Wineries in the Spring Mountain District AVA in St. Helena are ready for summer time visitors. Like most wineries in Napa Valley, visits are by appointment only.
Summer is here! If you’re planning a trip to the Spring Mountain District here are the details for wineries located in this historic AVA.
There are currently 26 wineries in the appellation, which encompasses approximately 1,000 acres of vineyard. With a unique identity formed over one and one half centuries, the Spring Mountain District appellation became an official AVA in 1993. The AVA is known for its steeply sloped vineyard blocks, which span slopes up to 30% at elevations between 200 and 2,250 feet. The Spring Mountain District is also home to a wide array of mixed hardwood forests, which include oak, madrone, Douglas fir, redwood, tan oak and conifers, most of which encircle vineyard sites.
The Spring Mountain District AVA is primarily reached via Spring Mountain Road, a 10-15 minute drive from the town of St. Helena. Spring Mountain Road provides dramatic vistas as the road curves to the top of the AVA. Heavily forested, the area does not feel commercial, in that there are relatively few wineries, most of which are not visible from the Road. Wineries here grow highly regarded Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay, as well as outstanding Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Syrah and Zinfandel.
Barnett Vineyards
Open seven days by appointment. During the summer guests can enjoy a barrel taste of the 2022 Rattlesnake. Newest release is the 2023 Sauvignon Blanc.
www.barnettvineyards.com
Behrens Family Winery
Open seven days by appointment. They are not a commercial public tasting room, so all visits are private, and consist of a 90-ish minute tasting of usually 5 of our wines along with the stories behind them.
www.behrensfamilywinery.com
Fantesca Estate & Winery
Open seven days a week by appointment. Visitors have new choices for tastings, including a vertical of Cabernet Sauvignons made by winemaker Heidi Barrett. Latest releases include the 2022 Russian River Chardonnay and King Richard’s Reserve Pinot Noir.
www.fantesca.com
Flying Lady
The winery will open for visitors late this summer, by appointment only. Guests will be offered a flight of five wines and also be able to enjoy picnics. The newest release is the 2022 Pinot Noir.
www.flyinglady.com
Frias Family Vineyard
The winery’s tasting room is in Napa, open by appointment. Later this summer Frias will be opening a tasting room in St. Helena.
www.friasfamilyvineyard.com
Keenan Winery
Open seven days by appointment. Visitors have a wide range of wines to choose from when they visit, and picnicking is welcome. Newest release is the 2020 Capstone, a Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot blend, made just one time, before the Glass Fire in 2020.
www.keenanwinery.com
Lokoya Winery
Open seven days by appointment only. The Lokoya Estate sits at 2,100 feet above the Valley floor with stunning views. The upcoming release will be the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon.
www.lokoya.com
Paloma Vineyard
Open Monday – Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., by appointment only. Nearly all tastings are hosted by owner and winemaker Sheldon Richards. The newest releases are 2019 Merlot and 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon.
www.palomavineyard.com
Peacock Family Vineyard
Currently is closed to the public and doesn’t offer tastings. Of recent note is a peacock who’s appeared and is living in the vineyard. The newest wine is the 2023 Rosé of Pinot Noir.
www.peacockvineyard.com
Pride Mountain Vineyards
Open six days (not Tuesday) by appointment only. A tasting here includes a walking tasting of current releases positioned at different locations in the winery’s cave. The newest releases are the 2023 Viognier and 2022 Syrah.
www.pridewines.com
School House Vineyard
The winery has resumed welcoming visitors by appointment. Wines offered are possibly the most unusual on the Mountain, including Pinot Noir. Newest release is Chateau-Woof-da-Pup.
www.schoolhousevineyard.com
Schweiger Vineyards
Open seven days by appointment. Schweiger is the home of a father /son team who are now celebrating 40 years of farming and 30 years of wine making. Upcoming new releases are the 2019 Dedication, the winery’s proprietary red blend.
www.schweigervineyards.com
Sherwin Family Vineyards
Open seven days only by appointment. Guests enjoy tasting while overlooking Sherwin’s vineyards and lake at the top of Spring Mountain. The newest wine is the 2021 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, the first vintage since the loss of the two prior vintages because of the Glass Fire in 2020.
www.sherwinfamilyvineyards.com
Smith-Madrone Winery
The winery welcomes visitors on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays at 10:00 by appointment. Tastings are always conducted by one of the winemakers and take place in the working winery. Smith-Madrone is a pioneer of dry farming in this mountain region; its forests of madrones and oaks are visible from the winery. Newest release is the 2023 Estate Rosé. www.smithmadrone.com
Spring Mountain Vineyard
Open seven days from 9:30 am – 3:45 pm by appointment. One of the appellation’s most iconic properties, with a legacy of more than 150 years of grape growing, a visit includes tasting inside its historic winery. Newest release is the 2021 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.
www.springmountainvineyard.com
Stony Hill Vineyard
Open Thursday – Monday by appointment only. In July the winery will be launching the Terroir Experience which will include an off road vineyard tour with cheese and charcuterie. Newest releases are the 2021 SHV Ink Grade Cabernet Sauvignon and 2021 SHV Linda Falls Cabernet Sauvignon.
www.stonyhillvineyard.com
Titanium Winery
Currently under construction, the winery hopes to open its tasting room later this year. Upcoming releases are the 2023 Sauvignon Blanc and 2023 Semillon.
www.titaniumwinery.com
Vineyard 7&8
Open Monday-Saturday by appointment only. A tasting here includes a behind-the-scenes tour of the winery and a discussion about the vineyard. Newest release is the 2019 Block Six Estate Red Wine.
www.vineyard7and8.com
Grape growers on Spring Mountain include York Creek Vineyards, Ritchie Creek, Graeme MacDonald and Joan Crowley.
Other wineries who do not offer tastings are Juslyn Vineyards, Marston Family Vineyard and Luscher-Ballard.
Other wineries located in the Spring Mountain District AVA are Cain Vineyard & Winery, Newton Vineyards, and Philip Togni Vineyard.