For oenophiles traveling from afar or day-tripping from a nearby location, Yountville is a must-visit. With its lavish wineries, tasting rooms, and dynamic range of varietals, this tiny Napa Valley town is a mecca for those seeking elegant wines that drink well in their youth but have an impressive capacity for aging.
Deep Roots
Yountville, named after the pioneering American settler George C. Yount, holds a profound place in Napa Valley’s history. As the first American to settle in the area, Yount was granted the expansive Rancho Caymus in 1836, where he planted the first grapevines in Napa Valley during the 1840s. This visionary act laid the groundwork for the region’s transformation into one of the world’s most celebrated wine-producing areas. Yount went on to establish the town, originally named Sebastopol, in 1855. After he died in 1867, the town was renamed in his honor, and his land became some of the most coveted vineyard real estate in the country, setting the stage for Napa Valley’s rise to global prominence.
Though steeped in rich history, the area is geographically modest in scale. Spanning just 16 square miles, it is home to approximately 3,800 acres of meticulously planted vineyards, tended by 100 dedicated winegrowers and 20 esteemed winemakers. Yet, a treasure trove of excellence lies within this compact wine country enclave. Yountville boasts some of the most revered Cabernet Sauvignon in the valley and a dynamic portfolio of wines. This charming town offers a harmonious blend of warm hospitality and viticultural prowess, making it a jewel in the crown of Napa Valley.
Diverse Terroir & Dynamic Wines
The Yountville AVA in Napa Valley, officially recognized in 1999, is a celebrated wine region known for its diverse grape varieties and distinctive styles of wine. Nestled on the valley floor in the heart of Napa Valley’s 30-mile stretch of vineyards, Yountville benefits from gravelly silt loams and alluvial soils with moderate fertility, providing an ideal foundation for a wide range of varietals.
Cabernet Sauvignon reigns supreme in Yountville’s vineyards, flourishing in the well-drained soils and the region’s moderate climate. These grapes yield wines with a harmonious blend of red and blue fruit flavors, soft tannins, and vibrant acidity, making them both approachable in their youth and ideal for aging. Yet, Yountville’s vinous landscape extends beyond Cabernet Sauvignon; the AVA also cultivates Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and smaller plantings of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, each thriving in the area’s distinct microclimates. The diverse weather patterns even allow for the creation of sparkling wines from cooler climate grapes, adding depth and variety to Yountville’s wine portfolio.
This unique microclimate is heavily influenced by San Pablo Bay, situated at the southern tip of Napa Valley. The bay’s cool marine breezes and morning fog weave through Yountville, moderating peak summer temperatures typically reaching the low 90s. This temperate climate sets the area apart as one of the more moderate valley-floor AVAs. Winemakers often credit this terroir with imparting lower alcohol levels, softer tannins, and a floral, elegant profile to the wines, enhancing their overall finesse and drinkability.
Yountville’s wine culture is as diverse as its terroir, with a mix of boutique tasting rooms and well-established wineries that contribute to the AVA’s esteemed reputation for producing high-quality, terroir-driven wines. Many of these wineries are deeply committed to sustainable and organic practices, reflecting the region’s dedication to preserving its natural environment.
The wines of the area are celebrated for their balance, capturing the harmonious interplay between the valley’s warmth and the cooling influence of the bay. The AVA presents a dual identity in its offerings. Some producers focus exclusively on Yountville AVA wines, while others offer tasting rooms that feature a broad portfolio from various Napa Valley AVAs, often including a Yountville bottling. Whether wine enthusiasts seek an intimate, personal tasting experience or a grander setting with sweeping vineyard views, Yountville’s wineries offer a compelling destination for wine enthusiasts eager to explore the heart of Napa Valley.
Photo courtesy of Kapcsandy Family Winery
Kapcsándy Family Winery
Kapcsándy Family Winery established itself in 2000 when Lou Kapcsándy and his son, Louis, purchased a 20-acre parcel in Yountville and co-founded the winery. In 2002, the family completely replanted the vineyard site to 15 specific blocks, primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc; they finished building a state-of-the-art winery in 2005. After Lou passed away in 2021, their son Louis took over all aspects of vineyard management and winemaking.
