This beautiful destination is often lovingly referred to as “the heart of Napa Valley”. St Helena has everything on offer, from wineries to tasting rooms and everything in between. If you are a lover of wine and have a passion for the winery experience, then this is where you want to be. St Helena promises world-class wine, fine dining, luxury accommodation and fabulous shopping.
St Helena is located about 40 kilometres (60 miles) up-valley from San Francisco. As with the rest of Napa Valley, St. Helena has a warm-summer and somewhat Mediterranean climate. That provides a long, dry and sunny growing season. Spring and autumn are mild, there is also mild rain in winter and it doesn’t get too cold.
There isn’t much humidity either which means the grapes are unlikely to suffer from any disease issues. The only real threat to St Helena vineyards, like most Napa Valley grapes, is the spring frost. This means the winemakers generally let their grapes hang for as long as they like.
Now let’s delve a little deeper into St Helena wineries and wines!
How Many Wineries are in St Helena?
There are over 150 St Helena wineries. Each is as wonderful as the next one, if you are looking for boutique wine tasting experiences that are keeping in line with wine industry trends for this year, then take a trip through the St Helena wineries.
The Top 3 St Helena Wineries
Alpha Omega
Alpha Omega is known to be one of the best St. Helena Wineries. Alpha Omega finds the balance between traditional wine and winemaking, and the new-age way of creating wine. Their handcrafted wines are unique and vary slightly from the usual Napa Valley wines.
The owners have infused this St Helena winery with a touch of Southern Charm and Georgia hospitality. This grounded and down-to-earth vibe and atmosphere are welcoming and friendly, with Napa Valley class. It was established in 2006 and has grown from strength to strength ever since. Add this stunning venue to your list of the best St Helena wineries to visit.
- Address: 1155 Mee Ln, St Helena, CA 94574
- Phone Number: 707 963 9999
Duckhorn Vineyards
Duckhorn Vineyards are known for their beautiful estate, stunning vineyards, and their classy and luxurious interior. Their tasting experience is not one to miss, they do a phenomenal wine and food pairing. If you aren’t feeling the food and wine pairing then enquire about their other tasting experiences too, you can also pick from some cheese and light nibbles to pair with their delicious estate-grown wines.
- Address: 1000 Lodi Ln, St Helena, CA 94574
- Phone Number: 866 367 9945
Hall Wines
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Hall Wines is a popular and acclaimed St Helena winery, well known for its artisan Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Their St. Helena Tasting room is located at the base of the Mayacama Mountains, offering guests once in a lifetime views. Hall Wines offers an abundance of different tasting and winery tours for cabernet lovers. This is a must-visit winery, from its award-winning wine to its welcoming and hospitable staff, to its extremely comfortable seating, you can’t go wrong here.
Address: 401 Saint Helena Highway. South, St Helena, CA 94574
Phone Number: 707 967 2626
What St Helena Winery is The Largest and The Oldest?
Charles Krug Winery
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Charles Krug Winery is the oldest and largest St Helena winery. It has been around for three centuries and is the perfect example of a winery passed down from generation to generation and all the irreplaceable tradition and wisdom that comes with that. This Napa Valley landmark creates the perfect fusion between tradition and innovation when it comes to their highly acclaimed wines. It is the oldest winery in the Napa Valley and has been owned and operated by the Peter Mondavi, Sr. family since 1861.
The Charles Krug Winery renovated and totally transformed its historic Redwood Cellar Tasting Room and Hospitality Centre in 2013. Originally built in 1872, this gorgeous and historical place is a Registered National Historic Landmark. It was designed by well-known architect Howard Backen. This tasting room experience is one not to be missed, it’s one of a kind, timeless and natural interior that brings a unique atmosphere and feel to your tasting experience.
If the tasting room is not for you and you feel like something a little more contemporary, then there is always the option of doing tastings at the tasting bar or the cellar’s open lounge. The winery has tours on offer too, which are informative and full of gorgeous views. Another reason to take the tour, is that guests receive a full view into the Family Reserve Barrel Room. This is a full working cellar where some of the finest wines are crafted.
The winery also has an outdoor pizza kitchen offering wood-fired pizzas on the rolling lawns, as well as other Italian offerings to create the full Charles Krug experience. There is also an opportunity for picnics and tastings on the lawn as well as farm-to-table dinners. If you are looking for a wedding venue, then this is it! Charles Krug Winery is one of the very few Napa Valley wineries that have the legal rights to host weddings.
This historical venue has an element of class and legacy that many other wineries in the area don’t possess. Take a trip to the area’s oldest and largest winery and find yourself getting lost in the romantic views and delectable wines.
Address: 2800 Main Street, St. Helena, CA 94574
Phone Number: 707 967 2215
What Wine Is St Helena Known For?
St Helena is one of Napa Valley’s most important and popular sub-regions. The AVA, given in 1995, specializes in rich red wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon to Merlot. There aren’t many wineries creating any other wine in St Helena that isn’t Cabernet Sauvignon. So if you are a Cab Sav lover, then St Helena is the place for you!