchard Hill?

Chappellet Winery is located at the top of Pritchard Hill.  Pritchard Hill is located in the Vaca mountains in Napa county.  

To get to Chappellet Winery on Pritchard Hill, head north from downtown Napa on the Silverado Trail for about 17 miles. Then head east on 128 for about a mile until you get to Stage Coach Canyon Road, which leads to the winery. This road is winding with switchbacks.  

What should I wear to a Chappellet Winery tour and tasting?

The winery and grounds are best described as rustic and elegant. There is a mix of pavement and permeable surfaces like gravel, so sturdy closed-toe shoes like hiking shoes, leather, or rubber boots would work best. We saw most guests wearing jeans and a nice pull-over or wrap as it is always cool in the cellar. 

If it is raining on the day of your visit, bring an umbrella to get to and from your vehicle. Umbrellas are provided on the tour. In summer months, you might consider sunscreen if you burn easily. When you check in, there are washrooms and some spaces to store a few bags and coats. 

About Chappellet Winery and Pritchard Hill

Pritchard Hill is named for an early Vaca mountains homesteader named Charles Pritchard.  In the 1890s he was growing Zinfandel and Riesling among other grape varieties. Early settlers knew that the iron rich and rocky red soils, as well as elevation and aspect, would be great for grape growing. Grape growing and winemaking went on up here until Prohibition, and then it took a backseat to other agriculture endeavors like cattle grazing.   

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In the 1960s, a new generation of winemakers entered the region, inspired by André Tchelistcheff, a diminutive (4’11) Russian-born winemaker who inspired this generation of new winemakers following Prohibition. Since 1938 Tchelistcheff was Napa’s Beaulieu Vineyards vice president and chief winemaker and helped bring high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and winemaking to the foreground through innovation in the vineyard and cellar.

In the 1960s, a 30-something Don Chappellet had already made his mark in the world, co-founding Interstate United Corporation, which developed and sold the first vending machines that dispensed coffee into cups by using fresh grounds. Before Starbucks and Nespresso were ever a thing, Don was the largest coffee buyer in the world. Don was tiring of the coffee business and wanted a different pace of life for his family. While at Interstate, he had started to amass a collection of Bordeaux and Bourgogne wines. He was a 4th generation Californian and did not want to move to France - he wondered if such wines could be made in California. 

Shortly after meeting Tchelistcheff, Andre told Don that high elevation (1800 ft) mountain grown Cabernet Sauvignon and the right cellar techniques might yield a wine very similar to Chateau Latour from Bordeaux. Andre helped Don pick the site of Chappellet. Don left his corporate job, traded his jacket for a tractor, and purchased land on Pritchard Hill. He moved his wife Molly and their five children to the mountain. Later, Molly would establish beautiful gardens near the winery as driving back and forth from town with so many children was a lot of work. She has written several books on gardening, entertaining, and wine caves, including the James Beard Award Winning A Vineyard Garden.

Chappellet is one of few wineries still owned by a family on Pritchard Hill. Today’s owners are descendants of Don and Molly Chappellet.  The winery recently celebrated 50 years in business.

Our online booking experience

We booked our private tasting online about five days before arriving in Napa. Those traveling during the peak seasons of Thanksgiving/Christmas and during the summer months may want to consider booking one or two weeks out to get your ideal time slot.

There were three booking options: the Estate Tour & Tasting, the Private Estate Tour and Tasting, and the Signature Tasting and Estate Tour. The Estate Tour is the least expensive, and is for wine enthusiasts who don’t mind being joined by a few others on the tour. The Private Estate Tour is private, and allows you to taste five wines that are typically available only to club members. The Signature Tasting is geared toward the wine collector, focused on collectable wines, and again, is private. 

We selected the mid-priced Private Estate Tour and Tasting for 90 minutes. The booking process was very easy. Quickly we received an email confirmation with very detailed instructions on how to get to the winery.   

Our tasting experience

When we arrived we were greeted by Theo, the winery’s brand manager. She was very knowledgeable on vineyards, winemaking practices, and retail. It was a rainy day, and she provided us with a giant golf umbrella during our walking tour of the vineyard. (Yes, we had an umbrella in one hand and a wine glass in another!)

Back inside the cellar, we sat down and tasted the following wines.

0413. Chappellet Tasting Cabernet Sauvignon.jpg

  • 2017 Grower Collection Chardonnay, El Novillero Vineyard, Carneros

  • 2017 Grower Collection Pinot Noir, Apple Lane Vineyard, Russian River Valley

  • 2016 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon

  • 2016 Cabernet Franc

  • 2016 Hideaway Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

  • 2014 Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon

During our tasting we never felt rushed or pressured to join a wine club. We were able to walk around a little in the cellar and watch workers moving barrels and cleaning equipment.

Other Chappellet Winery visit reviews

We wrote this review as we did not see a lot of other wine bloggers writing up a trip report. We did do some online researching before our trip.

The types of positive comments we saw on online reviews were “Pleasant Surprise, Chappellet is great,” “a hidden gem”, and “scenic, best winery of the week.”

Ambivalent or negative reviews included “smaller pours than some other wineries,” “requires credit card deposit for booking,” and “too far from town.”

Alternatives to visiting Chappellet Winery 

It is difficult to get wine tastings at other wineries on Pritchard Hill. If you have found a great winery on Pritchard Hill, kindly share it with us in the notes. Chappellet is a little bit of a trek to get to, and other readers might want to book a second wine tasting in the area. If you are looking for some other options for wine tasting in Napa or Sonoma counties, check out our top 15 wineries to visit.

Where to purchase Chappellet Winery Wines

In addition to purchasing wines directly from the winery, one can purchase wines using the affiliate link for our favorite value-priced Cabernet Sauvignon in all of Napa Valley, the Chappellet Mountain Cuvee. Just click the image below for the link:

Our Favorite Value Cabernet

OR save on any Chappellet Wine by clicking using this link:

Our visit conclusion

When people ask us for recommendations of “mountain wineries” off the beaten path, I often recommend Chappellet (unless they are directions/GPS agnostic!).  

This was our second visit to Chappellet Winery and the staff have always been friendly and knowledgable, and the wines, while at a premium and luxury wine price point, are a great value compared to other wines in the vicinity.  

We enjoy the quiet, serene drive up and down the mountain. The winery feels truly in a world of its own perched up there on Pritchard Hill.  

Enjoy your visit!

Cheers!

Over 50 Gifts for Wine Lovers

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Autumn is coming to a close, and that means that we’re on the fast track to fall and winter festivity. So, in preparation for the 2020 holiday season, we’ve rounded up the best wine gifts for the wine connoisseurs, wine enthusiasts, and sommeliers on your gift list.

You won’t find trendy trinkets, wine t-shirts, or silly slogans on this list. Instead, you’ll find timeless items that wine lovers will truly love (and that we have personally used - and loved! - ourselves).

Use the links below to search by category:

Wine Preservation Gifts

Coravin Model Eleven Fully Automatic Wine Preservation System 

This is the ultimate gift for the wine collector who has been coveting the Coravin, has a passion for all things wireless, and is a total gadget fanatic.  Enjoy wine by the glass without removing the cork! This bundle also has accessories for screw-cap wines.  

