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The experience at Sterling begins before the first wine is poured. Every current tasting includes a ride on the aerial gondola that carries visitors up to the hilltop winery, providing broad views across Napa Valley during the ascent. Because the gondola is integral to the experience rather than an optional attraction, Sterling feels more like a complete sightseeing stop than a conventional tasting-room visit.
Once at the winery, the experience depends significantly on the option selected. The Sterling Stroll is the most flexible: visitors taste wines while moving through the winery at their own pace and learning about winemaking along the route. The Tour & Terrace combines self-guided exploration with a seated portion overlooking the valley, while the Hilltop Tasting moves toward a more traditional guided seated format with winery-exclusive wines and cheese and charcuterie.
Visitors choosing the Founder's experience can expect a substantially more refined food-and-wine pairing in Sterling's redesigned Founder's Room. Regardless of the option, views and the journey to the hilltop are significant parts of the attraction. Sterling is therefore particularly good for first-time Napa visitors, mixed-interest couples or groups, and travelers who want scenery and a memorable physical experience in addition to tasting wine.
Photos
Visit snapshot
- Address
- 1111 Dunaweal Lane, Calistoga, CA 94515
- Phone
- (800) 726-6136
- Reservations required
- Recommended — walk-ins welcome
- Tasting price
- $55–$150
- Typical visit time
- 60–90 min
- Wine focus
- Cabernet Sauvignon plus other Napa reds and Chardonnay
- Discount available
- Priority Wine Pass
- Picnic
- No
- Food
- No picnic/meals; small packaged snacks available
- Group tasting
- Yes — large groups by arrangement
- Distance from Calistoga
- 2.6 miles
- Distance from SFO
- 84.6 miles
Tasting options and prices
- Sterling Stroll $55 / 60 min
- Tour & Terrace $85 / 90 min
- Hilltop $95 / 90 min
- Founder's $150 / 90 min. All include gondola.
Tasting fees and formats change. Confirm current options with the winery before you book.
Discount available
Sterling Vineyards is listed with Priority Wine Pass. Confirm dates and blackout rules on Napa tasting discounts and with the winery before you go.
Planning a day around Sterling Vineyards
Make it part of a north-Napa/Calistoga day with Castello di Amorosa and/or Chateau Montelena. Allow extra buffer for the gondola.
Other wineries near Sterling Vineyards
- Girard
- Clos Pegase
- Fairwinds
- Paoletti
Use the Napa winery map to compare drive miles and reservation windows.
Information last verified: September 2026. Visitor details (hours, tasting prices, reservations) are sourced from the official winery website. Confirm before you visit. How we maintain listings.