Most wineries offer tastings and/or tours of their products. The form this takes varies greatly. The largest, most well known wineries such as Mondavi and Beringer are open daily with large hosting facilities, guided tours of the operation and reserve rooms for tasting select, more expensive wines. The many smaller wineries may offer tastings only by appointment, but your tour or tasting may be conducted by the owner. Most vineyards charge a small fee for the tastings, especially at the more popular vineyards, perhaps $5-$10. Winery tours are generally very interesting and informative. Reserve room tastings provide an opportunity to sample expensive wines without having to spend a larger amount for a bottle. Sometimes the tasting fee can be applied to the cost of a bottle purchased.
popular large wineries
Beringer Vineyards in St. Helena
Grgich Hills Cellar, in Rutherford
Robert Mondavi Winery in Oakville
V. Sattui Winery in St. Helena
Sterling Vineyards in Calistoga
The Hess Collection Winery in Napa
Castello di Amorosa in Calistoga