The 7 Best Napa Valley Wineries for Your Bachelorette Party

Red wine pouring into one of four wine glasses — nicolamargaret / Getty Images

It's never a bad time to visit the best Napa Valley wineries—especially when it comes to planning a fun-loving bachelorette party or an easy getaway. You can head to the heart of California winemaking on a day trip from San Francisco (a popular choice for local bachelorette parties, since it's just 90 minutes by car from the city), or on a weekend trip from anywhere in the U.S. It's the perfect way to celebrate if you're a group of oenophiles, and because there's such a vast range of wineries each offering a different experience, everyone is sure to be satisfied.

But a trip to Napa Valley wineries isn't just about tasting fine vintages, though a visit to any of the below vineyards will ensure just that. Once you arrive in Napa with your besties, you'll soon realize there's more to wine country than what meets the eye. Sure, the region's home to beautiful rolling hills covered in vines, but it also has super friendly locals who are passionate about all things food and wine, and a slower pace of life that will get you in a relaxed mindstate pre-wedding.

Limit yourself to three or four wineries per day (otherwise, you'll be forced to rush through tastings), make sure to eat and drink plenty of water throughout the day (hydration is key to keeping your squad alive), and always use Uber or a driver to get around, so everyone can participate safely in the fun!

Here are the seven best bachelorette-worthy Napa Valley wineries for every type of bride squad.

01 of 07

HALL Rutherford

Vintner Kathryn Hall is a Napa legend—together with her husband, Craig, the New York Times best-selling author owns two luxury wine brands: HALL and WALT. The Hall's namesake winery on St. Helena Highway, HALL Rutherford, is the flagship and attracts hundreds of visitors a day. For something a little more special, book the VIP Appellation Exploration Tour at the brand's exclusive venue in Rutherford (technically on the Hall family's private estate). There, you'll start on a patio overlooking the valley before moving to the downstairs tasting room, outfitted with the most incredible Swarovski crystal chandelier, to sample limited-production wines that showcase the impact of terroir, climate, and elevation. Want to take your tour one step further? You can even custom design etched bottles with you and your fiancé's initials and wedding date to give out on the big day.

02 of 07

Round Pond Estate

Round Pond Estate, a limited production estate winery, is the perfect place for a more casual experience—you can simply grab a seat on the terrace and enjoy the views overlooking the Mayacamas Mountain range as you sip estate wines (each of which is paired with local artisan cheese, meat, dessert, or other delectable bites). It's also one of the only places you can taste freshly pressed olive oil—Round Pond has one of just two olive mills in the Napa Valley region. For a more informative experience, take an exclusive tour with a Round Pond winemaker for a behind-the-scenes look at how a blend is crafted. You'll learn all about the vineyard's terroir, grape maturity, and fermentation process, then enjoy a multi-course wine-paired lunch by Round Pond Executive Chef Jamie Prouten, who sources the freshest ingredients of the season from the estate's own garden.

03 of 07

Newton Vineyard

Mt. Vedeer vineyard — Courtesy of Newton Vineyard

If one or more of your 'maids are fashion types, they'll appreciate the expansive Newtown Vineyard. Founded in 1977, it's owned by LVMH, the luxury fashion conglomerate that counts Louis Vuitton, Céline, Christian Dior, and Givenchy, among others, as its brands. This 260-hectare estate, located on the slopes of Spring Mountain, has 112 parcels, each planted with a specific grape variety—merlot, cabernet franc, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, or petit verdot—giving you a chance to taste both delicious blends and unique single-vineyard wines. Unfortunately, at this time, Newton is only doing virtual experiences, as the winery and vineyards were significantly impacted by the 2020 Glass Fire.

04 of 07

V. Sattui

A table with wine and charcuterie with a group of people in the background — Courtesy of V. Sattui

On nice days, few places are more popular than the picnic area at V. Sattui, a nature-lovers paradise. The two-acre lawn, surrounded by oak trees and dotted with picnic tables, is the perfect spot to nosh on crabcakes, pasta, cheese, and charcuterie from the on-site deli. On weekends, V. Sattui even fires up the grill for finger-licking BBQ dishes and wood-fired pizzas. Of course, they offer tours and wine tastings, including a single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon tasting in a private tower overlooking the winery grounds.

05 of 07

Tank Garage Winery

Set in a 1930s-era gas station in the town of Calistoga, Tank Garage Winery is the opposite of your classic Napa Valley vineyard setting. Here, it's all about a fun experience that goes beyond wine tasting. Every Friday night, there's a special tasting experience in the backroom "speakeasy," and it's easy to plan a bachelorette party complete with arcade games and indoor-outdoor vibes. But don't think you'll be drinking grocery-store-quality wines: Calistoga is an area filled with world-class vineyards, and Tank Garage Winery comes at the hands of two longtime friends (one of whom is a Napa native) with years of experience in farming and viticulture who have an eye for bold flavors and cool label designs.

06 of 07

Raymond Vineyards

If you've ever dreamed of making your own wine, don a sparkly silver lab coat and head to the "laboratory" at Raymond Vineyards for their signature wine-blending experience. Participants get to use eyelet droppers and glass beakers to blend four different varietals and create their own perfect wine, which is then bottled with a custom label. Talk about the perfect bachelorette souvenir! The winery offers tons of other experiences, too, like a cocktail party in its Crystal Cellar, where you'll be surrounded by stainless steel tanks, mirrors, and crystals. Or, for a more low-key experience, play croquet, badminton, or bocce in The Grove and dine under rows of trees.

07 of 07

Domaine Carneros

Set on the south end of the valley, Domaine Carneros looks like an over-the-top chateau in France. And yet, it works—if only because the brand was founded by the Taittinger family of Champagne. (Yes, the same one that makes Taittinger bubbly.) If your crew is sick of sipping flat reds and whites, head here to change it up. Domaine Carneros is known for its sparkling wine, so do yourselves a favor and book a customized Connoisseur's Tasting, which starts with a brief introduction by the "Wine Educator," followed by a tasting of six premium wines of your choosing (paired with artisan cheeses, smoked salmon, and other fun bites).

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