Our hilltop tasting was amazing. Kira and Steven took really good care of us and we learned a lot from both of them. All of the wines we tasted were very good as well as the treats on our charcuterie board. We bought a bottle of our favorite wine which was the 2019 Yates Family Vineyards Cab. The winery grounds were very well kept and the views were spectacular. The gondola trips up and back down were the icing on the cake! read more

One of the better and fun wine experiences! Stunning views and an awesome gondola ride! The tour experience was fantastic. There was so much to see and so much history learned throughout. As someone who's slowly getting into wine, their tasting was incredible. It got better and better after each tasting. I ended up grabbing 3 bottles at the end because it was that good. Staff is very friendly and professional. I highly recommend touring this vineyard for a first time wine tasting and for newbies as well. read more

Sterling Vineyards - Wineries Near Me - Calistoga, California

Sterling Winery was such a beautiful and memorable experience! We visited on a drizzly day, which honestly made the experience even more magical. Taking the gondola ride up the mountain while the rain gently fell around us was absolutely beautiful and felt like a unique Napa Valley experience. Maurice was our host who was awesome! The setting is absolutely gorgeous, and it's the perfect place to slow down, enjoy a glass of wine, and take in the scenery. The staff were welcoming and made the experience even better. Highly recommend Sterling Winery to anyone visiting Napa Valley. The gondola ride, beautiful setting, and great wine make it a truly special place. Definitely worth the visit! read more

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Been a member of this vineyard since April 2026. The perks are really nice in comparison to other wine clubs in the region, including unlimited daily wine tastings for me and 6 other guests. I've brought guests 4x to this vineyard and they've all had a great time and really enjoyed the views and the property. The gondola is a great touch, and the whole winery is really beautiful from the outside looking in to even a whole wall of wines from each of the years it's been open. All the employees here are nice and really seem to enjoy their job, which adds a lot to the atmosphere. Cooper, in particular, had been spectacular. He has been sweet and accommodating since my first visit from helping me join the club, making reservations, and greeting me by my name anytime I visit. It really is a nice cherry on top of a really great experience already. I also met Jensen, Vic, Maurice, and Ariancili(?) and they are all super friendly and provide great service. The wine itself is obviously good. My out of town friends have all bought bottles to bring back home. The reserve wines are absolutely delicious. I've also been able to enjoy new wines they've introduced to me like the petite sirah and cabaret franc. I've done the sterling stroll and founders experience and can't recommend them enough. read more

Such a cute place to do wine tasting. There are different options to choose from and prices vary. My husband and I got the Sterling Stroll Experience for $55 which included a self-guided tour and tasting of 5 wines. All the wines were delicious. I did dock a star due to the fact that when we got to our third wine tasting, the sommelier did not acknowledge us. He just poured the wine in our cups. He was too busy talking to these women that were ahead of us. I love the idea of taking the gondola up. The views were amazing. Great photo opportunities. read more

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I visited Sterling Vineyards with my wife, and this place itself is beautiful. It feels like a mix between a mansion and a museum, and walking through it almost made me feel like I was Charlie touring Wonka's factory. There's so much to see, and the gondola ride was absolutely worth it. The views alone made the trip even special, but what really surprised me was how good the wine and hospitality were. Everyone we met was incredibly friendly, genuine, and knowledgeable. They knew their wine, but they also had a great sense of humor. They mentioned they were running a little low on white wines, so I only got to try one. Honestly, I wasn't disappointed for long because the white was fresh, crisp, and really refreshing. It had a clean finish and just enough fruitiness without being too sweet. The reds really surprised me. They had more depth and flavor than I expected. One wine had been opened a little early, and they were honest about it, explaining how it tasted then and how it could change with more time. I actually enjoyed that because it helped me notice the differences between the wines. They even pointed out where the grapes came from, and being able to connect the wine in my glass to the actual vineyard made the experience feel pretty special. Between the gondolas, the views, the behind-the-scenes tour, the wine, and especially the people, Sterling Vineyards was a fantastic experience. read more

Sterling Vineyards - Cabernet Sauvignon - Wineries Near Me - Calistoga, California

