Inglenook Winery

Inglenook winery is everything you want a Napa Valley winery to be -- a charming, ivy-draped chateau with a storied legacy.

But would you expect any less from its owner, renowned film director Francis Ford Coppola? He bought the original house and part of the Inglenook vineyard in 1975. Then in 1995, Coppola purchased the historic chateau and remaining vineyards, lovingly restoring and renovating the winery into a showplace.

Formerly known as Rubicon Estate, the winery has also regained its original name Inglenook.

Built in 1879, Inglenook is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Upon arrival, you'll stop at the new Visitor Center -- a former water storage building-turned-guest-checkpoint. You'll check in here before heading up the long driveway to the Chateau. 

Once inside, you're enveloped with luxury. Surround yourself with elegance and drama, from the cathedral ceilings and turn-of-the-century carriage doors in the magnificent Barrel Room to an enormous stained-glass window at the top of the movie-set-worthy staircase. 

Exquisitely designed, the interior holds fascination for its many visitors.

If you'd rather skip the tour, head to the Bistro -- a place to relax with a latté or a glass of wine and nibble small bites in a comfortable setting. Or step outside to the enchanting Parisian-style courtyard, where visitors can sip wine and savor the ambiance.

Don't miss the Boutique room -- an elegant marketplace offering a lavish selection of vintage I've-got-a-story-to-tell collectibles, plus antique wine accessories and one-of-a-kind gifts. It's simply splendid and worth browsing.

Inglenook Winery Tastings and Tours

Guided tours of the chateau, wine caves and vineyards are offered daily. You'll also enjoy a seated tasting of wines paired with artisan cheeses in one of the private caves. You have a few options here.

Photo credit sansara/istockphoto

Want to head straight to the tasting? The Heritage Tasting offers visitors a seated tasting of estate wines, including the flagship Rubicon wine, paired with artisan cheeses.

Treat your tastebuds with the Food and Wine Pairing. You'll be greeted in the historic Chateau, then explore the Infinity caves before heading to one of the elegant cellars with a wine educator. This experience beautifully pairs a variety of Estate Cabernet Sauvignon with a sampling of seasonal culinary delights from Estate Chef Alex Lovick. 

Discover how Inglenook wine is made, from the vineyards to the bottle with the Inglenook Experience. You'll enjoy a walking tour of the estate and learn the history of Inglenook winery and tour the Infinity caves, where you'll get an insight into the process of winemaking and aging. Your journey concludes in one of the private caves, where you'll explore the complementary flavors of wine and artisan cheeses.

View of the Inglenook vineyards from beneath the stately pergola.

Where to Visit Inglenook Winery

1991 St. Helena Highway, Rutherford, California 94573 * 707-968-1161 * www.inglenook.com

Tours and tastings are offered daily. Get the latest schedule and seasonal hours on the website. Make a reservation for any visit to Inglenook.

1. Napa Valley
 ›
2. Wineries