Each wine that we tasted gave off a different vibe and transported you. If you want to visit a winery with delicious wines that make an impact while overlooking fantastic views, this is the winery for you! The first wine, DARE Cabernet Franc, was bright, fruity, and fun. It's a wine that I would be excited to bring to a dinner party because it would impress and please almost anyone's palate. The next wine we tried was the VIADER "Signature" blend. This is their flagship wine that put them on the map. When Delia {the winery owner} originally planted her vines most of the wine community said she was crazy. "The crazy lady at the top of the hill they used to call me" she says. When Delia purchased the property she decided to plant a Cabernet Franc vineyard on a 1,375ft elevation, 32% slope. Alan {Delia's son, vineyard manager, and winemaker} showed us how they carefully picked the grapes on such a slope. The pickers have to drag their leg down the hill while harvesting to keep their balance. To give you a little context 1,375ft elevation and 32% slope is a double diamond ski slope. So when sipping this wine not only do you enjoy the deliciously rich flavors, but you are enjoying wine from an incredibly unique place and vineyard. The terroir expresses itself in the glass leaving your palate full of vivacious flavors. The wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc and the percentages shift each year depending on the vintage. Only the best lots go into Viader creating the liquid cashmere quality they are known for. Our third wine of the day was the Viader Black Label. This is Alan's version of Viader. It was great to see the difference in the wines. One wine is more Delia's palate and the other more Alan's. The Viader Black Label had some more robust characteristics than the flagship Viader. Mostly made up Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Syrah, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec, it was a vibrant and intense wine. Alan used 4-5 different yeasts, sometimes allowing the native yeast to take off and inoculating later to ensure more of a terroir presence in the wine. A spicy, robust, and delicious wine, Alan's blend can be served with a steak or spicy and bold dishes like those from his wife's home country of Colombia. Alan really put his imprint on his wine, a little more extraction, a little more oak infusion, and his first solo project as a winemaker. The final wine of the day was their unreleased Homenaje. This wine spoke to me for so many reasons. It had incredible fruit and complexity, with so much love behind it. The Homenaje was created to pay homage to the previous generations of Viader. Alan's grandfather, his mother Delia, and Viader Vineyard and Winery's 30-year anniversary. Alan says, "I want to show where we are now and where we have been in this wine." The blend is made up of predominately Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, with a small amount of Cabernet Franc and Petite Verdot. They did a lot of phenolic sampling up to harvest to ensure they had a high color, high tannin, and good longevity filled wine. This new blend is something completely different for them. Alan interned in Mendoza, Argentina - the Malbec capitol of the world, and now he is bringing his passion for Malbec to the family brand. "I've embraced Cabernet Franc, but have been dabbling in Malbec and that is where my passion lies, like her {Delia} with Cabernet Franc. I wanted to make a statement too." Alcohol + tannins + acid = a harmonious wine. This wine embodies all of that and packs a delicious punch. Notes of dark fruit, smoky complexity, and a supple finish - the Homenaje blend will make the Viader family proud. Incredible wines, incredible people, and incredible views. Viader is a MUST visit in Napa Valley. read more

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Viader is a small family winery on Howell Mountain. Jenny was our host for our trip back during Columbus Day weekend. She was very friendly and knowledgeable about the wine she was serving and the property it came from. Estate grown fruit so all the wine we got to taste was incredible. Tasting room overlooks their vineyards so you will have a great view the whole time and a nice tour of their underground cave. It is definitely worth a visit! read more

Small family owned vineyard. Our host Jenny was very welcoming and knowledgeable. They only do a few tastings a day and most days one group at a time so the experience is intimate. Beautiful setting. Some great wines that can't be found at retail. After visiting some of the larger vineyards this was our favorite. read more

We are not newbies to the valley and prefer the smaller wineries and private tastings. This was the last winery of our visit and my friend was so excited to bring us here. We drive up to this beautiful spot and are not at all let down by that beautiful view. The woman who was helping us said we were sitting inside. We asked if we could sit outside since it was a beautiful day and perfect weather, and we really wanted to enjoy the view. She seemed to get aggravated by this and had to clean a table outside. She kept making comments about how the sun will beat down on their necks, the yellow jackets would come out and eat the meat,etc. We also got the sense that she didn't like us and we felt very awkward. What was worse, is that she would sit there and try and make small talk, when it was obvious that she didn't want to. Just a small hint.... She may enjoy this weather and view every day but we don't. We come to the valley to enjoy all it has to offer and want to relax and enjoy the time, soaking it all up. I'd rather someone pour the wine and leave us, especially if they are not the entertaining type. Did we like the wines? Does it even matter? read more

