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About This Business:
Our new tasting room opened to the public in January of 2012! It features a daily selection of our brands and tasting room exclusives like 707 and… read more »
25 reviews for Viader Vineyards & Winery
25 reviews in English
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Review from Dick G.
Fresno, CA
8/14/2011
Family owned and run. Really good wines. Incredible view from tasting room. Family is very involved. One of our favorite wines and winery.
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Review from Heather s.
San Mateo, CA
12/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
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. -
Review from Benjamin L.
Oakland, CA
11/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
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. -
Review from Steve F.
Santa Monica, CA
9/16/2011
Love the "V", did I mention the view? Definitely worth schlepping off the beaten path....
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Review from Brian B.
Omaha, NE
10/18/2010
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! -
Review from Terra R.
Santa Rosa, CA
10/17/2010
4.5 stars
I don't know what could have made our experience any better...maybe some cheese pairing? My friend brought me her as its one of her favorite wineries and I can see why. Beautiful location, great history and wonderful wines. Chanti (Sp?) was great, he was friendly and informative.
I enjoyed their Tempranillo, "V" was my favorite. -
Review from Mami T.
San Francisco, CA
11/5/2007
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.Comment from Janet V. of Viader Vineyards & Winery 10/13/2009
We do indeed charge $35/person for a flight of 6 wines. The… More » -
Review from BIll W.
Napa, CA
9/12/2010
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. -
Review from Lisa A.
Decatur, GA
5/13/2007 2 photos
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!!Listed in: I Love Napa!!
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Review from Tina T.
San Francisco, CA
5/3/2011 3 photos
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! -
Review from jen a.
San Mateo, CA
11/17/2010
Awesome winery. Kudos for a breath-taking view, laid-back/casual attitude, and fabulous wine. You can take your time here and bring food, as my friend and I did (from Dean & Deluca just down a ways).
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Review from Jocelyn W.
Brentwood, CA
7/3/2007
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! -
Review from Mark F.
San Francisco, CA
11/12/2007
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. -
Review from amy r.
Las Vegas, NV
5/20/2009
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. -
Review from Ray C.
Los Angeles, CA
9/8/2009
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. -
Review from Lexica B.
Alameda, CA
9/26/2007
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. -
Review from Kacey H.
San Francisco, CA
12/10/2007
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. -
Review from Robert M.
Austin, TX
6/21/2010
If you enjoy big, bold quality cabs, ignore the (few) haters and make this a must-visit (appointment ONLY). If the $35 fee puts you off (though they will apply the fee to your purchase), don't bother and wallow on the valley floor with the tour busses and masses of humanity looking for a cheap buzz . For a real treat go for the $50 library tasting, and try some of the older vintages of the flagship Viader line.
The quality of the fruit produced on this property and the care and attention that go into the winemaking are beyond reproach. The consistency of the Viader wines over the last 20 years is amazing, and many library wines are available at the winery. I have been hooked since I tried my first glass many years ago, and enjoyed my recent visit immensely. -
Review from David B.
Mechanicsville, MD
3/24/2011
Our driver insisted we go there and boy I am glad we did. The view and wines were awesome. The "V" was great, the Viader was our favorite, and the Rose ( I know) will be a great summer wine. When is our club shipment getting here.
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Review from Powell Y.
Costa Mesa, CA
6/9/2008
originally posted on http://winodepot.com
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Date: June 8, 2008
Winery: Viader
Winemaker: Delia & Alan Viader
Tasting: Tasting by Appointment
Contact: 707.963.3816
For anyone that's been reading my postings the past few year, you obviously know I've always enjoyed the wine from Viader and visited the winery at various times in the past.
As part of the Auction Napa Valley Weekend, Viader put together a vertical tasting at the winery yesterday afternoon. Showcasing their proprietary blend from 1989 - 2005, as well as a handful of the current release wines.
It was an amazing opportunity to be able to go through a complete vertical that's been kept in pristine condition at the winery. All wines were served out of magnums with the lone exception being the 1997 vintage, which was poured from 750ml.
Here are the highlights.
1989 - still alive and kicking, drinking well now and should be enjoyed sooner than later.
1995 - showing young with good depth and structure, seem like it can even use a bit of time to open up. Will have to track a few of this down.
1997 - Unlike it's peer group from Napa, this is showing beautifully and got a long life ahead. This is the best wine from the vertical tasting, a big wine showing gracefully.
2000 - From a difficult vintage, there are still some stars, such is the case here. Perhaps the best Cab based wine from Napa I've tried from the maligned 2000 vintage.
2001 - I liked this wine five years ago on release and like it today, still get no VA out of this wine
2005 - Just a baby, good fruit and nice acid balance. Let it sleep. -
Review from Kalani C.
2/17/2010
Been a wine club member for a few years now. Simply adore and cherish these wines! This winery focuses on red and they do it well. Consistently excellent, balanced and feminine in structure (thanks to Delia). Standouts are their "V" (Petite Verdot blend), Tempranillo, Cabernet Franc and Syrah. Not to mention their beautiful and quaint wine tasting facility in Deer Park with spectacular views! A boutique gem with a family touch. A winner of a winery!
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Review from Karen T.
Alpharetta, GA
5/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
We very much enjoyed our visit to Viader. The view from the top of the mountain is beautiful. The wines were also very good and we had a case of their Dare sent to us to enjoy once we returned home. We will definately go back to Viader when we visit the Napa Valley next time.
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Review from Todd S.
San Rafael, CA
5/7/2008
Absolutely the most beautiful winery in wine country. We were introduced to this winery by two of our best friends. The hospitality was exceptional and we loved talking with the gentleman pouring our wines. His name was Cante Swearingen and he had an excitement around the wines that was contagious. The setting is incredible - sitting high on Howell Mountain. We also LOVE THE WINE.
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Review from Heather J.
Roseville, CA
6/17/2008
Great place, amazing view and superb wines! Our host was very sweet, told us stories & showed us pictures of winemaker, very special. It is nice to get off the beaten path in Napa, and this is one of those places. Could of spent all afternoon staring out into the valley below.
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Review from M. W.
Minneapolis, MN
12/9/2009
Terrible. Our experience was remarkably similar as Francine L's and Mami T's as posted. Virtually identical. We showed for our pre-paid tasting ($35/pp) basis a recommendation from a friend. Cante (the manage/pourer) was completely disengaged from providing a quality experience. He didn't talk to us about the wines besides tell us the varietal and year as he poured them and then walked away to enter more data into his computer from wine club applications that he had recieved earlier in the day. It almost seemed as if he was more focused on closing the books for the day (we had the last tasting time slot of the day) so that he could be in a position to leave as soon as the last guests left. He claims that we didn't seem interested -- completely not true. There was another group there (a couple) and he didn't talk to them about the wines either. So there were two groups simultaneously visiting who paid $35 a head and drove up Howell Mtn yet were both completely disinterested in hearing about the wines? I highly doubt that! We ended up talking to this couple while we sat in the tasting room because Cante wouldn't engage us. The wines weren't bad, but we left before we tasted all the wine because the experience was so bad. Good view, nice setting, but the tasting room staff was non-engaging and in a way rude. We've been to Napa 7 years in a row with our same group for extended weekends and this is the first tasting we have ever walked out on. I will say that he did try to make ammends by only charging us for 4 of the 6 tastings and then, after pressed, made further ammends after a few phone calls. However this does go down as our worst tasting experience out of over 100 wineries we've visited. Our reco is to go elsewhere and have a much more enjoyable experience.
