White Rock Vineyards
White Rock Vineyards
5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Established in 1870 in the southern foothills of the Stag's Leap Range, White Rock Vineyards was one of the earliest vineyard plantings and winery estates in Napa Valley. Using only a hand saw to cut the white stone quarried from the property, a winery was hand-built with two cellars capable of aging wine up to 4 years before release—a method we still proudly practice today. A century later, the Vandendriessche family revived this great estate continuing its winegrowing legacy of timeless, evocative and elegant estate wines. Our team has implemented standards of cleanliness and social distancing consistent with the State of California and CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19 to ensure your health, safety and enjoyment during your visit.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
5 within 3 miles
Attractions
234 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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
5.0
33 reviews
Excellent
29
Very good
3
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Nancy K
Raleigh, NC28 contributions
Aug 2020
If you are looking for a small winery with wonderful wine you have to make a stop here. No big winery pushy sales just wholesome wine tasting . This winery was devastated by the fires and their love for winemaking is proof in the wines . They continue to have loyal customers because they make beautiful wines like their Chardonnay is a must try.. Make this your first stop in Napa
Written August 6, 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.
Ashley S
Des Moines, IA11 contributions
Nov 2014
Terra made this experience like no other. We absolutely loved the hands on experience of exploring the vineyard and the caves, learning about the history, and all the laughs and fun Terra had to offer. And to top it off - their wines are delicious and are surprisingly affordable! We ended up becoming apart of their wine club and I can't wait for my next shipment to get here! I highly recommend visiting this winery. It appears rustic and off the beaten path - we felt like we found a hidden gem. It was truly a unique experience.
Written November 21, 2014
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.
Ckrem
Muskego, WI15 contributions
Jun 2013 • Family
White Rock and Henri's tour were awesome, intimate, informative, and extremely interesting. Not to mention Henri is just a straight-up awesome dude. The whole White Rock experience is a breath of fresh air from the commercial nature you get at many of the other vineyards. You really get the sense that Henri and his family truly love what they do and that is where their true passion and motivation lies. They offer reserve reds and whites, we started drinking Chardonnay after tasting their 2010 Vintage that is barrel fermented, estate bottled, grown and produced by them,the family's passion is apparent with each glass.( similar to my kids passion for xbox and steam). The natural beauty of the cave rock dry lava, volcanic ash keep the consistent temperature that make it a perfect atmosphere to ferment and age high quality wines. Compliments to Christopher and Michael Vandendriessche.
You have to make reservations in advance - check out the website (but don't judge White Rock by the simple, un-fancy nature of it) and shoot Henri an email. You won't regret it!!!
You have to make reservations in advance - check out the website (but don't judge White Rock by the simple, un-fancy nature of it) and shoot Henri an email. You won't regret it!!!
Written June 30, 2013
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.
Bob D
St Helens, United Kingdom3 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
White Rock winery was part of a wine tour arranged by our agent. We had previously visited 2 other wineries on the tour (Mattera and Fortunatti) which we really enjoyed. However, the tasting at White Rock involved only 4 wines, without accompanying cheese or fruit, and tasting fees came in at a ludicrous 150 US Dollars for 2 people!
Would definitely not recommend a visit to this winery.
Would definitely not recommend a visit to this winery.
Written August 8, 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.
CRCaldwell
Little Rock, AR24 contributions
Apr 2013 • Friends
We loved our visit to White Rock. We had a personal tour with the owner Henri. He is a Berkley trained economist that wondered from France to Napa wine making back in the early 70's. It is a family winery that produces amazing chardonnay and cabernet in both an old Burgundy style and a more fruit forward style. We loved the attention to detail in both styles.
The cave is amazing. Unlike most wine caves, this one is carved into stone. It is old lava flows. The gun-nite present in almost every cave is here in the opening but it gives way to beautiful caverns carved into the stone in the rear of the cave. You get a real sense of the layers that the vines grow down into.