Viader is one of our favorite wineries in napa, we have been members for almost 10 years and it forever has a special place in our heart. Love their Cab franc, Cashmere and V , breathtaking view and very friendly owner. read more

This was one of the best tasting experiences we had while in Napa. Viader is a family owned winery and we've been enjoying their wines since I can remember! Roman, their head of Hospitality and Allocations was truly remarkable. He shared the story of the winery, toured us through the caves and did a fabulous cheese, chocolate, charcuterie and wine pairing. We cannot rave enough about this fabulous tasting. In the morning it was chilly so they had blankets for us to keep ourselves warm as we sat outside and peered over the Saint Helena Resevoir and the vineyards. It was a truly unforgettable experience and I would highly recommend visiting to anyone who can get themselves up Howell Mountain. read more

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Viader is a totally great winery visit! Do yourself a favor, make an appointment and enjoy this great spot! It is difficult to say which we enjoyed most. The staff, the views, the tour, or their wines. OK, it was the wines, but the others were incredibly close seconds! The location is truly wonderful with the winery and tasting room offering tremendous views of their hillside vineyards. Our tour was beautiful and by luck our highlight was getting to taste the new Petit Verdot (our favorite varietal) in the tank! 2018 is definitely going to be a special vintage! The atmosphere is delightfully comfortable and the staff very knowledgeable about the family, history, grapes, land, and most importantly their wines! While we enjoy all the Viader wines our favorites are their 'V', which is a blend heavy on Petit Verdot and their Proprietary Red! We stocked up on a couple of vintages for our cellar. A great mountain visit for certain and an immediate favorite! read more

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Of course our 2017 trip to Napa/Sonoma included a stop at Viader. Again, we were not disappointed. We made a Tuesday morning appointment for six. We were the first to arrive - Ian poured a taste of the cab (I think) and headed to the winery, caves, and crush pad for the tour portion. Ian set us up on the balcony/patio for our tasting. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a photo of our tasting list for reference. Honestly, we LOVE their "liquid cashmere" and "V". Everything else is good, but we come for the other two offerings. Ian set us up with a great cheese board that went quickly - some of our guests even stopped at the local cheese store to pick up some of the offerings. Then for our taste of the "liquid cashmere" we had an awesome chocolate plate). Like always, the cashmere was great. Ian pulled a bottle of the "V" so we could taste...it's mesmerizing. As you can read in my prior reviews of Viader, I love it - so much so that I proposed to my (now) wife here. If you like Napa Cabs, go to Viader. Unfortunately, they really only offer reds/Bordeaux blends. So, if you want a wider variety (whites, roses, sparkling), try to include some other wineries on your visit (but still try to check out Viader for what Napa is known for. The winery is located up Howell Mountain - you will likely not have cell service on the way up and at the winery...FYI. Our 2017 Napa/Sonoma trip included Hamel Family Wines, Viader, Schramsberg, Neyers, and Lewis Cellars. Check out my reviews of the others for some comparisons. read more

Delia Viader (who we did not meet) is an entrepreneur and grape grower/winemaker par excellence. Her wines are for grown ups- require aging and patience. Jenny Lee was our host- excellent and knowledgeable. I joined their club as a result. Thanks for a great afternoon! We'll be back. read more

Love, love, love Viader! Besides having amazing wine, the story of the winery is even cooler. Being a woman run business and planting the vines on a hill, which is so untraditional to Napa wineries is so cool and unique. Did you know that every bottle is hand labeled? What a personal touch...though exhausting to them, I'm sure! Amazing, rich wines. We joined the wine club and can't wait to try some wine club only wines. The Liquid Cashmere is AMAZING!! Any vintage, though the 2011 was my favorite. The view is breathtaking, the tasting room is quaint and feels like you are sitting in someone's home. Janet Viader and Pablo were our hosts and taught us so much about their process, as well as made as feel very at home. Viader is at one of the most Northern points of the Napa Valley region, so plan for extra driving to get here, but it is well worth it! Thank you for a great visit, Janet and Pablo! read more

