Top 29 Local Wine Varieties
in Napa County

Schrader Cellars is a highly regarded Napa Valley winery founded in 1998 by Fred Schrader, with a clear focus on producing top-tier Cabernet Sauvignon from some of the region’s most sought-after vineyard sites. The estate is closely associated with the iconic Napa Valley, particularly the renowned Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, which is considered one of the finest sources of Cabernet Sauvignon in California. A defining element of the winery’s success is its long-standing collaboration with winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown, whose approach emphasizes clonal selection and precise expression of individual vineyard blocks. Schrader Cellars produces limited quantities of single-vineyard and single-block wines, highlighting the nuances of terroir with remarkable clarity. The wines are known for their richness, structure, and depth, balanced by precision and aging potential. Minimal intervention in the cellar allows the fruit and vineyard character to remain at the forefront. Over time, the winery has achieved “cult” status, driven by both critical acclaim and limited availability. Many of its wines have received perfect scores from leading critics, reinforcing its reputation in the premium wine segment. Today, Schrader Cellars stands as a benchmark for modern Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.Expand

Shafer Vineyards is a family-founded winery located in the renowned Stags Leap District of Napa Valley. Established in 1972 by John Shafer, the estate quickly rose to prominence through a clear vision, dedication to the land, and an uncompromising pursuit of quality. What began as a hillside vineyard soon became one of the most respected names in American winemaking. With over 200 acres of sustainably farmed vines, Shafer produces wines that reflect both the richness of Napa’s terroir and the precision of thoughtful craftsmanship. The winery is best known for its flagship Hillside Select, a benchmark Cabernet Sauvignon celebrated worldwide, along with other acclaimed labels such as One Point Five, Relentless, and Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay. Longtime winemaker Elias Fernandez has guided the style of Shafer wines for decades, focusing on depth, balance, and longevity. Together with Doug Shafer, the estate has maintained a philosophy rooted in respect for tradition while embracing innovation.Expand

Bond Wine is an exclusive Napa Valley winery founded in 1996 by Bill Harlan, with the ambition of creating wines that reflect a “grand cru” level of quality in California. The concept behind BOND is built around a small collection of exceptional vineyard sites - Melbury, Vecina, St. Eden, Pluribus, and Quella - each selected for its unique terroir within the Napa Valley. Rather than blending across vineyards, each wine is produced from a single site, emphasizing the distinct identity of its origin. The winery focuses exclusively on Cabernet Sauvignon, aiming to express the nuances of each location with precision and clarity. Production is extremely limited, often just a few hundred cases per vineyard, reinforcing its status as a cult winery. The wines are known for their concentration, structure, and depth, combined with remarkable balance and aging potential. Bond Wine’s philosophy is often compared to the Burgundian model, where site specificity takes precedence over house style. Through this approach, the winery offers a collection of wines that collectively define the finest terroirs of Napa Valley. Today, Bond Wine is widely regarded as one of the leading producers of single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon in the world.Expand

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars is one of the most influential wineries in Napa Valley and a turning point in American winemaking, especially since the 1976 “Judgment of Paris”, when its 1973 Cabernet surpassed renowned Bordeaux labels. Located in the Stags Leap District, the winery benefits from distinctive volcanic and gravelly soils that allow for wines with remarkable structure and aromatic precision. Its key vineyard sites, Stag’s Leap Vineyard and Fay Vineyard, lie at the base of the Stags Leap Palisades, where a unique microclimate creates a balance of ripeness, freshness, and clarity of aroma. The legendary 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon, which elevated SLWC to global prominence, originated from the Stag’s Leap Vineyard vineyard. While Cabernet Sauvignon is the primary focus, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay also receive meticulous attention through a winemaking approach centered on purity, elegance, and long aging potential. Fermentation is controlled with precision and complemented by careful use of French oak to preserve harmony between fruit expression and subtle notes of vanilla, cedar, and spice. Vineyard management blends scientific insight with traditional practices, respecting natural cycles and the character of the terroir. Visitors can experience guided tastings, explore the library selection, and tour the cellars, further underscoring the winery’s reputation as a place that has shaped the history of Napa Valley. Despite modernization, the estate has preserved a signature style that prioritizes elegance over sheer power, making its wines highly regarded among collectors. Today, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars remains synonymous with consistent quality, authenticity, and one of the defining stories of contemporary American wine.Expand

Peter Michael Winery is a family-owned winery established in 1982 by Sir Peter Michael. It is located in the northeastern part of Sonoma County, California, on the slopes of Mount St. Helena. Peter Michael Winery produces wines from varieties such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauvignon Blanc, employing traditional winemaking methods including hand-sorting of grapes, fermentation with indigenous yeasts, and aging in French oak barrels. The Michael family has a long-term vision to keep the winery family-owned for at least 100 years, with a strong commitment to preserving the natural environment and wildlife surrounding the vineyards.Expand

