We stopped in recently with a friend, who is a member of a partner winery, that provided the opportunity for four of us to taste for free (worth $95/person, according to their website). Since wine preferences vary from person to person, this review will be about the tasting experience only. The tasting started with their sparkling brut rosé, which was pretty tasty, however, it seemed to lose its bubbles after a short few minute walk to their fermentation and aging facility, which indicates to me it had been opened for quite some time. The "tour" itself lasted less than 5 minutes and didn't really come with too much of an explanation--it was more or less just allowing us access to the winemaking facility and showing the barrel room. The tasting was seated in their covered, outdoor patio--a beautiful space--a included 3 wines in addition to the brut rosé: 2025 Estate Sauvignon Blanc, 2022 Cabernet Franc Blend, and the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon 'RLC'. One thing I really dislike about Napa Valley tastings is when they pour you wines you cannot buy because they're available to club members only. It's quite pervasive in the valley and unfortunately, Crocker & Starr was no different. The 2025 Estate Sauvignon Blanc was only available for purchase to club members. In addition, if you like to know the technical details for each wine, they do not have any tech sheets/production notes available on their website or at the tasting. They provide empty bottles of the wines in the tasting, however they didn't match the vintage so it wasn't even possible to know basic information like the ABV of the wines. It immediately sets off alarm bells in my mind when a winery is opaque with the winemaking/product details. Some of us want to know the final ABV, RS, TA, etc, and to not have this information available anywhere is quite bizarre, especially with many producers moving toward more transparency rather than less. Our host was friendly but not necessarily super knowledgeable about the production of the wines. For example, when we asked about RS in the Sauvignon Blanc, she started talking about brix at harvest, which unfortunately has nothing to do with RS in the wine, which she later claimed was 0g/L--a value that seemed contradictory to the palate experience of the wine and impossible to verify without tech sheets. Overall, it was a standard tasting experience and from where I was sitting, not at all worth $95/person. Yes, I get it--Napa is expensive and they're selling "experiences" rather than tastings. However, based on our experience, this was merely a tasting and you can get a lot better ones for cheaper in the valley. read more

If you're visiting Crocker & Starr Winery, do yourself a favor and ask for Geordy. From the moment we arrived, Geordy set the tone with a warm, genuine welcome that immediately made us feel like more than just another tasting reservation. He has that rare ability to be both incredibly knowledgeable and effortlessly approachable, guiding us through the wines without ever making it feel scripted or overly formal. We were greeted with a beautiful sparkling wine to start, which was not only refreshing but also elevated the entire experience right out of the gate. It felt thoughtful, intentional, and frankly, a bit luxurious. And then, the pistachios. Such a small detail, but exactly the kind of touch that separates a good tasting from a memorable one. Perfectly paired, subtly reinforcing the wines, and just another example of how dialed-in the experience was. Geordy struck the perfect balance of education, storytelling, and hospitality. You can tell he genuinely cares about the wines, the property, and most importantly, the guests. There are a lot of great wineries in Napa. Experiences like this are what make certain ones stand out. Highly recommend. And again, ask for Geordy. read more

Crocker & Starr Wines - Barrels - Wineries Near Me - Saint Helena, California

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Our time at your winery was such a warm and beautiful experience. It was immediately clear that you run a very thoughtful and well-organized operation. We truly appreciated how much care you put not only into the wine you produce, but also into your process and the impact it has on the environment. What stood out just as much was the way you respect and appreciate your staff. Luisa was incredibly personable and shared many fond memories about knowing the family and how much the family had done for her and her own family over the years. Hearing those stories made the experience feel even more special and genuine. That kind of relationship and loyalty is something many companies today simply don't understand or take the time to build anymore. It speaks volumes about your values and the culture you've created. Thank you again for such a memorable visit--we truly enjoyed our time and look forward to returning. read more

Great small winery. Louisa has a deep family history with the land which is pretty special. We loved the olive oil from on property that they serve with bites of bread. The Cabernet was fabulous as the rest of the wines. We met and chatted with Julie the head winemaker about crush and their equipment they use. We will return! read more