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I went on a private bus tour of napa with some friends and this was our first stop. The place is a bit of a hike, but way worth it. The property has a small tasting room, with a wrap around balcony . The view of the valley was incredible. I had never had Viader wine before and I was really impressed with their line. Prices started at $40 and went up to $100 a bottle. Very limited production and you wont find these wines in SafeWay! If you get the chance to stop by, I don't think you will be disappointed. *UPDATE 12/15* I attended the holiday open house and it was just perfect. I love the fact that this is really a family operation! Everyone really out did themselves and the food was such a nice touch. I know it's a bit out of the way, but I think this place is great!! read more

Very few people know about Viader unless you really know about wine. It seems you have to kind of special to even get an appointment. Either way, I feel lucky to have been to Viader. The wine is top notch for sure. And the views are spectacular. The best time of the day is late afternoon/dusk, as you sip their wine and watch the sun set over the vines and hills. Really makes you forget about the world... read more

Great vineyard, but careful with the membership! We visited this vineyard in August of 2019, and had a wonderful experience and loved the wine. Our favorite part of the experience was the beautiful view from the vineyard and the property. Unfortunately, we can't say the same for the experience following our visit. We recalled placing a one-time order for wine, and after receiving our initial shipment, were then sent a second shipment. We inquired with the vineyard, regarding the extra shipment as well as charges (as good as the wine is, it is somewhat pricey in our opinion). We received a quick response from the owner, stating they would get back to a shortly, and never did. I followed up stating we had not received any communication, and they stated they had sent me an email and that perhaps it was in my junk folder (never found it ). They sent us copies of the forms we signed at the vineyard, none of which disclosed any recurring charges or membership requirements. By this time, our only choice would be to dispute it with our credit card, or simply enjoy the additional $900 worth of wine (6 bottles, which again for us is slightly pricey, despite being wonderful wine). We decided to let it go and not dispute it. While I would recommend the wine and the vineyard for the experience, I would recommend caution with regards to signing up for any membership and making sure that all details are disclosed! Most other vineyards we visited during our Napa trip, had more clear communications and policies regarding purchase requirements and membership requirements. read more

We had a wonderful tasting experience here: amazing views, a sweet and informative guide (the Boise native whose name I can't recall!) and truly fabulous wines! Can't wait to get home and receive our shipment. Oh, and the cheese and chocolate bark (made by a DIL) was also wonderful. read more

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This is a really nice winery, but we have had better wines on the mountain. The view and caves are beautiful, and I can appreciate the small run family business, but the wines fall short of their high price range. For the cost of the tour and tasting I felt like we over paid for the experience and wines we tasted. I wouldn't go back to this winery anytime soon. read more

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After reading all of the reviews, I was expecting much more. Yes, the wines are tasty and of a high quality. But the tasting (no tour) is very expensive ($100) for the small amount of wine that is provided. I think there were only three or four wines on the tasting menu, the pours are very small and they aren't exactly generous when you ask to try any of them again. For the price, I expect much more. In fact, it was the most expensive of the four appointment-only tastings we had that day for the smallest amount of wine. A real disappointment. There are simply many greater options in Napa County and even on the mountain with comparable wine for a more reasonable tasting fee. I would not recommend or return. read more

Do not skip this vineyard if you're in Napa! Reservations are needed so plan ahead, it's worth it! The staff is very, very friendly and knowledgable about the history, the family, and the wine. And the wines are great! I can't say enough about the views! Located on Howell mountain overlooking the valley. Beautiful! read more

Viader Vineyards & Winery - View from vineyard - Wine Tours Near Me - Deer Park, California

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Simply put, Viader has become the lowest bottom of the benchmark. And it didn't help that I went here after Cain, which I think is currently at the top in terms of winery visit experience. $35 per person, non-sharable, pre-paid. So we spent $70 and what did we get? A shady outdoor table with tons of fruit flies invading the spitting pot and crackers. And one big slimy dog that kept bothering you. And the staff emphasizing glorious awards from the past, almost a decade ago, implying that today's wines are nowhere near how they used to be. We didn't even finish the entire flight and fled the place. Few days later, I had to check my credit card statement to see if it really costed that much. And, yep, they really charged that $70. Sigh. read more

On our second visit to Napa after seeing a dozen of wineries, this was our lowest point so far. The most blah experience. A lot of "the firsts" for me. The first time we had to wait 20 min in front of the closed gate to get into the property. The first time i felt like no one really cared that we actually showed up. The first time while in Napa I felt like I wanted to leave the place 10 min after getting there. It seems like they float by the reputation of the wine and the great views from the winery. The views are truly great. The wine varies from ok to good to very good depending on the bottle. We bought 3 bottles to cover their absolutely ridiculous $50 per person tasting fee and left to never come back read more

