St. Helena, known by many as Napa Valley’s Main Street, is an idyllic, charming wine producing community boasting world-class St. Helena wineries, restaurants, and high-end boutiques. It features 19th century Victorian architecture and lovely, tree-lined streets, making it ideal for a romantic weekend getaway.
The history of St Helena wineries dates back to the 1800s, with Beringer and Charles Krug being among the oldest in the region. Today, St. Helena wineries range from powerhouses to intimate family-owned producers.
At Platypus Wine Tours, we want our guests to experience all the charm and authenticity of Wine Country. We’re very familiar with the splendor of the large iconic wineries here, but our tours also focus on boutique St. Helena wineries. These properties feature hand-crafted wines with smaller, more intimate tasting rooms. Supporting these back roads St. Helena wineries and showcasing their extraordinary wines has always been a priority for us. These unique wineries make for fun, educational, and truly memorable wine tours!
In addition to wonderful wineries in St. Helena, the region boasts an amazing culinary scene, including its role as home to the world-renowned and very stately Culinary Institute of America west, as well as to some of the most popular and compelling restaurants in the region.
The shopping of St Helena isn’t bad either. High-end boutiques fill the region with stylish options. It’s no wonder we get so many request on our private tours for shopping here. The area is also a favorite place to stay, as the hotels and B&Bs are particularly charming and inviting.
Don’t miss the chance to explore the wineries in St. Helena and to visit the charming shops that draw so many every year. Book a Napa Valley Join-In Tour or Private Wine Tour and see for yourself how we can show you the magic of St. Helena.
Be sure check out this listing of some of our favorite St. Helena wineries below. Since we have nurtured warm relationships with these establishments for many years, we are able to provide enhanced and very informative visits for our guests, including behind-scenes experiences not usually available to the general public.
Here is a handy directory of many of wine country’s best wineries. You can use this directory while creating a custom, Private Tour. Please note that Join-in Tour wineries are selected by our experienced guides.
In 2005 three partners, Gavin Newsom, Gordon Getty, and John Conover formed Cade Estate Winery located on the very top of Howell Mountain to complement their Oakville PlumpJack Estate Winery. Views are dramatic from the top of the mountain and the buildings are modern and considered state-of-the-art. The facility was designed to be Napa Valley’s first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certified Estate Winery. There are two unique properties at Cade that offer two different and unique experiences. This winery is known for its Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. Take a tour and tasting high above the fog while enjoying the captivating view or take in the history on the gravel terrace adjacent to the historic stone winery.
Cain Vineyard & Winery is cradled in a spectacular bowl overlooking the Napa Valley from the crest of the Spring Mountain District. We are dedicated to the creation of three Cabernet blends, each drawn from its own unique vineyard sources, each with its own distinctive signature: Cain Cuvée, Cain Concept, and Cain Five.
Casa Nuestra wines are “Estate Bottled." This is the most restrictive and sought-after designation, requiring that wines qualify for vintage dating and appellation of origin. From their 17 acres of vineyards, they make about 2,500 cases annually. Specializing in wines from noble grape varietals which are otherwise disappearing or have disappeared from the Napa Valley: Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Riesling, and a Tinto ‘field blend.'
Don and Molly Chappellet founded the winery in 1967 on a slope of land known as Pritchard Hill located off a rural road in St. Helena. The area is now regarded as one of the best growing regions in the world for Bordeaux varietals, and Chappelet wines reflect the exceptional conditions. Experience incredible views looking down on Lake Hennessy, enjoy the barrel room for a tasting or tour through the actual winery facilities with one of the knowledgeable staff.
The first tasting room in the oldest winery in Napa Valley has evolved into a modern world-class tasting experience. Owned by the iconic Mondavi family, they have introduced winemaking practices to the Napa Valley that still influence the industry today.
Charter Oak Winery & Vineyards in St. Helena, takes pride in being the "most original, old-world," winery of some 500 wineries in Napa Valley. The reason to visit: See how early wine pioneers lived and made wine in Napa Valley -- and taste wines which hearken back to those simpler times.
The vines are over 115 years old, they’re wise and storied — they are the heartbeat of Hayne Vineyard, and the soul of the wines produced.
While the vineyard has been around for five generations, it was Andy, who developed the Chase Cellars brand back in 1998. Katie took over the day-to-day operations in 2012, with the goal of maintaining the legacy of the vineyard through sustainable farming, and business practices, so they can ensure the integrity of this place survives for generations to come.
The core of the VGS experience lies in vibrant, inviting cottage in which our attitude resonates throughout - lighthearted, easygoing and (though sometimes irreverent) certainly never pretentious
Clif Bar co-owners Gary Erickson and Kit Crawford have married their passions for cycling, food and wine into one great destination. Come for the bike ride, stay for lunch at their Bruschetteria food truck and enjoy a tasting of their wines sourced from some of Northern California's finest vineyards.
Conn Creek has committed to Bordeaux style red wines produced from grapes sourced from some of the finest vineyards in the Napa Valley. Conn Creek is also one of the first wineries in the valley to commit to green building practices.
Vinves, wines and people have a lot in common; the good get better with time. A great wine should have balance and interest at every age, Delicious in its youth, Continuum has firm supple tannins, richness and length. With age, this wine will evolve to express greater nuance, delicacy and interest.
The 100 acre estate in St. Helena is on the location of the historic Dowdell & Sons Winery. The sustainably farmed vineyards have been continuously farmed since 1870. Pam Starr designs the wines to express the extraordinary terrior of this incredible location.
You can avoid all of the work and stress of planning your Napa Valley or Sonoma wine region visit by allowing us to guide you through a most compelling and memorable day in the wine country!
On our small group join-in wine tours, you’ll meet other wine adventurers on a roomy shuttle led by one of our friendly and informative tour guides. We’ll pick you up from your area lodging for a day filled with fun, flavor and adventure!
Or…make it private! We’re happy to accommodate couples or groups of any size for customized tours through the wine country.
