Priest Ranch (tasting room)

Priest Ranch traces back to 1869 and James Joshua Priest, a Gold Rush prospector who established the property. In 2004 it was joined with the neighbouring Elder Valley land to create the 1,682-acre Somerston Estate, with 224 acres of vineyard spread across 15 areas, three ridgelines and two valleys.

The tasting room is in Yountville on Washington Street, which makes it far easier to reach than the estate itself. The wines have real personality, with names like Snake Oil and Remedy alongside the Block 144 Petit Verdot and the James Joshua flagship. Michael scores the wine an 8, the strongest of its three marks. There is a kitchen on site for food. Walk-ins are accommodated, which is useful on a central Napa day.