Several Napa Valley wineries offer great wine tasting introductions for a relatively approachable price. We’ve pulled together a list of wineries, tasting rooms, and wine shops with tasting fees at $50 or under to help guide you on some affordable wine tasting options.
While there are many reasons to visit Napa Valley, enjoying incredible wine tasting experiences are surely at the top. As the premier wine region in the United States and one of the top winemaking regions in the world, there are a plethora of wines to taste and wineries to visit, and tasting fees can add up.
Over the past few years, the trend for wine tastings in Napa Valley has turned towards seated experiences, often one hour to 90 minutes in length, and consist of wine educators walking patrons through a flight of three to six wines. The wines showcased are typically small-production wines and/or winery exclusives.
Overall, the range of wine tasting options offered in Napa Valley can be as straightforward or as elaborate as you desire. Elevated experiences might include food pairings or tours of the winemaking facilities, wine caves, or vineyards, while simpler tastings might feature a flight of three wines on the back deck overlooking vineyards. No matter your preference, there is a winery tasting option for most palates and, it’s worth noting that some wineries will waive or discount tasting fees with the purchase of wines during your visit.
Tasting experiences may change seasonally, so make sure to confirm availability, prices, and offerings when making a reservation and have fun exploring all the amazing options here!
Downtown Napa
Alpha Omega Collective Tasting Room
The Alpha Omega Collective showcases Chardonnay and Cabernet from Alpha Omega in Napa Valley in addition to wines from other domestic and global wine regions.
- The “Signature Flight” features four samples for $50.
Chateau Buena Vista
The whimsical, 1920s glitz setting of this extravagant tasting room features a variety of wines from proprietor, Jean Charles Boisset, and his collection.
- The “Taste of Buena Vista” flight provides four samples for $40.
Compline Wine Shop
This ultra-cool wine-shop-meets-tasting-lounge is the perfect spot to dive into a perfectly curated wine flight led by a knowledgeable sommelier, all set to great music.
- “Wine Without Borders” $39
- “Napa and Nearby” $49
Gamling & McDuck Tasting Room
This fun and quirky tasting room specializes in Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc, and is a true hidden gem in Downtown Napa.
- With the “The Wild Wild West Tasting” you can try 3 samples for Free before you buy
- “The BIG PICTURE Tasting” $35
JaM Cellars
The wines are easy-to-love and the atmosphere rocks at this tasting room and music studio which is open late and features live music Thursday to Saturday nights. Reservations encouraged, walk-ins welcome.
- Indoor and outdoor tasting options start at $45.
- Wine by the glass is $13–$20.
Mayacamas Downtown
Age-worthy, classically styled Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon can be explored at this hip tasting room. Seated tastings start at $35 and can include a library vintage served alongside a current release.
- “White Wine Selection” $35
- “Current Vintage Tasting” $35
- “Red Wine Tasting” $50
Outer Space Wines
Out-of-this-world wines and values can be found at this fun wine shop on Franklin Street off First Street. Taste expertly-curated, artisan wines chosen from the hundreds of wines in stock, and enjoy themed tasting events on Thursday and Friday evenings.
- The “Outer Space Daily Tasting” for $30 features five local wines. Tasting fees are reduced with each bottle purchased.
These tasting rooms in Downtown Napa also offer tastings for $50 and under:
Napa
Black Stallion Winery
Originally the site of an equestrian center, this picturesque winery has several outdoor seating areas.
- The “Terrace Seated Tasting” includes four samples of wine ($45 for a mixed wine flight; $50 for a red wine flight).
- Book a “Vineyard Garden Picnic Table” (seasonal) and bring your own picnic to enjoy with wine bottle service from the winery.
Domaine Carneros
This sparkling wine château is a “must visit” for the wines, the ambiance, and the views. Four tasting flights are offered with two under $50. Cheese, caviar, and smoked seafood options are available (for an additional fee).
- The “Sparkling Wine Sampler” showcases the range of styles – from a Brut Cuvée to a Demi-Sec.
- The “Red Wine Sampler” comprises tastes of four different Pinot Noirs.
Trefethen Family Vineyards
One of Napa Valley’s pioneering wineries, Trefethen Family Vineyards crafts distinguished estate grown wines. This third generation family-run winery has an intimate atmosphere with historic charm. The scenic courtyard is the perfect backdrop for a relaxed tasting.
- For $45, choose from three flights – “Essentials”, “Small Lots”, and “All Reds” – each offering a taste of five wines.
Trinitas Cellars
Located at The Meritage Resort and Spa, this tasting room welcomes visitors for wines by the glass, wine flights, and wines by the bottle. Taste the elements of sun, soil, and humanity, the “Trinity,” in each bottle.
