Swanson Vineyards

Great little winery tucked away from the main road!
You must make a reservation in order to visit and taste the wines. I am glad we did, it was one of my favorites. I like the fact that it is intimate and you don’t have to fight a million people to get up to the tasting area. It was just my husband and I being helped by Dustin. Dustin is great. He is very friendly and know a lot about the wine. It was the least stuffy experience we had all weekend and we loved it. I definitely recommend the Merlot and also you have to get a bar (or three) of the Clarks bark. So yummy! This is a must stop by winery if you are in Napa, but plan ahead in case they are booked!

after a girl’s weekend in Napa we all agreed Swanson was our hands-​down fav. it was a beautiful day to sit in the courtyard and we enjoyed all the wine (and nuts, chocolate and truffles) we were served. the gardens, hummingbirds and scenery were a bonus. a delicious day! 5 stars.

Dustin is absolutely fantastic. Very knowledgible and friendly. Very fine winery which is very quaint and really well kept. This is a hidden gem that you must see! The SIP shop is really fun and they do a really nice job here. History is excellent here!

Upscale winery in old European fashion. Beautiful and boutique whimsical atmosphere with delicious wines and friendly staff. Make an appointment!

We went there on a recommendation from another winery. As we requested entry into the private gates, condescending tone filled the air. We were lucky to gain entry and were met with an empty pavilion. Upon seating ourselves and setting up a picnic, we were met with a server that was less than thrilled with our presence. We were informed they do not accept service animals or outside food. Our friend has an alert dog for her seizure disorder and we were told we were not allowed to have her dog. After waiting 15 minutes outside, we left without being served. We will not be returning. I would advise you to go elsewhere. #regusci #caymus

Loved the whole tasting experience at Swanson Vineyards, from the tasting room décor to the wines, but mainly our hostess Mindy! She was impressively knowledgable, but also sweet, personable and unpretentious! The wine tastings were paired with small exquisite bites. We have experienced tastings at Opus One, Duckhorn, Trefethen, BV, T/​vine, Caymus, and Château Montelena but the tasting at Swanson was our absolute favorite! We highly recommend it!!!

The sip shoppe is incredibly underwhelming. The guy doing our tasting had no knowledge of Kate Spade’s affiliation with the winery (designed the sip shoppe). The only wine anyone in my party of 5 liked was the rose and we were literally given sips, not tastes. This tasting wasn’t fun. Would not recommend or come here again.

I really enjoyed my time here at Swanson. First of all, it is adorable. I would say it’s a boutique feel with excellent attentive service since they are appointment only. We sat on the patio on a warm day which was great. The wines were good, not phenomenal, but the overall experience is wonderful. The Merlot stood out as the best for me. I am not a huge dessert wine fan but this is definitely the place to bring someone who is. I want to say they make 3 or 4, and are very generous in letting you sample what you’d like. They even paired the wine with unique chocolates which just made the experience over the top. I definitely recommend Swanson!

We had Kate as a guide and she was AMAZING. Then wine was also great. Highly recommend this place.

This place is beautiful! The wine is even better!
Pros: the grounds are absolutely stunning! It’s very private and cozy. The gentleman who helped us was very nice and informational. He told us a lot that we didn’t know!
Cons: none
Tips: make an appointment

We had an INCREDIBLE time with the host Chip showing us around the Swanson winery. We know Swanson Merlot as the best wine from our favorite restaurant in NYC — so Swanson was the one winery we just HAD to visit in Napa. We were so excited when we got an appointment for a tasting in the Sip Shoppe.
The visit started out on a high note and get kept getting better. Chip came outside to greet us, shake our hands, and give us a tour. Then he spent 90 minutes with us educating us on winemaking, the region, and more. Chip even walked us out to our car, took photos of us, and shook our hands to wish us well on the rest of our trip. We had a delightful time — and bought out the winery I swear. My highest recommendation!

My favorite tasting of the day! We sat outside at a slender picnic table beneath the leafy canopy, surrounded on two sides by beautiful flowers. The knowledgeable hostess started us off with an incredible rosato, and then after giving us some time to enjoy this crisp refreshingness, brought out some heated pistachios to enjoy with a lively pinot grigio. Then it was on to a red wine, I can remember the type, but is was perfectly complemented with some curry dark chocolate! Wowza, that was unexpectedly delicious! The following wines were good as well, but the first three really stole the show. YUM! Great company, interesting and knowledgeable hostess, perfect weather, delicious wines. Does life get any sweeter?

As others have noted you need an appointment to come here. It really is a special little vineyard. Unlike the other places we went during our time in Napa… Swanson had a much more intimate feeling which was welcome after some of the other, more crowded venues in the valley. The villa that houses the tasting area is beautiful as is the garden courtyard out front. Sitting out front on a beautiful 75′ day sipping wine was heavenly.

Swanson took us early for our reservation after we left Cakebread Cellars where we decided to leave early due to our experience.
Swanson couldnt have been better. They welcomed us in, got us started with wine and let us sit whereever we want. We chose their beautiful courtyard, with so many birds and chirps that it you think it has to be piped in music!
The tasty area is funky and not stuffy old school winery. It’s pop colours and fun names like ‘Sip Shoppe’ for the tasting room.
The wines: They are apparently best known for their Merlot, which was nice (and I’ve never enjoyed before). What stood out to me was the Rosato, a really light Rose style wine that isnt distributed. So you have to try and buy there, which I did.
Next time I’m back I’ll be wanting to swing by here again!

