Piazza Del Dotto Winery & Caves is a family-owned and operated winery located in Napa Valley, California. The winery was founded in 1996 by Adam and Andrea Piazza, who were inspired by their Italian heritage and the traditional winemaking practices of Tuscany.
The Piazza Del Dotto winery is known for its use of traditional wine-making techniques, including the use of small oak barrels and extended aging in oak and bottle. The winery specializes in producing high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Sauvignon Blanc wines.
Piazza Del Dotto sources grapes from various vineyards throughout Napa Valley, including the Mount Veeder and Stags Leap Districts. The winery also has its own estate vineyards, including the Piazza Del Dotto Vineyard in the Stags Leap District and the Casa Piazza Vineyard in the Mount Veeder District. These estate vineyards are known for their rocky, volcanic soil, which imparts unique characteristics to the grapes grown there.
In addition to its wine production, Piazza Del Dotto is also known for its underground wine caves, which were carved into the volcanic rock beneath the winery. These caves are used for aging and storing the winery’s wines, as well as for hosting private tastings and events. The caves provide a consistent and controlled environment for the aging of the wines, with a constant temperature of around 58 degrees Fahrenheit and a humidity level of around 85%.
Piazza Del Dotto is committed to sustainability and uses organic and biodynamic farming practices in its vineyards. The winery also has a solar panel system that generates a significant portion of its electricity needs.
Overall, Piazza Del Dotto is a highly respected winery in the Napa Valley region, known for its commitment to traditional winemaking techniques, sustainability, and the production of high-quality, distinctive wines. The winery’s underground caves and stunning estate vineyards make it a popular destination for wine tastings and events in Napa Valley.
Philip Foster
2 months agoThis was the last winery we toured while in Napa and it did not disappoint! Upon entrance in their main building you’re greeted with friendly staff and served a glass of wine (which we ended up buying one of these bottles because it was so good) and were then paired up with two other couples (from NJ and IL) and our host, Simon. Simon made this tour exceptional! He was friendly, informative and most of all his personality is what made all 6 of wanting to spend the rest of the afternoon there chatting and having fun. The wines we tasted progressively got better and better. The caves were impressive and learning about the history was great. After the tour we sat down in their patio which was equally impressive with all the arches with vines growing throughout. It was absolutely beautiful! They served our group our pizza (which they asked what we would like before the tour) and some tater tots with dipping sauce. This food was icing on the cake after the wonderful tour with our outstanding host, Simon. Yep, we ended up having a few bottles shipped home as we loved this wine so much. Can’t wait for it to arrive. Highly recommend to tour this winery when in Napa!
Rose Hewitt
in the last week2 years later, ive returned with my husband for a birthday trip. I have to say it was a totally different experience. Although the wine was still amazing, the tour was so rushed and unrelaxing. We felt that the whole time we were on fast forward. I had to dump most of my wines or slam them back as if i was in a college frat party, so I did not miss out on the next barrel tasting. For the cost of the tour, you should at least be able to sip, savor and enjoy. Definitely not the experience I had the first time and Definitely Would choose another winery on our next return for a little more enhanced experience. Previously visited Vegne vineyard and they were personable, informative and non rushed. We ended up wine club members. Choose your experiences wisely, they determine if you will return. I've learned that it really matters who conducts your tour, and boy did we luck out with ROSANNE! She was an amazing host who shared her love of the piazzo, her knowledge and enthusiasm. This is the best wine I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. The wine tapped from the barrels in the caves are utterly amazing. Once done with the barrel tastings, we were lead out to a stunning garden patio, where we enjoyed delectable pizza, Tater tots, and more wine! We were able to walk the grounds and experience the stunning gardens and statues. So unforgettable, unbelievably beautiful! If you have the opportunity to go here, do not pass this up! I will most definitely be back.