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Well, when I read a less then 5 star review for this winery, I think someone was just born unhappy. This is a must do winery experience if you are in St Helena and if you are lucky to get in. I live in St Helena and obviously exposed to the best wines and experiences the Valley can provide. This one is among the best. Set your expectations. If you are looking for a Disney Land of Napa Valley, you need to go to Krug or Castella. This is not it, this is a small local winery with a very limited case production that is known for amazing wines and very client centered tasting experience. If you are not a member, ask if they have an extra Malbec for sale. This is by far the best I've ever tried. Usually this is available for members only. If not, no problem, the rest of their wines are up to par regardless of what your expectations are. read more

Excellent experience with Juan at Crocker & Starr - wines were great and we enjoyed the history as told by an excellent storyteller! read more

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We had a very pleasant tasting at Crocker & Starr. The vineyard is one of the historical vineyard and Pam Starr was the winemaker at Spottswood, and the quality of wine really speaks for itself! The tasting started at the vineyard with a quick history of the winery, followed by a tour of the wine making facilities and the tasting of the current releases. We enjoyed both the sparkling rose and the Loire Valley style Sauvignon Blanc ($58). The red wines (Cabernet priced at $85) is a steal considering the quality and all estate fruit. The Cabernet franc is another sold offering at $125. We enjoyed our time with our wine educator Juan who is knowledgeable and attentive. The setting is beautiful here and a great experience! read more

Bought a case of wine for 700 dollars. Pick up at the winery and the case was packed upside down. Had the" bums rush" on a tasting. Ambiance was the case of wine packed upside down. Must be code for, Don't you comeback now, You hear! read more

Juan and Louisa were the most wonderful hosts! The wine was fantastic and the vineyard is beautiful. Would strongly recommend to anyone in Napa! read more

Crocker & Starr Wines - Wineries Near Me - Saint Helena, California

Sauvignon Blanc is ok, sparkling rosé and all reds are lacking. No Merlot, no library. Somethings not in par with other small vineyards and wineries owned by successful bankers and financial managers. read more

My favorite winery of our recent girls' Napa trip. I've never been to a wine tasting that I thoroughly enjoyed every wine they poured me. The tour was fabulous, the ambiance was perfect, and the staff was informative, friendly, and beyond helpful. Female owned. We joined their wine club and we can't wait to visit twice a year!! read more

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I had the best tasting ever! I had some of the best Sauvignon Blanc I have ever has! Juan and Louisa were the best hosts and the entire space was so beautiful! read more

Crocker & Starr Wines - Wineries Near Me - Saint Helena, California

We stopped here because it was part of our Little Book of Big Experiences. C&S did not disappoint in any way. We met Jeff & he greeted us with a welcome wine. He told us about their property, their history, and how they are today. He took us out and showed us the property. We also visited their facilities and learned about their current methods. It was educational, but not overly-lengthy or boring. We also met Julie the winemaker who was busy at work, but stopped and chatted with us for a few minutes. He took us to their gardens and the real tasting began. They had printed out personalized tasting sheets for our group. We did a lot of tastings in our time in the region and this was EASILY one of the top 2 we did. The setting was beautiful. The wine was very tasty. Jeff was cool & easy and best of all NOT PRETENTIOUS. Wow are there some pretentious folks in the wine tasting world... I guess it's probably a bit more blatant and in-your-face for us East Coast folks. But Jeff, Julie, and the other folks we met were nice, normal folks. The wine was tasty and we brought some bottles home to enjoy here. I'd highly recommend a stop here. read more

We really enjoyed our tasting here. The wines were great and Evan was awesome! Besides being knowledgeable about the wines he nicely provided the background of the winery and the wine maker. Can't wait to come back! read more

