The first commercial winery in Napa opened its doors in 1859. Today, hundreds of wineries and tasting rooms exist throughout the small valley, so this means there are plenty of wines to choose from. In reality, there may be too many.
With so many to options, finding hidden gem wineries can be a little tricky but worth the effort.
If you’re looking to enjoy some unique wineries and incredible Napa Valley wines that are under the radar, keep reading. We’re producing some of the best wines you’ve never heard of until now.
Cab Franc Blends from Mount Veeder
If you’re looking for a true hidden gem, our seasonal Cab Franc blends from Napa’s Mount Veeder Appellation should be on your list. We make two versions every other year: Assemblage and RD.
These are our annual “summer red” wines that are a little lighter in style and intended to be slightly chilled and enjoyed during the upcoming warm months. They’re our barbecue wines! Made mostly from Cab Franc, these wines can really manage the heat from spicy foods too. Think fajitas!
These bright summer red blends combine the elegance and texture of Cab Franc with the boldness of a Cabernet Sauvignon, and the roundness of a Merlot. The result is a flavorful blend with bright acidity, integrated tannins, and a smooth finish.
Mt Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon
For Cabernet Sauvignon fans, you’ll be delighted to find two small-production and critically acclaimed options on this list! Aged for 24 months in French oak, the 2019 Mt Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon from Majuscule is impressive. One critic describes this wine as showing “classic purity of blueberry and blackberry fruit as well as flowers and subtle background oak is followed by a full-bodied, voluptuously textured, multi-layered wine that is stunningly lush, with sweet tannin and beautiful purity and length.”
This Mt Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the Wildcat Vineyard which is planted 1,800 feet up above the floor of the Napa Valley. The vineyard has stunning views and produces top-quality grapes for winemaking. With several microclimates and grapevine clones planted on steep slopes, it’s challenging to farm, yet the extra effort yields incredible results in the bottle..
The 2019 Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon has won a number of accolades, including 95 points from Wine Enthusiast magazine and 95 points and a Double Gold medal in the 2023 American Fine Wine Competition Invitational.
Mount Veeder Merlot
Don’t let yourself get turned Sideways by a movie, it’s time to try and enjoy Merlot again. The 2021 Majuscule Mount Veeder Merlot comes from the Saffron Vineyard high up on the mountain.
The nose is truly delightful with purple flowers, dark chocolate covered blueberries, and a touch of worn leather/cedar. The flavors layer bright blue fruits with fresh oak and mild tannins. We blended in 5% each of Cab Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon to add complexity and enhance the smooth finish.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2019 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is bright, bold, and big. It features rich textures and velvety tannins, in a well-structured wine filled with deep, complex notes. This one has been a Gold Medal winner for two consecutive years from the highly esteemed San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
This wine has a nose of spices, dark fruits, and graphite and flavors of blackberry, cardamom, toasted oak, and cocoa.
Cuvee Majuscule Sparkling Wine
If sparkling wines are your thing, you’ll love this small-production gem from the Sonoma Coast. We describe it as a celebration in the glass, and a bottle looking for a celebration. The Cuvee Majuscule Sparkling Wine is a bright and lively – perfect for a hot summer day and and with a variety of foods.
Made from 100% Pinot Noir in the traditional champagne method, this bubbly features bright fruit flavors like strawberry and apricot. It starts out bright and lively, ending with a light touch of crème brûlée followed by a lingering and dry finish.
Choosing the Best Napa Valley Wines
If you’re looking for some of the most unique and delicious Napa Valley wines, take a trip off the main highways to explore boutique producers like us. While we may have a very small production, our focus on quality and grapes from exceptional vineyards make us one of Napa Valley’s best secret wineries.
To help you navigate, here’s a link to our appellation map for the Napa Valley.
Check out our selection of incredible, small production boutique wines to discover your new favorite hidden wine gem.
