| Located in the middle of
the Napa Valley wine region and often mentioned in association with another
nearby community, Oakville, Rutherford offers some of Napa's most scenic
fields and meadows. Many consider Rutherford as the best place in the world
to grow cabernet grapes. Bottom land soil of Rutherford and nearby "Oakville
dust" are credited with helping provide the perfect conditions for these
popular grapes.
With Mayacama Mountains to the west and the Howell
Mountains to the east, Rutherford landscapes are panoramic and can be enjoyed
by those who pay several hundred dollars per night to stay at Auberge
du Soleil, a resort perched on Rutherford Hill and featuring 50 rooms and
suites, each with its own terrace overlooking the vine-studded valley.
Leave the kids at home--how different
things are today! From the founding of the community possibly in
the 1870's when new generations were needed to work the family fields and
businesses, places such as Auberge du Soleil (roughly translated as Inn
of the Sun), today encourage a concept of retreat from the daily routine
and highly recommend children NOT be brought to their property. It's
wonderful to have such places to escape to, yet many of the wineries along
this region rely on the capital and teamwork of family members. From the
husband-wife team of Director Francis Ford Coppola to the father-daughter
duo of Michael Grigch, tightly knit families become immersed in the wine
business and look to their personal support systems for help in everything
from marketing to management.
Considered the founder of modern
day Rutherford, Judge S. C. Hastings owned many vineyards in the area and
helped generate interest in the region with his products. This is
where the likes of Captain Niebaum established Inglenook and helped
put Napa Valley on the map. Indeed, it's easy to enjoy the fruits of earlier
efforts with award winning wines sampled in sumptuous settings. Be sure
to stop at Rutherford's Niebaum-Coppola Winery to see its gracious
fountains, rare wood stair cases and railings and collector Tucker car
that was featured in the movie of the same name, and was developed by the
movie director Francis Ford Coppola's father. Our tour guide joked
that Coppola made the movie, "TUCKER" in an attempt to recoup some of the
losses his father experienced in building the car that would not break,
and thus, could not make it to market.
From the fine Italian tapestries
and cloths that Coppola's wife scours the world to find, to the more affordable
knick knacks, the gift shop at the winery is unique and worth a look.
One of our staff could not afford the $300+ wool shawl sold at the store,
but was delighted when we returned to the Embassy Suites hotel in Napa,
to observe several of the shawls draped across sofas and chairs in the
reception lounge. This is a place where you don't have to be wealthy to
visit, but you feel like a king or queen. Tasting a fine wine and surveying
the hills of this sun-kissed region makes "cloud nine" seem like a pretty
good choice.
Rutherford Wineries
Beaulieu Vineyard
707.967.5200
1960 South St. Helena Hwy. Rutherford, CA 94573
Tasting Room - Yes
Cost: Fee
Located in the town of Rutherford, Beaulieu Vineyard welcomes guests from
around the world with a glass of wine and a friendly smile.
Grgich Hills Cellar
800.532.3057
1829 St. Helena Hwy. Rutherford, CA 94573
Tasting Room - Yes
Cost: Fee
Complimentary tasting with purchase!
Family-owned since 1977, we're world-renowned for our Chardonnay, Zinfandel,
Cabernet, Merlot, and more! Also, join them for barrel tasting!
Niebaum-Coppola Winery
800.RUBICON
1991 St. Helena Highway Rutherford, CA 94573
Tasting Room - Yes
Cost: Fee
Francis and Eleanor Coppola invite you to visit one of the premiere
California Wineries, the Niebaum Coppola Estate Winery located on the
historic Inglenook Estate.
Rutherford Grove Winery
866.570.9463
1673 St. Helena Highway Rutherford, CA 94573
Tasting Room - Yes
Cost: Fee
Voted among top five small wineries to visit in Napa Valley by Wall Street
Journal. Family owned and operated, Rutherford Grove specializes in
handcrafted red wines.
Rutherford Hill Winery
800.637.5681
200 Rutherford Hill Road Rutherford, CA 94573
Tasting Room - Yes
Cost: Fee
The caves of Rutherford Hill are regarded as one of the most extensive
wine-aging cave systems in America. Tours available.
Sawyer Cellars
800.818.2252
8350 St. Helena Highway
Rutherford, CA 94573
St. Supery Vineyards & Winery
800.942.0809
8440 St. Helena Highway (29) Rutherford, CA 94573
Tasting Room - Yes
Cost: Fee
St. Supery is a family winery specializing in estate grown Sauvignon Blanc
and Cabernet Sauvignons. Guided tours are offered. Call for hours.
Staglin Family Vineyard
707.944.0477
P.O. Box 680 Rutherford, CA 94573
Tasting Room - Yes, by appointment.
Staglin Family Vineyard is a family-owned Napa Valley winery, devoted to
producing extremely limited quantities of the highest quality wine from its
own vineyard.
Sullivan Vineyards
877.244.7337 (BIG REDS)
1090 Galleron Road Rutherford, CA 94573
Tasting Room - Yes
Cost: Fee
Voted top 5 wineries to visit in Napa Valley by Wall Street Journal.
Sullivan Vineyards is a small family winery with award winning
Tres Sabores
707.967.8027
PO Box 238
Rutherford, CA 94573
ZD Wines - ZD Wines has an established reputation for producing wines of
outstanding quality, distinctive style and consistent character.
800.487.7757
8383 Silverado Trail Rutherford, CA
Tasting Room - Yes
Cost: Fee
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