Chimney Rock
Chimney Rock
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
We invite you to experience our stunning Cape Dutch inspired estate: nestled beneath the magnificent Palisades, our property cuts an impressive figure against the dominant red wine grapes we are known for, planted in the volcanic soil of Stags Leap. Join us and enjoy delicious estate wines, warm and generous hospitality, and breathtaking views of the Napa Valley; or, elevate your experience with a reservation for a behind the scenes tour & tasting. Here is Cabernet Sauvignon like no other. In the acclaimed Stags Leap District of Napa Valley, Chimney Rock Winery transforms the enticing potential of the world’s most exalted varietal into riveting reality. The ingredients: family ownership with a global perspective and a steadfast dedication to quality; a property where ideal growing conditions and careful nurture combine to deliver ripe, concentrated grapes; and a winemaker whose passion for her craft blends science, artistry and intuition, to produce graceful, richly textured wines.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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See what travelers are saying
- Shayne NHouston, Texas62 contributionsWe were so pleasantly surprised!We were blown away by our visit to Chimney Rock. We didn’t know much about this winery before our visit, other than having tried their Cabernet a couple of times. We visited on a Saturday, which meant it was very busy, and so we had to wait about 10 minutes past our reservation time. But this was not a problem for us. We were not in a hurry, and we were given some wine to sip while we waited. But, if this is not last on your itinerary for the day, I’d recommend visiting on a weekday for the most enjoyable experience. Our host, Ian, welcomed us and seated us on the patio. He sat with us at the table and took the time to get to know us and our tastes a bit before bringing us any wines. Then he proceeded to absolutely knock our socks off with pretty much everything he poured, including a surprising selection of whites and roses, even though the winery is best known for its reds. We are not rose-lovers by any stretch of the imagination, but we enjoyed these so much, we bought 3 bottles (along with a bunch of other wines). While I have certainly enjoyed visiting some of the larger and more well-known wineries, it always feels like a bit of an adventure to “discover” a smaller, less widely distributed winery and to see what they have to offer. Highly recommend!Visited October 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 23, 2023
- clkerr1118Charlotte, North Carolina110 contributionsOld world flavorsArrived on time and was immediately greeted by Bob (ask him about his MLB experience) who gave us a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. Delicious way to cleanse our palates in preparation for the reds. The reds were surprising old world flavors. We were able to taste a 2013 Cab! 2013!! I would recommend this winery!Visited October 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 24, 2023
- Rachel G2 contributionsBetter and Better Every YearJulian was a fantastic wine educator and made the wine tasting experience something to be remembered. We go to this winery every year and it never disappoints. And while it gets better each and every time, Julian was just the bonus this year. Thanks for making it special!Visited October 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 29, 2023
- Mary J1 contributionIf you pick one winery, pick Chimney RockWe've gone to Chimney Rock twice now, and both times we are blown away. The staff are incredibly friendly and personal, and design your wine tasting to be a unique experience based on you and your preferences. They make the wine seem approachable, and showcase some of the best reds in the area. I've gone to >20 wineries between Livermore, Napa, Sonoma, and the area, and hands down this is the best.Visited August 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten August 4, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
216 reviews
Excellent
127
Very good
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Poor
9
Terrible
7
Casey W
Seattle, WA20 contributions
May 2022
Excellent service and beautiful scenery. Our group of three had an early reservation (11am) and the winery was not as busy. Our server, Tyson, was excellent and allowed our friend that prefers white wine to taste more of those instead of the heavy reds. It made for a very personable experience that allowed us to explore their library of wines in tune with our taste preferences. Grounds are gorgeous and the seating felt well spaced, with opportunities for shade and sun. Will be visiting again.
Written June 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
63impala
Stoneham, MA1,532 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
I would like to write this review as a favorable one. I would have like to have been able to at least tried the wine. Granted, we didnt have any type of reservations and there were no postings anywhere about needing reservations. We decided to drop in. We waited at the counter for 20 minutes while 3 workers talked amongst themselves and we finally asked if anyone could help us. They asked if we had reservations, we replied no and we were quickly told that we couldnt be helped. OK, I guess we arent welcomed here so we left and found a few other places that actually wanted our business. I doubt we would ever go back.