Coravin Model 2 Premium Wine Preservation System

Know a wine lover who has everything, but still want to be able to pay you rent after you buy their present? Here’s the Model Eleven’s little sister, the Model 2.  Enjoy wine by the glass without removing the cork, and without all the frills of the Model Eleven.  

Eurocave WineArt Preservation System

This attractive wine preservation system is ideal for the wine connoisseur who opens one or two bottles a week and intends to consume the wine in under seven days. This system is designed to sit on countertops and fits under most cabinetry, helping to eliminate the risk of partially consumed wine bottles being hidden in the refrigerator and forgotten.  

Wine Saver Vacuum Pump Preserver

Great for the wine enthusiast on a limited budget, with limited space for bulky wine preservation systems. This system stores nicely in a kitchen drawer and is also good for holidays when many bottles may be partially consumed.

Wine Folly Champagne Stopper Made in Italy

Can’t finish that bottle of bubbly in one evening?  No worries, use this heavy made-in-Italy Champagne stopper, refrigerate it, and you’ll still have fizz two days later (or more)! Works for other sparkling wines as well and is a thoughtful gift for Mimosa lovers.

Repour Wine Saver - Wine Saver, Stopper

Don’t care for all the gadgets, and simply want a good stopper? This Repour Wine Saver, used by a growing number of wine bars, is good if you want to minimize oxidation and plan to finish that bottle in three or more days.  

In-Home Wine Dispenser - Just Like Wine Bars

Now you can have the look and ease of a fine wine bar in the comfort of your home. For that partner that sees an Enomatic at the wine bar and wants to take it home, here’s the solution!

Wine Storage Gifts

Best Large Wine Cabinet

Check out our review on living with a Eurocave wine cabinet for over five years (coming soon!).  We personally own a Eurocave 283, but also love the Artevino, which is a little smaller, storing approximately 200 bottles.

Best Small Wine Refrigerator

Check out our review on the best small wine refrigerators , and see our top pick here:

Made in America Wine Racks

Already have a cool, dark place to store wine?  Here’s our favorite wood wine rack by Wine Racks America. Store 72 wines in your closet, basement or wine cave.

Metal Wall Wine Rack

No cellar? No problem. Display a few wines you will consume in the coming weeks right on your wall.  Good gift for wine lovers in townhomes and apartments.

Wine Glassware Gifts

Gabriel Gold Glas Universal Wine Glass

Check out our Gabriel Glas Gold article for a full review.  This is our favorite feather-light go-to glass.

Zalto Universal Glass

Ideal for those who love the thought of fine rimmed bows and delicate stemware, but want a more robust feel in their hands without sacrificing a great bowl.  

Gabriel Glas Decanter

We just love the look and feel of this mouth-blown, Austrian crystal, lead-free decanter. It is easier to clean than some other artistic decanters on the market.

Everyday Decanter - Le Chateau Wine Decanter

This lead-free crystal decanter is a good step up from big-box store decanters. Price point is good for home parties where one mis-step could lead to broken glassware on your floor or in your sink. 

Wine Service Gifts

Waterford Crystal Wine Bottle Coaster

This is a nice gift for anyone wanting to own one piece of Waterford. It adds a splash of elegance, and is a good paperweight when not holding a bottle of wine.

Stainless Steel Wine Bottle Coaster 4-pack

We use these frequently in North Carolina when cool white wines start to sweat after being removed from the refrigerator. Keep your table looking nice with this coaster 4-pack.

Champagne Wine Bucket with Stand

Regardless of your wine preference, this bucket and stand pair is great for keeping sparkling and white wines (as well as craft beer bombers) cool on hot summer evenings. With a combined weight of 6 pounds, it can prop open patio doors, and with its stainless steel construction, if you accidentally leave it outside overnight it will not rust. Instead, it becomes the Best. Birdbath. Ever.

Vacu-Vin Wine and Champagne Cooler  

No space for a Champagne wine bucket? No problem. These re-usable and foldable wine sleeves cool down warm wines quickly. Simply store them in the freezer between uses.

American Metalcraft Wine Service Tray

These stainless serving trays can be used to transport wine bottles and glassware, as well as food between tables or food stations.  

Serviette (aka White Cloth Restaurant Napkin)

Sommeliers use these simple white cloths to cover the service tray (to prevent bottle and glassware slippage while walking) as well as to wipe bottles and stop drips during pouring.  

Wine Tasting Gifts

KnowWines Wine Tasting Class

Get a group together and organize a wine tasting to explore new tastes as well as build community. Contact us for an in-person class.  We can customize classes to fit your needs.

Not in North Carolina? No problem. Contact your local wine bottle shop or wine bar to see if they offer classes on site or can send someone (and some wines!) to your home.

Wine Tasting Grid Mat

Setting up your own wine tasting?  These wine tasting grids double as placemats.  Also check out our blog on how to do a wine tasting in your home.

Blind Tasting Wines

This wine subscription aims to present to you wines to explore with their identities covered.  Taste with friends or family and see who guesses the best. Once you unveil the wine, you can learn more about it in enclosed envelope.

Wine Glass Cleaning Supply Gifts

So your wine loving friend already has a kitchen or dining room full of wine accessories.  For the neat-nik in your life, a thoughtful collection of cleaning supplies in a gift basket might do the trick.

Riedel Microfiber Polishing Cloth

After five years of home glass-polishing use, ours are still going strong. 

Crystal Glass Cleaning Sponge with Handle

There are so many different types of glass cleaning sponges on the market. What makes this one stand out is the scratch/free brush and the bamboo handle that allows you to stand it up to dry. 

Polident

Can’t get that red wine stain out of glassware? Let it soak overnight with Polident.

Decanter Cleaning Brush and Beads

Decanter brushes and beads get in all the nooks and crannies where typical brushes cannot go.  

Decanter Stand

Once your decanter is washed, it can be dried and stored on this decanter stand with rubberized ring that prevents scratching of the decanter neck and body.

Wine Travel Gifts

North Carolina Wine Trails

Plan a weekend getaway exploring North Carolina’s gorgeous wine trails.

Napa and Sonoma

Plan the ultimate West Coast wine adventure using our detailed guide to Napa and Sonoma.

Bordeaux

Treat yourself to a beautiful trip in Bordeaux with our guide for women traveling solo in that region.

Rhone

Become a Rhone Ranger and gift your partner a journey to this beautiful, rustic region.

Virginia

Virginia is for lovers! So what could be more romantic than a Virginia wine trip for two?

Wine Gift Bags

Two Wine Carrying Bag

Read our blog reusable wine bags for more ideas in this category. (But, spoiler alert: this is our top pick!):

Wine suitcase

Traveling to wine country and need to bring back bottles in checked luggage? Check out our blog to learn more about traveling with and packing wine. And for your gifting needs, here’s our favorite wine luggage:

Wine Bag for Wine Sales Person

Have a friend or family member in the wine business who could use a high quality bag for carrying samples?  This is the wine bag we personally use when teaching wine classes.  

Wine Stocking Stuffers

Wine Stain Remover

If you happen to spill some wine on your clothes, the carpet, or your friend’s jacket, this Made-in-Texas product really does work on fresh wine spills!  It is available in a 4.8-ounce bottle for home use and single-use packages for dining out and travel.

