Was really excited for this spot because we were told it was a sister winery to Quintessa (my favorite) and that it specialized in Pinot Noir (also my favorite). Unfortunately, we really didn't like any of the wines. If you do the lodge tasting in the house, it's a little cozy and tight. We did the cave tasting where there was a very friendly cat (Tubbs) who joined us for the entire experience. My sister who I was with loves cats so that was a huge plus for her. Over all, while everyone was super friendly, the wines weren't that great so probably wouldn't return. read more

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This place is very special and worth a stop! Their wines are wonderful and this is a smaller boutique type place to visit. Very cozy and sweet. read more

Went to a cute outdoor event here with friends who are members. It was great to try Failla's wines; the reserve bottles were unsurprisingly delicious but even their affordable Pinots are top notch - so of course we went home with a few we liked from the Sonoma Coast! I loved that they had live music and a family friendly vibe. It's tough to catch that first turn from the street though - look for the red mailbox! read more

Pinot. You come here for the Pinot. As we have grown in love for wine my wife and I love Cab (of course) but we love lighter wines for a glass at dinner in the middle of the week. We have grown to love Pinot Noir as our table wine of choice. Failla excels at this. Their Pinot selection is just fantastic. A local told us as we explained our love for Pinot and their bottles are top notch. It's a small family vineyard and if you ever wondered... what was Napa tastings like before some of these wineries blew up into giant gilded tasting halls? Well... like Failla. You sit in someone's house on their sofa and you drink their wine. I remember the old Caymus and Nickel and Nickel tasting rooms which was the family dinner table. This is just like that. Old school Napa Valley tasting. Enjoy... this is an amazing one for Pinot or Syrah lovers. - Mike & Cort PS: this review was done a year later and just had a bottle from the EuroCave and wow it is so good. Felt compelled to come write this. read more

We had a great tasting in the cave with our host Geoff. We've visited many times over the last 10 years but Geoff gave us new insight into the wines, winery and Ehren Jordan. We also loved the wines he poured. And to top it off, he went to the trouble to bring some items we left behind to our lunch stop in St Helena. We can't thank Geoff enough for his amazing hospitality and a wonderful experience. read more

It's on the Silverado Trail, rugged, ranch style winery, if you drive too fast on this stretch (people tend to do here), you will miss the address and will have to do a u-turn which we did! Failla is known for their delicious Pinot Noir & Chardonnay. They also have a winery in Oregon that offers equally outstanding wines. Love their single vineyard selection and estate wines. Their estate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir has so much expressions, reflect the place that they are in. The fancy people call it terroir... I call it solidly good wine all around it! I'm a fan of this brand and often order it at restaurants I visit, such as Alexander's Steakhouse, The Sea by Alexander's Steakhouse, NapaSport Steakhouse, at Vintage Wine Merchants on Santana Row and some more. Beautiful benches and wooden tables outdoor, under the gigantic trees, so plenty of shades for you. APPOINTMENT ONLY! If you love Burgundy, come here for a visit! Generous pour, different glasses for you to compare, a nicer way to taste instead of just 1 glass to reuse. Our host was very good and chill, she's been with the winery for over 4 years so she knows a lot. A rare treat to find Pinot Noir in the heart of Napa Valley where Cab is king! read more

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The concierge at our resort scheduled us to visit Failla as one the four wineries we'd be visiting for the day. This place has so much charm! I love the cabin/lodge type feel when you walk in. Many books to read & cozy seating areas. We were greeted by River who took us to start our wine tasting, which was inside their cave. What a treat! She was very knowledgeable and all wines were tasty. We also had cat join us for our wine tasting experience, she was so lovely. Thank you River for giving us such a great experience! read more

Failla - River giving is our cave tour, River was awesome! - Wineries Near Me - Saint Helena, California

