Perched atop a knoll 300 feet above the town of Calistoga, Sterling Vineyards is one of the Napa Valley’s most spectacular destinations. The winery’s dazzling Mediterranean-style architecture was modeled after that of the Greek island of Mykonos, where Sterling Founder Peter Newton often vacationed. The winery’s brilliant white bell towers stand out dramatically against the rugged Mayacamas and Vaca Mountains, flanking the Napa Valley with Mount Saint Helena making a lovely distant backdrop.
The winery’s bell towers house eight bells from London’s Church of St. Dunstan’s-in-the-East, originally founded in the tenth century. The church was destroyed by fire in 1666, rebuilt, and then destroyed again during World War II. Each time, new bells were recast from the old metal, giving them superior tonal quality. The rich tolling of these ancient bells sounds down through the valley on the quarter hour.
A visit to Sterling Vineyards is truly like no other. Arriving guests park in a lot on the valley floor and board an aerial tram that transports them through the treetops to the winery’s entrance. This exhilarating tram ride o ffers stunning views and sets the tone for the elevated tasting experience that awaits them.
For guests who opt for General Admission, there are walkways, balconies, and informative videos, allowing them to take a self-guided tour of Sterling’s elaborate hilltop winemaking facilities. Beautiful outdoor terraces and elegant tasting rooms provide the perfect environment to enjoy the wines while taking in the view. Recently, Sterling Vineyards launched a food and wine program, featuring culinary creations sourced locally and prepared by gourmet chefs. For an elevated tasting experience, guests can enjoy the Silver Experience, a seated tasting featuring an exclusive selection of limited release wines perfectly paired with artisan cheese and charcuterie in one of the winery’s elegant tasting rooms. From there, guests have access to the upper level of the winery where the rare Ansel Adams photographic essay, The Story of a Winery, is on display.
Guests seeking the best Sterling has to offer opt for the new Platinum Experience, an hour-long seated food and wine pairing educational exploration. Guests delight in a flight of Sterling’s finest wines paired with three sensational culinary creations prepared by the Sterling Vineyards Culinary Team. This experience is offered in a special tasting room on the upper level of the winery decorated with stylish furniture and artwork from the Sterling Art Collection including, most notably, pieces by Pablo Picasso.
A visit to the Napa Valley is simply not complete without a visit to Sterling Vineyards. Its historic bells, unique aerial tram, stunning mountain and valley views, tempting culinary program, and gracious hospitality make it a top destination in the entire state of California.