Wine Opener

Check out our review of wine openers.  Here’s our top pick for gift giving, for quick reference:

Wine Charms

In 2019 we reviewed wine charms. One of our favorites, Simply Charmed, also makes holiday-themed magnetic wine charms:

Yeti wine tumbler

Whether you need to keep wine cool in the summer or your gluhwine warm during the holidays, we found this excellent Yeti tumbler can meet both needs.  

Free and Low Cost Wine Gifts

Subscription to a Wine Podcast

Have a friend who doesn’t know how to download wine podcasts?  Spend an hour at a wine bar with them and get them set up! Some of our favorite wine podcasts are Wine for Normal People, Vinepair, and Guild of Sommeliers.

Wine Games

Download some FREE wine word search games to alleviate cabin fever or to pass time in the car or airport!

Wine Tasting

Learn about local wine tasting events, both free and with fees, through this great site.

Wine Magazine Subscriptions

Decanter

This leading wine magazine from the UK offers a European perspective on wines and is often regarded as the world’s leading magazine on wines. The magazine covers many areas, including vintages, winemakers, destinations, farming practices, and industry news, as well as wine ratings.  

Wine Spectator

The leading wine lifestyle magazine in the United States with a US consumer focus. Short stories and features on winemakers, wine regions, and wine collectors. Also includes wine reviews.  

Wine Spectator
Shanken Communications
Buy on Amazon

Wine Gift Books

Snob-Free Wine Book 

By podcaster and Raleigh, NC resident Elisabeth Schneider, this book is great for GenXers and your favorite sceptic.

New Wine Book

The perfect wine book for a visual learner.

Becoming a Sommelier

Go behind the scenes with Somm Rosie Schaap, author of Drinking With Men: A Memior.

World Atlas of Wine 8th Edition

Just in time for the holidays, an update to the beloved Wine Atlas. 230 maps!

And that’s a (gift) wrap!

We look forward to adding to the 50+ items on this list as new, high-quality products become available. What will you be gifting to that special wine lover in your life this season? Let us know in the comment section below!

And yes, several of these links are affiliate links.  What that means is that we get a small commission from some sellers at no additional cost to you.  These commissions allow us to buy and try products and give you some insight on these products from the perspective of a fellow wine lover.  

Happy shopping!

















































































Your Personalized Wine Journal

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While there are a variety of wine tasting journals available on the market, most don’t allow for much personalization. We have a couple of favorite wine apps on our iPhone, however taking written notes on wines using a fine journal and a nice pen is relaxing and mindful (or should we say wineful?) Keeping a personalized wine journal is a great hobby for wine enthusiasts. And wine journals (and accessories!) are a great gift for the wine lover who has it all!

Why a Wine Tasting Journal?

A wine tasting journal is simply a place for recording observations and key aspects of the tasting experience to reflect upon later.  They can be used and enjoyed by wine journals can be used and enjoyed by wine novices, serious enthusiasts, and wine professionals alike. 

Students preparing for an exam through the Court of Master Sommeliers or Wine and Spirit Education trust take detailed notes on wines both to practice tasting notes and to commit to memory key points that will help them in theory or tasting exams. Studies show that writing things down is much more impactful than typing into a smartphone or laptop. 

Why not use a Wine Tasting App?

If you’re just getting started in taking wine tasting notes or want to take some quick tasting notes on the go, then yes, the apps available at vivino.com and cellartracker.com are great.  

But there’s just something to be said for pen and paper. If you’re like the rest of us, when you take out the iPhone to take tasting notes, it won’t take much for you to wander from your intent, either reading other users notes or going off the App and checking the weather forecast. Many people who prefer to take notes in a journal are looking for a chance to unplug and to discreetly take notes without the glow of a smartphone.

About Traditional Wine Tasting Journals

Traditional wine tasting journals are made by a variety of publishing houses and wine bloggers.  Many wine lovers find that these “out of the box” wine journals have both positive and negative aspects.  Below are some examples of traditional wine tasting journals.

The Moleskine Passion Journal:

The Write it Down Wine Journal:

Positive points about traditional wine tasting journals:

  • Great templates for enthusiasts to enter in wine names, vintage, price, aromas and flavors, and general topics like where it was consumed, with whom and with what food

  • Wine tasting terms for beginners 

  • Wine references, like vintage ratings, maps and classic producers.  

Downsides to traditional wine tasting journals:

  • Unattractive cover design (e.g. dated, poor photo, corny phrase)

  • Heavy (e.g. leather, can’t take it with you on wine travels)

  • Looks too much like a wine journal (not discreet - you’ll be ‘that person’ in the tasting room)

  • Wine pairing basics or other ‘notes’ that are not of interest, adding bulk/waste to the journal 

  • Ink bleeding through on ‘cheap’ paper

  • Not enough space to affix wine labels

In case traditional wine tasting journals leave you feeling like you are “painting by the numbers,” this blog outlines a DIY wine journal package and methodology you may find useful. 

The Customizable Wine Tasting Journal Package

Let’s look at the components of a personalized wine tasting journal. 

The Leuchtturn Journal

We have been big fans of Leuchtturn 1917 journals since our first trip to Germany over 20 years ago.  

Here’s what we love about this journal:

  • There are bullets instead of lines.  These bullets allow writers to draw, write, or paste in their content without the visual deterrent of lines or the emptiness of a blank page

  • It has an index, and you can customize it!  We’re amazed that many wine journals don’t come with the option to create an index before jumping right into the note-taking.  

  • The journal lays flat - many leather wine journals don’t.  This creates a nice looking spine after year(s) of use. We like how ours looks on a bookshelf!

  • There’s a classy label one can affix to the front of the journal when you’re done using it.

  • There’s a sturdy envelope in the back of the journal to hold winery brochures, menus, wine label remover sheets, and maps until one gets the chance to affix the info into the journal.  

  • The journals are robust.  We’ve used one journal for a year during regional and global travel, on a boat, and bouncing around in a bag.  

  • The jornal is thin and slips in neatly next to one’s laptop or large tablet (8.85 x 12.4 inches).

  • These journals cost less than typical leather journals.

The Staedtler Pen

No one likes writing with a cheap pen, especially when taking tasting notes.  You want a pen with a fine tip that writes smoothly and is a pleasure to hold.  

The Staedtler Pen

These pens are ergonomic with a triangular shape and are very light in the hand.  The ink dries more quickly than gel pens. They don’t smear, bleed or feather.

The only downside we’ve noticed is that sometimes the lighter colors are not as ‘bright’ on paper as some would like.  We’ve noticed over the years that we use the black pen and the darker colors the most.

The Wine Label Lift 

Some wine enthusiasts love to keep wine labels for future reference (as sometimes it can be hard to remember the details of wine(s) the next day!). As you’ll see in our blog on wine label removal, this can can be done by removing the wine label from the bottle or simply taking a good photo of the label.  We do this either through taking photos of the wine labels or actually going through the motions of removing the wine label from the bottle.   

Our preferred method for removing wine labels is utilizing a wine label lift. These are simply adhesive films that one adheres to the bottle then removes - extracting the label from the bottle.  The label can then be inserted into the journal easily. While they don’t work 100% of the time, there are some tips/tricks online for increasing the likelihood of success when removing a label from the wine bottle. 

We really like that these wine label removers slip easily into the envelope in the back of the journal for storage until needed. Once the label is removed from the bottle, the journaler has the option of adhering it to the wine journal as a memento.