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My friends and i were in Napa for a day, and we wanted to try out new wineries. My friend was talking about the concrete eggs and we were told about this place. So we weren't told about this place until 3:30 p.m. I immediately called and asked to see if they had any openings. They actually didn't and my friends from Hong Kong were a little disappointed. I told Jeff on the phone that my friends were visiting and after being on hold for a few seconds he managed to fit us in. SCORE!!! Within 10 mins we arrived at the winery to see a welcome sign for me and my friends. TALK ABOUT EFFICIENCY!!! I was completely blown out of the water with the great service they provided. Michelle was our host for the tour and she was so knowledgeable. She started us off with two Chardonnays on our way to the cave. In the cave, we got the see the concrete eggs, it was pretty cool seeing the eggs and great learning the process. In the cave, Michelle took us the a table in the end that had the menu of our drinks, customized to me and my party. Again, TALK ABOUT EFFICIENCY! We started off with the Pinot Noir, while she gave us a history of the vineyard. She took get care at all the questions we had. My friends ended up buying a few bottles to bring back. I'll come back here as one of my to go places the next time I'm in Napa. read more

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Amazing variety of Pinot! From different regions of Wine Country - I think my favorite was from Occidental. This is a super cozy winery. Totally country. We had a private tasting outside on a lovely log wood table. I felt like we were on a Sunset Magazine spread! read more

Failla - Wineries Near Me - Saint Helena, California

If you want to escape the crowds and enjoy a high-quality wine experience, this is it! Janelle was very hospitable. Excellent Pinot Noir, Syrah and Chardonnay. The reception area is a historic house set into the hillside, it has a cool eccentric library feel. We did the cave tasting, which was wonderful, they have a luxurious lounge space set up in there. Great place to take a group of friends. read more

Failla - Wine cave - Wineries Near Me - Saint Helena, California

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My parents are a wine drinker and my especially like Pinot. She found this place and we really like the pinot selections they have. I am not a big fan of Chardonnay but their Chardonnay I actually like. First time I went, we did the Cave Tour and the tasting was in the case with other group of people, the second time I made an appointment for the Spotlight tasting. This is also in the cave but is an individual group tasting and the staff told us more about where the grapes came from and some history regarding the grape fields. All their staffs are very friendly and very much love it here! After the first time visiting we became a club member. Definitely would for Pinot lovers! read more

Failla - Seating for the spotlight tasting - Wineries Near Me - Saint Helena, California

Located in an old hunting lodge, under and near several large Redwood trees, the cozy and comfortable tasting room is almost worth the trip alone. But you don't visit a winery without tasting a few representative samples and at Failla we found some exceptional Chardonnays and Pinot Noir wines at fair and reasonable prices. Some places you remember for the wine and others for the way you are treated. With Jane as our guide we found a real wine professional, who was knowledgeable of the history and winemaking philosophy and interested in telling us what sets Failla apart from the others. Failla sources its grapes from wherever they can find the high quality that they demand. I must admit I found several wines I could not live without and I look forward to enjoying them over the next few years. Thanks for a phenomenal wine lesson, Jane. read more

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Want a dose of wine tasting bliss? Failla is a gorgeous retreat (for fine winos). I don't ever really remember wine tasting to be too much fun. Then again, I'm thinking back to the days of yore, when my parents would drag us to wineries where we'd watch them imbibe and nada for us (meanwhile, grandma would always give us a little wine on Sundays, so WTH?). No fun for kids! (are kids even allowed to go to tastings these days?) Vicky L picked this place out to be our first stop in our grand tour of Napa wineries and what a great start it was! Our gracious host, Josh, greeted us and brought us out to the utterly divine setting out back, where there was a long picnic table set up for us under the tall trees. It was simply dreamy, sitting out there, tasting one wine after another. Josh expertly guided us through the tastings and also gave us the history of this winery and Napa as well. I can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday. In fact, I probably could have graced the setting even longer, possibly outstaying my welcome, which naturally, I'd never ever do. Hehehe. This was my favorite stop of the day. The wines are delicious. The setting is perfect. Wins all around. read more

Wonderful tasting experience with Josh. We sat in a living room like atmosphere with 3 other couples and Josh for a group tasting of their artisanal wines. You have to make a reservation but the tasting is so educational that I can't imagine they could do it any other way. We ended up buying 3 bottles so our tasting fees were waived. The lower price point Sonoma Coast Pinot really stood out to us with its nose and flavor although we had been wiling to pay more for any wines we really liked that day. Glad to find great wine at a fair price point though, no complaints there. My only suggestion would be that they upgrade their seating arrangement so that two people out of 8 don't have to sit in folding chairs while the others gets to sit on a couch or armchair. I'm sure if they do tastings every week, they can make that one small adjustment. It would elevate my perceived level of their attention to detail which is what artisanal wine making is all about, right? read more