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Had such a great experience at this winery yesterday. It was a mellow Sunday in February. The mustard was in full bloom and it was so beautiful. Our tasting experience was really good. It was in this warm room that had huge glass doors so you felt like you were in the vineyard but actually you were inside and all warm. I especially enjoyed hearing about the history of the winery. Visiting wineries that are owned by women with women winemakers is something I am always searching for. Crocker and Starr did not disappoint. The Cab Franc is as incredible as they say. Highly recommended. read more

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What a lovely wine tasting. We were the only ones there and it was a lovely experience. The wine is divine and the setting gorgeous. I loved the personal touch with our names printed on the tasting menu. Had the Sauvignon Blanc the other evening and it was the best I've had. Any excuse to go there again should be justified. read more

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We chose to visit this winery after reading an article about small wineries worth a visit. It's located down a dead end road just off Hwy 29 in St Helena. Our tasting took place in a beautiful stone building at a great big table. We had booked the wine and cheese pairing which featured a generous tray of artisanal cheese, charcuterie and fruits from local producers. We started our visit with a quick walk around the property with one of the partners, wine maker Pam Starr, before sitting down for our tasting. Their recently release Sauvignon bland was crisp and refreshing and the 2012 and 2013 Malbec wines were delicious. As a special treat we got to try a 2006 Cabernet Franc- outstanding! Most of their wine is allocated to and purchased by club members. We ended up ordering a magnum of their 2013 cab franc for our cellar. Note: this winery can be visited by appointment only, so plan ahead. If you like small, passionate, authentic producers, pay these folks a visit. You will be glad that you did. read more

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Wonderful winery. Recently visited for the 2nd time. There are so many wineries in Napa you could certainly never visit the same one twice but I enjoyed this one so much we decided to come back! So glad we did. Had a wonderful experience. Great wine. Last time we visited, I distinctly remember loving the wine every bit as much after I got home and received my order. Excited to get another shipment! read more

We highly recommend this winery. Jeff is very knowledgeable and super friendly. They make a great sauvignon blanc. This is must try place.

This review is for the wine-only; not the winery. One of my good friends owns a winery in Woodinville, WA, where many great wines are produced. I visited him several weeks ago mentioning I was headed to Napa. He gave me a quick list of his 7 "Must-do wineries" which included "Dave, go meet Pam Starr of Crocker and Starr and try her wines". Unfortunately due to my poor planning, we were in Napa Sun-Tues when most wineries are closed. Several weeks later, I'm enjoying dinner at Boa in West Hollywood and see 2006 Crocker and Starr Cabernet Franc on the menu. I ask Pablo, (wine aficionado and Boa expert), for his thoughts. He just grins and says "order it". We order the wine and let the bottle open up and and OMG, incredible! I'm tasting espresso and pepper in this big, but not a "fruit bomb", red. Wow, great flavors, great balance and a superb finish. The next day I'm online trying to figure out who's got this. Someone has to, right? But, I'm totally striking out at K&L, Wally's, Woodland Hills and the usual haunts, I go to C&S website to submit an order. No luck! They, too, are sold out. Then it occurs to me: I need to write this story and grovel. Ruthlessly drop names and grovel. Beg, plead, get down on my hands and knees as I need this wine! So, I document my sad story of missing the winery, then finding the wine, tasting it, only to be frustrated because I can't get any. I drop my buddy's name and the next day I'm out exercising when who calls: Pam Starr! I was so excited I felt like I was talking to the President! She got to hear the sad, but true story one more time, and miraculously found a case which she offered up for sale. Of course, I graciously ordered and gave her a sales lead that we'd run Boa dry in the process of enjoying this masterpiece of a wine. I'm not really sure how Wine Spectator or Wine Enthusiast will score this wine, nor do I really care. This wine is perfect for my palette and the story makes it even better! Hurray for Crocker and Starr!! I look forward to updating this review after touring the winery this Fall....and trying the 2007. read more

My husband and I had an absolutely fabulous tasting experience last week at Crocker & Starr. We were hosted by Shelly who was so warm, friendly and knowledgeable. The wines are absolutely amazing. We had a flight that included their Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec and Cabernet and each one was incredible. The setting is so pretty and intimate. I work in the wine industry and I am excited to recommend this wonderful experience to our guests looking for other high-end and unique tasting experiences! read more

