Our Partner Wineries
The Cottage Pass: Midweek Special
We are very happy to announce an ongoing midweek special that we call “The Cottage Pass.” When guests book with us Sunday-Thursday (Midweek) they will get exclusive discounts at our partner wineries that they can only recieve if they stay with us and when they stay midweek.
We chose wineries and tasting rooms that we’ve worked closely with for years now. We know the staff, we know the experience, and we chose each one for an individual reason. We have a mix of tasting rooms, wineries, and vineyard experiences, so let me share the partners that are being featured in our Cottage Pass and why we love them.
1. Ehlers Estate https://ehlersestate.com/
Ehlers is a beautiful and historic property. Guests are welcomed with a glass of wine upon arrival, taken on a full tour of the property and garden, and shown the vineyards while learning about the rich history of the property, the winery, and Napa. Guests can learn about the history of the estate, organic farming practices, and the winemaking philosophy while sipping on wines grown directly on the property. Ehlers is known for its Cabernet Sauvignon and emphasis on Bordeaux-inspired wines, all of which are elegant, structured, and showcase the terroir of the estate.
If you’re a history junkie, this is for you! Ehlers’ history dates back to the 1800s, with its historic stone winery built in 1886, the staff is very well-informed on Napa history so ask them all the questions! Another thing that is unique about Ehlers is its philanthropic work, the winery is part of the Leducq Foundatio. This foundation supports international research focused on cardiovascular disease and stroke, which is why the E in the logo is in the shape of a heart!
One of the things we love most about Ehlers is that the experience feels very personal. Tastings are appointment-based and designed to be intimate and educational rather than rushed. The property is gorgeous, and the tasting room is luxurious. I happily recommend our guests to Ehlers, knowing they will always be well taken care of every time!
Our favorite wine: 1886 Cabernet Sauvignon
What we love most: The hospitality. Keith is especially great, he loves talking about Napa history, so if you’re a history junkie, this is for you.
2. Jessup Cellars https://jessupcellars.com
Jessup Cellars is a tasting room located in the cute town of Yountville. Rather than being centered around a large vineyard estate, Jessup combines wine with art. Their tasting room doubles as an art gallery, where they seasonally rotate local artists and display their artwork throughout the room. Guests can enjoy their tasting surrounded by artwork, making the visit feel more like an intimate gallery experience than a traditional tasting room. Each tasting is private with your group, surrounded by art and paired with a beautiful selection of cheeses that rotate seasonally.
We love the emphasis on supporting the community, from supporting local artists to local cheese makers. It’s one of the places we love recommending to guests who want to experience a different side of Napa Valley.
The winery’s philosophy is centered around what they call the “Art of the Blend.” They typically do not rely on fruit from one single vineyard, Jessup sources grapes from some of Napa Valley’s most respected appellations, selecting each variety from the areas where it grows best.Their portfolio includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and a variety of blends. The goal is to create wines that are rich and expressive while remaining approachable and enjoyable. Jessup is perfect for those who love wine, art, and a more intimate tasting experience. It’s a great choice for anyone looking to do something a little different from the traditional Napa winery experience.
Favorite wine: 2021 Table for Four Napa Valley
What we love most: The art! There are only a few wineries/tasting rooms that are also an art exhibit, and it’s so fun to always peek in and see what they are featuring.
3. Priest Ranch https://priestranchwines.com/
Priest Ranch is another tasting room in Yountville. What really sets Priest Ranch apart, though, is its creative food-and-wine pairings. Although their regular tastings are great we will ALWAYS recommend their bacon tasting, as this experience is something you won’t see anywhere else. Their tasting room is very fun and relaxed, with a fireplace, lots of seating, a fun mercantile, and guitars hanging on the wall.
Their bacon tasting features four wines paired perfectly with four seasoned strips of thick-cut bacon.Aside from their tasting, they are one of the liveliest spots in Yountville. They host trivia nights, a Sunday music series, and live music on Thursday nights as well. They are very involved in the community, which we love, and we are always happy to send our guests there when they are having events. The staff is sweet, very hospitable, and have a lot of fun.
Another great mention is that they have a restaurant, The Kitchen at Priest Ranch, and their food is AMAZING. It’s one of the only casual food spots in Yountville, so if you’re ever looking for a casual lunch or brunch, this is the spot we will always recommend. They have great seating and a balcony with beautiful views of the mountains. Priest Ranch is a great choice for guests who want excellent wine with a little personality. It’s sophisticated without feeling stuffy, and the combination of wine, food, and hospitality makes it a memorable stop.
Our favorite wine: 2019 Priest Ranch Block 81 Malbec
What we love most: The bacon tasting and The Kitchen! It never disappoints.
