John Anthony Vineyards — Attraction in Napa

John Anthony wines has the 1st St location that is listed here that this review and (for wine aficionados that want a more custom, intimate experience) there is the Church Vineyard location, but you have to know the family to know the place.

1st Street: Open to foot traffic so easily accessible, tasting prices very reasonable and within the range I'd expect given you get to taste 6 wines (if I recall) with pretty ample pours (see list below that I think we tried) . There were two of us sharing a single tasting and there was plenty o' wine to go around! They make a lovely sparkling wine, a few Sauvignon Blancs and a Chardonnay. These are all very nice wines. But John Anthony's true calling is in his reds. If you're a serious wine buyer this is the location you'll want to visit as the tasting wines are also fairly customized to your tastes. Here, we were lucky enough to try their 2010 Merlot in addition to a reserve Cab that were both stunning. The Merlot in particular I've never had anything like it with notes of fig and aromatic sweet tobacco, shoe leather, dried fruits. Like heaven in a bottle. Went home with a few bottles without even thinking about it. Having dreams of more... =) The 2016 Napa Cab was fruit forward and really easy drinking even at this young age, while the Coombsville showed more tannins and acids that will make it even more exciting in a few years! It's in an upscale and upbeat downtown location with swanky atmosphere. Reservations recommended but we didn't have one and were able to walk in w/o a reservation on a Saturday night. I think that was because (in a COVID world) only one other table was in the tasting room at the time. There were no surprises here and I really loved the reds. Definitely worth a visit!

Church: Now, if you're a collector or serious wine drinker I recommend Church. Church Vineyard in Napa: For those with a fear of missing out this is for you. ;-) This is an experience! We had to get to know the family to see this. See photos of both experiences in this post. We absolutely loved the ambiance: very exclusive and comfy feel, personable and knowledgeable hosts, beautiful building in an old restored church from PA. It's a really special experience.

Here are the wines that were available to us at 1st St. Oh so many more seemed to be at our disposal at Church (with legal limits of course!) if the wine educator knows your collecting preference.

La Dame Michele Blanc de Blanc 2019 Carneros Sauvignon Blanc 2019 Church Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2018 Reserve Chardonnay 2016 Oak Knoll District Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Coombsville Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Enjoy and you are...

Our visit to John Anthony’s Carneros location was unforgettable. From the very first moment, Alison made us feel like VIPs. She curated the perfect tasting experience for our group—each wine more exceptional than the last. Her warmth, knowledge, and easy conversation made the day feel intimate and elevated all at once.

One of the highlights was getting to see "the church"—a beautiful space where the wines are presented. It's more than a tasting room; it’s a reverent, almost sacred experience for wine lovers. It speaks volumes about how seriously John Anthony takes their craft.

We also had the pleasure of meeting Christin, who offered thoughtful insights about the wines and the estate. Though she had to leave early, her enthusiasm and expertise still left a mark on the experience.

From start to finish, it was a masterclass in hospitality and winemaking. If you're exploring Napa, especially the southern Carneros region, don’t miss this gem. The wines, the people, and the setting are all...

A Fantastic Experience at John Anthony Tasting Room

We had the pleasure of visiting the John Anthony tasting room, and it was truly one of the highlights of our trip. From the moment we walked in, we felt welcomed and taken care of — and that’s all thanks to Alison.

Alison was an incredible host. Her knowledge of the wines, the vineyard’s story, and the Napa region added so much depth to the experience. She struck the perfect balance between being informative and personable, and she made the entire tasting feel relaxed and enjoyable. Her passion for the wines really came through, and it made us appreciate each pour even more.

The tasting room itself is stylish, intimate, and comfortable — a great place to unwind and savor some outstanding wines. We walked away with a few bottles (okay, maybe more than a few), and some great memories to go with them.

Highly recommend stopping by John Anthony if you’re in Napa — and if you get Alison as your host, you’re in...