Failla - The living room tasting - Wineries Near Me - Saint Helena, California

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I had the opportunity to sit with the winemakers during a dinner and got to experience them showcasing what they felt was the best of the current vintages. As someone who has done hard time in France and locally Ehren has a good foundation on what you can and cant do with the soil and crops you're given. Not quite as outrageious as Abe Schoener of Scholium Project but still looking for those off the beaten path vines that will yield incredible wine with the right amount of attention to detail and care. They drink wonderfully alone and with properly paired food. Perhaps a winery that just chooses to make with what they can and not pay too much attention to what trends and traditions may impede. read more

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I should preface by saying that I love Failla Pinot Noir and that's why I decided to schedule an appointment at the winery. The tasting takes place at a long wooden table outside with others that had also scheduled an appointment at the same time. I guess the part that really annoyed me was that the tasting was $20.00 For a 20 minute tasting. $20 is a great price for a tasting fee, but when you are only being entertained for 20 minutes, it's a bit of a rip off. The other thing that was a bit of an annoyance is that the table is located next to a blossoming tree and the smell was so pungent that it interfered with the smell of the wine. Otherwise everyone there was truly hospitable and I had a nice discussion with one of the tasting hosts. Tasting fee waived with purchase. read more

Failla - Arrived fir our tasting at Failla - Wineries Near Me - Saint Helena, California

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Failla is one of my favorite wineries in Napa and if they decide to create a wine club my wife and I would join immediately. They focus on upscale Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Viognier from Sonoma, Napa and Oregon and case production is small (under 1,000 per year). Failla is a side project for winemaker Ehren Jordan; he also makes wine at the larger Turley Wine Cellars. Hence, there's no need for a wine club; the wine already sells out! My wife and I have tasted at Failla three times within the past couple years and have tried two grouping of new releases. Our favorite wine is the one that garnered critical acclaim, the 2005 Estate Sonoma Coast Syrah ($56; a top 100 selection by the San Francisco Chronicle in 2007). The wine was magical, having intoxicating and complex aromas of Indian spices and chai and a lush body of dark fruit meshed with earth. It is not only my favorite Syrah, but also one of the finest wines that I've ever tried. Their Pinot Noirs are also excellent and we've purchased two different bottles. Our current favorite is the 2006 Occidental Ridge Vineyard that features lush aromas of crushed berry and sea salt backed by medium tannins. It's well-worth the $38 price tag. The tasting room is gorgeous (see the picture above), resembling a homey mountain cabin. Visitors can either stand at the bar or sit in one of the inviting easy chairs or couch near the fireplace. The tasting is $15 for a selection of five to seven new releases, but this is waived with the purchase of a bottle, a generous touch that encourages patrons to leave with their favorite wine. On each visit I've been served by a different staff member and all have been very friendly and informative about the wines. They prefer that visitors call ahead to schedule an appointment, but I've stopped in unannounced without a problem. Failla is further up the Silverado Trail, but is definitely worth the visit. If you're like me, you'll become enchanted with the wines and beg them to create a wine club with hopes of receiving a discount! read more

Failla - Failla's Gorgeous Tasting Room! - Wineries Near Me - Saint Helena, California

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This place is amazing. My friend and I had Dee for our tour. We called in the morning at 9:30, and they able to fit us in 10am. It was just the two of us in the tour. Tip:call ahead and be on time. We rushed up there from downtown napa. It was for my birthday, they printed out cool personal place cards. We walked into the cave and saw the cement eggs, barrels, and tables. They specialize in chardonnay and pinot noir. The tasting is $30,but it is waved if you buy two bottles. The tasting was supposed to be only 4,but we got one extra one. Dee was very friendly, knowledge, and fun. The pinot noirs we tried,Lola and Peay, was so amazing I got bought both wines. It was my first time in napa, and I learned a lot from Dee. I really enjoyed the smaller wineries because they were able to give you more attention, share their knowledge, and help you overall enjoy the wines. read more