In Yountville, “many winemakers would like to capture the uniqueness of their individual terroirs,” stated Louis Kapcsándy. Kapcsándy uses less new oak and shorter maceration time at fermentation. “These practices offer a path to showcasing the diversity within the Yountville AVA and its potential to marry power with finesse in the wines.” In the vineyards, Kapcsándy focuses on canopy management. “Much of the Yountville AVA lies on the valley floor and is exposed to the prevailing weather throughout the growing season. Canopy management has improved significantly to protect the fruit, and the resulting wines, in general, are more nuanced than in the past.”
Photo courtesy of Stewart Cellars
Stewart Cellars
At nearby Stewart Cellars, also founded in 2000, this family-run operation boasts a hybrid of the two Yountville identities; they have a stunning tasting room in downtown Yountville with a diverse portfolio of wines from Napa Valley AVAs, including a singular Yountville bottling.
Stewart Cellars is co-run by brother and sister duo James Stewart and Caroline Stewart, with Blair Guthrie (husband to Caroline) as winemaker and vineyard manager. Guthrie notes how the distinct terroir produces “fantastic earthy and forest-floor notes that I can’t achieve further up the valley.” Guthrie focuses on farming by hand, avoiding machinery in the vineyards, and cropping vines to keep yields low. These and “many other high-detail farming practices allow more control in the vineyard,” Guthrie said, “which ultimately helps me reach my goal of producing grapes that truly reflect the terroir.”
Photo courtesy of Priest Ranch
Priest Ranch
The Priest Ranch Tasting Room in downtown Yountville offers a little bit of everything: a luxury tasting room, sophisticated wine and food pairing experiences, and the Kitchen—an onsite restaurant with full-service breakfast and lunch serving delicious takes on staples like sandwiches and salads.
While Priest Ranch does not produce any Yountville AVA wines, their tasting room embodies the luxury and warm hospitality for which the downtown area is known, and “We celebrate the town’s rich wine culture by sharing the history and traditions of the region during our tastings,” said Cory DeLoach, Tasting Room Manager at Priest Ranch. “Yountville’s vibrant blend of culinary excellence and timeless charm deeply influences the guest experience at our Priest Ranch tasting room.”
The tasting experience offerings seek to create “a perfect harmony between wine and food that reflects Yountville’s reputation for elegance and epicurean delight,” DeLoach said. From the sophisticated ambiance and décor of the tasting room to the highly curated tasting experiences, a visit to Priest Ranch captures Yountville’s spirit and essence.
Chandon
Chandon, a cornerstone of the Yountville AVA, is renowned for its pioneering role in bringing traditional sparkling wine to Napa Valley. Established by the esteemed Moët & Chandon in the early 1970s, this iconic estate blends traditional winemaking techniques with the unique terroir of Yountville. The cool marine influences from the San Pablo Bay create an ideal environment for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and allows Chandon to craft some of the finest sparkling wines in the region. Beyond its celebrated wines, Chandon offers a sophisticated hospitality experience with an elegant tasting room, expansive gardens, and curated food pairings that highlight the versatility of its sparkling wines.
Whether wine enthusiasts and gourmands are seeking a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience at The French Laundry or a Napa Valley vacation full of luxury, warm hospitality, and elegant Cabernet, Yountville is a small and charming haven that offers all of that and so much more.
Yountville Wine Guide
Kapcsándy Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vin
Don’t miss a chance to taste the current vintage, 2016, of this beautiful wine. The 2014 vintage showcases red cherry, cocoa-dusted blueberries, and violet abound in seamless perfection with soft tannins, gentle angles, and vibrant freshness.
Stewart Cellars Yountville Cabernet Sauvignon
Another absolute gem in the region is this gorgeous expression from Stewart Cellars. The 2021 shows off notes of raspberry, ripe blueberries, wet stones, and hints of forest floor. It’s an elegant wine with excellent structure.
For those looking for bubbles, Chandon has a 2017 Yountville Brut that beautifully showcases the Yountville terroir, bringing together Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with sparkling notes of ripe peach, fig, and a touch of sweet honey.