The tasting was laid back and full of information about the process and the owner's opinions on the various techniques. Even the bottle stacking storage technique was unique.
This is a small winery probably incapable of hosting huge numbers of tours but for a unique experience in Napa, you should add this winery to your list. You will not regret it.
The cave is amazing. Unlike most wine caves, this one is carved into stone. It is old lava flows. The gun-nite present in almost every cave is here in the opening but it gives way to beautiful caverns carved into the stone in the rear of the cave. You get a real sense of the layers that the vines grow down into.
The tasting was laid back and full of information about the process and the owner's opinions on the various techniques. Even the bottle stacking storage technique was unique.
This is a small winery probably incapable of hosting huge numbers of tours but for a unique experience in Napa, you should add this winery to your list. You will not regret it.
Written April 28, 2013
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.
TJJones25
Napa, CA22 contributions
Dec 2011
White Rock Vineyards is a place you absolutely must visit if you love wine. Their wines are among the best in Napa Valley at nearly half the price. They also have wine caves and a great tour.
In February of 2011, I wrote a review for White Rock Vineyards and declared it our favorite winery after some forty years of visiting wineries. My friend and I decided to return 12/20/11 because another friend from out of state wanted to visit, and because we wanted to purchase more wine from White Rock. This is a very small, family winery whose wines are not available at most wine stores. The owner runs the winery. One son manages the vineyard. The other is the winemaker who studied in France. His daughter is a cheese maker. They have a great membership program that allows you to purchase wines at a discount with free shipping. We joined their wine club even though we would rather pick up the wines directly since we live so close to the winery.
I continue to love their Chardonnay, which is white Burgundy in style without excessive oak or malolactic conversion. ($30 for the 2008). Their Claret to me is one of the most pleasurable and drinkable Bordeaux blends I’ve encountered. ($36 for the 2006) The Malbec is pretty good, more French in style than Argentine. ($25 for the 2006) All of the cabs are very good and quite reasonably priced for Napa Cabs. ($45 to $75) The Syrah is well worth investigating. White Rock is next to Stag’s Leap District. They have white volcanic rock on a higher level that stresses out Cab vines and a lower area where chardonnays do well. We purchased at least six bottles of wine the first time we visited White Rock and at least a case the second time.
This New Years eve we chose a bottle of 2004 White Rock Cabernet Sauvignon “Laureate” as our wine of the evening. (It went well with Italian food.) In addition to Cab, this has 20% Cab Franc and 5% combined of Merlot and Petit Verdot. It is a $50 wine that tastes as good as most selling for twice that price. This cab needs some time to open up, however, so give it several hours in a decanter. Once it was given some time, I got lushes ripe blackberries, a hint of vanilla with a great mouthfeel and a long finish. This is a substantial wine but not one of those huge, in your face Napa Cabs. There is more nuance than that and more subtlety. I think it will cellar nicely. We could have picked any from a large selection of premium wines we had available, but this is the one we chose to celebrate the New Year.
We love all of the wines at White Rock. It is a small family run winery and remains a favorite of the hundred or so wineries we have visited. As with all small, family run wineries with limited production, reservations are needed but easily obtained by phone or email.
In February of 2011, I wrote a review for White Rock Vineyards and declared it our favorite winery after some forty years of visiting wineries. My friend and I decided to return 12/20/11 because another friend from out of state wanted to visit, and because we wanted to purchase more wine from White Rock. This is a very small, family winery whose wines are not available at most wine stores. The owner runs the winery. One son manages the vineyard. The other is the winemaker who studied in France. His daughter is a cheese maker. They have a great membership program that allows you to purchase wines at a discount with free shipping. We joined their wine club even though we would rather pick up the wines directly since we live so close to the winery.
