Vincent Aroyo

Vincent Arroyo is a family winery at the Calistoga end of the valley, and it has collected an unusual number of national accolades for its size. Travel and Leisure named it the top vineyard in the country, and it has landed in best-of-California lists from House Beautiful and others.

The range is wide for a small producer, running from Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah through Zinfandel, Syrah, Sangiovese, Tempranillo and Chardonnay. Everything is sold direct, so the Standing Order membership is how regulars secure bottles before they sell out. Michael's staff score of 9 is one of the highest in this collection, and that hospitality is the reason people come back. Visits are by appointment. A natural stop on a northern Napa day.