I'm so glad we found this place. Amazing experience from start to finish. This winery is kinda tucked away with a tree lined street guiding you in. Once you arrive, you purchase tickets to take a gondala up to your tasting experience and then take your glass on a self guided tour of the winery with amazing views as you sip your way through. Everyone we encountered was nice and knowledgable about the wine making experience and then the tour ends at the gift shop where you drop off your glass and take the gondala back down. read more

Sterling Vineyards - Wineries Near Me - Calistoga, California

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An experience like no other in Napa Valley. Definitely a bucket list item to ride a gondola up to a winery and it's a good alternative for those who are unwilling to ride on a hot air balloon. You start by checking in at the bottom of the hill. You then take the gondola up to the winery where you'll start with a white wine. We then proceeded to go on a walking tour where we were able to learn more about the long history of Sterling Vineyards. Along the way we were able to take in arguably the best views in all of the valley while enjoying wine that started from grapes that were grown in the vineyards below. We enjoyed our time in the family friendly section but there is a private and secluded section for a 21+ crowd. read more

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What a lovely experience we had today. Beautiful weather, friendly service, amazing views that included sights of other vineyards. On a Friday, by way of the east bay, we made our way to Sterling Vineyards. Parking is ample. Check in is at the front upon entering along with the gondola and a shared restroom with individual stalls. While checking in for our chosen experience, we received our drink rings and tasting menu. The gondola is to left of check in, where we proceeded to after using the restroom (to the left of the gondola entrance). The gondola experience was quiet, smooth and scenic. At the gondola's end is the entrance to Sterling Vineyards. You are met with breathtaking views and vintage bells that ring every 15 minutes. The current gondola is the third installation since the vineyards opening. The installation occurred following the fires in 2020 that burned majority of the vineyard and its estate. At the first tasting, you receive your glass for majority of the tour. Here is where the ring received at check in goes on the stem of your glass. The gentlemen at this station are incredibly funny and was a treat to engage with. The older gentleman sung to Ashanti's sister for her birthday along with Zach Bryan. I'll be back for the oyster event in August, told him I'd like a song for my birthday - he said he'd be there. Can't wait! Wish I got his name...you know who you are! The tasting tour is self guided. Our experience was a tasting of six with the first three wines provided while walking, the last three were provided on the terrace with our charcuterie. Diego was the absolute best. He shared a lot of himself in the experience which I welcomed, he truly personalized our experience allowing it to be more authentic than business orientated. STERLING PLEASE START TO BOTTLE AND SELL THE BLOOD ORANGE HOUSEMADE JAM...PUHLEEZZZZZZ!!!! Kudos to the new chef, hers or his ingenuity is brilliant. We did not want the jam to end. The blood orange housemade jam is a sweet citrusy, blood orange jam with heat. It is the perfect ying yang pairing for anything and everything. Seriously! I'm SO EXCITED to see what else the amazing, newest chef of Sterling Vineyards has to offer...I'm ready to indulge in your imagination on a plate. Need a volunteer tester...I'm her!!! At the end of the tour (where the first tasting began), is a set of stairs directly in front. The stairs led to the Wine Gift Shop where there were wines, candles, cutting boards, assorted glassware, travel mugs in an assortment, edible goods, candies, tasting rooms, water fountain and restrooms. Here is where I signed up for membership with Sterling. The Sterling Vineyards Membership offers four membership tiers ranging in price of $185 to $400 per release. Releases occur five times a year (Feb, Apr, Jun, Oct, Dec) and members are required to honor three of the five release dates per year to maintain membership. Each release is customizable with the exception of a purchased gift membership. Shipments can be shipped for a flat rate ($25) or picked up. Pick ups offer access to ten complimentary tastings (for up to six people) in a tasting room and/or a walking self guided tasting. Birthday, anniversary, girls trip, boys trip, just because (as we did) any reason is a great reason to come, visit, experience the landscape, staff, service, food and winery of Sterling Vineyards. read more

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Sterling absolutely lives up to it's name! The property is Sterling, such a beautiful place and the wine was exceptional. The people pouring are very knowledgeable and the quantity of people there (they were very busy) did not compromise their service. Me and my party had a really lovely tasting and I would recommend this spot to anyone in town. read more