Robert Noakes
7 months agoThis was my first formal tasting visit to Del Dotto Piazza which is a mere 5 minutes from my home in Yountville. The property is beautiful with inviting gardens, a view of their Oakville Vineyard and their aviary is off the patio with peacock, chickens and turkeys. My tasting started with their Sparkling Rose' and some bread bites with Del Dotto Olive Oil. The Rose' was a lovely color, light and perfectly sweet. That was followed by a generous plate of tator tots with ketchup and aoili...Great because I was HUNGRY! Next was their Chardonnay which was a nicely balanced wine, not a butter bomb and just the right amount of oak. Highly recommended based on my opinion. I was then given a side-by-side of their 2021 Pinot Noir which was a great combo of light and refreshing with delightful acidity and mouth feel. The older 2016 was decidedly dry and while complex I would lay it down for another 5 years to appeal to my taste. I moved into their Merlot forward red blend which included Cabernet Savignon, Cabernet Franc, Verdot, Syrah, Malbec and the surprise of a touch of Grenache. This was a very easy to drink wine which would likely pair with almost anything. I then proceeded into Cab country with their '21 Cab Sav which is 80% Cab and was a nicely approachable Cab that is ready to drink now. Then came my absolute favorite Del Dotto creation, their 2021 Reserve...in a word...WOW!!! It presented complexity and simplicity in a single sip...90% Napa Valley Cab with 10% Howell Mtn. Merlot. I'll take a case...thank you very much. Finally I tried their 100% Oakville Cab and frankly while it was similar to the Reserve, I would choose the Reserve as the best value at Del Dotto. My recommendation...GO TO DEL DOTTO and note that they have great Napolitano Pizzas if you reserve the barrel tasting and cave tour. Cheers...Robert@Jessup Cellars
Abigail Bronson
in the last weekHad an excellent tour with Todd! He was knowledgeable and generous with the pours. The pizza and tater tots on the patio after the tour was a fantastic end. The wines were incredible and I would definitely recommend!
QUALITYTIRE GOODYEAR
a month agoIt's really disappointing for me to write this review today. I had a lot of high hopes and expectations for Piazza Del Dotto. My family and I flew into Napa to celebrate my wife's birthday and I did a lot of extensive research to find one of the best wineries for her. Piazza Del Dotto had such positive reviews and the pictures online made it look like a dream, but after my family's wine tasting and our experience - it left me yearning for something more. Upon arrival and check in, we were greeted by two lovely hosts. My daughters were so excited to tell everyone it was their mother's birthday and the host gave us some bubbly to cheer for my wife. We were a little early and told to go outside to wait for our guide to come get us. Normally this would be fine, but that day was one of the hottest days in the Bay Area hitting over 90 degrees. Nobody wanted to be outside in that heat, but my family and I didn't complain. Eventually we went back inside to look for our guide and were greeted by Rosanne, Once again, my kids were super excited to tell her it was their mother's birthday and Roseanne smiled and didn't acknowledge it. She seemed more interested in the other group than us. \ As we walked to the caves, I was disappointed to see all the construction on site. There's nothing stated online that the winery would be going under some minor improvements. The water fountain wasn't on and you couldn't walk across the pretty bridge. I figured for the price that I spent on a tasting, that would be noted. Once we got inside the cave, it was beautiful. Rosanne asked the group (two couples and my family) if we were wine drinkers. My wife is the wine drinker, my kids and I can drink wine but we're not experts - when we told that to Rosanne she made an obvious reaction and said "oh okay then". It became clear to us right away that she didn't love that we weren't experts. As we moved forward with the tasting and Rosanne gave us some pourings - she would ask us for our reactions. If it was my wife, my kids, or even me - she always questioned what we said. It felt as if nothing we could do or say would make her happy. My youngest daughter is the newest to red wine drinking and took the longest to finish her pours - leading Rosanne to give her smaller portions. Something that truly bothered me because we didn't ask for that, and I felt like we were cutting short of the full experience that I paid for. What bothered me the most about this whole experience was how the other group received such better treatment than my family. Once we moved back inside and got our pizzas, Rosanne completely stopped checking in on us despite her continuing to help the other group. Napa is a beautiful place with wonderful options all around. Piazza Del Dotto has potential but for the price, the treatment, and overall quality - I recommend you take this one of your list.