There’s something magical about seeing our wineries through someone else’s eyes, and this summer we’re delighted that Fodor’s Travel has done just that. In its August 2025 Napa & Sonoma guide, three of our House of Far Niente properties—Nickel & Nickel, Bella Union, and Far Niente—are celebrated for their beauty, their wines, and the unique experiences they offer.

Nickel & Nickel: Rustic Charm, Refined Cabernet

Drive into Oakville and you’ll notice a corral, antique barns, and even a farm-style windmill welcoming you to Nickel & Nickel. It feels like stepping back into Napa’s country roots, but the moment you taste, you know you’re in the presence of something world-class.

Fodor’s Travel praised the winery’s single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons, describing them as smooth and almost sensual. The highlight? The Terroir Tasting, where six Cabernets are paired with charcuterie and artisanal cheeses while hosts reveal how each vineyard’s soil and microclimate shape the wine. And for those who love Cabernet, the guide made it clear: “Don’t miss this sister winery to elegant Far Niente”.

Bella Union: A Courtyard That Draws You In

Just a few miles north in Rutherford, Bella Union Winery opens its doors to a space that’s as much about atmosphere as it is about wine. Picture this: an aqua-tiled fountain glistening in the courtyard, framed by canary palms, leading you into a brasserie-style atrium where natural light dances across every surface.

Fodor’s highlighted the Jewel Box Tasting here—an intimate experience pairing top Cabernet Sauvignons with small bites. But what guests remember just as much as the wines is the feeling: the sense of being wrapped in warmth, discovery, and easy-going Napa Valley hospitality. It’s a space designed not just to taste, but to linger.

Far Niente: An Icon, Season by Season

And then there’s Far Niente—a name that already evokes a sense of timeless Napa Valley elegance. Designed in 1885 and brought back to life after Prohibition, the estate is as much a piece of living history as it is a working winery.

Fodor’s Travel described Far Niente as “one of Napa Valley’s most beautiful properties,” and it’s easy to see why. Guests enjoy private tastings that wind through the stone winery, historic caves, and lush gardens. The portfolio shines from crisp Chardonnay to velvety Cabernet Sauvignon, with sweet surprises like Dolce, our late-harvest treasure.

Perhaps most enchanting of all: the nearly 200 ginkgo trees lining the driveway. Come fall, they turn a vibrant gold, transforming the approach into a glowing tunnel of light. It’s one of those Napa moments that feels dreamlike, even for those of us lucky enough to see it every year.

A House, A Family, A Shared Napa Story

These mentions in Fodor’s Travel remind us of something we hold close: each of our wineries tells its own story, but together they weave a tapestry of what Napa Valley winemaking is all about—heritage, innovation, and beauty, season after season.

So, whether you’re drawn to the rustic romance of Nickel & Nickel, the welcoming courtyard of Bella Union, or the timeless elegance of Far Niente, we invite you to step into our story. After all, the House of Far Niente isn’t just a collection of wineries—it’s a family, and every guest who visits becomes part of it.