Del Dotto Vineyards & Caves

Tired of the wine bars and barrel room tours? Hit Del Dotto Caves for a barrel tasting and experience wine in a way you won't find anywhere else in the Valley. Bring your A game because you will be doing a lot of tasting -- first from future vintages in the barrels through the caves and then from bottles in the tasting area of the visitors center. CALL AHEAD - these tours are scheduled and do fill up. This kind of tour is for the adventurous amateur as well as the wine afficianado. If you do not have 1.5-2 hours to spend at this kind of tasting, pop in for a bar tasting. $10 or $20 depending on what you taste (it is $40 for the cave barrel tasting and tour). I am a fan of the Cave Blend, the David, the Napa Cab and many of the ports. Shop for Del Dotto wine at the winery or online at www.deldottovineyards.com The wines sold here are pricey, but the quality matches the cost. more

Del Dotto Vineyards and Winery is the one winery you should go to if you really want the true Napa experience. Call ahead to book a cave tour, which involves a guided tour through the caves where they store the wine. You will get a bunch of tastes direct from the barrels, and will learn the difference between French oak, toasted oak, American oak by tasting the difference. The wine here is mostly $50 and over per bottle, and the quality is excellent. more