Document Edges for Maps, Menus, and Winery Information

In addition to the wine labels themselves, some wine enthusiasts love to collect momentos from the meal, tasting, trip, or bar where the wine was consumed.  For those purposes we love these document edges in classic colors for adhering such momentos to the journal.

Like the wine label removers, these adhesive corner pieces can also slip into the back of the journal for future use.

If You’re Gifting the Wine Journal Package

If you’re gifting the wine journal package, traditional gift wrap will work just fine. However, if you know a wine lover with a milestone birthday, anniversary or promotion, you may want to consider gifting the journal and accessories with a wine book or simply a bottle of wine. To make the gift extra special,  place the journal and accessories in this covetable premium leather wine bag.

Additional Resources for the Personalized Wine Journal

If you or your wine tasting journal recipient is fairly new to making entries in a wine journal, here are a few resources for different approaches to recording tasting notes:

Court of Master Sommeliers: For those who watched the SOMM movies and want to learn the deductive tasting grid demonstrated in the movies, this is the place to go to find the free grid pdf.  

Wine and Spirit Educational Trust: For those who prefer a more analytical approach to wine tasting, the WSET has courses available to wine enthusiasts and wine professionals, where one can learn the WSET systematic approach to tasting.

Also check out our article on the Wine Tasting Grid and how to set up a wine tasting in your home.

Finally, if you join a wine club or wine subscription, these services will often send attractive, informational cards that detail the qualities of your favorite wines. These make great wine journal entries!

You can be as simple or as elaborate as you like in your wine taking notes, including as many or as few details as you wish.  

Additional Accessories for the Personalized Wine Journal

Here are a few more items that wine enthusiasts might enjoy with their personalized journal:

Wine Aroma Wheel

With over 800 aromatic compounds to explore, Dr. Ann Noble, winemaker and professor emeretis of U.C. Davis, came up with this wine aroma wheel that’s been used for decades.   

Bullet Journal 

The popular bullet journal methodology helped us escape from the rigidity of templated journals.

Maximizing the Personalized Wine Tasting Journal Experience

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For wine lovers, journaling about the experience of each bottle is an invaluable resource for study and exam prep. It does not all need to be serious though!  Sometimes one simply wants to keep their unique tasting experiences separate from other journals.  Benefits of enthusiast documentation include watching your tastes and preferences grow and change.  

There are disadvantages to pre-printed wine journals - format, design and flexibility are limited.  The simplicity of a Personalized Wine Tasting Journal means that the journal will never go out of style.  At the core it is about the content and what you want to document for yourself or to share with fellow wine lovers.  

Happy journaling!

Cheers!






















Opus One Winery

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We’re fortunate to have been visiting the Napa and Sonoma Wine Country for about ten years. In those years, we have visited  Opus One multiple times. As fellow wine enthusiasts and seasoned travelers, we understand that anonymous reviews in public travel forums often give little insight into the wine experience (and you often can’t gauge the experience of the person writing the review!). As the price of wine tours and wine tastings increases, we aim to help our fellow experience seekers know what to expect! In this blog, we’ve put together our insights on the renowned Opus One winery.

Things to Consider Before Purchasing an Opus One Tasting

The Opus One tour is ideal for anyone interested in a luxury wine tasting experience. It’s perfect for the following types of travelers: 

  • Wine enthusiasts who want to see and taste the fruits of the historical collaboration between Napa’s Robert Mondavi and Bordeaux’s Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild

  • Wine collectors who want to taste the current vintage of Opus One, one older vintage of Opus One, and/or the winery’s second label Overture

  • Fans of architect Scott Johnson of Johnson, Fain & Pereira

  • Fans of Bordeaux-style wines 

  • Fans of cult Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine

This experience is not ideal for wine enthusiasts looking for a fast, boisterous, casual tasting.  This experience is not for wine lovers seeking out white wines, sweet wines, or a range of different wines. Finally, this wine tasting experience is not for travelers seeking out small, independently owned wineries specializing in bespoke grape varieties. 

Before purchasing the Opus One wine tasting or tour experience, you will need to consider the following: 

  • How much do you want to spend on the experience? 

  • How long do you want to visit and what do you want to see? 

  • Do you want to taste the current release or three different wines?

What is Opus One?

Opus One started as a partnership between Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild. The aim was to craft a wine combining winemaking approaches from both Napa, California and Bordeaux, France.  They aspired to craft a wine that would become their “Opus.”

While the two met first in 1970, it was not until 1984 that the first vintages (1979 and 1980) were released. Opus One was not crafted in the present facility in Oakville until 1991. Prior to 1991, the wine was made at the nearby Robert Mondavi winery.  

To learn more about this partnership and its significance in American Wine History, check out the House of Mondavi. It’s quite amazing (from both from an enology and from a marketing perspective) that a First Growth Bordeaux - Château Mouton Rothschild - would partner with a newer winery from ‘upstarts’ in Napa Valley.  

 
 

Opus One wine (and the second label wine Overture) are Bordeaux-style blends comprised of  Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. The grapes in Opus One originate from the estate’s approximately 100 acres of vineyards.

Here are the pros and cons of an Opus One tasting experience at the winery.

Pros

  • A serene and elegant tasting experience

  • No one under 21 allowed

  • Great views of Napa Valley

  • Unhurried tasting experience

  • Arrive early and avoid crowds

Cons

  • Tasting fee not waived with purchase

  • No picnics, no pets

  • Plan several days ahead for reservation during the peak travel season 

Choosing Your Experience

Booking

Opus One makes it very easy to book your visit. The website outlines several types of winery visits depending on your budget, interest, and desired experience. When you purchase your ticket online, you quickly receive an email confirmation.

There are a few tasting and tour options available. However, Guided Tours and Library Tastings are not available until the end of 2019 as the winery is undergoing renovations.  Opus One Tasting Appointment at the Pavilion is the only tasting currently available during the renovation.  

We purchased our tickets three days in advance for a 10:00 am tasting on a Sunday.  The weekends can be very busy, as well as weekdays during summer and harvest. To avoid crowds and get more 1:1 attention, we recommend choosing tasting times earlier in the day.  

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Arriving

The Opus One winery is located near Oakville, California at 7900 St Helena Hwy, Oakville, CA 94562.  It is located 70 miles north of SFO airport in San Francisco and 13 miles north of Napa, California. Drive time from downtown Napa is about 20 minutes in the off season, but can be an hour or more during peak season as the road narrows from four lanes to two lanes north of Napa.

If you are approaching the winery from the south on Highway 29, look for Oakville Grocery on your right. The entrance to Opus One is the next driveway on the right. If you approach the winery from Oakville Cross Road from the east, there is a service entrance that is sometimes open if you want to avoid Highway 29.  If you approach the winery from the north on Highway 29, you will need to take a left turn across northbound traffic (which is not a pleasant experience on the busy weekend or on a rainy day!).

The gates to Opus One are closed outside business hours. However, there is enough room off of Highway 29 to pull off onto the driveway to get out of the flow of traffic.  

As you approach the winery from the main driveway, you will see its distinct architecture, which say is reminiscent of a spaceship.  There is ample parking on the north and south sides of the winery.  

