1. Silver Oak Cellars
City: Oakville, CA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (707) 944-8808, (800) 273-8809
Address: 915 Oakville Crossroad
Description: Wine & Spirits’ 1996 poll of restaurants determined that Silver Oak produced the most popular Cabernet Sauvignon in America. The secret? Do one thing and do it well. Silver Oak is all Cabernet, all the time. It was founded in 1972 by Ray Duncan and Justin Meyer, who had recently abandoned his post as the Christian Brothers’ Napa Valley winemaker. His company has two winery sites: one in Napa Valley at the site of the Oakville Dairy, and another in Alexander Valley in the old Lyeth Winery. The tasting room was being rebuilt in 2008, following a fire in 2006 at what had once been a dairy barn. Tours are by appointment only, and because the tasting room can get swamped on summer Saturdays, the winery suggests arriving early or calling ahead on those days. The tasting room is closed on Sunday.
2. Folie À Deux Winery
City: Oakville, CA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (707) 944-2565, (800) 535-6400
Address: 7481 St. Helena Highway S.
Description: Give this one extra credit for a sense of humor. Folie à deux is a French term that means “shared madness.” It’s a psychiatric diagnosis that the original owners, two mental health professionals, found appropriate. They even requisitioned a logo that resembles a Rorschach inkblot. You don’t have to be not-all-there to enjoy Folie à Deux’s wines, however. The broad selection includes Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a special Amador Zinfandel from the oldest Zin vines in California, those of the 1870s Grandpere Vineyard. Whites include Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. This winery produces a second label, called Ménage à Trois, that features a red, a white, and a rosé.
3. Robert Mondavi Winery
City: Oakville, CA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (707) 226-1395, (888) RMONDAVI
Address: 7801 St. Helena Highway S.
Description: More than any other individual, Robert Mondavi is credited with educating the world about California wine. Now in its 42nd year, the winery in Oakville that bears his name has been a must-see stop along the Napa Valley wine road for decades. Wine-and-food programs have long been popular with visitors, as well as the many art exhibits and jazz and classical concerts. It’s also known for its in-depth tasting tours that run three to four hours and include a picnic or sit-down dinner. You can also spend time at this iconic winery gazing at the sculptures and artwork. Mondavi bottles several varieties, not the least of which is a Fumé Blanc, so named by Robert himself several decades ago. The winery also produces Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a Moscato d’Oro. In late 2004, the Robert Mondavi corporation was purchased by Constellation Brands, the world’s largest owner of fine wine producers, in a deal that shook up the industry and ended a long family legacy.
4. Opus One
City: Oakville, CA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (707) 944-9442
Address: 7900 St. Helena Highway S.
Description: When Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild announced this joint venture in 1979, it created quite a stir in the wine world. But it also added credence to what the French had recently discovered: California wines are among the best in the world. Though the baron died in 1988, the business went forward, and groundbreaking on this architectural masterpiece took place in 1989. As you might expect from such a team of wine royalty, this is an elegant winery that produces one pricey product. Opus One is a big red wine—a blend that’s predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon—that sells for $180 per bottle. You can try this hearty drink for $30 a taste in the winery’s Partners’ Room. A concierge greets you at the door and ushers you to the tasting room. Calling ahead is strongly recommended, as this showplace is frequently booked for private functions. There’s also one daily tour, at $35 per person, beginning at 10:30 a.m.
5. Turnbull Wine Cellars
City: Oakville, CA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (707) 963-5839, (800) 887-6285
Address: 8210 St. Helena Highway S.
Description: The winery is located just north of the Oakville Crossroad, and its vineyards are primarily contained within the Oakville viticultural area. Turnbull’s production is about 10,000 cases per year, with most of it in Cabernet Sauvignon, along with Merlot, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, and Viognier. Turnbull’s Black Label wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, and Syrah.