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Why you need to Visit Napa Valley this Winter: Calistoga Winter in the Wineries Passport

Napa Valley is a world-famous wine growing region that is nestled about halfway between Sacramento and San Francisco.  Since we live only a little over an hour away from Napa Valley, we tend to visit a few times a year.

Anytime of the year is a great time to visit the area, but with the "Winter in the Wineries Passport" special offer currently underway by Visit Calistoga, you have another great reason to visit California’s Napa Valley wine country this holiday season and into 2020!  The Wine Passport will allow you to experience complimentary tastings at sixteen wineries in Calistoga and is a tremendous value!  Not only will you find fewer crowds and better rates at hotels, but you can save some serious money by purchasing a Calistoga Wine Passport!


What is the Winter in the Wineries Passport?
The Winter in the Wineries Passport features complimentary tastings at sixteen great wineries located in Calistoga, where visitors can experience every facet of the unique Calistoga wine region, from a towering hillside castle to quaint, downtown tasting rooms.

Not only will you receive complimentary wine tastings at participating wineries, you get access to other great perks including complimentary corkage at participating restaurants and discounts at Calistoga lodging, spas and shops.


The passport is valid starting December 7, 2019 until February 9, 2020.

Which Wineries in Calistoga are Included?
Participating Passport Wineries in Calistoga include:
  • Cami Vineyards
  • Castello di Amorosa
  • Chateau Montelena
  • Clos Pegase Winery
  • Envy Wines
  • Fairwinds Estate Winery
  • Laura Michael Wines
  • Madrigal Family Winery
  • Maldonado Family Vineyards
  • Picayune Cellars
  • Romeo Vineyards & Cellars
  • Sterling Vineyards
  • Tamber Bey Vineyards
  • Tank Garage Winery
  • T-Vine Winery
  • von Strasser Family of Wines

How Much Does it Cost?
For $60 per person, you will receive complimentary wine tastings at the below mentioned participating wineries, as well as other great perks including complimentary corkage at participating restaurants and discounts at Calistoga lodging, spas and shops.  The Wine Passport is valued at over $400 in wine tastings alone!



Is the Winter in the Wineries Passport Worth It?
If you're planning on visiting a few wineries in the area, you can quickly see how the wine passport for $60/person will save you a ton of money on wine tastings.  Just with the three wineries listed below you'd be looking at $105/person for wine tastings, but with the passport you'd come out way ahead.
  • Sterling Vineyards - $35/person (wine tasting and aerial tram ride)
  • Castello di Amorosa - $30/person (general admission & wine tasting)
  • Chateau Montelena - $40/person ("Taste of Montelena" walk-in tasting)
Are any of the Wineries Family-Friendly?
While Napa Valley (and Calistoga) may be primarily known as being an adult destination for wine and wellness, there are still lots of fun things to do with the kids.  And if you're worried that the wineries aren't family-friendly , rest assured that these three are, among many others throughout the region.

If you're planning a trip to the Napa Valley wine country with kids - look no further than the Castello di Amorosa - a castle and a winery located near Calistoga, California.



While most wineries may be boring for kids (with some not even allowing them at all), this one not only allows children, but welcomes well-behaved and well-supervised kids and offers grape juice tasting in a friendly Knights Hall tasting room with a table for coloring.



Another great family-friendly winery I recommend is Sterling Vineyards - a winery perched over 300 feet above the historic town of Calistoga that offers the best views of Napa Valley.



In fact, you could plan a perfect wine tasting adventure with the kids by visiting both Sterling Vineyards and Castello di Amorosa on the same day!



Chateau Montelena, located in Calistoga, is a Napa Valley winery most famous for winning the white wine section of the historic "Judgment of Paris" wine competition back in 1976 and is a must visit for wine lovers.  This wine competition helped put Napa Valley on the map and was famously portrayed in the 2008 movie Bottle Shock.


In addition to its famous wine, Chateau Montelena boasts one of the most peaceful settings in the Napa Valley, with a stone castle carved into a hillside overlooking a Chinese garden, lake and vineyards reaching out to the base of Mount Saint Helena.



How do I Purchase?
The limited offer Wine Passport can be ordered online here.  Passports ordered online are available to pick up at the Calistoga Welcome Center, located at 1133 Washington Street in downtown Calistoga or they can shipped directly to you.

Sounds too Good to be True - What's the Catch?
There is no catch or anything hidden about this offer from the local tourism board, Visit Calistoga.

However, the following restrictions may apply:
  • Must be 21 years of age or older to purchase and redeem passport offers.
  • One complimentary tasting per winery is included. Repeat visits to the same winery will not be complimentary.
  • Most wineries limit group size to no more than 6-8 people.
  • Most wineries closed on major holidays.
  • No shared tastings; one Passport per person.
  • Once you have your Passports, please read details of individual offers carefully.
You can check the Visit Calistoga website for all of the details and if you have any additional questions.