Saint Helena

Nichelini winery is located in Saint Helena.(2950 Sage Canyon Rd, Hwy 128, Saint Helena, CA 94574). This winery was founded by the Nichelini family in 1884 and is still in the same family today, making it the oldest family-operated winery in the Napa Valley. The building itself is of historical interest: showing off founder Anton Nichelini’s stonemasonry, the hand-hewn stone wine cellar takes you back to the Ticino region of Switzerland. The old Roman-type press, constructed by Anton himself and in use until 1956, is the centerpiece of the visitor area. It is believed to be the only one of its kind still standing at a California winery. Open Saturdays and Sundays, 10 am to 6 pm, for wine tasting, picnicking, and bocci ball. 707-963-0717, www.nicheliniwinery.com. Another winery that’s worth a visit is the V. Sattui winery. (111 White Lane Street, Saint Helena, CA 94574). Sattui winemaking history dates back to 1885 when Vittorio Sattui founded the winery in the North Beach district of San Francisco. Great-grandson Daryl Sattui revived the family tradition in 1973 by moving the winery to Saint Helena. Currently 15 vintage-dated wines are produced, all of which are sold exclusively at the winery or by mail order. With a lovely garden setting, this is an attractive winery with an excellent gift shop where you can also purchase picnic supplies, selecting from over 200 different kinds of cheeses, homemade salads, pâtés, breads, and desserts. There is also a wonderful picnic spot, with tables set on the lawn beneath shady trees. You are welcome to look into the cellars or, when wine is being bottled, watch the bottling line in action—there are no formal tours. Tasting is complimentary. Open 9 am to 6 pm in summer, 9 am to 5 pm in winter. 707-963-7774, www.vsattui.com. Opposite V. Sattui you find Dean and Deluca, an upmarket store for purchasing kitchenware, wine, cheese, and all manner of picnic supplies. In Saint Helena Hwy 29 becomes the town’s Main Street, lined with elegant stores, boutiques, and restaurants. Detour east two blocks off Main Street via Adams Street to the Silverado Museum, housed in a wing of the town’s library. Dedicated to Robert Louis Stevenson, the little museum chronicles his life and contains books, paintings, and Stephenson memorabilia. Open 10 am to 4 pm, closed Mondays. In the northern residential area of Saint Helena is the Beringer Vineyards (2000 Main Street, Hwy 29, Saint Helena, CA 94574). Set on a knoll, surrounded by landscaped grounds, the magnificent Rhine House was built as a replica of the German home that Frederick and his brother Jacob left behind when they emigrated. A 45-minute guided tour is offered every half hour, Monday through Friday between 10 am and 5 pm (from November to March the last tour is at 4 pm), Saturday and Sunday starting at 9:30 am (availability is on a first-come, first-served basis). Tours emphasize the historical aspect of the winery and include a visit through the tunnels and caverns where the wine is aged in barrels. Tours are $5 per person and tickets can be purchased from 9:30 am for any tour time that same day. The tasting fee is $5 for three wines or $2 to $10 for reserve wines. 707-963-4812, www.beringer.com.