Jarvis Winery

 

151

91

Joseph W.

Los Angeles, CA

Probably the best bang for your buck and a wonderful afternoon await you at Jarvis.  This is a more culty winery, nothing that attracts big scores or something you'll just find everywhere, but their Bordeaux blends and Cabernets are absolutely stunning.

$30 is nothing compared to most high-end afternoons of tasting in Napa, especially considering the tour is extensive and fun, and the tasting room is elegant and luxurious.  They had a wonderful selection of cheeses to accompany the wines, and we were all treated wonderfully.

The caves are gorgeous, the wines insanely good (currently holding onto a 1992 Cabernet Franc that needs to be let loose soon...) and the price almost a bargain considering what they bring to the table.  Fantastic, as of now my favorite winery to visit in Napa.  Screw Opus One :)

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3

30

Andie V.

Chicago, IL

A truly MAGICAL experience. I have been to Jarvis twice now and everytime I truly fall in love. Jarvis is one of the only authentic wine caves in the Napa valley. This past time, I took my best friend and her boyfriend and tried to explain what an amazing place Jarvis was, but they were still hesitant about how amazing a place could be in order for us to treck 2.5 hours to get to. Let me tell you they were blown away. The tour is a bit pricey at $30 a pop, and what sucks is that even if you purchase wine they don't waive the fee unless you become a club member which requires spending at least $1,000. That sucks since we have spent over $600 in wine and $270 in taking tours and bringing friends. Either way, we still think it is worth it. They are known for their reds, but I must say that their chardonnay is amazing. By far it is one of the best in the valley, but I must warn you it comes at a fairly hefty price of $70 a bottle.
What makes Jarvis so magical is the attention to detail they have during the wine making process, in addition the small tours they give only by reservation. After a half an hour tour which includes the history, a tour of the women's bathroom, passing the huge iron doors of the owners William and Letitia Jarvis, a natural waterfall... you are then taken to a tasting room where a table clothed table for ten is set along with six individual glasses per person for tasting. To accompany the tasting cheese, crackers, and dried fruit is served. Each wine is introduced slowly and thoroughly explained and sometimes compared to previous vintages.
Jarvis is a hidden jem and everyone must have a bottle in their collection.

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4

17

Karl K.

Redwood City, CA

A friend of mine told us if you were going to the Napa Valley to do a wine tasting, this is a place you have to go to. First thing, you must make a reservation to take a tour and taste the wine. Make sure you give yourself enough time to get to the winery since it is off the beaten path. Once you have made it through the gate, you park your car in a nice grassy meadow and walk to the entrance in the side of a mountain. The whole facility is inside the mountain, which makes it nice and cool, especially in the summertime.

The tour is a bit on the short side, but the winery is not very large. It is too bad that the winery does not let you take pictures inside because the interior is something to be seen. It is all man-made caves set up in a large circle, but then in the middle of the circle, is a cave with a small creek running through it. The tasting room is a smaller room with a large marble dining table set up with crystal to taste the wonderful but pricey wines along with cheese and crackers.

Some people might complain about a $30.00 price per person, but it was well worth the price. We had been to several other wineries in the area, and you will pay near the same amount and not get near the experience you get at Jarvis.

At the end of tour, we wanted to purchase some of the wine, but since it was such a hot day, they were concerned about the wine going bad in a hot car, so they let us order the wine and would ship it  to us for free. We thought it was a very nice touch. You would never see that at a larger winery.

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14

43

Jessica H.

San Bruno, CA

Went here with my in-laws and didn't know what to expect because I had never heard of their wines.  We drove up to the gate and had to give them our names to be buzzed in.  (My in-laws made the reservation and had to reserve our spots about a week in advance).  

The tour was really cool as the winery in in a man made cave.  The tasting took place in an underground cellar across a narrow creek and included cheese, crackers, and fruit.  The wines were good, but not spectacular.  The wines run from $70 and up, but they also offer half bottles for many of their wines.    

The tour and tasting were pricey ($30 now) but if you have the money, it's unlike any other winery I have been to.  It was well worth the money.

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