Napa Valley's Best Wineries For A View Slideshow

At an elevation of 1,800 feet, CADE Estate Winery's wines experience a unique temperature inversion. During the day, conditions are much cooler than those on the valley floor; evenings, on the other hand, grow warmer with the setting sun. This gives CADE's grapes extended hang-time, allowing them to ripen fully and evenly for wines with great density and balance. The mountainside soils, characterized by volcanic ash and minerals, provide beneficial stress to vines that further enhances the character of this unique terroir. And of course, the elevation of the winery, sitting on 54 contiguous acres, makes for some unreal panoramic views of Napa Valley. 

A visit to Chappellet Vineyard, high atop Pritchard Hill in Napa Valley's eastern mountains, offers sweeping views of vineyards, forests, meadows, Lake Hennessey, and the valley floor far below. The Chappellet family has been pioneering mountain-grown cabernet sauvignons for almost 50 years, and a visit to the steep slopes of Pritchard Hill gives guests a fascinating insight into why these wines are so challenging to grow, and so desired for their power, structure, and complexity. 

Round Pond Estate is located in Rutherford, the geographic and spiritual center of Napa Valley. They built their winery, completed in 2007, to take advantage of view of the Mayacamas Mountain Range to the west and its estate vineyards. On Fridays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. April through October, when most Napa wineries have closed for the day, the winery also hosts Terrace Lounge, a perfect way to take in the sunset with a glass or bottle of wine. Because of the fantastic views of the vineyards, especially during sunset, evenings at Round Pond Estate get pretty crowded — so reservations are a must.

Located on eastern side of Silverado Trail, Signorello Estate enjoys a vantage point that takes in sweeping views of the vineyards below and the ever-present Mayacamas to the west. Specializing in cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay, the winery has created an extensive food and wine program. For the ultimate pairing, their "Enoteca Signorello" tasting pairs their wines with Snake River Farms American Kobe Wagyu beef (for $100 per person).

Sterling Vineyards has long been a great place to take in the view, thanks to the winery's aerial tram that takes you to the winery. But now when you make the trip up the winery's famous tram, you can relax on the winery's terrace with a glass of wine paired with cheeses and artisan charcuterie, local breads, nuts, and dried fruits. 

Sitting high on the hill, Rutherford Hill Winery has a picnic area nestled in an olive grove with breathtaking views of Napa Valley. Visitors can enjoy the amazing hillside view as they picnic in one of three different picnic areas — the Oak Grove, Olive Grove, and Rose Garden. As she looks out over the view each morning when she arrives at work, winemaker Marisa Taylor Huffaker calls it her own little Tuscany.

Mumm Napa's Oak Terrace is the perfect place to take in the spectacular view. Refreshing misters keep everyone cool even on hot Napa Valley days and a 180-year-old oak tree provides shade and a grand setting for visitors. On the terrace, winery visitors can choose from a menu tastings, educational food pairings, and flutes of Mumm Napa's special winery-only sparkling wines.