- For $40, choose your own flight of 4 wines from a list of over 20 wines, and an expert host guides you through the nuances of each.
William Hill Estate Winery
Not too far off the beaten path, William Hill Estate Winery offers excellent wine and…those views! Situated just off the picturesque Silverado Trail, this estate offers two tasting experiences focused on Chardonnay and Bordeaux-varietal wines.
- The $35 seated outdoor “Estate Tasting” is an in-depth exploration of estate-grown wines.
These wineries and wine shops in the Napa region also offer tastings for $50 and under:
Yountville
Goosecross Cellars
This small-production, family-run winery is located just east of downtown Yountville. Enjoy a patio tasting with views of the State Lane Vineyard, the Yountville Hills, and the Mayacamas Mountain Range to the west and Vaca Mountain Range to the east.
- “Patio Wine Tasting” $50
Hill Family Tasting Room
The Hill family has a long history of grape growing in Napa Valley and the craft of expertise shows in the high-quality, small-production wines on offer at the tasting salon in downtown Yountville.
- “Wine Tasting” $40
- “Blind Tasting” $50
Hope & Grace Wines
This artisan winery produces just 3,000 cases annually with a focus on limited production, single vineyard, 100% varietal Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Semillon, Chardonnay, and Dry Riesling.
- “Classic Wine Tasting” $40
- “Wine & Cheese Experience” $50
Jessup Cellars
The quaint Jessup Cellars tasting room in downtown Yountville offers a relaxed experience and an extensive list of wine varietals. Taste on the patio or inside the tasting room, which also serves as a curated art gallery, featuring rotating exhibitions by regional and national artists. Bring your pup along, as this tasting is also pet friendly.
- A tasting flight of three wines, without the pairing plate, is $30.
Priest Ranch
Experience unconventional food pairings or enjoy fine caviar and sparkling wine at this downtown tasting room which also features Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Grenache Blanc, and a Brut Rosé.
- A “Seated Tasting Experience” starts at $40.
These tasting rooms and wine shops in Yountville also offer tastings for $50 and under:
Oakville & Rutherford
Cakebread Cellars
Celebrating 50 years, Cakebread Cellars has built a tremendous legacy in Napa Valley and proudly welcomes guests to the winery to sample the sustainably produced wine portfolio.
- Take a communal walk around the grounds while tasting four current release wines with the “Cakebread Classic Tasting” for $50.
Elizabeth Spencer Winery
Set in an historic 1872 brick post office, this winery is one of the valley’s best-kept secrets – from unique and balanced wines to charming garden grounds to an eclectic repository of curated kitchen gadgets and tools spanning a century.
- “Signature Flight” $50
- For $20 take a self-guided walk on the “Kathleen Thompson Hill Kitchen Memories Tour” (does not include a wine tasting).
Miner Family Winery
Miner features a number of varietals, including some lesser known to Napa Valley like Grenache, Sangiovese, and Roussanne. They're perhaps most well known for “The Oracle” decadent Bordeaux-style wine.
- The “Current Release Tasting” for $50 includes a selection of current, core wines in the tasting room or on the terrace while enjoying the sweeping vineyard views of Oakville.
St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery
Known for its exceptional Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon as well as the proprietary Élu and Virtú blends, this winery has a broad portfolio. Pro tip – head up to the second floor to view the current art gallery exhibit.
- The $40 “Winemakers Selection” tasting includes four red and white wines from the sustainably farmed vineyards.
ZD Wines
A tasting on the patio at ZD Wines offers one of the best panoramic views of the valley. Fun fact: aside from the initials of the founder’s last names, the letters ZD allude to “Zero Defects,” a quality control term that applies to the rocket propulsion programs the founders worked on before starting a wine business.
- “Vineyard View Tasting” $50
These wineries and wine shops in Oakville and Rutherford also offer tastings for $50 and under:
St. Helena
Beringer Vineyards
Napa's oldest continuously operating winery, Beringer is an American wine icon built on 145 years of winemaking tradition. Explore the unique history and expansive grounds.
- The $35 “Legacy Cave Tour” includes a guided tour of the historic wine-ageing tunnels, and a tasting of three wines.
- The $20 outdoor “A Stroll Around Beringer with a Glass of Wine” experience is family- and dog-friendly, too.
Clif Family Winery
High-quality, low-impact is the Clif Family mantra!
- For $40, drop by for “Cheers at the Bar!”
- The $50 “Seasonal Wine Tasting” features wines paired with culinary bites crafted from the Clif Family organic farm foods.
- The $50 “Farm Elixir Mocktail Flight” is an alcohol-free experience paired with small bites highlighting seasonal combinations of fruit preserves, honey, and fresh produce.
