SIP
Summer’s in Session at Romeo Vineyards
Pizza, Music, and Estate Wines Under the Redwoods
WRITTEN BY Fran Miller
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Published On: August 01, 2025
PHOTO by Luna Vera courtesy of Romeo Vineyards
At Romeo Vineyards & Cellars in downtown Calistoga, summer isn’t just a season—it’s a weekly celebration. From Memorial Day through October 31, the charming tasting garden transforms every weekend into a laid-back gathering of music lovers, wine enthusiasts, and pizza fans with the launch of their Pizza Saturdays and Friday/Sunday Happy Hour Music Series.
Set against the backdrop of towering redwoods and blooming flowerbeds, Romeo’s outdoor courtyard feels more like a secret garden than a winery. Tables are scattered beneath the shade, fountains gurgle softly, and the historic 19th-century Carriage House adds a touch of old-world charm.
Saturdays are for Pizza & Wine, when from 1 to 4pm, brick-fired pizzas are served hot from the oven—classic Margherita, crowd-pleasing Pepperoni, and a rotating weekly special, each priced at $18.
On Fridays and Sundays, Happy Hour prices apply to wines, and local musicians take the stage from 4 to 6pm, filling the garden with a range of genres, from jazz to acoustic rock. Many of the performers are low-key legends—former Broadway or touring pros who’ve made their homes in Napa Valley and now bring an easy elegance to the weekend scene.
But even with the music and food, the wine still takes center stage. Romeo Vineyards produces fewer than 4,000 cases of wine a year, all of which are red wines grown on their 40-acre estate, located just a few miles away. The vineyard was restored and replanted by founder Frank Romeo and his late wife, Eugenia, in the late 1990s, using Bordeaux clones that now yield structured, age-worthy wines. Their first vintage, released under the name Sempre Vive (“always alive”), set the tone for what Romeo Cellars would become: rooted in tradition, yet always evolving.
Legendary winemaker Alison Green Doran—California’s fourth-ever female winemaker and a protégé of André Tchelistcheff—has led the winemaking since 2003. Her confident, expressive style gives each vintage a sense of clarity and depth, from bold Cabernet Sauvignon to elegant Merlot and Petite Verdot. The whites—Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Muscat—are sourced from nearby North Coast vineyards and offer a refreshing contrast to the reds, especially on warm summer afternoons.
Inside the tasting room, hand-painted murals by local artist Carlo Marchiori depict whimsical Puccinello characters bumbling through the winemaking process. It’s a playful nod to the winery’s spirit: serious wines, delivered with a wink.
“We treat people well here, and we feel really good about the wines,” said Frank. “But more than anything, it’s a place where people can enjoy themselves.”
And enjoy they do. With great wine, fresh pizza, and live music under the redwoods, Romeo Vineyards has mastered the art of the summer hangout. Stop by on a weekend, and visitors might linger until the last note fades.