As you walk to the main entrance, you are greeted by creme colored limestone columns, olive trees, grassy lawn and the large wooden doors.  

It is behind these doors where you find the concierge who will direct you to your tasting.   During renovations, a temporary tasting pavilion will be set up near the winery.  

Opus One 2013 Opus One 2015 Overture Tasting Napa March 2019.jpeg

Our Tasting Experience

On our most recent visit, we chose the Opus One Tasting Appointment as this was the only tasting currently available during the renovation. This tasting consists of one 2 oz. pour of 2013 Opus One, 2015 Opus One, and Overture for $75. Wines by the glass were also available for purchase.

The concierge checked us in and walked with us to the tasting salon called the Partners’ Room. The check-in process was much like a visit to a high-end department store like Saks or Bergdorf’s.  

In the Partners’ Room (or Pavillion, during renovation) you can select wine by the glass or by the tasting flight. 

Seating is available in the Partners’ Room as well as outside the tasting room. Alternatively, you can climb the stairs and take in the views of the Vaca and Mayacamas Mountains as well as a good portion of the Napa Valley.

We planned for 90 minutes to enjoy the wines and walk the grounds.  Water and crackers are available upon request at no additional cost.  Feel free to ask the host questions about the wine and winery - if the room is not crowded, most are happy to visit with you for several minutes to answer any questions.  The staff has always been helpful in recommending additional tasting rooms, dining options, and lodging recommendations in the area.  

When you return your glasses to the tasting salon, you have the option to purchase bottles of the wines you tasted.  Opus One is distributed throughout the United States and the world, so check with the hostess in the Partners’ Room or Pavilion to find out if the wines are available in your state or hometown.

If you do purchase one or more bottles at Opus One, check out our article on getting your wines home safely.

Social Proof

Throughout the years, we’ve been sending friends and colleagues to this winery.  Most enjoy the experience, as do many online reviewers. Like us, the positive reviews highlight a serene tasting environment, knowledgeable staff, a relaxed pace, great views, and attentive but not pushy service.  

Most negative reviews of Opus One are on the topic of price and the winery not accommodating children and pets.  Also, some visitors prefer ‘warm’ country-cozy ambiance or the rustic elegance they experience at some other wineries. This winery’s ambiance is much more ‘cool’ and Neo Classical, true to the intention of combining European traditions with California wine.  There is only one style of wine to taste here, and some are disappointed in that as well.

Alternatives

We’ve visited 100 wineries in Napa Valley in the past 10 years, and as such, we’re able to provide recommendations for other wineries in the area should you find the price too high or you are simply not able to get in for a tasting.   

Wineries that allow children

Wineries that specialize in Bordeaux-style blends:

Other Cult Cabs:

Conclusions on Opus One Winery

If you like serene tastings and savoring one wine for 30 minutes or more, go here - you won’t regret it.  Also go if you just want to see what all the fuss is about. We do recommend going during the off-season or in the morning hours before the crowds descend.  We’ve never felt pressured to purchase wines after the tastings.  

If you are looking for a boisterous experience that never gets too serious about wine, don’t go here.  Don’t go here if you are looking for a glass of "cheap" wine or a bar-like experience.

If you are wanting to partake in a library tasting or a cellar tour, contact the winery and check when these tastings will be available again following construction.  

Cheers!

How to Check Wine When You Fly

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KnowWines has flown with wine bottles, beer bombers, liquor, and wine cases domestically (US) and internationally since 2000. Out of about 1000 bottles, we’ve had only one small beer bottle break! Here we give you the lowdown on 20 years of flying with booze (on any budget!).

Before we dive in, here are some reasons you might fly with wine:

  • Souvenir from business trip

  • Momento from a vacation

  • Traveling to a location with poor wine selection

  • Moving your household domestically and/or internationally

Planning to Travel with Wine

Before booking your airfare, here are a few things to consider:

  • Traveling one way with wine?  Use stackable luggage to reduce luggage fees.

  • Concerned about luggage weight on return flight? When flying domestically on an economy or premium economy ticket, the luggage weight limit is likely 50 lbs (if you go over this, there are additional fees).  If you are flying business or first class, the baggage allowance is typically 70 lbs per bag. Consider upgrading on your return flight for a larger luggage allowance.

  • Traveling with wine when it is over 70 F at your origin, connection, and destination?  Consider shipping as your wine might get “cooked” on the tarmac.

  • Do wines fly free? Some airlines like Southwest Airlines always have two free checked bags allowance. Other airlines, like Alaska Airlines, have Wines Fly Free promotion for Mileage Plan™ members only. In this promotion, one case (12 bottles) flies free in a cardboard box. Check with your airline for freebies and restrictions!

Start with a Hard-Sided Suitcase

You’ll be placing any wine you’re taking home from your wine country experiences in your checked bag (along with any other liquid over 100 mL or 3.4 ounces). The first step in protecting the wine bottle is the construction of your suitcase.

We strongly recommend a hard-sided suitcase. Why? When there is a luggage showdown in the belly of an airplane, a soft--sided bag versus golf clubs, golf clubs will likely win. Not good news for your wine!

If you are planning to travel regularly with six or more bottles of wine, consider investing in one of these VinGard Valise suitcases.  We’ve had ours for three years and love it. We also frequently loan it out to wine-loving friends.

 
 

Another option available online and at wineries are wine boxes with wheels and handles. Our experience is that these are much better than transporting a standard box of wine, but they are not as convenient as they could be. In general, they do the trick to get wine home safe and sound, but they have limitations. For a solo traveler they can be tricky to handle. Also, the wheels and strap combination are tricky - it’s a lot like adding an unwilling 50 lb toddler to your luggage! If you have a partner or driver who can help you maneuver luggage and the box (or are using a luggage cart) they are a great option.   

How to Keep Wine Cool When It’s Hot

Once you have arrived in wine country, check the forecast. If temperatures are over 70 F, you will need to find a way to keep your wines cool while you drive between destinations.  

Take a frozen food bag with you in your checked bag, or pick one up at a grocery store at your wine destination. This type of insulated bag with robust handles and foldability is great to take with you in the rental car if you plan to purchase a few wines each day.

Prevent your labels from getting wet by placing ice in a ziploc bag and wrapping that bag with newspaper or a towel from the hotel or AirBnB. Don’t place wine in the trunk of the car unless it is in a cooler. We love these two gallon freezer bags and always keep them with us in our suitcase for wine travel and any other travel needs.

So, you’ve kept your precious selections cool in the car. Don’t let them go to ruin on the airport tarmac! If the weather in your departing or connecting city will be over 70 F, have your wines shipped.  

Will Wine Freeze During Travel?

Flying with wine when it is cold?  A bottle of wine will not freeze until it is about 15 or 20 degrees F, and it will take a little while for wine to freeze, especially if it is insulated by your clothes in a suitcase or in a box containing styrofoam.  

However, if your travels take you to extremely cold climates, you may want to have it shipped professionally.  If you do travel to someplace like Alaska with a few bottles of wine and your luggage is delayed a day and or two, check the cork when it arrives to determine whether or not the wine has been compromised.  If the cork is pushed out a little bit then the wine likely froze during transit.

How Much Does a Bottle of Wine Weigh?

