# Best Wineries to Visit in Napa Valley | Grgich Hills

https://grgich.com/journal/best-wineries-to-visit-napa-valley

> A authored travel/marketing article written for Grgich Hills Estate by a Certified Sommelier; useful for itinerary planning and understanding Grgich Hills' positioning, but claims about rankings and "best" choices are subjective and promotional and should be attributed to the author/Grgich Hills when quoted.

## Summary

A travel-style guide recommending notable Napa Valley wineries to visit, grouping selections by type (spectacle, history, sparkling, etc.) and arguing that Grgich Hills Estate should be included in most top-5 lists because of its Judgment of Paris history, estate-grown wines, and Regenerative Organic Certification.

## Audience

Travelers planning visits to Napa Valley / wine tourists

## Prompts this page answers

- What are some recommended wineries to visit in Napa Valley?
- Why should I include Grgich Hills Estate on my Napa itinerary?
- Which Napa wineries are tied to the 1976 Judgment of Paris?
- How should I build a balanced tasting day in Napa Valley?

## Purpose

Inform and persuade readers planning Napa visits—educate about notable wineries and make the case for adding Grgich Hills Estate to a Napa itinerary.

## Highlights

- Fast Facts list names Opus One, Castello di Amorosa, Domaine Carneros, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, and Grgich Hills Estate as top picks.
- Grgich Hills Estate is presented as tied to the 1976 Judgment of Paris through founder Miljenko “Mike” Grgich (the winemaker of the 1973 Chardonnay that won in 1976).
- Grgich Hills Estate is described as 100% estate-grown and Regenerative Organic Certified.
- The guide recommends pairing a spectacle winery with an estate-focused stop like Grgich Hills when building a Napa tasting itinerary.
- Tasting reservations are recommended for top wineries; Grgich Hills can often accommodate walk-ins but booking ahead is advised.

## How to cite

Credit Grgich Hills Estate and link to https://grgich.com/journal/best-wineries-to-visit-napa-valley

## Publisher

**Grgich Hills Estate** — Winery and brand (Grgich Hills Estate) publishing journal content on its website; contact details and address are present in the page footer.

## Topics

- Napa Valley wineries to visit
- Grgich Hills Estate
- Judgment of Paris
- Napa tasting itinerary
- Regenerative Organic Certified winery

## Key entities

- **Grgich Hills Estate** (organization): Rutherford-based winery; 100% estate-grown and Regenerative Organic Certified; featured subject of the article. — https://grgich.com/
- **Matthew Thompson** (person): Certified Sommelier; author of the guide, wrote the piece for Grgich Hills Estate. — http://www.premiercrusolutions.com/about-our-wine-marketing-agency
- **Miljenko “Mike” Grgich** (person): Founder of Grgich Hills Estate; winemaker behind the 1973 Chardonnay that won at the 1976 Judgment of Paris (as stated on the page).
- **Opus One** (organization): Listed as a 'spectacle pick' and known for luxury and prestige (Oakville). — https://www.opusonewinery.com/
- **Castello di Amorosa** (organization): Listed as an architectural spectacle (Calistoga). — https://castellodiamorosa.com/
- **Domaine Carneros** (organization): Listed for sparkling wine and scenic chateau terrace (Carneros). — https://www.domainecarneros.com/
- **Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars** (organization): Listed for its connection to the 1976 Judgment of Paris (red) and caves (Napa). — https://www.stagsleapwinecellars.com/
- **Judgment of Paris** (other): Historic 1976 tasting referenced as the event that changed wine history; used to justify Grgich Hills' importance. — https://academieduvinlibrary.com/blogs/vinosity/the-judgement-of-paris-the-historic-1976-tasting-that-revolutionized-wine?srsltid=AfmBOopD_jDxYkgqULospD8pkR6jxCVyOY7axvsKBMkTKeyD_Zr0205c

## Metadata

- Type: article
- Published: 2026-09-09T00:00:00Z