7 editor picks in Napa.
7 wine bar places in Napa we have eaten in, sorted by editor score. All cuisines in Napa | Wine Bar across every city.
Drinking wine in Napa without a tasting appointment is its own art. Compline holds North America's Best Wine List with a by-the-glass rotation, Cadet pours 30-plus boutique producers below tasting-room prices, and Vintners Collective is the only public tasting room for more than 20 small estates. Bounty Hunter adds smoked beast to its 400 bottles in an 1880s building, and Sky and Vine keeps the Archer Hotel rooftop pouring until 11pm on weekends.
Compline holds North America's Best Wine List (World of Fine Wine 2024-2025). The by-the-glass list changes weekly; the wine shop sells at near-retail prices.
OrderCurrent seasonal by-the-glass selection with sommelier guidance.
TipAsk the sommelier for a pairing flight rather than a single glass. The weekly rotation means something new is always on the by-the-glass list.
Cadet pours from 30+ boutique Napa Valley producers alongside natural and European wines at prices well below winery tasting-room rates. Events run weekly.
Order30+ boutique winery pours, Natural wine selection, Small plates
TipThe daily happy hour before 18:00 is the best-priced wine tasting in downtown Napa. The rotating natural wine section changes weekly.
Vintners Collective is the only tasting room for 20+ small estate producers with no other public venue, housed in an 1875 stone building on Main Street, Napa.
OrderEstate small-producer wine flights, 20+ exclusive boutique wineries, Seasonal wine events
TipBook the guided flight in advance if visiting on a weekend. The producers on the list change seasonally as allocation releases shift.
Sky and Vine is the Archer Hotel rooftop bar offering California wine by the glass with views across downtown Napa toward the mountains on weekend evenings.
OrderCalifornia wines by the glass, Rooftop small plates, Sunset views over downtown Napa
TipThe best time is 17:30-19:00 for the golden-hour light over the valley. The wine-by-the-glass list is modest but well-chosen for the setting.
Bounty Hunter pairs an 1880s Old West building with 400 wine bottles and BBQ from a wood smoker. Smoked brisket with small-producer Napa Cabernet is the move.
Order400-label wine list, Small-producer Napa Cabernet, Smoked BBQ pairings
TipThe by-the-glass happy hour is the entry point. Ask for a tasting flight of small-producer Napa Cabs alongside the smoked brisket.
Cadet is the late-night wine bar for Napa's restaurant crowd: open until 23:00 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday with a natural wine list and no pretensions.
OrderWine by the glass, Beer flights, Small bar plates
TipThe post-22:00 crowd at Cadet is predominantly local industry. Ask the bartender what they have open that is worth trying on the natural wine side.
Cadet pours 30+ boutique producers at below-tasting-room prices. The happy hour is the best-value wine access in Napa; winemaker events draw the local crowd.
TipGo on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening for the most local crowd. The weekly winemaker events (usually Thursday or Friday) are occasionally open to walk-ins.
Day trip · 8 hours
Enjoy an exclusive, private wine tour to Napa and Sonoma wine country from Marin, Sonoma, Napa, or San Francisco. Customize your itinerary to fit the needs of your gro...
8 hours
Enjoy a private 6-hour wine tasting tour in Napa Valley with a professional chauffeur. Visit the top-name wineries you’ve read about, or let us recommend favorite loca...
6 hours
Experience the finest of Napa Valley on a private winery tour. Enjoy a seamless journey with complimentary sparkling wine as you travel between estates.