Written October 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mcelemin
San Francisco, CA1 contribution
Nov 2020
Posting my review a little late from my last tasting experience back in November 2020. I used to be a member and just canceled it after 2 really bad tasting experiences. Both of them I brought some friends and was hosted by Nicole and I have no words to say how awful was being hosted by her. I felt very embarrassed to bring them over. The wines are great but I can't handle this issue twice, especially after talking to the manager that was clearly not interest in my feedback and just asked if I'd like to cancel my membership right there once I mentioned that I would not continue as a member.
Written January 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stan T
Calgary, Canada8 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Wow! What a great experience we had at Chimney Rock Winery. We visited on my wife’s birthday and it made her day!
Wine tasting expert Randi kept us entertained the entire time with information on the different selections of wine. She also shared stories about the winery and the surrounding vineyards. We couldn’t have asked for a better person to host our tasting.
In addition to the wines another highlight was the tasty charcuterie plate with a variety of meats, cheeses and crackers.
Wine tasting expert Randi kept us entertained the entire time with information on the different selections of wine. She also shared stories about the winery and the surrounding vineyards. We couldn’t have asked for a better person to host our tasting.
In addition to the wines another highlight was the tasty charcuterie plate with a variety of meats, cheeses and crackers.
Written July 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
clkerr1118
Charlotte, NC110 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Arrived on time and was immediately greeted by Bob (ask him about his MLB experience) who gave us a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. Delicious way to cleanse our palates in preparation for the reds. The reds were surprising old world flavors. We were able to taste a 2013 Cab! 2013!! I would recommend this winery!
Written October 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary J
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • Couples
We've gone to Chimney Rock twice now, and both times we are blown away. The staff are incredibly friendly and personal, and design your wine tasting to be a unique experience based on you and your preferences. They make the wine seem approachable, and showcase some of the best reds in the area. I've gone to >20 wineries between Livermore, Napa, Sonoma, and the area, and hands down this is the best.
Written August 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachel G
2 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Julian was a fantastic wine educator and made the wine tasting experience something to be remembered. We go to this winery every year and it never disappoints. And while it gets better each and every time, Julian was just the bonus this year. Thanks for making it special!
Written October 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda Y
Frisco, TX5,698 contributions
Nov 2020
I love the relaxing, casual ambience of Chimney Rock with its white-washed Cape Dutch architecture. The outdoor patio is the perfect spot to sip their dominant Cabs created by winemaker Elizabeth Vianna. Our tasting included the 2013 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013 Tomahawk and 2015 Ganymede, as well as extra pour of the 2015 Cabernet Franc. Wow, these are special wines! If powerful reds aren’t your style, try the Rose of Cab Franc or Elevage Blanc, two of my personal favorites. We had a wonderful tasting, thanks to our attentive hosts Josh and Michael.
Written November 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GMaMom
Phoenix, AZ2 contributions
A great experience. Very nice Stags Leap District Cabernet. Worth visiting. Worth the tasting. Worth buying the wine.
Written July 8, 2005
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matthew
St. Helena, CA540 contributions
Visited Chimney Rock winery recently in the "off-season" for wine tastings; I am a recently-transplanted Napa local and decided to take advantage of an unseasonably fair-weather day to explore some more of the many local wineries.
After stopping in Darioush, a lavishly pompous affair but with some nice eye candy in the architecture and decor, we decided to stop into Chimney Rock. The Chimney Rock architecture is quite noticeable and aesthetically pleasing perched among its pleasant vineyards on the Silverado Trail.