Sterling Vineyards - Wineries Near Me - Calistoga, California

Sterling Vineyards is one of Napa Valley's most iconic vineyards. Its biggest draw is the gondola which takes you from the parking lot to the tasting room. When you get to the gondola, you purchase your preferred tasting and then get on the free gondola. During the three minute ride you'll see tons of sheep; we were told there were 1,200 of them. Our tasting ($55) consisted of five wines. You do a self-guided tour for the tastings and most of them are outdoors. During your walking tour you see the fermentation tanks with nice views of the vineyards and the valley. You'll also learn about the wine-making process and a history of the vineyards. We didn't have a reservation but we were able to walk up for our group of six on a Saturday afternoon with no issues. The tour can be as quick or as slow as you want since you walk at your own pace. It's minutes away from Castello di Amorosa so it's a good group of vineyards to go for a wine tasting tour. read more

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Such a beautiful winery. I had such a wonderful & amazing experience. This is one of the nicest wineries I've been to in Napa. I really Enjoyed taking the gondola up to the winery. We did the Hilltop Experience. Beautiful views & gorgeous terrace. Tried 5 tastings. 2025 Sauvignon Blanc Calistoga 2025 Unoaked Chardonnay Carneros 2019 Cabernet Franc Calistoga 2019 Cab Sauvignon Petersen Ranch 2018 CabeSauvignon Yates Family Vineyard. I enjoyed all the tastings but my favorite was the Sauvignon Blanc & both the Cabs. The charcuterie board was ok. I was expecting a bit more. We ordered two charcuteries. It consisted of 4 cheeses: Myer Lemon & Honey Goat Cheese, Wagon wheel from Cowgirl Creamery of Petaluma, 5Qs Sherry-Cask Aged Sheeps Cheese, & Aged Gouda. Also Sterling Salami from Panevino out of St. Helena and the Sopressata-Tempesta & House Pickles & Seasonal Jam. The jam was really good & loved the Gouda. They also had popcorn which I Really enjoyed. Definitely come check this vineyard out. Staff were friendly. read more

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I've heard good things about this vineyard especially their gondola ride to the top. This winery is nestled up on a hill in Calistoga with stunning viewings and an amazing gondola ride. My friend and I had the Sterling Stroll for $55 a person that include 5 wines: their 2025 Sauvignon Blanc, 2019 Cabernet Franc, 2022 Reserve Red Blend, 2019, Cabernet Sauvignon, and their 2024 Malvasia Bianca. There are 4 stations throughout the property to taste each wine and we were able to see the containers and vessels used for making the wine, and video slides and signs giving the taster a more detailed look at the wine process. I enjoyed strolling through their property and sipping wine and learning about Sterling Vineyards. Our fifth stop was the gift shop which we were served the Malvasia Bianca, a crisp refreshing dessert wine. It does get crowded with the Sterling Stroll experience, so check out their seated tastings for a more intimate setting. The gondola ride is breathtaking and an amazing aerial view of Calistoga. Be sure to check out the Ansel Adams photograph gallery in the gift shop and in the hallway going towards the founders tasting room. read more

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This review is LONG overdue. Sterling Vineyards is definitely giving tourist trap energy. The gondola ride? Super cute. The views? Gorgeous. The property? Basically built for Instagram pics. I will say, the welcome bubbles were actually a really nice touch and probably the best way to kick off the tour. But the wine after that... it was mehhhh. Also, our experience started off kinda weird because the girl at the front desk seemed like she absolutely did not want to be there that day. She had a little attitude with our group and came off kinda condescending for no reason. Thankfully the tour is self guided so once you're past that, you can just wander around at your own pace and enjoy the scenery. Overall, pretty place for photos and vibes, but there are way better wineries out there if you actually care about the wine. read more

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STUNNING views, beautiful gondola ride to the vineyard. We did the self guided wine tasting and it was great, each pourer was very educated in the wine they were offering. We came on a Saturday morning at 11:30am and it was very busy. I'd recommend reserving ahead of time, if possible. read more

Sterling Vineyards - Wineries Near Me - Calistoga, California

You get to go on a gondola and get wine throughout your journey here which is pretty amazing. There are some views and the staff are pretty nice. I was here a little while ago, and forgot to write the review so trying to remember some more, but overall the wine was good. One of the nicer wineries to visit. read more