By appointment only and so glad i booked. Trip to Napa with five gals this spot is a must! Great wines and the photo ops are amazing. I loved this winery so much im gonna forgive that the host/​server was a little snobby!

Try the salon tasting to experience all Swanson has to offer.
In addition to making some really terrific wines, the Salon tasting ($ 65 per pseron) provides access to wines that are not sold at retail, and in my opinion is worth the price of admission.
A maximum of eight guests are seated at a large round table, in the center of a room right out of the parlor of a 19^th century European royal castle. This tasting includes several cheeses, crackers and a dollup of caviar on a salty potato chip. A chocolate is also provided for good measure.
The artwork in the room is unique and amazing, and this is unlike any otehr tasting setting in the valley.
Kate provided a terrific historical and culinary tour, while tasting through the portfolio over a solid hour.
If you prefer a lower cost option, Swnason also offers a courtyard tasting — in a beautiful shaded and comfortable area with music and snacks for $ 35/​pp.
Put this on your list of have-​tos in Napa, and don’t forget how good the Swanson Merlot is!

Such a fun winery! The Swanson’s were there when we paid a visit and took the time to come over and speak with us on a more personal level asking where we’re from, and what we did to make small talk. A very lovely couple that made you feel at home. They also had a very nice gentleman playing music on a very special instrument (I can’t remember the name) in the front garden/​patio area.
Unfortunately, the overall service (aside from the owners themselves) was just mediocre as were their wines. But it was still a pleasant winery to visit. They also have super cute wine labels (love, just married etc) and really fun wine tumblers (his and hers). Fun place to get wine gifts. And lastly, they have a really good chocolate bar which is what I ended up walking away with.

I called the day of and was able to get a reservation for a party of six. Phew! We were immediately greeted by Ella, who was more than nice. She seated us and we began our peaceful wine tasting. After, once we were finished we wandered off to the shop and purchased the wines that we liked. I wanted to come here to purchase their cute wine bottles with the messages on them, but I wasn’t sure how the wine would taste. So Samantha let me have another taste. It wasn’t so great, unfortunately, so I didn’t purchase their house wine, instead I purchased one from the wine tastings. Samantha was definitely more than accommodating.
It all went bad as soon as I had to use the restroom. We went through the back to use the restroom since that was the ONLY way to GET TO the restroom. Once I reached the restroom, this older lady who was rather RUDE asked me if I was using the restroom. Well OBVIOUSLY, my hand was reaching for the door. I replied yes, She then had the nerve to say, well when you’re finished exit the way you came in. «WELL OBVIOUSLY I would go back the same way I came.» Those were my exact words. Then she had the nerve to say, don’t exit through the front, we’re having a private wine tasting. Well you rude employee, WE are also paying customers, and we did do a wine tasting, and we also purchased wine from the winery! So do not assume that we are just girls who need to use the restroom. That ruined my ENTIRE EXPERIENCE at this winery, and needless to say, I will NEVER be back.
As nice and accommodating as Ella and Samantha were, our experience was ruined right at the very end by an unpleasant older lady.
Honig, Pine Ridge, Alpha Omega can ALL PROVIDE MUCH BETTER service.

Another trip to NAPA! heehaw ;) of course another birthday to celebrate for the occasion to visit the vineyards of Rutherford. What can I say? Swanson is so peaceful! it kind of reminded me of a lonely barn house fixed up? LOL but overall A-​OK. As for the wine-I’m not big on the RED’s but love White. Service was really friendly and the deal with Swanson was 4 free tastings as long as we bought a bottle. My crew ended up buying 8bottles? guess my palate wasn’t too good. LOL

Swanson Vineyards is off the Saint Helena Highway and tucked in between residential houses. It’s a small place, but filled with much charm and fun. Their tastings are by appointment only. Unknowingly, the 9 of us arrived without reservations. But they were so kind to accommodate us.
There are two tasting rooms here. First, the Swanson Salon is for formal tastings. This room is simply gorgeous! It has lush orange walls, paintings, chandeliers and much more. Next door is the Sip Shoppe for informal tastings. It is a bright room with long bench-​tables.
Our tasting was in the Sip Shoppe and prices range from $ 15-​$ 25. Before beginning our tastings, we were each given a complimentary sample of their Rosato. Delicious! Most of us did the the Bön Vivant tasting which included tastings of their Chardonnay, Petite Sirah, and Sangiovese, a Clarke’s Bark bar and a mini cup of sorbet. And I just want to say, I love the presentation.
While the wines were good, the Clarke’s Bark bar stole the show! They call this their adult chocolate and it is as sinful as it sounds. This dark chocolate bar has merlot soaked toffee and pink Himalayan salt. This combination of sweetness, saltiness, bitterness and crunchiness was indeed naughty and intoxicating.
It was such a fun and delectable visit! Thanks Swanson Vineyards!
Check out their special occasion wines with labels like «Just Married», «Lucky Night», and «Please Forgive Me». (
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