Ok, WHERE are all of these amazing reviews coming from? Maybe it was the hype. I was so excited to try more Howell Mountain stuff, and it didn't deliver. AT ALL. My husband and I were also there when some celebrity was there (someone from Sex and the City...not 100% positive who since I never watched it, but not any of the main characters), so we were kind of getting ignored, even though we paid $75 a tasting for the reserve. The cheese platter seemed like such an afterthought, and they never brought us water, which is necessary if you try the V. It will strip you of your saliva. Not worth the price in the least. For a blend that costs $150 a bottle, I should want to live in bottle and chug it as soon as a taste it, and I didn't get that. However, the view is one of the best I've ever seen. I would never go back because I quite frankly hated the wine, but I'm perfectly happy to drive there and just look at the view of the valley from the tasting room. read more

We live in San Francisco and brought friends visiting from Boston for a few days through Napa. Viader was a definite highlight. We were supposed to be visiting (with different friends) two weeks prior, but the fires changed those plans and we couldn't visit. I appreciated the information I was given on the call when our first visit was cancelled--of course, we were sad and concerned for what was happening in the area and to the people. The call was very upfront with what they were facing at Viader and we vowed we would come when we could to support the wineries and Napa/Sonoma. Ian was our guide and was terrific...very friendly, personable, and loaded with knowledge and stories. The Viader "story" is really interesting and we loved hearing how Delia started the winery and the ups and downs they've experienced. The wine was delicious and unique. For some reviewers who stated the tasting is expensive, I have to say...we felt the price was very fair and the overall experience and wine value were on par with small, family run wineries. The whole experience felt quite private and personal--we were very happy. We were also lucky enough to meet and chat with Alan Viader, winemaker (and son of founder Delia) and the Director of Operations for Viader. He could have been "stand-offish"--you know, we were just another tour--but he was so friendly, shared so much information on the business of winemaking and how he got started, more about the family and the technology there were using at Viader. Huge 'thank yous' Alan and to the Viader team. We appreciated your time and so enjoyed the visit. Cheers. read more

By reservation only! Gorgeous views of the valley!! It's off the beaten path - up the mountainside, with a grand view towards hwy 29 amidst the valley. But beware - $45 per tasting (waived per $100 purchase). Yikes! Wish I had known that before calling for a last minute tasting. That said, four pours of delicious unique reds by a friendly knowledgeable pourer. (But still not worth $45...). Tempranillo, Cabernet Franc, and two Cab Franc/Cab Sav blends which were mostly fantastic. Bottles range from $40-$hundreds. We felt a little self-pressured to spend $200 on wine to get two of our tastings comp-ed, so we bought 3 bottles. But they're great wines... And each bottle came in a nice felt holiday wine tote. Again - don't think any tasting alone (without a tour) should cost $45 (I mean, they're not Opus One)! You're almost coerced to spend $$$$$ on their wines. read more

Like others that live in the bay area, I try to head to Napa a couple times a year and have been to my share of wineries. A few things to mention: 1. The view from thier patio is amazing. They also have picnics tables around the tasting room where you can pop a bottle and enjoy the view. 2. The wine is exceptional. However that being said, the cost of tasting is $50/person. This is quite costly compared to other wineries but I just thought of it this way...I would rather go to 1 winery where the wine is really good rather than 3 wineries (where tastings are $15-$20 each) where the wines are just ok. They will comp your tasting if your purchase $100. 3. Tastings are by appointment only. I was hesistant about this at first because I don't want someone hounding us the entire tasting. But the staff here is excellent. They give you just enough information about the vineyard, the wine and then leave you be. It was a nice balance from the group tasting where you get absolutely no attention vs. other tastings where all they do is focus on selling you up. 4. Viader staff is very personable and not snobby whatsoever despite the cost of thier wines. Husband and I left with 2 bottles, one of which we popped and enjoyed on site. Loved this winery and will definiately be back. read more

Wine quality is outstanding. These bordeaux varieties do quite well on their Howell Mtn property. You can sit and view a large part of the vineyard from the tasting room. Incredible view. The service was excellent. Each wine was served to my wife and I one by one outside. Our host was quite attentive and had good information on the property and the winery. Genuine and honest with good information on Napa Valley. Wines are pricey but reflect the high quality of the fruit from this area. Make sure you call ahead there is a gate involved with intercom to confirm your visit. 5 stars for sure. The V labels and the Cabs are totally legit. read more

