Wine country adventures don’t always require a car and a map. In Calistoga, some of the best wine tasting rooms are just steps (or a short bike ride) from our Calistoga bed and breakfasts. You won’t need to plan an all-day excursion to experience incredible wines and welcoming hospitality. From retro garages and art galleries to elegant salons and hidden patios, these tasting rooms showcase what makes your Calistoga wine tasting adventure feel personal, creative, and completely relaxed.
Wine tasting in Calistoga is anything but pretentious, it’s warm, welcoming, and perfect for anyone just beginning their journey into wine as well as the more experienced wine connoisseur. Here, the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, with winemakers and hosts eager to share their knowledge without overwhelming you. Whether you’re sipping your first Chardonnay or learning the difference between Cabernet and Merlot, you’ll find approachable tastings, scenic views, and a down-to-earth vibe that makes the whole experience feel fun and easy. Calistoga’s boutique wineries are all about making great wine accessible and enjoyable for everyone, no matter your level of expertise.
Here’s a look at some of the tasting rooms that make our neighborhood a wine lover’s dream, so you can sip your way through California wine country without ever leaving town.
Tank Garage Winery: Vintage Vibes and Bold Blends
Just steps from your room, Tank Garage Winery stands out from the crowd in the best way. Built inside a 1930s gas station, it offers one of the most playful and unconventional tasting experiences in the valley. Known for their small-production blends that are bold and unique, with labels that will make you smile (or at least do a double-take). This is the place to taste California wine with attitude, creativity, and zero pretension. A great introduction to wine tasting, right across the road.
Maria Concetto Winery: Art Meets Winemaking
Maria Concetto Winery offers a stylish and intimate tasting experience in the heart of downtown Calistoga that reflects its boutique, woman-owned roots. Founded in 2020 right here in Calistoga, the winery is dedicated to producing wines of integrity from some of the region’s top growing areas, including Napa Valley and Mendocino County.
Inside the tasting room, the atmosphere is upscale yet inviting, with bold blue and gold décor that gives the space a luxurious touch. Tastings feature limited-production wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Bordeaux-style blends, all crafted to be elegant, balanced, and expressive. It’s a relaxed, refined stop that puts quality front and center, making it easy to linger and sip at your own pace.
Olabisi Wines: Intimate and Unfiltered
Just off Lincoln Avenue, Olabisi is a gem that often flies under the radar. Founded by husband and wife, Ted & Kim Osborne, Olabisi focuses on small-production wines crafted with minimal intervention and maximum soul. The intimate, often one-on-one tastings ensure each visit is a one-of-a-kind experience.
LOLA Wines: Bright, Balanced, and Always Welcoming
Located in a charming bungalow just down the street, LOLA’s tasting room feels like being welcomed into someone’s home. Led by winemaker Seth Cripe, this family-run winery specializes in handcrafted, soulful wines with an old-world feel that perfectly matches the home’s historic architecture, original artwork, and welcoming atmosphere. During a visit, you’ll sip through a lineup of bright, balanced wines like Pinot Noir, dry Riesling, and Chardonnay, all while learning about the people and history behind the label.
Elevate your experience with their house-made Bottarga, a rare delicacy made from salt-cured and dried grey mullet roe. It’s one of the world’s only bottarga productions, and you can add this savory treat to any wine tasting for a truly one-of-a-kind pairing experience.
CAMi Vineyards: Refined, Artistic, and Exceptionally Small-Batch
CAMi’s downtown tasting room brings sophistication without stiffness. Owned by Laurie Shelton, the experience here is equal parts art gallery and private wine salon. The tasting room is minimalist and modern, with striking contemporary art on the walls and beautifully made wines in your glass. Tastings are by appointment only, but if you’re looking for a refined, thoughtful take on California wine, it’s worth booking ahead.
Romeo Vineyards & Cellars: Garden Charm in the Heart of Town
Step into a garden of shade trees and string lights at Romeo Vineyards, located on Lincoln Avenue around the corner from the inns. This spot feels like someone’s backyard, if that someone had exceptional Cabernet and one of the most relaxing patios in Calistoga. The wines are lush and classic, featuring estate-grown Bordeaux varietals with plenty of depth and structure. It’s especially beautiful in the late afternoon when the sun filters through the trees and the garden begins to glow.
Vault Wine + Artifacts: Curated and Unexpected
If you’re in the mood for something unexpected, Vault Wine + Artifacts is an experience unlike any other. Just down the street, this space is part rare wine boutique, part antique store, and part curiosity shop. You’ll find limited-production wines and library vintages, surrounded by thoughtfully arranged objects, books, historic wine industry artifacts, and design pieces.
It’s an immersive space where each item, and each bottle, has a story. The staff is passionate and deeply knowledgeable, and the selections often include labels you won’t encounter anywhere else in town.
