Ride a Gondola to a Wine Tasting at Sterling Vineyards in Napa Valley
Two weeks ago we did a trip to Napa Valley which I already told about you on my last post. We went to view wineries, ate well and enjoyed the mineral pools at our hotel spa. The first winery we visited was Sterling Vineyardsille which right by the city of Calistoga. While driving over the sun came out and the spring day could have not been more prettier.
STERLING VINEYARDS
Sterling Vineyards was started in 1964 by an Englishman Peter Newton. He visited California and fell in love with the beauty and wines of Napa Valley and decided to invest in his own vineyard. Later he purchased more land from close by and built a winery building at the top of the mountain hill at the premises. The building got its inspiration from a Greek island Mykonos where Newton used to also live. Winery was first opened to public in 1972.
At some point Newton bought an old church bell from England and brought it with him to the vineyard. The bells originally belonged to St. Dunstan Church which got destroyed in the World War II and was located in London. Today the bells are in use, and they ring in every 15 minutes. At this point I have to admit though, that while our visit to Sterling I didn’t hear or notice the bells, so they must not be very loud.
Sterling Vineyards produces Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Shiraz. One of the biggest achievements for Sterling must of been the win at Ottawa Wine Tasting in 1981. Their wines were also used at 2016 Annual Emmy Awards and 2017 Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles. The vineyard have changed owners multiple times in the past, and one of the most interesting owners is the Coca-Cola Company. Today it is owned by a big alcohol company.
WINE TOUR WITH EVERYTHING
From this winery I remember more the experience than their wines. Up to the winery you take a gondola that fits four people at the time. The views up at the mountain and from the gondola are of course great. Right after getting out of the gondola they have the first tasting spot and then you can start the self guided tour. You will walk through the winery tasting different wines in different rooms, and looking at the wine making videos from huge tv screens.
The tour ended to a sun deck which had a beautiful view to the vineyard. Of course it would have been even more beautiful at summer or fall time since now the vines didn’t have any leaves. They also had a restaurant at the deck which you access by making a reservation.
I have to say that the tour was really well organised and they had thought of everything when planning this. But it somehow was lacking some personal contact. Of course, if you pay more you can get a host for your group and better quality wines, but I thought that $35 for a wine tasting was already enough. They sure know how to commercialise everything in Napa Valley. After the tour you get to keep the wine glass as a souvenir. Just like other wineries, this too had all kinds of souvenir shops and other things. But for the first time I saw that some place is selling boxes of wines at the parking lot with discounted prices.
After Sterling we continued to other wineries. This was truly an interesting start for our day at Napa Valley.
This sounds so good. I haven’t been to an Vineyards so far and I really wish to visit it someday. Sterling Vineyards look so good. The whole tour and the tasting session make me book my first vineyard tour. The gondola ride sounds fantastic as well.
This would absolutely be a great place to start! 😊
Huh huh! Ompas siinä ollut bussissa istumista. Mutta varmaan hieno reissu. Tuohan onkin kiva bucket list kohde. Minä en etukäteen tiennyt koko poliisiautosta mitään 🙈 Route 66 on kyllä joskus päästävä ajamaan läpi.
Wow this looks like an incredible experience. Gondola ride, vineyard tour, wine tasting- this trip hasit all. I bet the views from the gondola must have been lovely. The pictures are amazing. I would say at $35 it was value for money.
I must say that even though I’m not much of a wine person myself but a tour of this Wynyard is really interesting even if you not into your wine. A bit of history in there as the Sterling Vineyards was started in 1964 by an Englishman Peter Newton and how he made this in the USA. I have heard a lot about Napa and do have it on my list when I am in the area but this post just gives me more to do now. I must presume the quality of the wine was next to none and I would get a bottle if I did go there. The Gondola ride another treat as well. Amar Singh
Thanks for your comment Amar! If you are not into wines, then Sterling is definitely for you since they have so much more to offer than just wines. I didn’t get a bottle this time because we toured many wineries but I have had Sterling wined before that I got from a store.
That’s one classic wine tour to experience. I would so much enjoy the views during the gondola ride. Then after that, enjoying the wine from the sun deck will be so cool!
Yes, I’m sure you would enjoy the sun deck. It was nice!
You had me sold at the title. Who wouldn’t want a gondola ride to a wine tasting in Napa? I would love to enjoy a glass on the sun deck of Sterling. What gorgeous views!
Thank you Kate! It’s a quite unique combination 😊
I’m a wine drinker, so would appreciate a trip to Sterling Wineries. The gondola part is a nice touch too, given those spectacular views. I also appreciate your honesty about the lack of personal contact; I’ve done a few wine tours, and it does make a big difference to have a fun and knowledgeable host.
Thank you Lisa! I’m sure most big groups partying don’t care so much, but I always like to learn about the winery and their wines.
We love our wine but have never managed to visit Napa Valley. I have never known a vineyard to have a gondola either, what a unique way to visit. Such great views as well. We would love to taste the Sauvignon Blanc – that is our favourite but of course, we would enjoy tasting the others as well.
Then you should definitely make a trip to Napa someday! 🙂
I have been to Napa so many times and had no idea that there was a gondola! What a fun way to view the vineyards. As far as keeping the wine glass, I really wish there would be an option to get a cheaper tasting and not keep it. I always struggle with brining the glasses home in one piece!
Same here. I hate having multiple different kind of glasses, I want them all to be the same. So I would definitely opt out the glass if it would give me discount. Especially in Napa where the prices are pretty crazy.
I loved visiting wineries in Napa! Even though I don’t drink, they’re so interesting to tour the vineyard, learn about the process, and just relax and enjoy the location. I agree that the $35 price was a good amount for a wine tasting. Bummer it wasn’t as great as you were hoping. I love the idea of the gondolas! I’ll have to visit Sterling when I’m in NorCal at the end of summer!
Definitely try it out! We had a lot of fun and the views were great.