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Been coming to Failla's release parties for a few years now. Came for their Sonoma Coast Pinot ($34) here, always score really well from Wine Spectator and is always good. I just got a few 2012 vintage and is already tasting pretty gooood. Scheduled a sit down tasting one time, was a great experience, it was in a little house you felt like you are tasting wine with your friends in a living room. She led us through 4-5 different chardonnays and pinots -very informative as Failla makes a few single vineyard Pinots and Chardonnay: Keefer is my favorite! I always buy bottles at release as this is one of those few wineries that you buy direct and priced better than when you buy in distribution such as at K&L in San Fran). At the release parties you get to talk to the winemaker Ehren (Turley alumni), which is ways fun! My other top Pinots recommendation if you are in town is Copain (great tasting experience with amazing view of the Russisn River). read more

Interesting boutique winery to explore. Failla is a an off-the-beaten path, membership aka appointment only winery. It even makes a cute personalized welcome sign for wine tasting visitors. You pass by the mobile bottling station (if it is the season) before entering the cave. There's outside and inside tasting. The cave is quite interesting. It is new, has the newest technology, yet it is cozy and homey. There're cozy seatings, even throws to keep you warm. Definitely a fun experience as it is different from other big commercial vineyards. The red wines here's aren't exactly cheap. The tasting pour is generous and the staff is real friendly, so they will take time to tell you story of the vineyard, and its wine making. read more

I absolutely love Failla.Their Pinots are extremely sought-after...and for good reason. At the time of this review, they don't have, or require, an e-commerce site (orders are taken over the phone) to sell out their releases. Crazy. read more

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Birthday party of 9 - no problem. This property is very charming and felt like a trip to the family cabin (only my family is short on the fun cave experience). I was DD so I mostly sniffed their tastings until the end when the Syrah came out- I couldn't help it any longer and had to experience it while in the cave at our personalized event table. I really wished I had taken a pic of the outdoor fire place and well when we came out of the cave tasting... I don't see any other pics of it here /anywhere on line. I want to go back just to linger with a house pour and a roaring fire outside if they offer that. If we didn't have a second reservation waiting, I would have been happy to hunker down here from open until closing. read more

Failla - Wineries Near Me - Saint Helena, California

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Failla was definitely one of our faves. Small, intimate, pleasant host and quality wine. The tastings are held in a cozy sitting room. For this place, you definitely want to call ahead, but I suppose that isn't news based on the reviews. I cannot recall the tasting fee now off the top of my head, but I believe it was either $10 or $15, and it was waived with a purchase. read more

Failla - Wineries Near Me - Saint Helena, California

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We had a great stop at Failla. The winery sure doesn't look like much. Upon entering the small home where we started our tour, I was wondering if my friend that recommended Failla had given me some bad advice. However, Failla definitely lived up to the hype. If you like Pinot Noir, you really need to either get here or at least buy some. We had a really nice tasting at a comfy little set up in their wine cave. I am a true believer and will definitely come back! read more

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I've been here twice for a lodge and cave tasting. I really like the ambience of Failla. The lodge is rustic and cozy, and the cave is expansive and beautiful. Both wine educators were engaging and fun. The one we had for the cave tasting was very young but very knowledgable about the wine. The pinots and syrahs are lovely. I haven't loved the chardonnays enough to purchase any. My favorite wine was the Pearlessence Pinot Noir that we had about our first tasting. All three of us in our party bought a bottle. Another person in our group bought three cases! I can't wait to go back and try their Day zinfandel. read more

Simply put, excellent wines!!! The cave tour is impressive. We aren't big wine drinkers but we left with three bottles. I loved the Vivian! read more

Failla - Wineries Near Me - Saint Helena, California

Excellent wine especially Pinot Noir. Great staff. They're very nice and knowledgeable about the wine. My girlfriend and I loved the wine tasting in there. We'll definitely go back there. read more

I'm a bit remiss on the timing of this review. I brought some out of town guests to Failla, one of my favorite wineries. We went on the cave tour and tasting with Sarah, which included another party of 4. Sarah was great, explaining the details of the cave, the barrel and other features for the uninitiated. Then she led a tasting that allowed for those unfamiliar with the wines to both enjoy them and learn a good bit, without being intimidating or stuffy. For my friends, this was the best experience they had ever had at a winery. I'm used to excellent service and attention at Failla, but this was above and beyond! Bravo! read more