August Briggs Winery: Big Personality, Small Production
August Briggs Winery offers a bright, welcoming space that’s both sleek and approachable. The tasting room is just a short walk from the inns and is known for its single-vineyard bottlings from both Napa and Sonoma counties.
You’ll find richly flavored Zinfandels, supple Pinot Noirs, and a crowd-favorite Charbono, a lesser-known varietal with deep Napa Valley roots. Once widely planted across Napa Valley, Charbono has all but disappeared, except in Calistoga, which remains the last true outpost for this rare, old-world varietal in the United States. The August Briggs team knows how to guide a tasting with just the right blend of knowledge and warmth, making it a great stop for first-timers and seasoned tasters alike.
Rivers-Marie: A Private, Glass-Enclosed Tasting Experience
Just steps from your door (less than a minute’s walk from both inns), Rivers-Marie offers a quiet, reservation-only tasting experience unlike anything else in town. Their glass-enclosed tasting room was designed to spotlight their single-vineyard wines, including highly regarded Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Since 2002, Rivers-Marie has been producing small-lot, vineyard-driven wines that let the land and vintage take center stage. Led by Thomas Rivers Brown, one of Napa Valley’s most respected and sought-after winemakers, this boutique label offers a rare opportunity to taste the wines he crafts directly, often at prices far below those from the high-profile estates where he consults.
Picayune Cellars & Mercantile: Wine with a French Accent
Just a short stroll from both inns, Picayune Cellars & Mercantile is warm, elegant, and full of French charm. Winemaker Claire Weinkauf brings her roots from France into every bottle, crafting balanced, elegant wines that feel like they belong on a European terrace just as much as in wine country.
Inside the mercantile, you’ll find a beautifully curated selection of goods: handwoven textiles, French knives, artisan jewelry, and more. It’s an ideal spot to sip and browse. Their Viognier and Padlock red blend are both worth lingering over, especially when paired with their cozy patio and friendly staff who make you feel like you’ve known them for years.
Frequently asked Questions about Wine Tasting in the Napa Valley
Do I need a reservation to go wine tasting in Calistoga?
Reservations are highly recommended, especially on weekends or at smaller tasting rooms where space is limited. Many wineries prefer to host guests by appointment so they can give you a more personal, unrushed experience. That said, several downtown tasting rooms do accept walk-ins when space allows, making it easy to pop in for a glass or flight as you explore Calistoga.
What is the cost of wine tasting in Calistoga?
Tasting fees in Calistoga typically range from $30 to $60 per person, depending on the winery and the experience you choose. Some premium tastings or specialty tours may go higher. A few wineries, like Sterling Vineyards or Castello di Amorosa, require a prepaid tasting ticket to enter the property.
However, when you book your stay with us, you’ll receive access to more than eight complimentary tastings at select wineries throughout Napa Valley. The details, including participating partners, will be included in your confirmation email. It’s a great way to experience more of what the valley has to offer while keeping your budget in check.
Can beginners enjoy wine tasting even if they don’t know much about wine?
Absolutely! Calistoga’s tasting rooms are known for their welcoming, no-pressure vibe, making them perfect for newcomers. Many tasting rooms are staffed by people who truly love what they do and enjoy guiding guests who are new to wine. Just let them know you’re starting out, and they’ll be more than happy to share their passion, answer your questions, and help you find styles you’ll love. No wine knowledge required.
How many wineries can I visit in a day?
That really depends on the kind of experience you’re looking for. If you’re planning longer, seated tastings at wineries outside of town, 2 to 4 stops per day is a comfortable pace. This gives you time to enjoy each visit without feeling rushed.
If you’re sticking to downtown Calistoga’s tasting rooms, which are just a short walk or bike ride from our inns, you might fit in a few more stops, especially if you prefer shorter, casual tastings. Many guests like to start their day with one winery just outside of town, then return to Calistoga for lunch and walkable tastings in the afternoon, all without needing to drive.
You can also take advantage of the free Calistoga Shuttle, which stops at several local wineries, including Sterling Vineyards and Castello di Amorosa. It’s a great way to expand your tasting itinerary while keeping things relaxed and safe.
Stay Close, Taste More
One of the best parts about staying at either Craftsman Inn or Wine Way Inn is how close you are. No driving across the valley, no rigid itineraries, just a morning stroll or bike ride followed by a tasting (or two). You can sip, explore, and come home whenever you’re ready.
Calistoga wine tasting is as much about atmosphere as it is about the wine. It’s relaxed, unhurried, and rooted in the kind of personal experiences that make you feel like a local. Whether you’re here for a weekend getaway or a longer retreat, these tasting rooms offer a diverse and exciting slice of wineries in Napa Valley without ever leaving town.
Book your stay today, and let Calistoga be your starting point for discovering the best of California wine, one glass at a time.