Wine tasting at Rutherford Ranch Winery

Situated a short distance from the Silverado Trail at the Rutherford Crossroad, Rutherford Ranch Winery is on the banks of a somewhat meandering creek.

The vineyards Rutherford Ranch is a picturesque property and the wines crafted here, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel, are of such excellent quality and that is the reason why the Napa Valley and the unique Rutherford appellation are world renowned. The Rutherford Ranch Vineyards and Winery are no doubt centrally located in the world famous Rutherford appellation, in the heart of the beautiful Napa Valley. Rutherford Ranch wines have been lovingly created to express the class that the Napa Valley wine is known for.

At Rutherford Ranch wineries have been making ultra-premium wines for almost thirty years, constantly striving to offer wine lovers exceptional quality at reasonable prices. Winery visitors are always warmly greeted to taste an array of award-winning wines and their hospitality is truly heart-warming. Their specialists are only too eager to share their vast wine making knowledge. In the shade of old-growth oaks and 100-year old olive trees guests are asked to sit with a glass of wine or to stroll along the creek while enjoying beautiful vineyard vistas.

Each Rutherford Ranch wine is made in one of the Napa Valley's prized vineyards and is carefully hand crafted. A gentle fermentation is followed by many months of aging in small French and American oak barrels. The result is a wine that is wholesome and full-bodied, yet pleasing to the palate and ready to be enjoyed accompanied by your favorite dishes.

It is no exaggeration to say that wines from Rutherford reflect the true essence of Napa Valley. The wineries here create wines with fresh aromas, rich flavors and a smooth balanced finish. Along with exemplary taste, Rutherford Ranch offers genuine value to wine lovers who come here. Mr. Robert Parker, well-respected critic and wine writer for The Wine Advocate, commended the Rutherford Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon calling it the premium wine. He said "One of the great values in California Cabernet Sauvignon (believe me there aren't many of them)..." Parker also called the Rutherford Ranch Rhiannon and Rutherford Ranch Chardonnay as amazing wines.

Rutherford Ranch began in the late 1970s and was earlier known as Round Hill Winery. Today the winery is part of the Rutherford Wine Company group that includes Rutherford Ranch, Rutherford Ranch Reserve, Round Hill and Grand Pacific brands. Added to these, ASV Wineries, located in Delano and San Martin, is also a part of the same ownership, making it one of the giant producers in the state. The Rutherford Ranch label represents wines with some of the best values in the Valley. Rutherford Ranch wines are produced from fruit sourced from many different vineyards in Napa Valley, while most of the fruit for the Round Hill wines is sourced from other areas of California.

The scenic beauty of the wineries is something unique, featuring many trees, walkways, rock gardens, brightly colored umbrellas and a pond. The modern, attractive winery building is a fascinating mix of glass, concrete and natural wood. The tasting room has the right ambience and one sees bright fall colors highlighted by heavy wood beams supporting the ceiling. The petite tasting counter provides a wide range of wines including Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, a sweet Moscato, White Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. A new wine is their proprietary red blend Rhiannon, made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petite Syrah, Syrah and Zinfandel. There is a separate VIP tasting room as those desiring a quiet personal experience seek advance reservations.