15 Best Rutherford Winery Tastings (2024)

Rutherford, located in the heart of Napa Valley, is celebrated for its “Rutherford Dust,” a unique terroir that imparts distinct characteristics to its wines. This list of the 15 best winery tours in Rutherford was curated based on wine quality, unique tasting experiences, scenic beauty, and customer reviews. Information was gathered from sources such as NapaValley.com, Platypus Wine Tours, and Wine with Paige to provide a comprehensive guide for wine enthusiasts.

Wineries Reviewed

  • Beaulieu Vineyard (BV)
  • Cakebread Cellars
  • Inglenook
  • Peju Winery
  • Round Pond Estate
  • Rutherford Hill Winery
  • Honig Vineyard & Winery
  • Caymus Vineyards
  • Sullivan Rutherford Estate
  • Grgich Hills Estate
  • Pestoni Family Estate Winery
  • Frog’s Leap Winery
  • Alpha Omega Winery
  • Mumm Napa
  • Staglin Family Vineyard

1. Beaulieu Vineyard (BV)

Location: 1960 St. Helena Highway, Rutherford, CA 94573
Website: bvwines.com
Best Known For: Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine Tastings: Discover Rutherford Dust Tasting
Why Visit: Beaulieu Vineyard is a historic estate known for its high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon. The Discover Rutherford Dust Tasting provides an in-depth look at the unique terroir and its influence on the wines.

2. Cakebread Cellars

Location: 8300 St. Helena Highway, Rutherford, CA 94573
Website: cakebread.com
Best Known For: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine Tastings: Sustainable Wines & Vines Tour
Why Visit: Cakebread Cellars offers a comprehensive tour focusing on their sustainability practices, complemented by tastings of their signature wines.

3. Inglenook

Location: 1991 St. Helena Highway, Rutherford, CA 94573
Website: inglenook.com
Best Known For: Rubicon
Wine Tastings: Private Library Tour and Tasting
Why Visit: Under the ownership of Francis Ford Coppola, Inglenook provides a luxurious and historic tasting experience, with a focus on their acclaimed Bordeaux-style wines.

4. Peju Winery

Location: 8466 St. Helena Highway, Rutherford, CA 94573
Website: peju.com
Best Known For: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Wine Tastings: Classic Seated Tasting
Why Visit: Peju Winery offers a family-friendly atmosphere with beautiful gardens and a variety of tasting experiences, including food pairings.

5. Round Pond Estate

Location: 875 Rutherford Road, Rutherford, CA 94573
Website: roundpond.com
Best Known For: Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine Tastings: Estate Tasting
Why Visit: Round Pond Estate provides stunning vineyard views and high-quality wines, along with tastings that highlight their commitment to artisanal winemaking.

6. Rutherford Hill Winery

Location: 200 Rutherford Hill Road, Rutherford, CA 94573
Website: rutherfordhill.com
Best Known For: Merlot
Wine Tastings: Tour of the Estate
Why Visit: Known for its scenic views and extensive wine caves, Rutherford Hill Winery offers a comprehensive tour that showcases their elegant wines.

7. Honig Vineyard & Winery

Location: 850 Rutherford Road, Rutherford, CA 94573
Website: honigwine.com
Best Known For: Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine Tastings: Eco-Tour and Tasting
Why Visit: Honig focuses on sustainable practices and offers an informative eco-tour that pairs educational insights with tastings of their award-winning wines.

8. Caymus Vineyards

Location: 8700 Conn Creek Rd, Rutherford, CA 94573
Website: caymus.com
Best Known For: Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine Tastings: Vineyard Walk and Tasting
Why Visit: Caymus is renowned for its smooth Cabernet Sauvignon and provides a relaxing outdoor tasting experience in a picturesque setting.

9. Sullivan Rutherford Estate

Location: 1090 Galleron Road, Rutherford, CA 94573
Website: sullivanwine.com
Best Known For: Merlot
Wine Tastings: Private Wine Tasting
Why Visit: Sullivan Rutherford Estate offers high-end Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with an emphasis on luxurious and personalized tasting experiences.

10. Grgich Hills Estate

Location: 1829 St. Helena Highway, Rutherford, CA 94573
Website: grgich.com
Best Known For: Chardonnay
Wine Tastings: Ranch House Tour and Tasting
Why Visit: Grgich Hills Estate, known for its organic farming practices, offers unique experiences like barrel stomping and detailed tours of their historic estate.

11. Pestoni Family Estate Winery

Location: 1673 St. Helena Highway, Rutherford, CA 94573
Website: pestonifamily.com
Best Known For: Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine Tastings: Picnic Tasting
Why Visit: Pestoni Family Estate provides a laid-back tasting environment with picnic facilities and bocce ball courts, making it perfect for a relaxed afternoon.

12. Frog’s Leap Winery

Location: 8815 Conn Creek Rd, Rutherford, CA 94573
Website: frogsleap.com
Best Known For: Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine Tastings: Garden Tasting
Why Visit: Frog’s Leap combines sustainable farming with a fun and informal tasting atmosphere, set in beautiful garden surroundings.

13. Alpha Omega Winery

Location: 1155 Mee Ln, St Helena, CA 94574
Website: aowinery.com
Best Known For: Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine Tastings: Terrace Tasting
Why Visit: Alpha Omega is known for its excellent hospitality and beautiful estate, offering a range of tasting experiences in a picturesque setting.

14. Mumm Napa

Location: 8445 Silverado Trail, Rutherford, CA 94573
Website: mummnapa.com
Best Known For: Sparkling Wines
Wine Tastings: Sparkling Wine Tour
Why Visit: Mumm Napa specializes in sparkling wines and provides a variety of tasting options, including educational tours of their production process.

15. Staglin Family Vineyard

Location: 1570 Bella Oaks Ln, Rutherford, CA 94573
Website: staglinfamily.com
Best Known For: Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine Tastings: Estate Tour and Tasting
Why Visit: Staglin Family Vineyard offers an intimate and exclusive tasting experience, focusing on their high-quality wines and the vineyard’s beautiful setting.

Conclusion

Rutherford, with its unique “Rutherford Dust” terroir, offers a diverse range of wineries that provide exceptional tasting experiences and high-quality wines. Whether you are a seasoned wine enthusiast or a casual taster, this guide to the best winery tours in Rutherford will help you explore the rich flavors and beautiful landscapes of this renowned Napa Valley region.

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