Wine bottles vary in size and weight, and unless your AirBnB or hotel room comes with a scale, estimating the weight can be tricky.  Bottles vary in size and weight due to a variety of factors, including marketing purposes or traditions in the region of origin.

As a rule of thumb, wine bottles weigh between 2  and 4 pounds. However, we know that when it comes to luggage fees, every ounce counts!  

Here are some wine bottle sizes and wine bottle weights you will come across.  I include some craft beer bombers, liquor examples for comparison.

  • A half bottle (or demi) of Riesling at 375 mL weighs 1 lb 9 ounces (708 grams)

  • A bottle of Whiskey at 700 mL weighs 2 lbs 9 ounces (1162 grams)

  • A Bordeaux-style bottle at 750 mL weighs 2 lb 10 ounces (1190 grams)

  • A bottle of Riesling at 750 mL weighs 2 lb 12 ounces (1247 grams)

  • A Belgian Beer bomber at 750 mL can weigh 3 lbs 6 ounces (1531 grams)

  • A bottle of Pinot Noir or Chardonnay in a Burgundy bottle at 750 mL can weigh 3 lbs 9 ounces (1616 grams)

  • A bottle of luxury cult Cabernet Sauvignon at 750 mL can weigh 4 lbs 5 oz (1956 grams)

 
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Invest in Wine Bottle Bags

One of the best wine travel hacks is to travel with wine bottle bags. They don’t take up space when empty, many are reusable, and most weigh under 2 ounces. The best wine bottle bags are reusable, and can accommodate liquor and beer bombers as well.  We’ve also used them to transport non-alcoholic bottles like olive oil and vinegar. Things we look for in a good wine bottle bag are a non-adhesive seal (reusable), a cushion of some sort, absorbent pads, material that is not transparent, and no sharp edges.  

We’ve used wine bottle bags for over ten years and find that you can get about three years of use out of them if you are traveling three to six times per year.  You can get some more life out of them if they separate at the seams by taping the edges with clear packing tape.

Here is our favorite wine travel bag.    

When Traveling, Don’t Buy Wine You Can Buy at Home

Don’t mess with flying with or shipping wine if you can get the same wine at home! In the tasting room, always ask, “Can I get this specific wine at home?”.  Most tasting room staff are happy to look up the availability of a wine in your country, state, or city.

Wines you should buy at the winery and consider taking home with you:

  • Wines you love and can only get at the winery

  • Wine you love that is sold at a discount at the winery

  • Wine that is not distributed to your state, or is only available in very small quantities or in a city far from your home

  • Wine from older vintages that may not be available at your hometown wine bottle shop

Economy Wine Carrier

No extra funds for luxury luggage or wine bottle bags?  No wine shipper near where you are traveling? Didn’t plan on buying a wine and came unprepared?  Never fear.

Simply place a couple of socks around the bottle and insert it into any bag (trash bag, Ziploc bag, hotel laundry bag).  With the remaining space in the bag, fill it with absorbent material like underwear, diapers, or clothing to provide some shock absorption.

Packing the Suitcase

Whether you are using wine bags or socks, we take the same approach to packing wines in our checked bags. Here’s our step-by-step guide:

  • Lay your empty suitcase on the floor, bed or other level surface.

  • Line the perimeter of the suitcase with shoes and other bulky items.

  • Place wines in the center of the suitcase.

  • Place clothing/soft material around the neck of the bottle.

  • Make sure the bottle won’t move around in the suitcase freely.  Loose wine in luggage is how the neck can get snapped.

Checking the Bag

Your bottles are safely secured inside your luggage and you are on your way to the airport.  Here are some tips based our previous experiences traveling with wine.

Rental Car Logistics

Traveling with a friend? Have them drop you off at the check-in station so that you don’t have to juggle heavy luggage on the rental car shuttle.

Traveling alone with a rental car?  I’ve had luck tipping the rental car return agent to drop me off in my rental car.  This option might not be available if the rental car return is very busy.

We don’t know how much it helps, but we always ask for a fragile sticker at the airport to put on the bag.  

Insurance

Check with your credit card and airline for insurance options. Some airlines will cover wine up to a certain value when it is checked in a cardboard box with styrofoam, however most will not.  

Fragile Sticker

I’ve noticed no difference in how my luggage has been handled when someone places a Fragile sticker on my bag.  However, that bright sticker can bring some temporary psychological relief during a hectic time!

Don’t Drink Your Wine As Soon As You Get Home

Once you get the wine home, your wine may suffer from temporary bottle shock (or bottle sickness).  This means that the wine might temporarily taste muted. Let the wine sit on its side for a week or two and it should return back to normal.  

While we don’t necessarily know what causes bottle shock, we do know that there are a lot of complex components in wine that can be negatively impacted by heat and shaking.  

Bottle shock does not occur with all wines. A younger wine might recover quickly, while an older wine or wines heavy in sediment might take longer to recover from bottle shock.

Know the Rules and Pack Cash or Check when Flying Internationally

When flying domestically and into the United States, TSA rules do not limit the amount of wine you can check, with one exception: if your wine has more than 24% alcohol. Since most wines have less than 24% alcohol, this is not a problem with the TSA.  

Some states do have regulations on the amount of wine you can bring in to the state for personal use.  It’s best practice to check your state law online especially if you live in a “control state.”

If you are flying into a “dry” country, or country that limits alcohol import due to religious regions, check with that country’s equivalent to TSA for rules and regulations.  

We always declare wines when we are traveling internationally.  Simply declare the items on your customs form (paper or electronic) or at the Global Entry kiosk.  Enter the amount of goods. If the amount is under the exception, the customs agent will wave you through.  Sometimes the customs agent will not charge you if the amount is near the exception. If it is over the exception, they will calculate the charge and you can pay with US currency or with a personal check.  The charge is typically about 4%, so for $1000 in wine this could be $40.

Shipping Wine

So you’ve found a great wine while traveling.  Ask the winery about their shipment options, as they can vary significantly between wineries.  Costs may vary due to the distance the wine needs to travel, whether the wine is being shipped to a home or business, how many wines are in the shipment, and the rate negotiated with the shipper. Most wineries will ship directly to you when temperatures are cooler, or will use refrigeration during hot months.

If you’ve purchased bottles from several different wineries and want to ship those, use a wine shipper like the ones listed below for temperature controlled shipping options:

If you’re worried your wine may not have been shipped properly, here’s an article to help you determine if your wine is bad.

Summary

We hope you find that collecting wine and bringing it home from your travels is a fun and rewarding adventure. It’s provided us great pleasure, especially the part when we share our finds with friends and family.

Cheers!











Harvest Inn in St. Helena, Napa Valley

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Hotels are in high demand in central Napa Valley and there aren’t a whole lot of options. Harvest Inn Saint Helena, a luxury hotel in the central part of wine country, offers a cozy, small-town feeling (and will also help you to avoid resort fees). Before you plan your trip to wine country, read our review and consider putting this inn on your California wine map!  

Things to Consider Before Booking with Harvest Inn

So, you’ve decided you would like to go to Napa Valley. Congratulations! Now it’s time to book a hotel. If your main intentions are wine tasting and fine dining, choosing lodging in the smaller towns north of Napa will put you right in the middle of wine country (and save you the time you’d spend driving back and forth from Napa and Sonoma).

