Arrived on a Friday afternoon with a reservation. We were associated with a group that entitled us to a complimentary estate tasting. Not busy on a Friday ad we were greeted by our tasting guide with a nice glass of white. We were seated outside in a beautiful pergola among the vines. Also serve a nice cheese and charcuterie plate. Very nicely, the owner and current CEO of the estate came and sat with us, telling nice stories about the family and the estate. Turns out she's also an artist and encourage us to visit her small gallery in a separate building. Our guide took us through the remaining red wines which were all very nice but not transcendental. He then nicely took us back to see the gallery which was quite nice. Lovely winery and experience! read more

Stunning Backdrop for a Soulless Experience Stopped by Larkmead Vineyards today after a wonderful afternoon at a down-to-earth winery that reminded us why Napa used to be special (Venge). Sadly, Larkmead represents everything wrong with what Napa is becoming - all aesthetic, no heart. We pulled into a nearly empty parking lot (telling), and politely asked if they were offering tastings. We were met with a stiff $90 per person price tag - no flexibility, no hospitality, just a cold transaction. My dad, who's lived in Napa for years, asked if we could simply buy a bottle and enjoy it on the property. The response? "We're not licensed for that." Translation: we're too busy clinging to an image of exclusivity to actually welcome people in. The whole experience reeked of pretension over passion, gatekeeping over community. Stunning grounds, yes -- but empty of the warmth, generosity, and authenticity that made Napa legendary in the first place. If you want a reminder of why Napa is losing its soul, Larkmead IS NOT IT. They don't want locals. They don't want connection. They just want prestige. Plenty of other wineries deserve your time, your support, and your love. Larkmead Vineyard is a hard pass. read more

10/10 would recommend! Did a wine tasting for my birthday in the tasting room and loved it. Wine was great and Samantha took great care of us. Loved Larkmead read more

Samantha was absolutely outstanding. She gave us a full tour of the stunning grounds and was incredibly knowledgeable about the history and the wine. Samantha truly made the experience one to remember. My husband and I had tons of questions and she was able to answer them all. Overall 10/10 experience and will recommend to family and friends. read more

Such a lovely experience from the moment we stepped on the grounds. The day was a bit over cast and cold so we were interested in how this would play out. I couldn't have asked for a better experience and all thanks to Joshua Villegas. He was the best host and the experience he provided was completely one of a kind. I am not much of a red wine connoisseur and the wines were fantastic and the knowledge of the grounds and history of the vineyard itself was a great addition. The cheese and wine pairings were phenomenal, perfectly paired, and definitely elevated the wine. The fireplace kept the room nice and toasty and the lighting was perfect for pictures! Such a great overall experience with a one of a kind host! read more

Larkmead Vineyards - Vineyards in December - Wineries Near Me - Calistoga, California

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One of the well-known Cab vineyards in Napa. Exquisite property and the wines were delicious. The downside is the tasting fee ($150) does not equate to what you experience. They explain the wines all at once and then leave, only to comeback and ask if we are ready to leave. It did not make sense given no one was there before us and no one was coming after us. Our server was knowledgeable but very robotic in his explanations. Not a people person. We still spent $$$ on bottles and yet felt like we were being "processed" through our tasting. If you are expecting to get quality customer service and wines, plenty of other places to try. read more

This is a special winery. They are one of the last Napa wineries that focus on producing the highest quality wine while quietly ensuring the most intimate experience when you visit. Larkmead has one of the most beautiful areas to enjoy their wine in a quiet, beautiful, yet non assuming and classy modern and bright contemporary farmhouse meets Hamptons style home. As anyone that goes to Napa frequently knows, having a private and intimate experience is rare nowadays. It is not only a refreshing strategic direction of the winery, but also a testament to the wine educators they choose to represent them. That being said, I've never had such a a personal experience as I've had with Joshua Villegas. Not only is he incredibly knowledgeable with wine, the property, and the history of Napa, but he has always made my experience incredibly personable. Every time I've come back, he remembers every single thing we had talked about and will tailor our next experience based on things I'd never expect him to have remembered. When it comes time for the next shipment, he has even called me to personally make sure that I would be happy with the options I chose. Actually, people in my family who don't live close enough to visit as often continue to order wine from Larkmead because of the experience he created for them when they were there. As much as I'm objective about the quality of the wine, one of the main reasons I will never leave this winery is because of people like Joshua. I frequently visit Napa and have several of the "cult" wine allocations as well as various clubs but this winery has the most special place in my heart part and parcel because of the attention to detail of people like Josh and their focus on small intimate experiences. Don't hesitate one second at all to go, sign up, and enjoy but, at the same time, don't tell too many people. read more