I've been here a few times for tastings, and I've tried their wines at other restaurants, and have enjoyed their wines every time. My last visit was a last minute reservation for just a tasting (yes, make reservations. Napa valley use permits.) Be sure to get there early/on time because you don't want to be *that guy*. Their tastings are usually small and intimate, and in a beautiful and peaceful setting (the porch, living room inside, or out in the courtyard). I was in a tasting group of 10 people. Our host of the day was Josh, and was very kind to wait for *that guy*. So, to entertain us while we waited, he brought out a few extra wines that weren't on that day's tasting menu. By a few, I mean a lot. Josh is a great story teller. He told us about their history, the philosophy and where they source their grapes from. And he was quite informative about Napa, wines, and the process of wine making. I am relatively new to all of these things; he was also patient with my questions, especially since some of them were more for my professional development and no one else was really interested. Pro-tip: Make reservations and be ON TIME. Pro-tip II: Eat before you go. Pro-tip III: Spring for the cave tour (where you can have your tasting at too). read more

This winery came highly recommended so we decided to pop in and check it out. We didn't have a reservation, but there were only two of us so we thought why not. Upon entering there were no guests in the quaint hunting lodge tasting "house." We were told they couldn't accommodate us and we were heading out when the hostess came back and said we can on the porch. It was great out there-Comfy chairs and beautiful atmosphere. We told him we would just share 1 tasting, we had been doing this all week because of driving. He acted very off and didn't even split the taste between two glasses. He was pouring a splash, barely a sip and we were done in 10 minutes. This tasting really showed us that your host plays a key role in the tasting. He was terrible! We didn't buy a bottle. I wouldn't go with Allan read more

Failla - Wineries Near Me - Saint Helena, California

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Solid pinot specialist. Staff always manages to be attentive and informative without being pretentious. Wines are almost always balanced and for any given vineyard, there prices are reasonable. I've visited for several pick-up events, but have yet to go for the tasting room experience. When thinking of Failla, I always think of elegant and subtle. Never overly oaked or extracted. Certainly worth a visit and in this part of the valley, the only good Pinot you'll find. read more

I came here a few months ago and now that I am sitting at home enjoying a glass of Failla wine, I feel like I need to give this place the review it deserves. I am a huge Pinot Noir fan so this was like a little slice of heaven for me. Very cute and charming little vineyard with awesome people and fabulous wine. My boyfriend and I came here for a private tasting with one other family. I really enjoyed the intimate set up and how friendly they were. We didn't feel rushed; Josh/Jeff(?) spent his time giving us the background and story of the family and winery, explaining each wine, its notes, etc. and gave us a great tour. You even get to relax and sit on a couch/comfy chairs while you taste! As we walked around the grounds, the other employees said hi and stopped to chat with us. Finally, their super friendly dogs completed the great, at home feel :). Now on to the actual wine. Everyone has different palettes, but I loved literally each one we tasted, probably some of the best Pinot I've had. My favorite was the Keefer Ranch. We left with several bottles and I've been saving them to drink because they're that good. I've been tasting at several wineries in the Napa Valley and in terms of service, taste of the actual wines and overall experience and feel, I think this stands out as the most memorable for me. I highly recommend Failla! read more

This is a mixed review. The winemaker, Ehren Jordan, used to be at Turley with whom I'm a big fan. So I was excited to see what he's doing with Pinot Noirs. Our tasting was with 2 other couples and the wines were very good. But the best was one we had to ask for and they wouldn't pour it at our seat. It was close to the top of the hour and they had others coming so we were rushed out of our seats and up to the bar. It's a shame that they don't recognize buyers from drink-and-dashers. The others paid their fee and left while we bought a case and probably would have bought more but they were too busy showing us the door. So I'm not quite a fan yet!!! read more

Failla - Sitting inside the front door of the Failla Tasting House. - Wineries Near Me - Saint Helena, California

Of all the places we visited, I loved this quiet and knowledgeable spot the best. It's a family-owned vineyard and shares its land and hence the vintages. The quality of the reds were very impressive, and our guide was extremely knowledgeable and passionate- she was awesome! They think "outside the box" - check out the terra cotta egg barrels. I learned the most here and will happily pick up a Failla anytime! read more