Screaming Eagle is one of the most exclusive and revered wine producers in the world, located in the heart of California’s Napa Valley. Founded in the late 1980s, this small, legendary winery quickly achieved cult status among collectors and wine enthusiasts for its uncompromising dedication to quality, extremely limited production, and consistently outstanding wines that receive top scores from critics year after year. Situated in the prestigious Oakville appellation, Screaming Eagle cultivates primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, along with smaller amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Sauvignon Blanc. The vineyards are meticulously managed, and winemaking is overseen by talented winemaker Nick Gislason, who brings a refined style to the wines - balancing richness and depth with elegance and finesse. The estate’s flagship wine, Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon, is produced in very small quantities, making each bottle exceptionally rare. Known for its concentration, complexity, and age-worthy structure, it has become a benchmark for Napa Valley Cabernet and a symbol of elite winemaking. More than just a winery, Screaming Eagle represents a pursuit of perfection. Its wines are not only an expression of terroir and craftsmanship, but also of passion, precision, and a vision to create something truly extraordinary.Expand

Dalla Valle Vineyards is a prestigious family-owned winery located on the eastern hillsides of Oakville in Napa Valley, known for producing highly acclaimed “cult” wines with strong structure and long aging potential. Founded in the 1980s by Gustav and Naoko Dalla Valle, with the first vintage released in 1986, the estate quickly gained recognition for its focus on site-driven winemaking and meticulous vineyard management. The vineyards are situated on steep, mineral-rich soils with volcanic and iron components, where a combination of intense sunlight and cooling influences allows for optimal ripening while preserving freshness. The winery is particularly renowned for its Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc-based wines, which are defined by concentration, precision, and elegance. Today, it is led by Naoko Dalla Valle and her daughter Maya, continuing a philosophy centered on expressing terroir through low yields and careful vinification. The wines are known for their depth, structure, and ability to evolve over time, positioning Dalla Valle Vineyards among the leading producers in Napa Valley.Expand

Opus One was born from the shared vision of two renowned vintners who set out to create a wine that transcends tradition and reflects a singular focus on excellence. From the very beginning, the goal was clear - to craft one wine each year, with unwavering attention to quality, detail, and balance. Every step of the process is carried out with great precision. Grapes are hand-harvested and carefully selected, fermentation is closely monitored, and the wine is aged in carefully chosen French oak barrels. Each stage is designed to preserve the wine’s character and express its depth without overpowering its natural elegance. The resulting wine is known for its balance, aromatic complexity, and finesse. Its style is deliberate and refined, emphasizing harmony, texture, and longevity. Opus One makes no compromises. Each bottle reflects consistency, vision, and quiet confidence in what wine can become when approached with true care and intention.Expand

Myriad Cellars is a boutique Napa Valley winery founded in 2005 by winemaker Mike Smith, created as a personal project focused on small-production, high-quality wines. Based in Calistoga, the winery works with fruit sourced from some of Napa Valley’s most respected vineyard sites, with a strong emphasis on Cabernet Sauvignon, alongside Syrah and other varietals. The approach is centered on expressing vineyard character, with minimal intervention in the cellar and careful attention to detail throughout the winemaking process. Production is intentionally limited, reinforcing an artisanal style where quality takes precedence over volume. The wines are typically rich and concentrated, with ripe dark fruit, layered complexity, and polished textures supported by structured tannins. Despite their intensity, they maintain balance and precision, reflecting both site and vintage. Myriad Cellars has gained a strong reputation among collectors, with several wines receiving top critical scores, including multiple 100-point ratings. The overall style aligns with modern Napa Valley, combining power with refinement. Today, the winery continues to operate as a focused, quality-driven label with a clear emphasis on terroir and consistency.Expand

Pahlmeyer is a renowned Napa Valley winery founded in the early 1980s by Jayson Pahlmeyer, with a vision to create powerful, Bordeaux-inspired wines that reflect both intensity and balance. The winery focuses on sourcing fruit from high-elevation, mountain vineyards across Napa Valley, where low yields and challenging conditions contribute to concentration and structure. Its portfolio is centered on Cabernet Sauvignon-based blends, alongside Chardonnay and other varietals, crafted with a strong emphasis on precision and site expression. Winemaking involves careful selection of fruit and aging in French oak, resulting in wines with depth, polish, and aging potential. Aromatically, the wines typically show layers of dark fruit, such as blackberry and cassis, supported by notes of spice, cedar, and mineral undertones. On the palate, they are full-bodied and structured, yet balanced by freshness and refined tannins. Over time, they develop additional complexity while maintaining their core intensity. Pahlmeyer has established itself as a benchmark producer of modern Napa Valley wines, known for combining richness with precision and long-term cellar potential.Expand