Rutherford

The Niebaum-Coppola Estate is located in Rutherford. (1991 Saint Helena Hwy, Hwy 29, Rutherford, CA 94573). In the late 1870s a Finnish sea captain, Gustave Niebaum, retired from shipping to invest his fortune in the Napa Valley, envisioning a winery that would produce magnificent wines, even surpassing the finest French wines. After his death, Niebaum’s property was divided, but in 1995 the Francis Ford Coppola family (owners of the Niebaum-Coppola Estate since 1975) purchased the adjacent Inglenook château and its vineyards, thus reuniting the Continue north into Rutherford and just as you enter the town turn left into the Niebaum-Coppola Estate (1991 Saint Helena Hwy, Hwy 29, Rutherford, CA 94573). In the late 1870s a Finnish sea captain, Gustave Niebaum, retired from shipping to invest his fortune in the Napa Valley, envisioning a winery that would produce magnificent wines, even surpassing the finest French wines. After his death, Niebaum’s property was divided, but in 1995 the Francis Ford Coppola family (owners of the Niebaum-Coppola Estate since 1975) purchased the adjacent Inglenook château and its vineyards, thus reuniting the original historic estate. All the wine produced here is grown and bottled on the estate—a rare occurrence in today’s viticultural world. On the ground floor a display traces the history of the winery. You stroll through cool cellars into tasting rooms and gift shops. For $20 you can enjoy a château tour through the original stone aging cellar, which contains some magnificent large German oak casks, and taste four wines in the cellar room. Tours operate seven days a week at 10:30 am and 2:30 pm, and on Saturday also at 12:30 pm. A vineyard tour is also offered, weather permitting, on Fridays and Saturdays at 11 am at a cost of $25, including tasting. All tours are on a first-come, first-served basis, no reservations required. 707-968-1161, www.niebaum-coppola.com. Across Hwy 29 you’ll find Beaulieu Vineyards, commonly known as BV (1960 Saint Helena Hwy, Hwy 29, Rutherford, CA 94573). Half-hour tours covering the history and production of their wines are complimentary. There’s a small fee for tasting. Open 10 am to 5 pm. 707-967-5200, www.bvwines.com. Another winery that is worth a visit is the Rutherford Hill winery (200 Rutherford Hill Road, Rutherford, CA 94573), housed in a weathered redwood barn draped with roses and wisteria and surrounded by olive groves and shady woodlands. This is THE place to head for if you want to enjoy a picnic (bring your own food) for surrounding the winery are three shady picnic areas with fabulous views and lots of tables. Rutherford Hill winery is considered the leading producer of Merlot in the Napa Valley. The tour, $10, offered at 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 3:30 pm, includes a visit to the vast wine caves. Guides at Rutherford Hill are friendly and proud of (as well as knowledgeable about) the winery and visitors are encouraged to ask questions. Wine tasting is $10 per tasting of five wines. Open 10 am to 5 pm. 707-963-1871, www.rutherfordhill.com.