Celebrating the people, passion, and stories behind great hospitality with Tock 10.
Nichelini Family Winery
St. Helena, CA
Family history
As the oldest continuously family-owned and operated winery in Napa County, the Nichelini homestead traces back to the 1890s. Five generations and 135 consecutive harvests later, winemaker Aimée Sunseri continues to make her great-great-grandfather Anton Nichelini proud, overseeing the entire grape-growing and wine-making process—and winning the Best Woman Winemaker title at the 2023 International Women’s Wine Competition. She describes her job as making outstanding legacy wines that she hopes guests share with their own families.
While the picturesque property welcomes visitors year-round, tastings showcase an ever-evolving lineup of four current releases. Plan ahead to sample new vintages, including seasonal pours of Roman Press White and Red, Zinfandel, Caterina Reserve, Merlot, Sparkling Brut, and more.
For the scenic views of the Chiles Valley, which can be enjoyed while soaking up authentic Napa lore from descendants of the Nichelini family. Where else can American oenophiles find century-old stone cellars and a hand-built Roman wine press without a passport?
The Oasis by Hoopes Vineyard
Napa, CA
Family history
Before Napa was Napa as we know it today, Spencer Hoopes was cultivating grapes and promoting the region’s terroir. The pioneer purchased a 10-acre plot in 1981—more than a decade before Thomas Keller joined The French Laundry a couple of miles away, putting Yountville on the culinary map. Spencer’s daughter, Lindsay, grew up among the vines with a deep respect for the land before pursuing a career in law and even working for then-District Attorney Kamala Harris. When her dad’s health declined, Lindsay returned home to keep his legacy alive while also making a name for herself as the proprietor. Thanks to her legal prowess in navigating challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and California wildfires, Wine Industry Advisor named her one of 2021’s Most Inspiring People.
Sample a flight of biodynamic pours, curated based on seasonality and paired with a personalized picnic lunch. Cabernet Sauvignon is considered the Hoopes’ specialty: the 2019 vintage, crafted by winemaker Aaron Pott and aged for 28 months in 100 percent French oak, was recently featured as a top pick for the Robb Report Napa Valley Wine Club.
The Oasis by Hoopes isn’t your typical vineyard. With its string lights, Airstream trailers, and fire pits, the low-key vibe feels more akin to hanging out at a friend’s farm. Hoopes is also proud to have one of the few family-friendly wineries in Napa and a nonprofit animal sanctuary, where the herd includes dogs, hens and roosters, goats, pigs, lambs, ducks, turkeys, and a horse named Sheldon.
Charles Krug Winery
St. Helena, CA
Origin
In 1861, Charles Krug founded Napa Valley’s first commercial winery, launching an era that transformed Napa into a viticultural powerhouse. His success came from selecting specific grape varieties for specific areas. In 1943, Cesare and Rosa Mondavi acquired the estate at their sons Robert and Peter’s urging, beginning four family generations of innovation and hospitality.
Napa Valley owes its significance to Krug. Without his pioneering commercial winery more than 160 years ago, the region might look entirely different. Over the past 80 years, the Peter Mondavi family has continuously modernized this historic property, specializing in cabernet sauvignon while introducing cold fermentation for whites and rosés and French oak barrel aging. Krug also created Napa’s original tasting room concept. Today, the renovated Redwood Cellar and Carriage House—on the National Register of Historic Places for 50 years—welcomes guests.
Charles Krug creates unique wine experiences. Few wineries host exceptional musical acts like Andrea Bocelli. Guests enjoy handmade Neapolitan wood-fired pizzas paired with wines, plus special events like ramen pop-ups and lobster boils, bringing culinary delight alongside exceptional wines in a setting that honors both tradition and innovation.
The French Laundry
Yountville, CA
Origin
This celebrated two-story stone restaurant once housed an actual 1920s French steam laundry (and saloon before that). Originally opened by Sally Schmitt, a young Thomas Keller pooled investments from 60 backers to purchase the Napa property, transforming it into one of the world’s most innovative fine-dining destinations. He melded California cuisine with timeless French technique, adding a modern glass-and-wood kitchen and an idyllic garden across the street.
Under Keller’s leadership, The French Laundry introduced iconic culinary dishes like Oysters and Pearls (sabayon of pearl tapioca with oysters and caviar), butter-poached lobster over foie gras, and truffle-infused custard. One of only 14 American restaurants with three MICHELIN Stars, TFL has won numerous James Beard Awards® and topped the World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2004. The restaurant helped launch the careers of many chefs who have gone on to define modern gastronomy such as Grant Achatz (Alinea), Corey Lee (Benu), and René Redzepi (Noma). In 2025, the restaurant announced its Culinary Garden Experience, 75-minute guided tours of its iconic 3.5-acre garden where more than 150 different types of fruit, vegetables, microherbs, and flowers grow for use in many dishes at TFL, including the daily-changing chef’s tasting menu and the “tasting of vegetables” menu.
This century-old building holds extraordinary history while continuing to create memories. It helped establish Yountville’s culinary culture, which now includes four other Keller restaurants. The daily-changing tasting menus celebrate ingredients grown just steps away, embodying the farm-to-table ethos that has influenced countless restaurants worldwide.
Heitz Cellar
St. Helena, CA
Origin
Founded by Joe and Alice Heitz in 1961 when post-Prohibition Napa Valley had only two dozen wineries, Heitz Cellar revolutionized the region by creating America’s first single-vineyard cabernet: 1966’s Martha’s Vineyard from the Oakville AVA. This landmark wine introduced vineyard designation in the U.S. and helped define Napa’s modern identity through high-quality, age-worthy wines using French oak.
Son David took over winemaking in the 1970s, and in 2018, the Lawrence family acquired the winery, continuing the founders’ vision. Nearly 65 years later, winemaker Brittany Sherwood maintains excellence across six estate vineyards spanning Napa’s sub-appellations: Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena, Howell Mountain, Oak Knoll District, and Calistoga. All certified organic, these 100% Napa fruit vineyards produce collectible wines with distinctive mint, dark berry, and chocolate notes, plus prized chardonnay and sauvignon blanc.
You can taste history in every bottle, literally. The $200 Estate Legacy tour at the family’s ancestral home (dating to the late 1800s) offers a two-hour journey through the original Stone Cellar, winemaking facilities, and biodynamic farms. Guests taste various wines including library vintages in this intimate, one-on-one experience that connects past and present.
Ashes & Diamonds
Napa, CA
The name
For Kashy Khaledi, inspiration struck while watching the 1958 Polish war film Ashes & Diamonds. A line from a poem in the movie now graces every cork in A&D’s bottles: Ashes hold the glory of a star-like diamond, the morning star of everlasting triumph.
Founded in 2017 by Khaledi (former Capitol Records exec and son of Darioush Winery founder Darioush Khaledi), A&D has partnered with acclaimed winemakers to craft wines echoing Napa’s early days. Grammy-nominated artist Brian Roettinger, known for creating album packaging for Jay-Z and Lady Gaga, designed A&D’s distinctive labels.
A&D captures a slower, more stylish era of pre-fame Napa. The minimalist midcentury architecture sets the stage for leisurely tastings in their 1960s Palm Springs-inspired space. Sip ageable single-vineyard selections to zippy blends to low-intervention rosés, paired with local provisions or a signature chicken schnitzel sandwich.