Our Favorite Wine Caves in California for Subterranean Sipping
The coolest (literally, bring layers), most beautiful places to drink wine underground
Courtesy @deldottowine
Wine caves are our favorite second favorite part about visiting wine country. They’re a peek into each winery’s particular preferences: How bottles are stored, aged, and played with to create all the flavors we love. It’s also the closest most of us will ever get to the magic and mystery of winemaking—plus, you usually get a drink or two while you’re inside, which is nice. Wine tastes better underground, we’re sure of it. We rounded up some of our favorite wine caves in the state, from Napa to Paso Robles; which have you been to?
Schramsberg Vineyards, Calistoga CA
Schramsberg boasts some of the best sparkling wine in the state (if not the country?) and 125-year-old wine caves where bottles are stacked and riddled by hand.
Jarvis Estate, Napa CA
Jarvis Estate, which is housed completely underground in a series of caves, used the same boring machine used to make the Chunnel (the Channel Tunnel, connecting England to France) to create their cave system. Power move.
JUSTIN Winery, Paso Robles CA
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JUSTIN‘s barrel cave houses not only its wines, but also its beautiful Isosceles Library, where wine tastings are held. Layers recommended; it gets chilly down there!
Hall Wines, St. Helena CA
Hall Wines has the prettiest wine cave we ever did see, complete with a stunning Swarovski crystal chandelier. Also, a little bunny told us that Pete Buttigieg hangs out here….
Del Dotto Vineyards, Napa CA
Del Dotto has not one, but three locations across Napa Valley. For a dose of history, check out the Caves at Historic Del Dotto in Napa, dating back to 1885. If you’re opting for opulence, the Estate Caves (pictured above) are beautiful.