One of the most stunning vineyards I've been to. The wine was incredible - 2017 Cab was my fav! Bottles are $100+, tastings are $90-$150. The vibe is very Napa and the winemakers are so knowledgeable and welcoming. read more

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Inattentive service, uninspiring wine. Wasn't worth the visit for us... Raining, cold, blowing winds... We were. Late but they abandoned us and barely noticed Wine was good, not great, expensive ... Not worth the visit .. read more

Not your average wine tasting experience. So if you don't have a fat wallet (I don't really), or are just a casual wine drinker where you can't really distinguish between a $15 bottle versus one upwards of $50, then this place will not be a fit for you. For starters, the tasting here is $75 for 4 taste. That is crazy steep, even for this wine tasting vet. But let me share the experience, so there will be context with the price tag. First this place is small compared to the other big boys out here in Napa Valley. They only produce a fraction of what most others out here do, and they do not use other winery's grapes. So in just that, you can see how the pricing will be skewed. If you're only going to produce a limited amount, then why charge a cheap price, amirite? Then this place always had an "appointment basis" tasting system. You can't just saunter on in here and expect to get pours. They want you to have your own guide/pourer, your own space (which is great for the 2020 conditions) and a good amount of time to enjoy your experience. And this is where I believe a big portion of the tasting fee accounts to. Here's what I received. Upon walking up to the grounds, I was immediately greeted by name, was shown around the immediate premise, and of course a run down of some rules pertaining to the Covid era. Since no tastings are allowed indoors, I was escorted out in their landscaped patio, next to the vineyard, where some rocking chairs sat under an umbrella. THE most stylish wine tasting setting I've ever been served. The guide will come out every so often to pour and to chat, as you're just chilling there amongst the vines...in open country air...with the Napa Valley landscape as the backdrop. I was blown away. There's a small table to do your tasting on, which has their wine info, a carafe of water and some perfect artisanal bread sticks to clear out your palate occasionally. Now in that tasting fee, I quickly noticed that all 3 reds were over $100 bottles. The lone white in the tasting was $75. So you're not tasting $30 bottles here. And after a little bantering over the differences in the reds, my gracious host throws in a 5th taste, one that had more age in it, 9 years to be exact. Which gave me an idea on the potential the wines here have. IMO, I don't think you should open one of their bottles here until it is at least 5 years old. That's when their reds soften and open up. So again, I don't think this is for everybody. As many don't want to track their wines, and just drink things when convenient. I'm in their market, as when I drink my older wines, I'll replace it with a younger wine, but at the same level. And just wait for that one to be nice and ready for a future special occasion. And just keep rotating. Now do I think their wines tasted their worth of the price tag? Not overwhelmingly so. But I did acknowledge the balance in one of them, and the bold structure that Napa reds are so well known for. I had just enjoyed one of my older bottles on this particular weekend, so I wanted to replace it with something equal in quality. I was a right person, at the right time, at the right place. So I placed a splurge. With my 2 bottle purchase, my tasting fee was waived. But I don't see most to take that route, as I think you need to spend over $200 to get the fee waived. But if you like an exceptional experience for the senses, with attentive service and a product that is on par with this area, then this will make sense for you. If not, like I said, it isn't really for the masses. read more

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What a special place! From the time you step foot on the grounds, surrounded by persimmon trees and history - the experience is magical. We were greeted at the main house by a variety of welcoming staff and then escorted by our host, Dave, who truly had a passion for Larkmead. His tour was just enough education on the property and we loved hearing about one of the original owners Lillie - what a feisty woman - love it! Dave conducted our tasting in the most gorgeous private room which would make any architectural buff swoon. Three walls of floor to ceiling windows that looked out over their property was complimented by the most comfortable seating that made you feel like you were home. The wines were just as exceptional. A great white, followed by a number of bold reds. Even has someone that doesn't always love a very acidic or tannin kind of wine - these were done so well that I enjoyed every single one. We took a few bottles home and look forward to visiting with Larkmead again on another trip. Truly well worth the tasting fee. Exceptional property, staff, and wine. read more

Larkmead Vineyards - Private wine tasting at Larkmead. Exceptional. - Wineries Near Me - Calistoga, California

