Some of my favorite Napa Valley Wineries

I have a number of wineries that I like to visit and I am happy to recommend to folks visiting the area.  I have listed them from south to north by growing area (AVA), and included a brief note about what I enjoyed.  I also include the rating from my previous visit experience (winery/wine).  Please note that this list has more to do with the winery facilities than about the wine offered by each.

Range:  1 to 9 (9 is best, 5 is average)

Carneros
Artesa:  modern architecture, hillside vistas (8/4)
Cuvaison:  contemporary architecture, tasting patio w/ (autumn) vineyard view (8/7)
Domain Carneros:  chateau setting, patio tasting (8/5)
Etude:  innovative wine display, airy tasting room (7/8)

Mount Veeder
Hendry:  view of wine library, tasting with the owner – reservation needed (6/7)
Hess Collection:  stone-walled cellar, art galleries upstairs (8/7)

Stag’s Leap
Darioush:  middle-eastern architecture, lavish contemporary interior (7/8)
Shafer:  hillside tasting room with floor-to-ceiling glass – reservation needed (7/8)
Silverado:  hillside view of Yountville valley (7/6)

Yountville
Domain Chandon:  modern architecture, landscaping, dining (7/6)

Oakville
Miner Family:  balcony views of Oakville fields, operations views inside (6/7)
Opus One:  elegant interior, distinctive architecture, just one wine (7/7)
Paradigm:  intimate operation, family run but sophisticated (5/7)

Rutherford
Provenance:  floor made from old barrels, fun staff (7/7)
Round Pond:  second floor sophisticated tasting patio overlooking vineyards (8/6)
Rubicon/Inglenook:  old-world elegance, lavish woodwork, wine by the glass (9/8)

St. Helena
Beringer:  historic campus with classic architecture (visit the reserve room) (7/6)
Elhers Estate:  beautiful stone-faced old-world building (7/6)
Revana:  private courtyard, elegantly rustic – appointment needed (7/8)
St. Clement:  nineteenth century elegant farm house, great valley views (8/7)

Callistoga
Sterling:  fun gondola ride, great views, cellar access, modern architecture (6/3)

Howell Mountain
Clark Claudon:  mountain-top subterranean futuristic cave system – reservation needed (6/8)
Ladera:  wonderfully restored, century old winery building (7/7)