The interior and tasting, however, are a less pleasant experience. Unlike some wineries (Peju, Niebaum-Coppola, Darioush, Rutherford Hill), there is little to see or enjoy in the way of decor, artwork, shop items, or scenery from the Chimney Rock building. In some ways, this is a refreshing minimalism, since it shows that their emphasis is on WINE instead of on aesthetics. Aside from that, however, it is simply boring. In my opinion, a trip to a winery can be (and should be) a feast for the senses, with the smell of oak and must, the taste sensations of not only wine but other great foods you can taste at many locations (chocolate, nuts, mustards, oils, and sauces), and the visual temptations of architectural, botanical, sculptural, or otherwise artistic delights.
Seeing the wine list continues the sense of minimalism, with a basic and almost singular focus on Cabernet Sauvignon. While the cabs are, indeed, good -- and different years have vast differences in flavor and mouthfeel, making it interesting to taste the entire flight of vintages -- unfortunately the whole thing just doesn't feel up to its price tag:
$20 for a tasting (of 5 wines); each bottle costing $50+ (the lowest I saw on the list was $55; the highest being approx. $140) They don't even waive your tasting fee if you purchase the extravagantly-priced bottles of wine, nor do they offer discounts to Napa Valley locals (nearly every other winery we have been to has reduced or waived the tasting fee for locals, as well as offering 10%-25% discounts on purchases)
All things considered, I would say this: the wines are not bad (they are good, even, but not SPECTACULAR), but not worth the hefty pricetag, unless you were paying that price in a restaurant. The tasting is overpriced -- by comparison, take Coppola's winery, also $20 for a tasting. Although Coppola's wines are inferior, at least the $20 you pay there gives you a view of the lavish estate grounds and even a visit to a small "Coppola Movie Museum" of props and costumes from some great films; likewise, $15 at Rutherford Hill gets you a full tasting, a guided tour of the caves and cellars, and some of the best views overlooking the valley below.
Final verdict: visiting Chimney Rock is not worth it.
After stopping in Darioush, a lavishly pompous affair but with some nice eye candy in the architecture and decor, we decided to stop into Chimney Rock. The Chimney Rock architecture is quite noticeable and aesthetically pleasing perched among its pleasant vineyards on the Silverado Trail.
The interior and tasting, however, are a less pleasant experience. Unlike some wineries (Peju, Niebaum-Coppola, Darioush, Rutherford Hill), there is little to see or enjoy in the way of decor, artwork, shop items, or scenery from the Chimney Rock building. In some ways, this is a refreshing minimalism, since it shows that their emphasis is on WINE instead of on aesthetics. Aside from that, however, it is simply boring. In my opinion, a trip to a winery can be (and should be) a feast for the senses, with the smell of oak and must, the taste sensations of not only wine but other great foods you can taste at many locations (chocolate, nuts, mustards, oils, and sauces), and the visual temptations of architectural, botanical, sculptural, or otherwise artistic delights.
Seeing the wine list continues the sense of minimalism, with a basic and almost singular focus on Cabernet Sauvignon. While the cabs are, indeed, good -- and different years have vast differences in flavor and mouthfeel, making it interesting to taste the entire flight of vintages -- unfortunately the whole thing just doesn't feel up to its price tag:
$20 for a tasting (of 5 wines); each bottle costing $50+ (the lowest I saw on the list was $55; the highest being approx. $140) They don't even waive your tasting fee if you purchase the extravagantly-priced bottles of wine, nor do they offer discounts to Napa Valley locals (nearly every other winery we have been to has reduced or waived the tasting fee for locals, as well as offering 10%-25% discounts on purchases)
All things considered, I would say this: the wines are not bad (they are good, even, but not SPECTACULAR), but not worth the hefty pricetag, unless you were paying that price in a restaurant. The tasting is overpriced -- by comparison, take Coppola's winery, also $20 for a tasting. Although Coppola's wines are inferior, at least the $20 you pay there gives you a view of the lavish estate grounds and even a visit to a small "Coppola Movie Museum" of props and costumes from some great films; likewise, $15 at Rutherford Hill gets you a full tasting, a guided tour of the caves and cellars, and some of the best views overlooking the valley below.
Final verdict: visiting Chimney Rock is not worth it.
Written February 12, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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