Arriving at Larkmead, we pulled up to a persimmon tree to greet us on this December 1st visit. Walking up to the guest house, we were greeted and welcomed in as we awaited our tour guide. Our tour guide started us with the map of the vineyard and explained that the artwork was done by Kate Solari which became a theme and you'll notice that this specific canvas has some unique details that the tour guide can point out to you. As we walk around, we were introduced to the warehouse and the barrel room before being shown to the wine room. Eventually we found our way back to the reception house and relaxed in the tasting room prepared for us. Let me tell you that this place is gorgeous. It is like the perfect place to sip wine, relax on a lovely day, and just hang out with your friends. If this place was closer and easily accessible, we would hang out here every weekend in a dream world. Each person we interacted with here are very easy going and extremely friendly. We were able to take a lot of picture perfect photos in all the sunny locations outside as well as the couches and chairs set up indoors. Although it is on the pricier end for me $75/pp, the wine is enjoyable and worth a visit. We were able to try several of their highly rated wines. This is one of the places that if you do happen to purchase wine here, it is actually cheaper than buying a bottle away from a store. Cheers to a new year and I look forward to taking friends back here. read more

We have been wine tasting all weekend and was the worst tasting experience I have ever had. The wine was warm when the served to us. When we asked if we could get a fresh pour it felt like it was an inconvenience to the staff. Not once did they ever explain their wines to us. The property is beautiful the the staff does not know how to serve customers. read more

Larkmead is straight out of a dream! It's a wino's paradise on a small scale, filled with beautiful artwork dreamed up from the founder herself. I like Larkmead because it's not flashy and unapologetically so. The grounds were beautiful and quaint, the tasting room was elegant and modern, adorned with crisp art and tasteful decor. The room was lit up with natural lighting and you can see the mountains from a distance. At $75 a pop for wine tasting, you can expect a stellar experience here. The least expensive bottle of wine will cost you a cool $75, but I guarantee you it's worth every penny! The glasses they use are also made of expensive material, you can tell the team here really takes pride in creating a memorable experience. I would take a moment after your tasting to walk outside in the property. You'll feel as though you're right at home walking along the grounds, hearing the pretty hummingbirds swizzle along the beautiful fruit and flower shrubs that outline the perimeter. I would move on in if I could! read more

Divine wine tasting experience! Was there recently and the place is beautifully understated and classic ! Great wines & beautiful ambiance. I love how private the tour felt & our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and made us feel very welcomed. Would return on my next Napa trip :) read more

Brittany is such a kind soul and is absolutely outstanding at her job. She took what was an initially stressful day and 100% turned it around and made an upscale experience also feel like home! Definitely recommend asking for her to guide your wine tasting as she is also very knowledgeable about the history of the winery as well as the surrounding area! read more

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Larkmead has a stunning property & beautiful wines. Our private tasting experience was beyond amazing. We toured the vineyards, the cellar, and ended up in an incredible room for our tasting which was accompanied with a cheese plate that paired exquisitely with the wine. Max, our wine educator was so knowledgeable and fun. We would love to return someday. Thank you Max for a wonderful afternoon. read more

The tasting room here is stunning - the wines are even better. There are a few reasons why I thought our tasting was the highlight of the 4 wineries we visited on our most recent trip. 1) They use Zalto glasses... are you kidding me?! 2) The wines are insanely good - like some of the best Napa cab's I've ever tried. I can't wait to try some of their wines with several years of bottle age. 3) Our host, Kim . She was very professional and had this wonderful friendly aura to her. She also shared some neat stories and was just an overall pleasure to sit with. 4) This is the first winery I've ever been to where their wine prices are LOWER than if you bought them elsewhere. I kid you not, every winery we've been to has their pricing higher or equal to what you can get on the market - not Larkmead! Highly, HIGHLY recommend! read more

An absolutely wonderful experience. Eric was great to deal with through booking, having to cancel, rebooking and he took care of our wine tasting as well. The setting is lovely, quiet, and comfortable. Wines are INCREDIBLE! Even during Covid (and the constant changes in rules) Larkmead is doing a great job in making things work and making us comfortable. Thanks for the great afternoon Eric. :) read more

Such a wonderful experience! We have Dave for our wine guide and although he's fairly new to the winery, he was a wealth of knowledge! This was our last stop in our trip, and was an experience to remember. They do a short tour of the winery and provide you with some great history of the family and land. Then you go into a room to do the tasting that looks like someone ripped a page out of a Restoration Hardware magazine. Beautiful hardware, light room/furniture, and huge windows that overlook the patio and vineyard. Truly magical. Although we bought a bottle of Can Sauv, they are known for their bold reds. This is a red wine lover's kind of place. They have wines that you can drink fairly soon, and a lot that you can try now before you cellar your purchase. So much potential in their wines. Highly recommend for true red wine lovers looking for a more intimate experience in the busy Napa Valley region. read more

The wines here are nothing spectacular but the place is absolutely beautiful. Our hostess, Katie, was wonderful. First she took us onto the quaint back porch to show us a map of their lands, which are quite extensive. Then she took us into the grapes and told us a little about the process. Next we went inside to do the actual tasting of the wines. Katie was very adorable and personable. She gave us time alone in a cute little tasting room to enjoy our wines and each other. She even brought us a fresh peach she had bought from a truck on the side of the road on her way in to work. Most delicious peach I've ever had. If you're looking for great wine, this isn't necessarily the best place for you. But if you're looking for a great experience, at a place with a rich history, I highly recommend Larkmead. Be sure to ask for Katie! read more

Larkmead Vineyards - Wineries Near Me - Calistoga, California

This vineyard was recommended to us when we had lunch at Solbar, and they really steered us in the right direction. We went here right after Frank Family, which with its overcrowded bar, I wasn't really a fan. Unfortunately we didn't have a reservation, but they were a little slow and were able to accommodate us. It's a very quaint building, nicely decorated without going over the top. We sat outside on the porch with a wonderful breeze going through. Our guide, whose name escapes me, was very knowledgeable about the wine and the history and made the experience very relaxing. It was our last stop and it was by far our favorite. The wine was amazing, they usually sell their grapes to the best vineyards in the valley. I really like their Syrah, but they said it was torn out last year and we were having some of the last. Joined the club, looking forward to my first shipment! read more

Great tour, first class, very private. The wines are very classic, as a Bordeaux, not crushing big fruit, more like a single note. Beautiful location, great host. Expensive at $75pp but a first class experience away from the masses read more

Heard so many wonderful things about this place and coming from Florida with the family on our once a year vacation together, we were very disappointed. No tour of the the place and we had a receptionist give us bits and pieces of information on the basic 2015 young wines. We were with family that are Wine members and pay $800 a year. This is how they treat members and guests. read more

Really sweet staff and amazing wines. Property is stunning. By appointment only so make sure to book in advance. read more

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The wine is excellent and how they treat you for a wine tasting is probably the best. There is a great patio area that over looks the vineyards So beautiful read more

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As a Firebelle member, I am quite happy with my wine however, I am extremely unhappy with its member handling side. Customer relation must be conducted professionally when communicating with customer. Vineyard's needs and affairs has little to do with why a member joined. An employee of the vineyard should care but it is irrelevant to me, as a member. Please, DO NOT FORGET, Larkmead isn't the only vineyard your members are member of. The lack of care, courtesy, and professionalism toward its customer is inexcusable. I am seriously consider cancelling my membership. read more

Disappointing experience visiting to pick up our wines after joining the wine club in June 2013. We were told that "if we were smart" we should buy the 2010 Cab. Also, on the website they stated the Tokai was available to taste but then arrived to find out that "we should have come up sooner". Additionally, the same exact stories were told to us by George in October as by Sonny in June with the same lines "we are about relationships, what do you do for a living?". Finally, we were told to call them to find out what wines would be in our shipment and "better keep your ears to the ground if you want our good stuff". The net net is the wines are nice and the grounds are beautiful but you would be better off to skip this place and the repetitive dog and pony show they put on. As wine club members we did not feel valued or appreciated. Really disappointing experience. Will not go back or buy Larkmead wines again. read more

Another AMAZING winery that is a must go-to if you are given the chance! You do need an appointment, but you will be glad that you did! Larkmead has learned how to do everything right! Their tasting room is set in an old-school style barn that has been remodeled with modern day luxuries. Upon arrival, we were instantly met by our private hostess, Katie, who set us up for an incredible wine experience. We were seated off to the main entrance in a solarium-type room that opened out to the neighboring grape vines and beautiful scenery. It is very intimate and private (which I appreciated) - versus some of the larger, commercial wineries. We had the full attention of our hostess, who talked us through each of their wines they were pouring. She also took us out into the vineyard where we were able to experience some of the grapes that were growing in the lots on site. A HUGE appreciation I have for Larkmead - is that they are also in the business for quality versus quantity. You aren't going to find a huge stock of their wines, which I have more recently learned, really leads to a better end product. The downside to this, obviously, is the price of their wines - which is on the higher end (the 2009 cabernet was $60). I would also pre-warn that their tasting fees are also a bit pricier - I think they were ~$40 per person, although for the experience and true quality of the wines - you can't beat it. Salut! read more

Spent an hour here on Sunday that I'll never get back with some pompous old fart that loves to hear himself talk. The wines are very good but beware the bait-and-switch tactics...the wine you want may not be available to you even as a club member. "Once you've been with us for a while" they might grant you access to items that are prominently displayed in their catalog and on their website. But don't hesitate! If you miss their "tickler" you will likely be out of luck. Better options abound. read more