My sister and I had such a great time at Sterling Vineyards. The last time I visited was before the fire, and the remodel is absolutely beautiful. The gondola ride up is breathtaking and the views of Napa are unreal. It's crazy how beautiful it is up there. The gondola itself is really spacious and comfortable. The ticket includes a self-guided tour with about four stops where you get to taste a variety of wines, and it all ends on the rooftop with incredible views. All pours were a good size and the wine servers were very knowledgeable and friendly. This is such a great place to visit, especially if you have out-of-town family or friends. The wine was good, but honestly, the ride and the views were the highlight for me. read more

Sterling Vineyards - Wineries Near Me - Calistoga, California

Sterling Vineyards was easily my favorite stop of my birthday trip. The gondola ride up the hill was the perfect start! It was a self guided tour so we really got to take our time exploring the property. Service was excellent throughout our visit. The staff was welcoming, knowledgeable, and made the experience feel relaxed rather than rushed. They took time to explain the wines and pairings, which I really appreciated. read more

Sterling Vineyards - Wineries Near Me - Calistoga, California

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I'm no wine expert, but I enjoyed the setting. The aerial tram was a highlight, and the kids absolutely loved it! read more

Sterling Vineyards - I'm no wine expert, but I enjoyed the setting. The aerial tram was a highlight, and the kids absolutely loved it! - Wineries Near Me - Calistoga, California

What a cool experience! I'm by no means a vineyard pro, but Sterling had such an interesting format that I'm sure this is one of the more unique ways to enjoy vineyards. Most of the facility is higher up, so there's a gondola to take visitors up over the property. It's a short and pretty ride with well maintained and clean machinery (there's even a phone mount you can use to take group selfies!). I liked how there's a walk through their facility (like seeing the machinery where the grapes are fermented, etc) to get to each wine tasting. And there were lots of signs with educational information to learn about the process too. The highlight was a gorgeous terrace overlooking the land where cheeses were served along with the wine. The staff team were super nice and weren't pushy at all with trying to sell the wine. Beautiful stop! Even as someone who doesn't drink alcohol, it was still a fun visit :) read more

Excellent and fun experience Tour the winery with wine tasting at your own leisure So guide needed When you reach to a tasting station, you were given your pour with the explanation of the wine you are tasting . They have good wines that you cannot find at the lock store Great place and easy tour read more

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My parents have been members here for a few years, and they finally took me when I had a day off from work :) The gondola and the views really make the experience, especially when you visit on a day with nice weather (but I guess that applies to most places). There's a dedicated member parking lot and a decent-sized lot for non-members. We checked in at the ticket booth before boarding the short gondola ride, which can reasonably fit 6 people (max 400lbs I think). We booked the self-guided tour tasting, but there are more stationary options too lol. We walked throughout their winery (I wouldn't recommend heels) and stopped at various spots for tastings to learn about their winemaking process and history. The staff was delightful, and we especially enjoyed the sweeter wine at the end in the gift shop (I am clearly a sommelier). The rooftop is perfect for photos and although there was plenty of people, it didn't feel too crowded as groups naturally moved onto the next tasting stop. My favorite was the long hallway of their wine labels from nearly every year since their founding in 1964. So cool to read up on their history behind each design and how that wove into their timeline to their success today. I look forward to coming back to try a different tasting experience! read more

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I came with my wife for her birthday and I have to say. It was an informative and enjoyable wine tasting session. You start off taking a gondola ride to the top of the property where the tasting rooms are and you get a nice view of Napa and the property. From there they tell you which way to go based on the color of your card. Someone escorted us to our table with a glass of wine to start the journey. After receiving the rundown, I didn't know that as a New York native, where you grew up could potentially impact what kind of wine that you like. I usually lean towards rieslings which apparently are much more common in colder areas. We did the Hilltop experience. Our Sommelier not only broke that down for us but also let us try a couple of different wines that aligned with our taste buds. The charcuterie board was great as well, especially the cheeses. There was one local one that we tried that I can't remember the name but I'll be sure to ask for f extra the next time I go. All in all, I would return and try the founders experience. read more

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Sean was our guide and he was amazing! It was our first time wine tasting ever and he made the experience comfortable as beginners! I'm not sure if I like wine yet though haha, definitely an acquired taste. Great experience though! read more