I continue to love their Chardonnay, which is white Burgundy in style without excessive oak or malolactic conversion. ($30 for the 2008). Their Claret to me is one of the most pleasurable and drinkable Bordeaux blends I’ve encountered. ($36 for the 2006) The Malbec is pretty good, more French in style than Argentine. ($25 for the 2006) All of the cabs are very good and quite reasonably priced for Napa Cabs. ($45 to $75) The Syrah is well worth investigating. White Rock is next to Stag’s Leap District. They have white volcanic rock on a higher level that stresses out Cab vines and a lower area where chardonnays do well. We purchased at least six bottles of wine the first time we visited White Rock and at least a case the second time.
This New Years eve we chose a bottle of 2004 White Rock Cabernet Sauvignon “Laureate” as our wine of the evening. (It went well with Italian food.) In addition to Cab, this has 20% Cab Franc and 5% combined of Merlot and Petit Verdot. It is a $50 wine that tastes as good as most selling for twice that price. This cab needs some time to open up, however, so give it several hours in a decanter. Once it was given some time, I got lushes ripe blackberries, a hint of vanilla with a great mouthfeel and a long finish. This is a substantial wine but not one of those huge, in your face Napa Cabs. There is more nuance than that and more subtlety. I think it will cellar nicely. We could have picked any from a large selection of premium wines we had available, but this is the one we chose to celebrate the New Year.
We love all of the wines at White Rock. It is a small family run winery and remains a favorite of the hundred or so wineries we have visited. As with all small, family run wineries with limited production, reservations are needed but easily obtained by phone or email.
Written January 21, 2012
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.
StephanK128
Thornwood, NY23 contributions
May 2017
We are members of the White Rock Wine Club. Henri Vandendriessche invited us to tour his limestone cave cellars for a t of his outstanding reds, and a sampling of his daughter's artisanal cheeses. What a superb afternoon. Fabulous wine and incomparable fromages! We were terribly saddened by the loss of the homestead and winery due to the terrible Napa fire,,.but we are reassured that the vines are caves are safe. We wish them well. We traveled to White Rock in 2013 but have continued to eagerly await their seasonal shipments of wine. We regret that we are unable to select an accurate time of our visit from the drop down menu, therefore have chosen the earliest date
Written April 29, 2018
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.
Chris K
Albuquerque, NM255 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
We booked a private tour and tasting in advance and were fortunate to be taken on this wonderful experience with Christopher Vandendriessche.
He was very down to earth and absolutely passionate about what he does at White Rock.
The caves are impressive. They allowed us to help label some bottles.
Our tasting was out under a massive tree in the midst of the vineyards.
We enjoyed all of the wines and the amazing stories that Christopher shared about growing up in such an amazing place.
This is a must see if touring the wineries of Napa.
He was very down to earth and absolutely passionate about what he does at White Rock.
The caves are impressive. They allowed us to help label some bottles.
Our tasting was out under a massive tree in the midst of the vineyards.
We enjoyed all of the wines and the amazing stories that Christopher shared about growing up in such an amazing place.
This is a must see if touring the wineries of Napa.
Written June 25, 2017
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.
John J
Oakdale, LA22 contributions
Sep 2016 • Couples
White Rock is exactly what it claims to be: a small family owned and run vineyard dedicated to viniculture, good living and the land. Yeah, yeah. I know what you are thinking: "I have heard this before." But, this is a no BS family vineyard, not a fancy "get you a little oiled up so we can sell you overpriced wine" kind of place. Quite the opposite. Heni and Claire VandendriesscheIt founded White Rock for 1960 and still run the place (now with the help of their sons Chris and Michael). Heni still conducts tasting on a picnic table under a two hundred year old oak tree. One warning: this is a working vineyard, so the Vandendriesschelt's can be busy. But, don't feel overlooked. These folks just have a vineyard to run.
Written September 14, 2016
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.
Stephanie D
Naples, FL458 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
Loved this experience - Tara is so genuine and passionate and then the wines speak for themselves. A small family owned personable experience. Absolutely loved our 2 hour delicious friendly wine tasting experience. Highly recommend!
Written August 26, 2016
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.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing