Hi friends, Brittany Hawkins here. It’s time that I come clean and reveal that I am simply a South African wannabe. I am actually a native of St. Helena, a small town located in Napa Valley, California and I have recently come home for a few months to get married. During this time, Joshin Raghubar, the founder of Explore Sideways came out to explore Napa.

When I put together an itinerary for our 3 day adventure, I wanted him to see that luxury experiences come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you’re into tasting well renown library wines or sipping boutique wine on a mountaintop, there really is something for every palate. Follow our journey through the 50 shades of wine from Napa to Sonoma.

Opus One

We had an aggressive first stop at the world famous Opus One. This architectural masterpiece was the brainchild of Napa’s Robert Mondavi and France’s Baroness Philippine de Rothschild. The vision being to blend the old and new world wine concepts both into the wine and into the surrounds.

The Sideways consensus – this spot is for the library wine lover looking to mark a famous wine off their bucket list. We found that while the architecture was interesting, the classical music and stark walls made it feel a bit cold and impersonal.

David Arthur

Next up was a bit of a trek up into Pritchard Hill to visit my childhood friend, Laura Bystrowski, at her family’s winery, David Arthur. While the wine is on par with that of Opus, the experience couldn’t be more different. Tastings are done in very small groups out under a stunning oak tree amongst the hillside vines. This hidden gem not only produces some highly awarded cabernets but the staff and the surrounds make you feel right at home.

The Sideways consensus: This was our favorite experience overall. Everything about the experience felt authentic. Every person working at this winery felt deeply connected and passionate about working there, and it came through in the quality of the wines. This spot is for people who want the highest quality wines but prefer boutique labels.

Cade

Cade winery is a new addition to Napa, perched high above the valley floor amongst the hillside vines of Howell Mountain. The views from the tasting room are simply incredible and the interiors capture a modern classic Northern California aesthetic.

The Sideways consensus: Perfect for those looking to go off the beaten track, seeking incredible views and a relaxing atmosphere. The wines are great but not unapproachable.

Duckhorn

Duckhorn has a quintessentially Napa vibe to it. A wrap-around porch and walkable vegetable garden make are perfectly suited for the casual California country. The laid back tasting of sauvignon blanc, merlot and cabernet are wonderfully drinkable, without trying too hard.

The Sideways consensus: For those seeking the quintessential Napa lifestyle. This spot is perfect for a mixed group looking for nice wines and a nice vibe.

Elhers Estate

A visit to Elhers Estate is unlike any other. It’s actually operated by a trust in which all the proceeds to go to heart research. What that means is that the winemaking and the staff are not incentivized by the bottom line. Where the experience at many wineries can make you feel like cattle being herded through a corral, the tasting at Elhers lane is relaxed and “smiles driven.” The wine is all sourced from vineyards on the prized St. Helena estate, which makes for some stellar wines. But the most impressive aspect is the tastefully decorated interior of the historical estate.

The Sideways consensus: For the discerning philanthropist. This spot makes you feel good all the way around. Who doesn’t like to support heart research with some heart healthy reds?

Scribe

Scribe is the ultimate authentic experience. There’s nothing contrived about this Sonoma hotspot. The two young proprietors are somewhat of an enigma in the San Francisco crowd. As Adam Mariani says, “we’re just doing what feels real and interesting to us.” This translates to laid back picnic seating overlooking the estate vineyards, indie rock playing in the background and a tasting staff that sits right down with you at the table to pour the wine. It’s actually novel in it’s simplicity. It’s not hard to want to spend the whole day there.

The Sideways consensus: This place is unsurprisingly popular to even the most ardent PBR-drinking hipster. It’s creative, authentic and definitely one to watch out for.

Walt Wines

The Sonoma sister to Hall Winery in Napa, this pinot producer is one to be reckoned with. Located right off the Sonoma Square, Walt’s unassuming tasting room is a Pinot lovers paradise. Have a seat in the backyard and sip on pinots sourced from all over the most famous growing regions – Sonoma County, Anderson Valley, Central Coast and even Willamette Valley in Oregon. You can try them all right there!

The Sideways consensus: The pinot noir lover’s paradise. Don’t let the lack of glitz fool you, rub shoulders with the locals that know where all the best wines are hidden.