Sterling Vineyards - Hilltop wine tasting - Wineries Near Me - Calistoga, California

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Molly was absolutely amazing. Such a great experience all around. Great setup and over the top amazing customer service here. 100% recommend to literally anyone read more

Sterling Vineyards - views - Wineries Near Me - Calistoga, California

Wonderful and welcoming staff from Check in through Gondola, tastings, and back out. At first I was concerned that we weren't going to enjoy the tasting experience because of the crowds but once we got to our seated tasting experience we had loads of fun. The tastings were yummy, the cheese selections were perfect, and the weather and view from atop could not have been better. read more

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Did a wine tasting here with a charcuterie board. Honestly this place was amazing. The gondola ride up to the main area was a cool way to get a good view of the vineyard. The staff was super knowledgeable and very friendly. Ended up walking around after to see different parts that you would see on the walking tour as well. The wine we tried was very good and ended up going home with a couple bottles. Will be back for sure. read more

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Quality/Quantity - More guests visiting us, so Napa here we come (again). Rarely do I do back to back reviews, but I think this positive visit deserves more attention. Today we did the Tour & Terrace Experience for $85 per person. $25 for minors and designated drivers. We only spent 1 minute on the Terrace due to the weather. No need to even take pictures... The cheese plate was good also and you can ask for cracker refills. They gave us two cheese plates for our group of 7. Overall, the experience was very positive. Atmosphere - Beautiful job with the remodel and the new tram. You almost have everything new. Plenty of parking on this rainy day, again. But we did make reservations this time. Mandatory gondola rides now. In the past (am I out dating myself?), you were allowed to drive up to the tasting room. The ride is approximately 5 minutes. Open 7 days a week from 10:30am to 4:30pm. The last tasting is at 5:30pm. And I believe the last gondola rides back down at 6:30pm. Service - Everyone was friendly and welcoming except for the person working the checking counter in the parking lot. She was short with us the last visit also, but actually warmed up today as we talked with her. She was short with our guests who ended up paying for today's tasting. But because our guest was so nice, he just walked it off. The rest of the team, from the 3-4 pouring stations and the tasting room were all exceptionally jolly, positive, and welcoming! Never felt rushed. On our way out, they gave us new and clean wine glasses. And two charcuterie boards! Thank you. Price - Our guest paid/treated; thank you. But it was $85 per person for the tasting and $25 for non drinkers and minors. Owner Comment - Congrats on your success since 1964. 1969 - First vintage. 1971 - Construction begins on the tasting room, production, etc. 1978 - Expands vineyard, acquisitions. 1985 - Expands vineyard, acquisitions. 2016 - Major remodel. 2020 - Napa Valley glass fire... 2023 - Reopening; more modern and even more beautiful. read more

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Loved the gondola ride up and walking through the facility, it's a really nice self-guided tour that you walk from station to station. You can enjoy the views along the way and learn about how their wine is made. read more

Sterling Vineyards - Wineries Near Me - Calistoga, California

Such a great visit! I hadn't been here in a few years and this was the best visit I had! My group loved the gondola ride to the tasting station at the top. Great views all around. And we used this as our "lunch stop" and pre ordered the cheese and meat trays to go with the various tastings. The woman that took us through the wines was amazing and went out of her way to accommodate the person in our group who doesn't care for red wine. And the check out process to ship wines home was simple and quick! At first I was skeptical about needing all these reservations as it took work to set it all up. But in the end, I really think it's the way to go as you have the full attention of the staff during your time, which in the past was more of a frenzied mess. As we rode the gondola back down the hill, we all remarked what a special experience Sterling is!! read more

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We had an amazing experience at Sterling! Great wines and tour! The gondola ride up and back down made it so memorable!