4. Robert Biale Vineyards https://www.biale.com/
Located about three minutes from the cottages, Robert Biale Vineyards is a wonderful choice for guests looking for a more intimate, family-rooted Napa experience. Their winery experience is on their porch and is a beautiful setting. Imagine vineyard views, relaxed seating, great hospitality, and beautifully balanced Zinfandels.
They have a very fun and unique history that has really made an impact in the Valley. The Biale family has been farming in Napa for generations. In 1937, Pietro Biale planted Zinfandel on the family ranch, and during the 1940s, his son Aldo began quietly selling homemade Zinfandel alongside the family’s eggs and produce.Because they used an old party-line telephone, customers would order a jug of wine by asking for a “Black Chicken”, the secret code that eventually became the name of Biale’s iconic Black Chicken Zinfandel. In 1991, Bob Biale and his partners officially established Robert Biale Vineyards, carrying that family tradition into a new generation.
They have a huge emphasis on Zinfandel, which is unique for Napa, with more than 20 different types. It’s very fun to compare the different tastes. Although they are all the same varietal, they each taste distinctly different because of the area where they are grown, when they are picked, fermantation and many other factors. Robert Biale is perfect for guests who appreciate family history, old-vine wines, beautiful vineyard views, and genuine hospitality. It feels distinctly Napa without feeling overly formal.
Our favorite wine: 2024 Royal Punishers Petite Sirah
What we love most: The setting. It’s very homey, relaxed, and conversational.
5. Fortunati https://www.fortunativineyards.com/
A long-time partner, and for good reason. Located in the Oak Knoll District just outside downtown Napa, Fortunati is a small, family-owned boutique winery founded by husband-and-wife team Gary and Ellen Luchtel.
There are many things to love about Fortunati, but I really want to say my favorite thing about them is the feeling.I remember the first time I did a tasting here. I left feeling cared for, informed, and happy that I was able to afford their wine. I was 24 at the time and couldn’t see myself purchasing a $200 bottle of wine, haha!I went to Fortunati when I didn’t know much about wine, and Liz, the tasting room manager, helped me so much. She taught me about the different AVAs, why Napa was so great for wine growing, and even showed me how to begin taking tasting notes in wine.
It was so special to me to learn these things I never knew before, and I think this really shows their hospitality and care for each guest. I asked her ALL my questions, and she never made me feel silly for asking them, which I love.
What we love most about Fortunati is how personal the experience feels.Each tasting is private and set either in their beautiful tasting room, with a view of their porch and fountain right in front of the vineyard, or you can taste on their porch. Each tasting comes with an amazing cheese and fruit plate, which is always delicious. I never leave any leftovers!
Guests can enjoy five to six wines. I’ve even visited on a Saturday, and Gary, the owner and winemaker, came and enjoyed the tasting with us. It was lovely, and you can truly tell how much they value hospitality and love their work.Fortunati produces a diverse selection of small-lot, handcrafted wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux-style blends, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Viognier, Malbec, and Rosé. Not to mention how delicious, approachable, and affordable their wines are.
Their wines have earned more than 500 accolades from respected wine competitions and critics, including Best of Class, Best of the Best, Platinum, Double Gold, and numerous 90+ point scores. Not only great wine but most importatly great people, our guests have only had great expeirnces with Fortunati!
Our favorite wine: 2024 Estate Viognier & 2023 Reserve Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills
What we love most: The feeling you get. They make you feel like family.
6. Hope & Grace https://www.hopeandgracewines.com/
Another one of our long-standing partnerships. Hope & Grace is a charming boutique winery located right in the heart of Yountville.
Their tasting room has a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that feels personal and intimate rather than large or commercial. If you’re looking for a tasting that feels intimate and frienly Hope and Grace is it.
It’s the kind of place where you can sit back, try some great wines, ask questions, and simply enjoy being in wine country .Hope & Grace focuses on small-production wines made from carefully selected Napa Valley grapes. Their wines showcase the character of the different vineyards and growing regions throughout Napa, with a selection that can change depending on what is being poured. They wines are elegant and very well balanced.
The tasting experience is approachable and conversational, making it a great choice whether you are very knowledgeable about wine or simply looking to enjoy a fun afternoon tasting.Their staff is very friendly, the deck is our favorite place to sit and people-watch in Yountville, and their wines are sophisticated.
Favorite wine: 2020 Hope & Grace Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
Favorite thing: The outside seating. It’s a great place to relax and people-watch while enjoying delicious wines.
If we had to narrow it down, these would be our favorites and for really great reasons. We are so thankful for the community here in Napa and for the partners who have allowed us to offer our guests exclusive offers when they stay with us. We will see you soon, and we hope you get the chance to experience for yourself why we love these amazing wineries and tasting rooms so much!
The staff at The Cottages of Napa Valley
Cheers!