We made an appointment ahead of time (they are "by appointment only") -- we loved the team at Crocker & Starr. We even got to meet Pam Starr and her dog Griffin (Wine Dog Book's cover star). We walked from Farmstead to Crocker & Starr, about a half mile, but we walked it on a 100+ day (not the greatest idea) -- if it is hotter than 85 degrees, just take an uber -- but otherwise, its a nice walk! We were greeted with a LOT of water, and sauvignon blanc. If it wasn't 100+ degrees out, we would've taken up their offer to go touch the vines and soak in the view + sun...instead we went straight into their tasting room and got the low down about the history and partnership between Charlie Crocker and Pam Starr, and how the wine is stored and bottled. After viewing the new facilities, we went to the "stone room" where we tried some wines, discussed Pam's newest wine 1 POST (named after the place she met Charlie and began their partnership), and had a great time. In all, we tried 3 wines (SB, Cab, and a Malbec Blend). We also got to try 1 Post, which was FANTASTIC! Crocker & Starr's hospitality team is fabulous, we really enjoyed talking with Christina --and chances are high that you will get to meet Pam, which is always so great to hear straight from the winemaker, herself! Worth the effort to make this an afternoon (go eat at Farmstead before or after the tasting) - enjoy the excellent customer service and amazing wines! read more

Crocker & Starr Wines - Pam Starr and her newest addition - 1 Post! - Wineries Near Me - Saint Helena, California

We had a wonderful visit at Croker and Starr. Shelly was our hostess and she gave us an exceptional tasting experience. She was incredibly friendly and down-to-earth and the flight of wines we tasted was amazing. If you are looking for a very personal and intimate experience coupled stunning wines, then Crocker & Starr is a must. We are Napa Valley locals and look forward to returning! read more

Came here on a quiet Tuesday and had a private tour from Nicole. First off she was super accommodating, in that we called for our appointment at 10am and went for a tour at 11:30am. We selected this winery looking for a boutique tour, to really learn about the vineyards and wine making. They did not disappoint. It is unique that they make all their wines from the land at that location as well. The tasting was wonderful, with beautiful touches at the table setting. Wine was fantastic. Highly recommend. read more

Crocker & Starr Wines - Wineries Near Me - Saint Helena, California

I had the privilege of visiting Crocker & Starr Winery during my recent wine getaway with my fiancé this past weekend. We wanted to tour a delicious winery off the beaten path and we definitely succeeded finding this hidden gem! From the wine to the ambiance, to the hospitality this winery is on my top list to recommend to any friends and family visiting Napa wine region! A special thank you to our knowledgeable wine associate, Dianna for our awesome tour! read more

Crocker & Starr Wines - Wineries Near Me - Saint Helena, California

This is a great winery to visit. Small production. The Sauvignon Blanc is a must have as is the Malbec. They have a great story and the staff there is top notch. Keep in mind they have limited production so if you get the chance to purchase any of their wines you should. I would recommend joining the wine club to get the best value. read more

Had a lovely tour here and some top-notch wines. It's private tastings only, so make sure you set it up in advance. Their Cabernet Sauvignons are amazing. read more

I love wine. I think I know wine. But I don't think I know well enough to critique a good wine let alone explain the complexity of it. So with that stated, I love Crocker & Starr wines. Wine maker Pam Starr in my humble opinion, produces the best Cab-Franc in the Valley. You can visit the winery on a appointment bases only and I must say it is an absolutely pleasant experience compare to the tour bus / Disney land theme park monstrosities that now covers Napa. The property feels like a farm, it feels like a home, it feels comfortable, maternal, balanced and peaceful. Your tour will begin from the farm house, to the vines and end up at the covered court yard. There will always be a breeze from the near by river and the wine will always taste good there. Happy eating - R read more