Highlights by far was our gondola ride to hill top wine tasting experience. The view was spectacular!!! Jesus was very patient with our group of 6 that were already happy from our precious winery visit. He made sure to explain each wine, the history of the winery and offer tastings to additional wine. read more

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First time visiting due to recommendations in tik tok. The pros - Most amazing gondola ride of the stunning vineyards. Beautiful for capturing the scenery Wine was decent especially the cabs Cons Interior old nothing to write about Some of the wines were just ok The price is a bit high for the tasting Recommend doing it once for the gondola ride read more

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We LOVED our experience here from start to finish! It was difficult to find a vineyard to accommodated/had availability for a large group but booking a reservations was super easy here. Our group of 13 opted for the self guided Sterling Stroll and there were so many time slots available. Just note that you have to pay in advance when booking but as soon as you get there, you just check in and you're good to go. Our friends were also running a bit late so the worker in front helped up move our reservation back 15 minutes to wait for everyone :) First of all, the drive into the venue was so beautiful and picturesque. We had to ride the gondola up and it was amazing! We even saw a family of deer on our way back down. For the Sterling Stroll, we were given 5 glasses of wine (two whites, 3 red). I really enjoyed the white wines, especially the last one. At each of the tasting areas, the workers explained the history of each wine and it was so interesting to learn about them and how they differed from the previous glass. There are SO many great picture spots and we even got the keep the crystal wine glass at the end. I will say, I wish there were more seating areas but other than that, it was a great experience overall. Thank you Sterling Vineyards! read more

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The staff is very friendly and attentive. Definitely would recommend. The gondola ride was a plus. read more

Very good go to white wine and dessert wine for tourists and for members to bring in friend and family for tour. Red wine it self, not so much since we are so much red wine.. Experience with gondola is always great tasting for very affordable price for $55 (starting) Kids friendly. As of May 2026 they changed their long time routine you cannot keep the glass. You have to return it. Overall nice view and affordable for good white wine. read more

Sterling Vineyards - Wineries Near Me - Calistoga, California

Are you looking for an experience, Delicious wine, great views, and gained knowledge, this is the winery for you! From the gandola to the wall of wine vintages as you walk to the 4th stop. All wines were delicious but of course I had my favorites. I loved walking the grounds and being immersed. Each tender was very friendly and welcoming. The gift shop was pretty edgy. Definitely recommend. Pro tip: Stay hydrated read more

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Araceli was very informative and helpful. John at Tasting was amazing and was very informative for the beginning part of our stroll. read more

Sterling Vineyards - Wineries Near Me - Calistoga, California

It turns out that visiting Napa with children is somewhat unusual. There are many articles online about "wineries that allow children" which was very helpful and it was one of those that led me to Sterling Vineyards. The option that allows children is the Sterling Stroll, a self-guided tour that includes 5 pours for $55/adult and $25/child. The $25 child's admission includes a children's pack, with a plain black drawstring backpack (they really should brand this!), a pair of kids sunglasses, a bag of chips, and a little Martinelli's apple cider. All include a ride up (and back down) to the hilltop winery in the aerial gondola, which is one of the highlights of the trip. Each party gets it's own gondola, which is a pleasant ten minute ride. On the way up, you get to take in lovely views of the property and the valley. Once you get to the top, you are given an empty wine glass and begin your self-guided tour around the facility with designated stops for pours. You receive specific pours at each spot and it started with reds and moved to whites, with a delicious dessert wine for the final pour. The tour has you meandering throughout the building at your own pace. There are some placards and TV screens, but nowhere as educational, as say, a placard at a national park though I doubt anyone cares. The stroll ends at an outdoor seating area with great views. I don't think that the Sterling Stroll customers are actually allowed to sit at the patio and instead can only walk around the perimeter. That is my only suggestion - that there are more seating areas for the Stroll. You're basically on your feet the whole time and that causes you to drink quite quickly because there is nowhere to stop, sip, or even put your glass down. At the end, you are permitted to take home your stemmed Riedel, Sterling branded wine glasses as a keepsake which we opted not to do because we were flying home. When you're ready, you take the aerial gondola back down. We liked trying the wines at Sterling and it was truly appreciated that the winery had an option that accommodated children. read more

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Our party of 4 visited on a Sunday afternoon. We did not have a reservation. I was able to call about 90 minutes before and they were able to get us in. The Gondola ride is super fun and cute. Service was very good. Everyone was very welcoming and inclusive. This time of year the tasting is mostly red wine. Not my favorite but the experience was good and we ended our tasting with a refreshing sparkling wine. Great experience especially if you want to learn more about wines in the region. read more

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