Failla - Wineries Near Me - Saint Helena, California

One thing to remember coming here is to make reservations/call ahead first! Our group didnt really pay attention to that and showed up. Luckily the party before us were just leaving and we were able to be seated. They can serve only one party at a time so make sure u reserve! We were very welcomed even w no reservation. So thanks for that! We bought few different wines and my boyfriend's fave was the pinot noir which he loved. My fave was the Syrah and i thought it was absolutely amazing (earthy). Our host was very approachable and kept us entertained the entire time. Very knowledgeable guy. Def will stop by if in the area.... read more

These guys make some outstanding Pinot Noir, some of the best Keefer Ranch wines I've tasted (easily outdoing Siduri and Loring). According to our host, they get an older block of Keefer, which I suppose yields better juice. Their wines are smooth, but not jammy, and maintains a level of elegance that only subtly hints at the flavors. I recommend the Whistler and Keefer Vineyard wines. Their Chardonnay is also exceptional and one of the few wineries that concrete ferment their wines (the other being Wind Gap). Make a reservation as they don't just accept walk ins. read more

We visited Failla in the Willamette Valley, which is part of Failla Wines in St. Helena. I highly recommend taking a field trip to Oregon and tasting there. Ben was phenomenal - probably one of the best hosts we've ever had. He was incredibly knowledgeable about the entire wine making process and explained it all to us but was kind and approachable. You can tell he is truly passionate about his work with wine. The Failla wines were (in my humble opinion) softer and much more mineralic than the California wine that I am used to. That said, I loved being able to taste the difference. I bought a bottle of my favorite Pinot Noir. Ben was excited to show us the big wine containers (not sure if that is the proper name). It was very interesting, as there were people working and lots going on. We looked from a distance. He patiently answered all of our questions. I can't wait to visit the Failla in St. Helena (so close to my home!). Failla is a worthy stop in a Willamette tasting day for sure! read more

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My husband and I have visited Failla on two occasions and loved it each time. The experience is intimate, informative and beautiful. We were able to taste different Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and even a Syrah during our tasting. The wines are phenomenal (we especially love Pinot Noir). This past weekend, our host was Andi. She was welcoming, knowledgeable and just lovely. Failla is definitely one of our favorite Napa stops. read more

This is probably my favorite winery in Napa, and definitely worth the foresight it takes to reserve your tasting time. The guy there Jeff is very personable, not at all like so many of the other wineries where you can tell they are either sort of annoyed that you're there or just trying to get you to buy as much as possible. He remembers us from visit to visit, we have nice chats, he has a talent for getting the group (never more than 12 at a time) to open up as everyone sits around a small coffee table in their living room/tasting room. Lest you think this review is all about the ambiance, the wines are really fantastic too. All of them are fermented naturally without any added yeast or nutrients. Winemaker Ehren Jordan has taken to these odd cement egg-shaped fermenters but they do the trick. See if you can get a tour of the cellars while you're there (it's not always possible). Most of what they produce is Pinot Noir, and it's all excellent. Doesn't taste like most pinots out there, very unique flavors, well attenuated and dry but not harsh. They have a complex fruit character without being overpowering in the bouquet. Overall, spectacular wines that really stand out (even if this is your 5th winery of the day). In short, if you actually like wine (as opposed to just spending the day drinking free wine at as many places as possible), go to Failla. You'll have blast. read more

I'm not going to review any of the wines as everyone's palate is different. This is a review of the experience. 1. Easy to make reservations. Prompt reply with availability and directions. 2. A bit hidden on the Silverado Trail. Definitely map it or you just might drive by without noticing you passed it. 3. Ample parking. Staff is very friendly and attentive. 4. Small fee for tasting 4 to 5 wines; but refundable with a minimum purchase. Wines are reasonably priced for small production wines. No pressure to buy. 5. This is a no frills winery. If you enjoy drinking limited production Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that's not easily found in stores, then you'll definitely want to visit this small winery and join the mailing list. 6. What makes this a great learning experience is there's numerous selection of wines from multiple AVAs. This is definitely a nice gem in St. Helena. You will leave this winery with a better appreciation of Chards and Pinots from different AVAs and styles. read more