Far Niente is a historic winery located in Oakville, California that has a rich history dating back to 1885. It was founded by John Benson, a forty-niner of the California gold rush, and was initially an exquisite oasis in western Oakville. However, the onset of Prohibition in 1919 forced the winery to close its gates.
Sixty years later, Gil Nickel bought and restored the winery and neighboring vineyard, putting it back on the map and on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, Far Niente is known as a benchmark producer of Napa Valley Chardonnay and Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, and is recognized as one of the world’s great wine estates.
In addition to its high-quality wines, Far Niente is also known for its beautiful 13-acre gardens, which feature an array of southern azaleas that bloom in the springtime and are set against a backdrop of towering redwoods, acacias, dogwoods, and century-old cork oak trees. The gardens were designed as a three-act play, with Acacia Drive leading to the winery gates and the Woodland Garden, and the winery itself serving as the final act.
The winery itself is a historic stone building that stands out for its beauty and grandeur. Despite plans to create extensive wine caves in the winery cellar in 1885, these caves never came to fruition due to Prohibition. However, Gil Nickel was determined to create a cave at Far Niente and hired an engineer to find out if there were any hidden caves beyond the rock wall. After a dynamite blast, it was determined that no caves existed. Undeterred, Gil pursued the construction of the first Far Niente Napa Valley wine caves, which would become the first to be built in North America since the turn of the century.
Over the next 20 years, the winery conducted four more expansions of the caves, bringing the total area to 40,000 square feet. The wine caves, which hold the winery’s collection of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay vintages aged in 100% French oak, are known for their stunning beauty and attention to detail. They are a popular attraction for visitors from around the world.
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Stu Schulman
a week agoThe winery grounds were beautiful but we were very disappointed with our tasting. Not very personal, no tour provided and they charged quite a bit for this. The biggest shock was the pricing. They offered their Dessert wine for $110 for a 375ml bottle. When asked, they made it clear their estate wines and dessert wine were not distributed in stores but after checking we found their $110 dessert wine at Total Wine for $69! Not impressed with much here other than to say their grounds were beautiful
Angel Velasquez
a week agoAn Unforgettable Wine Tasting Experience at Far Niente From the moment we arrived at Far Niente, we knew we were in for something special—but what we experienced far exceeded even our highest expectations. The grounds are breathtaking, the wines are exceptional, and the hospitality is world-class. What truly made this visit unforgettable, however, was David, our sommelier. His warmth, deep knowledge, and genuine passion for wine elevated our entire tasting experience. He had a remarkable way of explaining each wine’s story, guiding us through the nuances with both expertise and approachability. Every pour was paired with insights that deepened our appreciation for the craftsmanship behind Far Niente’s wines. David didn’t just serve wine—he created a journey. He took the time to understand our tastes and tailored the experience to match, making us feel welcomed, valued, and completely at ease. His kindness and enthusiasm made it feel more like we were being hosted by a dear friend than a staff member. We left Far Niente not just with beautiful wines to remember the day by, but with lasting memories of an afternoon perfectly spent. Thank you, David, and thank you Far Niente, for a truly magical experience. We will absolutely be back!
Hunter Mulder
a month agoI had the pleasure of visiting Far Niente Winery for my Epicurea luncheon, and it was truly an exceptional experience. Ta’rod was an amazing host—warm, engaging, and impressively knowledgeable, especially considering it was only his second day! He brought a fresh energy to the tasting and shared insights that even surprised our group of longtime members (10+ years!). None of us had ever noticed the hidden signature of the label artist before—what a fun and fascinating detail! This visit was a perfect blend of hospitality, education, and the classic elegance that Far Niente is known for. Bravo!
Ashley Franz
a month agoA Truly Unforgettable Experience Visiting Far Niente for the first time felt like stepping into a wine fairytale. Growing up, Far Niente represented the gold standard of excellence in California wine, and finally visiting in person was a dream come true. The grounds are absolutely breathtaking. From the moment we arrived, we were warmly greeted by the affable Cynthia and a welcoming glass of Chardonnay--an elegant start to an unforgettable visit. Our private tour with Scott was nothing short of phenomenal. His attention to detail and personal touches elevated the entire experience. Scott masterfully blends history, chemistry, nuance, humor, and storytelling into a tour that is both educational and thoroughly entertaining. I found myself geeking out and giggling over every detail--I truly didn't want to leave! We’ll absolutely be returning for another tasting with Scott. Far Niente exceeded every expectation and left a lasting impression.
shaylynn wilson
a week agoReed was absolutely amazing and for first timers definitely had our attention when it came to the history of the wine , the weather was beautiful wasn’t too hot , wasn’t to cold , even though being lactose and not a cheese eater some of the cheeses were paired really good with the wine so the experience was enjoyable taking it all in overall, Staff was friendly and looked like they loved their job and what they do/ know . For winning a reservation for two at my work party it was a 10/10!! Time!