Such beautiful views! Very interesting story of how this winery got started. We had a great tour guide. The wines are very good. Highly recommend touring. read more

Our driver insisted we visit, and I'm glad he did! The setting is the first thing that will shock you: pastoral, quiet, and architecturally stunning. Then there's the view. The photos on this site (nor the photos we took while there) do not do justice to the beauty. The staff sat down with us during our tasting and explained the history of the winery and of the grapes. I won't go in to much detail about the taste of the wine, because that's a personal preference, but I will say we joined the wine club and ordered a case! read more

Great wine. Great view. Great customer service. Viader's Cabernet Sauvignon and Viader "V" were outstanding. In addition to von Strasser Reserve, Viader "V" is one of Napa Valley's more unique blends. The integration of larger amounts of Petit Verdot and mountain fruit make for an outstanding wine. In addition to great wine, Viader boasts one of Napa's finer views and outstanding customer service. After a major disappointment at Ladera, Cante Swearingen ensured a good time was had by all. For those that enjoy Viader, try Sherwin. Although Sherwin lacks the diversity of wines, they are very comparable to one another. read more

This is a beautiful and serene place to get away from the hustle and bustle of Napa. It sounds like an oxymoron - isn't Napa small and adorable? It is, but it's also nice to slip away up the hill to Viader and have a lovely tasting overlooking the valley and a small resevoir. My husband and I did a tasting here, and were blown away by the wines. The tasting is $20, and it included generous pours of six different wines. They now have a delicious tempranillo, which is just an intruiging grape and we adored it. They make a nice cabernet franc blend, which was a neat change of pace from all the cabernet sauvignon we've been drinking. My personal favorite is the Viader wine blend - it's cabenet sauvignon, cabernet franc all blended together and it is fabulous! It's a very small place, and we had our tasting with the owner's daughter, who is extremely knowledgeable about the wines. It was really nice to learn so much while you're drinking with someone who obviously has a lot of experience and insight into the products. Check it out! But call for a reservation first! read more

If only to echo the other positive reviews.. the location, service and not least of all, wine! at Viader Vineyards are excellent. We had a reservation, and bought one tasting for two of us. The pours were very generous, the pourer was professional, friendly, and very helpful when we asked - otherwise left us to our tasting experience and the fabulous view. We enjoyed all the wines, but only felt compelled to buy 2 different vintages of the Viader ('04, '01) - a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon blend. Not inexpensive, but worth it. I would definitely go back. Also, I don't know if they do this, but the location is perfect for a party or special occasion. read more

Alan Viader is an excellent winemaker. I've been fortunate to try just about every vintage he has produced as a winemaker and the level of consistency, quality, and improvement never ceases to amaze me. Their "V" blend is by far my favorite, closely followed by their Viader and their Tempranillo. Their limited production Syrah is also worth saving for a special occasion as they will most likely stop producing this at some point in the future. Certainly not your typical Tempranillo or Syrah. The view from their tasting room is amongst the best in the Valley and their vines sing to you as the breeze rolls up from the reservoir. You notice their vines are also significantly concentrated with smaller fruit that creates intense flavors in the grapes as they age in the barrels. One of the best houses in Napa bar none. If you are fortunate enough to dine at the winery, you will find Mariela Viader's cooking exquisite on the palate. She worked at Buchon in Yountville before taking over the chef's seat at the winery and she pays incredible attention to the details of the food she prepares. Well worth making a reservation for! If you start here, be prepared to be disappointed by the rest. read more

This winery is magical and I couldnt help but sign up for a membership here this summer. My husband and I stumbled across Viader a few years back and I am hooked! They are family oriented and the hospitality goes above and beyond. What pushed our membership over was the wonderful time we spent with Cante, their Hospitality Director, one afternoon when he took a wine tasting on the fly and sat and chatted with us. What a wonderful afternoon hearing stories about the winery and overlooking the amazing view. It was our anniversary which made it even more special. Bottomline, my favorite winery in Napa/Sonoma. Just a gem. read more

We went to Viader on a friend's recommendation and we were impressed with the spectacular views but extremely disappointed with the quality of the wines and service. All the wines ranging from $19 to $125 that we tried we're not so good (some tasted like rubbing alcohol) and we're not that picky about our wines. We went on a weekday recently and the service was terrible, only one guy serving 4 different tables. If you do go, you will be impressed with the views but don't expect much out of the wines read more

