Napa Valley Wine Tasting: Land Of The Free!
With more visitors each year than Disneyland, perhaps Napa Valley wineries simply grew tired of providing more than 8 million complimentary tastings annually. In the last year alone, the appointment-only Caymus Vineyards tasting room went from free to $25 per person, while the renowned Napa Valley winery, deli and picnic stop, V. Sattui, began charging $5 per person. Rombauer Vineyards has also raised their tasting fee from complimentary to $10 per person.There are still a few strategies the informed wine lover can use to lessen the blow of winery tasting fees. The majority of wineries are willing to waive tasting fees with a bottle purchase (bottles generally range in price from $20 to $200). Often you can avoid winery tasting fees by joining a wine club, but this too can be costly depending on the distribution program of that particular wine club.
Fear notò€”you can still find free, quality wine tastings in the world-renowned Napa Valley region:
ò€¢ Frogò€™s Leap Winery offers a complimentary winery tour and tasting that is head-and-shoulders above the majority of fee-based Napa Valley tasting rooms. They are located at 8815 Conn Creek Road in Rutherford, California. Appointments are required and they are closed on Sundays. Call (707) 963-4704 to make your appointment.
ò€¢ Frank Family Winery offers quality complimentary wine tasting with an option to purchase reserve tasting for only $10 per person. A personal favorite is their cognac champagne. They are located at 1091 Larkmead Lane in Calistoga, California. Call (800) 574-9463 for more information.
ò€¢ Heitz Wine Cellars continues to provide delicious and free-of-charge wine tasting in a low-frills, yet comfortable environment. They are located at 436 Saint Helena Highway in St. Helena, California. You can call them at (707) 963 3542, but no appointment is required.
ò€¢ Sutter Home Winery also offers complimentary wine tasting in their visitor center. Reserve tastings are also available for a fee. Sutter Home Winery is located at 277 Saint Helena Highway in St. Helena, California. They can be reached at (707) 963-3104.