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.
Alark Patel
2 weeks agoBest wine tasting and tour experience ever! The staff had the best attitude, humility, and humanity. They are very knowledgeable about wine making process and especially for their winery. The winery was beautifully and aesthetically designed and decorated. You can get lost in the beauty and nature on this estate the moment you turn into the gates. Our host Darlin was such sweet person and happy to work here. It was also good to hear that staff treat each-other like small strong family. Jason, took extra time to share with us history of the building, winery, owner, geology and landscape of nappy valley and cherry on top, gifted with their really nice Far Niente Chardonnay as a token of gratitude. Overall we had great time celebrating our first year anniversary here and can’t wait for the next visit 😊
Andi Myers
a week agoFar Niente is truly a magical experience! The grounds are absolutely stunning—walking through the property feels like stepping into an enchanted garden. We heard that there are more gardening employees than winery employees, and it shows in the meticulous care and beauty of the landscape. The wine tasting itself was equally impressive. We were taken to a private room with a knowledgeable and welcoming host who made the experience intimate and enjoyable. The wines were excellent, showcasing the high quality Far Niente is known for. We especially loved their dessert wine, which was a delightful standout. This is a must-visit winery for anyone seeking exceptional wine in a breathtaking setting. Far Niente delivers an unforgettable experience from start to finish!
Tommy and Rosa
2 months agoMy wife and I did the group tour & tasting. It ended up be one other couple with us so it was perfect! A must for Cabernet and Chardonnay lovers. The caves were included in this tour and I was amazed how big it was. Great picture opportunity’s in the cave as well. We loved it so much we became members. We’re already planning our trip back!
Kayla Wholey
2 months agoThis winery is spectacular. We had our own private tour guide Darlene who was absolutely amazing. The property is gorgeous, the wine was very good and the pairings from the chef were perfect in every way, we really enjoyed this experience. I highly recommend visiting here
C Lee
3 months agoBeen a wine member for over 7+ years and it’s always a pleasure hosting group of friends and family for a tasting and tour. The staff always make the visit memorable! Thank you Darlene for taking great care of us this recent visit.