Merryvale Vineyards
Merryvale Vineyards in the town of St. Helena offers a variety of tasting options and a variety of wines, and are well known for rich, powerful Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays. Merryvale also offers fun and delicious wine and food pairings with their close neighbors at Gott’s Roadside and Pizzeria Tra Vigne.
- A “Signature Tasting” at the bar, in the tasting room, or on the terrace is $50.
Orin Swift Cellars
Orin Swift’s newly redesigned and expanded tasting room in downtown St. Helena is a sophisticated and edgy space, with concrete, leather, wood, and metal fixtures in an Art Deco façade. Orin Swift Cellars is known for brilliant wine label imagery and luscious wines.
- The “Rock” experience for $45 is a standing tasting introducing you to the Orin Swift style.
Pride Mountain Vineyards
Pride Mountain Vineyards offers a little of everything that is quintessential about Napa Valley – classic wines, stunning views, cool winery caves, and a relaxed vibe. What is unique about this winery is that it sits on the crest of the Mayacamas Mountains west of St. Helena and bisects the Napa/Sonoma County line.
- “Estate Experience” $30
Raymond Vineyards
Proprietor Jean-Charles Boisset created a dynamic destination to inspire guests’ passion for fine wine and to encourage exploration of the senses with interactive exhibits. While visiting, be sure to take a walk through the “Biodynamic Theater of Nature” and explore “The Corridor of Senses.”
- For $50, enjoy a tasting in Raymond’s vibrant main tasting salon.
Rombauer Vineyards
Nestled on a tree-covered hill in northern Napa Valley, Rombauer Vineyard offers stunning valley views and gardens where guests may wander.
- Enjoy a “Tasting Flight” for $25 which includes the fan-favorite Chardonnay.
- Wines by the glass or bottle are available to enjoy at the outdoor garden experience.
V. Sattui Winery
Founded in 1885, this family-owned winery makes more than 60 different wines! It is a must-see destination that features wine caves, a wide variety of food items from the on-site deli, a large picnic area, and garden.
- The $45 “Premier Indoor Tasting” includes five wine samples.
- The $50 “Bubble Bar Tasting” includes four samples of sparkling wine served on the iconic Stone Winery Terrace.
Whitehall Lane Winery
This welcoming and relaxed winery is conveniently located on Highway 29 in the heart of Napa Valley. Stop here for a lovely tasting with friendly hosts.
- “Current Release Bar Tasting” for $40 offers a selection of reds and whites.
- “2 for 1 Winery Exclusive Flight” offered Sunday - Friday for $30 per person, and includes a small cheese pairing.
These wineries and wine bars in St. Helena also offer tastings for $50 and under:
Calistoga
Bennett Lane Winery
Situated on one of the most picturesque vineyard properties in the northern part of Napa Valley, Bennett Lane welcomes visitors for an educational wine tasting and incredible views of the Palisades Mountains.
- The $35 “Taste of the Napa Valley” features four signature wines and includes the proprietary blend, Maximus Red Feasting Wine, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Clos Pegase Winery
The Michael Graves designed winery offers a unique Napa Valley experience – with contemporary Mediterranean architecture and a grand entrance portico, 20,000 square feet of wine caves, a cypress-lined courtyard, and an impressive drought-tolerant garden.
- The “Mixed Wine Estate Flight” for $50 includes a selection of white and red wines.
LOLA Wines
Head to this quaint and welcoming tasting room in Calistoga for some classic Napa Valley wines, plus a few interesting options like Muscat, Riesling, Sémillon, and Charbono. Add the supplemental $30 “Cortez Conservas” pairing to your wine tasting, which includes bottarga and mojama, served with a French baguette.
- The $35 tasting includes five samples of wine.
Picayune Cellars
Picayune (pronounced pee-kah-yoon) means “a little bit” in regional French. In following the classic French negociant model, winemaker and proprietor Claire Weinkauf buys small lots of grapes to make great wines. The wine lounge in downtown Calistoga also features a curated selection of artisanal goods – a perfect spot to sip and shop.
- The “Classic Tasting” includes five samples for $35.
Tank Garage Winery
Toast to vintage California culture in this 1930s-era gas station turned wine tasting room. Tasting fees are waived with a purchase of any three bottles or by joining the wine club.
- The $30 “Lubrication Tasting” features four one-of-a-kind wines, made by hand from grapes grown in small lots.
These wineries and tasting rooms in Calistoga also offer tastings for $50 and under:
With wine tastings at $50 or less per person, the options are plenty.
Some insider tips on how to maximize the fun… plan for two tastings (and no more than three) in a day; mix it up by booking at one of the fabulous spots recommended here and a second at a splurge-worthy spot or get a light bite at any of these food lovers' spots between the two tastings; and…sip safely and smartly by hiring a designated driver.