Lovely, well crafted wines from one of the oldest vineyards in the Valley. The tasting room is lovely and understated in design, like walking into someone's parlor. The views from the winery are spectacular. We sell Larkmead in my shop - it's a brand you can count on for soft, well-structured, balanced red wines. read more

Sitting on the idyllic front porch for 10 minutes prior to a tasting is a delightful enough experience to make a Sunday memorable. This place is a sleeper. Some very good red wines and a very intimate and informative tasting presentation. It is low-key and quiet here, for mellow souls indeed. read more

Larkmead is the perfect place to taste. The setting is amazing. It's definitely the jewel of the Valley. It combines amazing wines and it doesn't have the tourist feel that most wineries have. My wife and I love it here. read more

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Loved our visit to Larkmead..! Beautiful property with views for days, unpretentious and extremely knowledgable host (tasting room manager, Erik), and absolutely stunning wines. I'd been wanting to go for ages and am so glad I finally did.. read more

I'm writing my first ever review 'update'. I stand by my first review, as it was accurate & without bias. However, I received an email from the GM of Larkmead after my first review, that seemed sincere about wanting to address my concerns. Perhaps my experience was an exception, tainted by the individual who was our host. As I said previously, Larkmead's wines are VERY good, so management attention is worth (at least) an extra star, so I've added one from orig. review. read more

I've waited almost two years to become an allocation member of Larkmead, and it was totally worth it. Out of so many wine connoisseurs & critics out there, I share similar tasting palate with Robert Parker, Wine Advocate.... (OK, that was totally arrogant of me...) and he rates majority of Larkmead especially their Cabs, LMV Salon and Solari in the high 96-98+. The Big 4 (the Le P's and Château of the world) really has nothing on Larkmead. Almost every Larkemead wines I've enjoyed since 2007 were truly fantastic and some of the best wines ever without breaking the bank. (Still pricy compared to other Napa Valley wines). Their winery has a rich history, and one of the most peaceful & serene spots you'll find in Calistoga. If you can sit down for a tasting with Sonny, you'll enjoy his wonderful stories & personality as much as you enjoy the wine. WARNING: Appointments only, so call ahead. I even feel that I get the cold shoulders as a member to pick up my shipment because they're really busy. The tasting fee is $$$ compared to many already overpriced Napa wineries. Bring a credit card. Avg. bottle will run you $70+. read more

One of the few places you need an appointment for in the area, but we got in at 2 pm on a Sunday by calling the morning of. Greeted by Matthew, we were then entertained for 40 minutes or so by his enthusiastic stories about "Firebell Lil," the San Francisco socialite who one of their excellent reds is named after and whose family bought the land up there. Even among some of the most fantastic real estate in the world, Larkmead's property stands out for having the best vineyard views in every direction (all still harvested by the family that has owned the land for the past 60 years). The tasting room is airy and clean, with off-white walls and lots of sunlight--a nice break from some of the darker, cavelike tasting spots in the Valley. The personal attention and really special wines will keep me going back for more! read more

Very poor private wine tasting. Not even a bread stick on the table. Very poor explanation of the wines. The person presenting poured some wine then left us alone for some time then returned poured more and left. The wine is expensive, which is ok, if the value is there. But we were served young wines, very tannic, that left a coating on the back of our palate. At $55 per person its a cheap tasting.....and that's what we got. (The day before we paid $75pp at another winery, revived good information, variety of wines, with breads, fruits, and cheeses to enjoy and compare with the wines. We spent almost $800 on wine to ship home!) read more

5 stars for wine and 2 stars for purchasing policy and tasting price. Total= 3.5 stars Great wine. Saying that I do wish you could just show up and purchase some wine. I just need a bottle or two. The tastings are very pricey $40. They will waive it if you purchase three. So if you are a party of two you pay $80 or purchase 6 bottles which can get expensive. But again great tasting wine. There are many other wineries that are cheaper than Larkmead and taste just or even better. Great view and the staff informative. read more

I would give Larkmead 4.5 stars if they let me but I will round up for them. Of all the vineyards we went to this was by far the most relaxing, peaceful, serene place we went to on our trip. Their patio is probably one of the best in Napa - it really couldn't have been more relaxing. The wines are amazing, as some have garnered upwards of 98 points, and are very delicious. They only sell on premises, so if you love something you need to buy it here. I said 4.5 stars only beause they can be a bit skimpy on the pours. Then again they are getting these super high scores and don't have a huge production number, so that probably explains why. That being said I would still come back here. 115/365 read more