If there were possible, I would give 6 stars! We get to go to virtually all of the wineries because of our tour books and apps. Nice way to write off research! So I have seen a lot of wonderful wineries, but we have the added benefit of getting the feedback from our guests when we tour and I have to say, recent guests that we brought here were blown away! In terms of a winery experience, Viader has it all. The location is lovely but the view is sublime. Use this as the backdrop for exceptional wines and it is win win! Oh no, there's more? The hospitality is the best! Yes, that is what I cal WIN WIN WIN. If we encounter spotty hospitality, we can never take a chance and bring guests back. That is why the level of hospitality is the most important point on our rating of a winery experience. Viader sets a standard that others would do well to aspire to. (I know I ended my sentence with a preposition but I don't think the grammar police are out!) Viader is a must visit! You will not be disappointed on any front. read more

Some of our friends have told us about Viader, so we couldn't wait to check it out for a tasting on Friday. We were warmly greeted by Addison, taken on a brief tour including the cave, and seated at a lovely table on the terrace to enjoy our tasting. My favorite was definitely the Black Label cabernet and we went home with several bottles to enjoy back at home. Definitely a visit well worth it! read more

I very much enjoyed my visit to Viader. Be sure to schedule an appointment, and try to go on a warm day so that you can enjoy the patio and it's view. Of all the tasting rooms that I have visited in the area, this one has the best view, hands down! The wine is great. With a focus on Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Petit Verdot, this is already a winery that stands out. If you want to relax and enjoy a fantastic wine while soaking in the beauty of the Napa Valley, this is a top choice! read more

Viader is one of my favorite wineries in Napa. It has gorgeous panoramic views of the valley, and is beautiful. They serve only red wine, but i think they are thinking about branching into whites. I've been a member ever since i got into wine. It is a must stop. read more

Viader is one of my new favorite finds, so much so that I joined their wine club. The tasting is simple in order showcase the wines. On a sunny day sitting out on the patio overlooking their vineyards its the perfect afternoon we even lunched a bit. The tasting is very relaxed and allowed us to sit back and enjoy each wine. This is not the place to go if you are looking for a Sterling type experience or want a place with a lot going on, it's very mellow (they're appointment only). We sampled their Tempranillo, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, V and Viader wines. All have great finishes and are quite refined. What was great about tasting the Viader is we samples a few different years which showed how the wine changes not only with time but with slightly different blending percentages. The Viader has ranked as one of the worlds best and after the tasting I completely agree. read more

We toured Viader Winery this weekend and LOVED the experience. This is a quaint, family run, vineyard with a beautiful view. I would highly recommend it, if nothing else, just to taste wine overlooking such amazing scenery. The family is all part of the wine making process, even hand labeling the bottles. The owner is Delia Viader, an impressive woman who took her visions and expansive education to the vines. The story is wonderful and the Liquid Cashmere vintage is delicious. It's a bit of a drive, but well worth it. We ordered a 1/2 case and are excited to have the tasting experience again. read more

If you're looking for a different experience than your typical Napa Valley tasting room, then I highly recommend that you take the trip to Viader. High above the Valley floor, Viader has some of the prettiest views around. They also have excellent wines. In addition to their highly regarded Cab blend, the winery makes a yummy Syrah and under another label, DARE, even does a termpranillo. The tasting is pricey, but the staff really tries to give you your money's worth. If you have time, ask to see the underground wine caves. read more

True love. This is one of my happy places, among two other favorites, William Cole and Forman. Gorgeous scenery, intimate setting, no pushing or shoving for wine bar space, friendly people, and sweet old Kody. An excellent place to take out-of-towners who love reds. My current favorites include: 2007 Viader Estate Red, 2008 Black Label, and the 2006 Syrah (although I have not yet tried the 2007!) Also the DARE line is fantastic, especially the Cab Franc. My friend is a wine club member, so we get free tastings when we go with her. I have gone a few times without her, and if I remember correctly (which I may not have), the tasting fee was waived when we purchased bottles (I think). I've also accompanied her to some of their events, such as the release parties and twilight barrel tastings. So fun! And their light appetizers are delish. After visiting this fine winery multiple times for over the past 4 years, I think it's about time that I finally join! Someday soon! read more

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