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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Lena Al-Rashed
2 weeks agoGorgeous vineyard, but rushed tour. We did a Cave Collection Library Wine Tasting with Food Pairing. We enjoyed the food and wine pairings under the gazebo (so lovely) but felt that for the high cost our tour experience was rushed even after it started late. We were expecting more out of the tour than what we got.
A Patel
6 months 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 😊
Jay Kim
a month agoIt truly was one of the best exquisite experiences that I ever had. We enjoyed beautiful sceneries with even more beautiful wines and all hosts were extremely welcoming. Our host Kurt was very knowledgeable and kind. I will certainly come back in a near future. Thank you!!!
Donna Lizotte
2 months agoAbsolutely gorgeous location and spectacular wines. Our tour with Scott was enlightening and a lot of fun. The property is truly lovely and the wines only enhance the setting. Highly recommend a visit!
Andi Myers
5 months 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!