Harvest Inn in St. Helena is ideal for 40+ travelers looking for a luxurious experience that is sophisticated yet unpretentious, without over-the-top amenities. It’s perfect for solo travelers or couples who wants a rustic yet elegant setting setting in the heart of Napa Valley.

Before booking this hotel, think about how often you plan to be in the town of Napa, as the hotel is over 30 minutes away and traffic is often congested on Highway 29.

This hotel has several nice amenities: two outdoor pools, two hot tubs, a small fitness center, and easy access to the sidewalks of St. Helena and roadways for biking. Some spa services are available with advance notice (the spa is located near the fitness center or you can arrange in-room services). Harvest Inn also provides convenient, on-demand, free shuttle service to nearby restaurants and wineries.

The Harvest Inn St. Helena, an Overview

Location

The Harvest Inn is located at the southwest edge of the quaint town of St. Helena in the heart of Napa Valley. It is nestled next to Whitehall Lane Winery, just off Highway 29.  

St. Helena is a fairly rural area. There are no shuttles or public transportation options from St. Helena or the Inn to nearby cities. If you are flying to California, you’ll need to rent a car, hire a private driver, or use rideshare apps like Uber or Lyft.

In addition to Harvest Inn’s on-site restaurant, the hotel is just a 20-minute walk to several well-regarded St. Helena restaurants, including Goose and Gander, Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch, and Charter Oak. The Inn is also within walking distance of Sunshine Foods Grocery Store, Dean and DeLuca gourmet store, and a few of the best wineries in Napa Valley.  

The Harvest Inn St Helena is:

75 miles north of San Francisco International Airport

70 miles southwest of Sacramento International Airport

68 miles northwest of Oakland International Airport and

28 miles east of Santa Rosa Airport

History and Construction

The hotel opened in 1975 with 25 rooms, and now has a total of 78 guest rooms across 17 brick and stone cottages. The cottages are grouped into four or five “neighborhoods” with walkways, green space, and pools. A line of evergreen trees helps separate the hotel from the two-lane highway, and over 300 magnificent redwood trees dot the eight acre hotel property. (And here’s a fun fact: there are over 2 million bricks on the property!)

The property has had a few different owners over the years, including chef Charlie Palmer. In 2018, the day-to-day operations were taken over by Woodside Hotel Group, an independent and family-owned chain of California hotels.  

Room Details

The rooms are renowned for their spaciousness. Room size starts at 350 square feet, though many are closer to 500 square feet. The Harvest Inn manor room is over 1000 square feet!

Most rooms have a wood fireplace (there are about 20 rooms with gas fireplaces and 14 rooms without fireplaces at all). Adjoining rooms are available.  

Each room appears to have either a patio or balcony.  Several rooms on the west side have full vineyard views (Whitehall Lane Vineyards) as well as a full view of the Mayacamas Mountains. These west-facing rooms also offer great sunset views! A few of these rooms also have private hot tubs.

There are about 22 second-story rooms, so if you have heavy luggage, ask for one of the ground level rooms or assistance with luggage from staff at check-in and check-out.

We stayed in one of the Fountain rooms at the east side of the property with peek-a-boo views of vineyards and the Mayacamas mountain range.When I arrived, there was a free bottle of wine in the room from an adjacent winery.

Each room is designed a little differently, though exposed brick and dark wood are common throughout. In our room, there was ample closet space and a large dresser. The room provided two bathrobes and pairs of slippers, as well as an umbrella. The flat screen TV provided premium TV channels, and the WiFi speed was fast and convenient for multiple devices. The desk was a comfortable space for writing or working. The mini-fridge was stocked with still water, sparkling water, and juice, and the room offered several publications on local events, wineries, restaurants, activities, and tours. The bathroom was spacious, with a natural stone shower separate from the updated tub. The king-sized room had a large vanity space for spreading out toiletries and beauty products. Hand soaps, shampoos, and toiletries were provided by C.O. Bigelow Apothecaries.    

Amenities

The Harvest Inn has free on-site parking, including two electric car charging stations. Free wifi is available in the rooms and in the common areas. The small on-site fitness center is equipped with basic fitness equipment, including treadmills and weights.

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There is an on-site spa with three treatment rooms, and guests can arrange for in-room spa services for an additional cost. Spa services include massage, body treatments (like exfoliation), and facials. Wellness for Cancer massage experts are available. We suggest planning ahead for any of these services rather than waiting until your arrival so that you get the service(s) you desire. During our stay, it rained, though we learned that guests could get receive some spa services outside under the redwood trees during better weather conditions. How relaxing!

The Harvest Inn has a relationship with the nearby Silverado Golf Course, home of the PGA tour.  Again, call ahead and the very helpful concierge can help you set up tee times - with the wonderful mediterranean climate, this course is likely quite popular!

Free wine tastings with nearby winery partners like Salvestrin Winery, HALL Winery, Whitehall Lane Winery, Merryvale Vineyards, and Heitz Wine Cellars are within walking distance of the hotel. Additional wineries within walking distance are Sutter Home, The Prisoner Wine Company, V Sattui, Pahlmeyer Wines, Meiomi Wines, Louis M Martini Winery, and Prager Winery and Port Works.

Finally, if you’re looking to keep up to date on local or national news while sipping a glass of wine, free daily newspapers are available at the Harvest Bar.

Grounds and Event Space

In addition to the nearly half-a-century old redwood trees and neighboring vineyards, the gardens include a Koi pond, evergreen and flowering shrubs, terraces, lawns, two swimming pools and two hot tubs, a botanical garden, and a few garden beds to supply the restaurant.  

Unique artwork from St. Helena’s own Aerena Galleries and Gardens is on display. If you are interested in learning more about the art, someone at Aerena will come to the Inn to explain it further, or you can bike/walk into town (30-minute walk) and check out their beautiful exposed brick showroom.

In the event that business or a wedding (perhaps your own?) takes you to the valley, the Harvest Inn can help you with either. There are several areas in the property that include a mix of indoor and outdoor garden, lawn, and covered patio space. For weddings or other large events, you can rent out the entire Harvest Inn restaurant. (And hey, if you decide you want to elope,  they can help with that, too!)

Dining

Harvest Inn boasts a full breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Most of the food is locally sourced, including a few items from their own gardens. All meals are served in either a main dining room or on a covered terrace. Room service is also available most days.  

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We enjoyed breakfast there several times. Their delicious Eggs Benedict featured english muffins from St. Helena’s famous Modal Bakery. Coffee is available to go in the morning, or you can sit and enjoy some French press coffee with your breakfast.  

Adjacent to the dining room, the Harvest Bar features wines from the area as well as artisan cocktails. Beers on tap include two craft beers made on site and other beers from the region.

Other Factors to Consider

The Harvest Inn is not for budget travelers or travelers who want to pay for their rooms with chain hotel points. It is also not a good fit for travelers who need to be in close proximity to Napa or city activities. It is not ideal for travelers seeking modern, minimalistic design, a large swimming pool for doing laps, or a large gym. There are a limited number of dog-friendly rooms.  

Social Proof

In addition to my our experience, other reviewers say that they are not disappointed when they pay a little more to get vineyard views. Guests staying near the adult-only pool report that it can be noisy until the pool closes around 11 pm. Other guests comment that the gym is rather small.  Last, some guests are disappointed that the bar and restaurant are closed on Monday if they are tired from a full day of activities and want to stay in for the evening. There are, however, a few places in town that do deliver food and several restaurants within 20 minutes walking distance that are open on Mondays.    