If you are going to the grocery store wineries--then this isn't a place for you. Please only go here if you love the complex nature of what wine has to offer. This is a haven for people who really enjoy, appreciate, and want to learn more about what wine has to offer. This isn't a taste and dash. This is savor and reflection. Not only is the wine great, but so was the tour given by Mark. I was really impressed with this winery and the friendliness of the staff. I would definitely come here again. Tip #1: Book at least a week in advance. I had tried to come here another time and they were closed the day I had wanted to go, so I wished I had centered my trip around going here first. Tip #2: The tour is a good hour, so plan accordingly. Tip #3: The Cab is wonderful and ask for a taste of Bridesmaid (not on the menu, but usually available upon request-unlike the bride...) its outstanding as well and bit cheaper. read more

We visited just a couple of days ago. Visit prompted by having their Sauvignon Blanc in a restaurant at the suggestion of owner. Absolutely amazing wine. Winery is small. Very personal visit. We chose to do the visit w a pairing w cheese and salame. We tasted the Sauvignon Blanc which we knew we liked and was still fantastic even w newer vintage. Had a a coup a f reds and then had their Cabernet Feanc which they are known for. Amazing wines across the board. Christine was our person helping us learn about the wines. We toured the vineyard and had the sampling. She was extremely personable and did a wonderful job directing us through the flight of wines. The pairing w the cheeses and salame was great too. It was a fantastic experience and we love d the wines and winery. By all means call and set up a tasting. If you like Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet franc you will be very pleased. All wines we tasted were great and we signed up to join their club. Looking forward to getting the wines as they become available. read more

Had a wonderful experience here. Very intimate setting and a lot of personal attention and interaction. They are in the process of building a gorgeous and private winery at the edge of their vines on the valley floor. Small portfolio of wines with very small production - Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, and Sauv Blanc. In CA Sauv Blanc and Cab Franc circles this winery is well known and they deliver with high quality and individuality. The Cab Sauv (2006) was fantastic. $30 for the tasting/experience. read more

A small group of friends were taking a wine tour through some St. Helena wineries. We combined our visit to the Crocker and Starr winery with lunch. They've got a newly built tasting room right at the end of Dowdell lane which even had a tent, to keep us dry as there was a little drizzle that day. Under the tent, Wendy had set up a handsomely outfitted dinner table for our post tasting lunch which they'd assisted us in setting up. Wendy was super helpful at suggesting other wineries for us to try and she did a wonderful job at making my group feel comfortable. Pam Starr was there as well and spoke to us about the wines we were drinking and told us a lot about the wine making process. It was remarkable to get to spend so much time with a world class wine maker. Our visit to C&S was the highlight of our day. We even got to throw the frisbee with Griffon, Pam's handsome hound. Thanks to everyone at Crocker & Starr for making our experience wonderful. read more

I've been visiting Napa Valley for many years, and this tour was one of the best experiences I've had in the area. Definitely worth putting on your list if you want to try amazing examples of Napa wine. All the reds we tried were very high quality, and the Sauvignon Blanc that begins the tour is superb. Any of the wines are worthy of a place in your wine collection. But the best part is that people are so friendly and welcoming. If you get a chance to meet the winemaker, Pam Starr, you'll love her sense of humor. read more

Crocker & Starr Wines - Wineries Near Me - Saint Helena, California

Their wine was amazing. The customer service was excellent. This place is reservation only. The wine tasting started off with nice light Sauvignon Blanc. Then we got to see the grapes, learned the history of the winery, and went in the wine room. After that we sat down and had Malbec and Cab. I originally wanted to try this place because people say that the winery has good Malbec. Malbec was very good! but you know what? Cab was soooo good. We ended up buying two cab, one Sauvignon. Thank you very much! We will enjoy your wine;) read more

The wines are delicious however I found paying $220 for four people to taste was outrageous. Three wines. Maybe 3 ounces in total. Our first experience at the winery was great. Pam gave us the tour. Wine pours were more generous and we did not feel like our server had someplace else to be. We still bought a magnum of Cab Franc and two bottles iSauvignon Blanc. But ... we will not go back. Sad. Don't waste your time and money on a tasting - just buy a bottle and enjoy. read more

