Swanson Vineyards
- Price Range: $$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
71 reviews
Napa, CA
"Before I even start my review, a big thanks to the Brix Staff for taking care of us! We went here because we had a GC for a bunch of places…" read more »
9 Reviews for Swanson Vineyards
Ok, so I am a bit inpartial since I used to work here.
But, it is fabulous!! Honestly, unlike any tasting in Napa Valley.
Wines are amazing, tasting room is gorgeous and staff knows their way around a wine glass.
Worth the tasting fee, believe me!
If in N.V. treat yourself and be amazed, this is how all wine tastings should be.
This is my favorite tasting on the Napa side of the wine country. You must make an appt. There are two different pricings for tasting depending on how many wines you want to taste. I highly recommend the pricier version. Its private only eight people with a food pairing that makes you appreciate each sip. They also have bon bons that are unique and quite the sensation in your mouth. Fun and knowledgeable staff.
I also suggest joining their wine club. It is the only one that I know that you can actually customize and its only four times a year. They send you a email ahead to let you know what is coming, giving you the opportunity to change your order to something you love. All their wines are truly wonderful and offer something memorable. Also known for their merlots, but I love their Chardonnay and whenever they have Angelica buy it!
Here is a hidden gem, just down the same road as Chateau Montelena. What a surprise. I just stopped in one day on a lark. Amazing rich, full bodied wines, and one of the few Napa wineries that actually have real Italian varieties.
Nice and cozy, feel good tasting room. Some neat awards and decorations to look at. Nice u-shaped tasting bar. Staff was friendly and very knowledgeable on the wines. The rich reds had great finishes. They also pair some of their better wines with some killer chocolate. (yes ladies, for you especially).
A wonderful home feeling, and a distant pleasant experience than most of the commercial Napa wineries.
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Easily the best wine tasting experience I've ever had. The salon is limited to 8 people and the the personal attention is magnificent. Pairing of food is provided and the staff give the most attentive, perfect, interactive education on their wines. It used to cost nothing which was a steal but of course that couldn't last for long. When we inquired about the art on the walls they went so far as offered us a book of the artist. Absolutely fantastic.
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Never have I experienced such an intimate wine tasting. It is well worth the visit, price and drive. The recommended pairings, beautiful decor.... very nice. 5 stars.
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after this experience, i can never go back to normal wine tasting, i've been too spoiled.
you have to make a reservation, since they only have room for 8 people per wine-tasting session, and it costs about $55, but my friend and i were able to get a discount because my friend met a guy in france who used to be an intern here.
upon arrival, we were welcomed with a chilled rose. it's such a nice and vastly different experience of sitting in a beautifully furnished room with no more than eight people, with the host explaining the history and technicalities of wine-making and the wonderful pairing of the food and wine and they give you a card with the names of the wines and the food pairing, for future reference.
i'm not an expert on wine so i can't really say if it's good wine or not, but let's just say that i ended up buying more than i had planned.
it's a great place to go to treat someone for a birthday or maybe a girls' day out... it is kinda girly, the alcoholic equivalent to a tea party.
The 'salon' experience of wine tasting at Swanson will sour you on the 'herded masses lining up at the tasting bar' thing for the rest of your Napa visit.
This is a truly luxury tasting experience. Miles might be a little dismayed, though, because one of their best offerings is a Merlot.
Plus, the Alexis Cabernet blend is sublime (yes, I used the word sublime).
The fee of $25 or $55 provides a different set of wines with a cheese pairing and a private tasting.
Step up - it's worth it.
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Tucked away a stone's throw from a certain movie director's vineyard, this is a real hidden gem. A smallish winery, producing about 25K cases a year, this is all about the personal touch. There are no tours here (we've all seen steel vats by now) and the tastings are by appointment only (and on the expensive side if you are used to paying $5 for a swig of vin ordinaire). The tasting room is exquisitely decorated with an authentic French fireplace, faux rustic paintings and lots of special touches. Salonnier Shawn, passionate and deeply knowledgeable, makes this feel more like a private party in a very swanky home than a tasting. And the wines were simply some of the best I have ever tasted. http://www.swansonvine...
Wonderful personal tasting with Sean. And amazing little chocolates made by Vosges chocolate!
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