| The majority of visitors to Northern California’s | | | | Fear not—you can still find free, quality wine |
| Napa Valley wine region expect wine tastings to be | | | | tastings in the world-renowned Napa Valley region: |
| free, but most Napa Valley wineries have been raising | | | | • Frog’s Leap Winery offers a complimentary |
| their tasting fees consistently over the last decade. | | | | winery tour and tasting that is head-and-shoulders |
| Free tastings in Napa Valley are becoming few and | | | | above the majority of fee-based Napa Valley tasting |
| far between. On average, you can expect to pay | | | | rooms. They are located at 8815 Conn Creek Road in |
| between $5 and $25 per tasting. Tasting with food | | | | Rutherford, California. Appointments are required and |
| pairings, with cave tours, or with barrel tasting can | | | | they are closed on Sundays. Call (707) 963-4704 to |
| cost as much as $80 per person. | | | | make your appointment. |
| With more visitors each year than Disneyland, | | | | • Frank Family Winery offers quality |
| perhaps Napa Valley wineries simply grew tired of | | | | complimentary wine tasting with an option to |
| providing more than 8 million complimentary tastings | | | | purchase reserve tasting for only $10 per person. A |
| annually. In the last year alone, the appointment-only | | | | personal favorite is their cognac champagne. They |
| Caymus Vineyards tasting room went from free to | | | | are located at 1091 Larkmead Lane in Calistoga, |
| $25 per person, while the renowned Napa Valley | | | | California. Call (800) 574-9463 for more information. |
| winery, deli and picnic stop, V. Sattui, began charging | | | | • Heitz Wine Cellars continues to provide delicious |
| $5 per person. Rombauer Vineyards has also raised | | | | and free-of-charge wine tasting in a low-frills, yet |
| their tasting fee from complimentary to $10 per | | | | comfortable environment. They are located at 436 |
| person. | | | | Saint Helena Highway in St. Helena, California. You can |
| There are still a few strategies the informed wine | | | | call them at (707) 963 3542, but no appointment is |
| lover can use to lessen the blow of winery tasting | | | | required. |
| fees. The majority of wineries are willing to waive | | | | • Sutter Home Winery also offers complimentary |
| tasting fees with a bottle purchase (bottles generally | | | | wine tasting in their visitor center. Reserve tastings |
| range in price from $20 to $200). Often you can | | | | are also available for a fee. Sutter Home Winery is |
| avoid winery tasting fees by joining a wine club, but | | | | located at 277 Saint Helena Highway in St. Helena, |
| this too can be costly depending on the distribution | | | | California. They can be reached at (707) 963-3104. |
| program of that particular wine club. | | | | |