A must stop, but tours/tasting is by appointment. We were greeted with a glass of wine as soon as we set foot on the property. A very intimate walking tour of the grounds and facility. Don't worry the walk is short if you are worried that you might be going on a hike. We were lucky to meet and watch the wine maker, Pam Starr, hard at work. Then we had our tasting in the Stone House and got to taste some fabulous wines. read more

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I don't know how I ended up with a bottle of the 2001 Stone Place Cuvee. It's been sitting high up in my poorly climate-controlled wine rack for a long time (at least four years). Last night, I decided to open it up (any night you open a good wine is a special occasion). The cork broke in half on opening, and I needed to use some technique to get the rest out. Although the top of the cork was still moist, I was worried that the wine was shot. But it poured a lovely deep claret-red and smelled fine. The first sip was fruity and light, with no tightness. After about 1/2 hour it became the most wonderful, complex blend of densely fruity, herbal-licorice wham! I love this kind of surprise. Next time, I will buy more, and keep it safe. read more

I wanted to stop here because I heard the Cab Franc was wonderful. As a CF lover, I had to see for myself. It was! I also found the story behind how the winery came about interesting and I love supporting female-run wineries. Lovely wines and a lovely tasting experience. Beautiful property. I loved everything I tasted! read more

There are lots to choose from in Napa if you are looking to taste at a vineyard. If you are looking for a boutique vineyard then this is the one. C&S hits the trifecta. Beautiful humble location (not some over the top behemoth), great staff/service and fantastic wines. Christina was our host and she was awesome. Very thoughtful, extremely knowledgeable and invested in the business and the industry. We tasted SavBlanc, CabFranc and CabSauv and all three were outstanding. Then...we got lucky when winemaker Pam Starr rolled in and spent some time with us and did a tasting with us. It's really special to hear it straight from the winemaker on how a wine is progressing and where it is going and what went into a particular vintage thanks to Mother Nature. Appointments are necessary and worth the effort. GO TO C&S! read more

Date: March 29, 2007 Winery: Crocker & Starr Wines Winemaker: Pam Starr Tasting: Tasting by Appointment Contact: 707.967.9111 - Pam Starr This is another winery that I've not visited for a while, specifically the last two years. Used to meet up with Pam at Napa Wine Company every few month and always been a fan of her work. These days, Pam is entertaining visitors at the Crocker Estate in St. Helena, beautiful property and much more pleasing than the crowded barrel room at NWC. Located on the valley floor in St. Helena, this is definitely a stop to make while visiting in the area, don't miss out! 2003 Stone Place Back in the days, Stone Place was a 50/50 blend of Cabernet and Merlot. However, as the vineyard matures, the Cabernet source has steadily increased, this current bottling is 84% Cabernet and 16% Merlot. Wonderful aromatic lures you into the glass. Tremendous amount of black fruits accompanied by sweet anise, licorice and hints of chocolate. Layers of dark fruit on the palate, dominated with black cherries. Dense and chewy, good weight on mid-palate. Firm but well integrated tannin, balanced out by fat, luscious fruits. Good power, yet shows restrain. 2004 Cabernet Franc So it seem like every time I taste wine with Pam, we run into the issue of cork influenced (but not TCA) wine. Pam opened a total of three half bottles of the Cab Franc. First bottle opened got great aromatic, cinnamon stick was the headliner. While the wine showed good amount of fruit on the palate, there is this bothersome drying woody tannin. Pam suspected cork influence so off to fetch the second bottle. Cork popped on second bottle, we hit the classic TCA jackpot. Hoping for third time's the charm and it sure was. Striking cinnamon stick nose, not that much different than the first bottle. But on the palate, it's where you can really see the difference. Gone is the drying cedar tannin, more raspberries and cherries took it's place, tannin is now firm and ripe. This is easily one of the top five Cabernet Franc made in the valley, if you like Cab Franc and has not tried Pam's, you are missing out. read more