Alternatives

If you find that the Harvest Inn is fully booked, here are three alternatives.

Wine Country Inn in St. Helena is about the same age and has similar ambiance at about the same price point. We enjoyed a stay here a few years ago. More cottages have vineyard views and there are views of the Vaca Mountains. The rooms are a little more dated and I found the breakfast at Harvest Inn to have a much better selection. Here are a few more details about Wine Country Inn:

  • Located just north of St. Helena

  • Nestled in the vineyards

  • Pool and hot tub

  • Breakfast available, no lunch or dinner

  • No resort fee, limited spa services, no gym

Wanting the same ambiance but a little further down the road in Yountville?  We recommend the Hotel Yountville. Their breakfasts are exceptional! Here are a few more details:

  • Boutique hotel with exposed stone walls

  • Breakfast and lunch available, many Michelin rated restaurants within 10 minutes walk, or take in-room dining

  • Pool and hot tub

  • Large spa

  • Patios and balconies, no vineyard views

Last but not least, if rustic elegance is not your style and you want the newest and most luxurious hotel accommodations in St. Helena, try Los Alcobas just south of Beringer winery. Here are a few more details:

  • Marriott hotel for points-accumulating aficionados

  • Large and luxurious spa

  • 10-15 minute walk to downtown St Helena

  • 24 hour fitness facility

  • Restaurant headed by Top Chef alum Chris Cosentino

  • Luxury modern design

Conclusion

The Harvest Inn in St. Helena is perfect for couples or solo travelers who want to get away from it all and enjoy a bit of small town ambiance. It’s a very convenient and centralized homebase for wine tasting and dining and has luxury hotel amenities like spacious rooms and fine dining, without the resort fees. It is a good fit for people wanting a warm, rustic, and luxurious experience.

Cheers to happy travels!

Fifteen Wineries in Napa and Sonoma

Five Large Wineries:

Each of these five large wineries produces over a million bottles of wine per year. Because their wines are widely distributed in the United States, you can experience the tasting without feeling obliged to buy something to take home. These wineries either work with many varieties and have many “brands” at different price points,  or they focus on one or two wines made in large volume.

In Napa:

Beringer: California’s oldest continuously operating winery.

Hall Wines: Nestled in the Diamond Mountain District of Napa Valley.

Robert Mondavi: Four decades of award-winning winemaking.

Stag’s Leap: Beautiful architecture, gorgeous vineyards, and underground caves!

In Sonoma:

Jordan: A beautiful winery-chateau in the French style.

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Five Medium Wineries:

Typically, these wineries have been in business for 30 or more years.

In Napa:

Chappellet: Chappellet’s Pritchard Hill is a stunning setting for tasting wine.

Montelena: The winery boasts a unique stone chateau resembling an English gothic castle.

Opus One: Unique architecture paired with beautiful scenery and wine.

In Sonoma:

Ridge: Sip wine in the presence of gorgeous, 115-year-old vines.

Merry Edwards: Merry Edwards is a female vintner making Pinot Noirs with a sense of place.

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Five Smaller Wineries:

These wineries generally make less than 250,000 bottles of wine per year.

In Napa:

Tor: Family-owned, with a focus on single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines.

Pina: Family-owned for eight generations! A small Napa Valley treasure.

Corison: Artisanal, age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon by winegrower Cathy Corison.

In Sonoma:

Williams Selyem: Highly-prized Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Zinfandel.

Peter Michael: Nine family-owned mountain vineyards and thirty-five years of handcrafted wines.

Interested in traveling to Napa and Sonoma? Check out our guide to California’s wine country as well as our recommendations for lodging and unique wine country excursions!

Authentic Wine Travel for 40+ Women

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When Women Go On Vacation

Recently, KnowWines founder Jolene read an article by Sarah Mikutel with this title: “Women don’t need to be in a crisis to travel.” Two points in the article resonated with Jolene right away. The first was that Americans have become enamored with busyness and the hustle, rather than authenticity and intentionality. The second was that women only find it acceptable to travel and spend time with our minds after we hit a “crisis.”

Mikutel found that if you ask most women who travel (including Jolene), they are actually not miserable or escaping a crisis. Women typically travel independently because we’ve reached a point in our lives where we’ve met their intrinsic human needs (physiological, love/belonging, and safety) and are seeking experiences to build self-esteem and self-respect, a lá Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.   

Women in Wine Country

When seeking self-esteem and self-respect, we naturally seek mastery, independence, freedom, and competence, all of which lead to self-confidence. In addition to pursuing these higher-order accomplishments when traveling, we also love learning more about the pleasurable aspects of those basic needs — food, beverage, clothing, shelter, relationships. Traveling to wine country destinations affords ample opportunity for all these pursuits.

The world of women’s travel — and concurrently the world of wine — is rapidly changing.  Around 1% of business travelers were women 40 years ago. Today it’s 40%! The keyword search independent or solo female travel grew by 52% between 2016 and 2017. The average age of women adventure travelers is 47. Today, women are traveling more with friends or independently than with family. And more and more often, women are traveling to wine country. This makes sense — after all, women purchase 80% of wine for home consumption, and the GenX generation, which includes the most women travelers, purchases more wine per capita than Boomers or Millennials.  

With such a rapid increase in women travelers to wine country, the travel industry is working hard to keep pace. However, Jolene finds that much of the travel literature for wine country - from Napa Valley to the Rhône Valley to Bordeaux - is out of step with current trends and still geared toward men (light on detail and heavy on top 10 lists and trophy experiences). When travel articles are geared towards women, it’s to younger women looking for more of a drinking experience than an intentional travel experience that incorporates tasting and other cultural activities. When articles about wine tourism take the art of winemaking seriously, they often go far to the other extreme, aiming at wine industry insiders seeking “super geeky” wine experiences that may not be well suited for one’s inaugural or second trip to wine country.

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Making a Travel Plan

Many women travelers prepare for trips meticulously, constructing Vision Boards or just writing out ideas about our ideal experiences. Rarely did Jolene find information out there that gave a holistic framework for wine country travel for the average woman adventure traveler. That’s why she created this free guide!

This course, Authentic Wine Travel for Women Over 40, is not a catalog of wine regions to visit. Nor is it a simple checklist for how to take the best tour of wine country. Instead, it’s a guide to making the most of your experience when you travel to wine regions. The goal of the course is to help you create a journey that is inspiring, deeply personal, and that, like a fine wine, will hold value for years to come.  

If the grape vine could speak, it would tell us that about 2000 years ago it tempted humans to take it and plant it in places it would thrive, which just happened to be some of the most beautiful and bucolic regions of the world. Because many wine-producing regions are naturally beautiful, one does not need to be a wine enthusiast to enjoy travel to wine country. The vines can simply serve as a beautiful backdrop to outdoor pursuits like walking, biking, or hot-air ballooning. But for the wine enthusiast, those vines, and what they produce, can inspire the woman traveller to learn the lore of the region and the personalities of the vignerons, and to experience new tastes, smells, and textures. This course endeavors to give you an holistic take on the myriad possibilities for growth, learning, and fun that wine country can provide the female traveler.