Best of the best tasting rooms in Napa

Napa Valley is home to hundreds of wineries, a land of plenty for wine lovers. The city of Napa itself hosts both estate wineries and a growing number of downtown tasting rooms. Here are our top picks for Napa tasting rooms, earning at least 2 1/2 out of a possible four stars:

Artesa Vineyards & Winery

Rating: THREE STARS

Artesa's contemporary structure and views of the Carneros hills and the bay are impressive. Specializing in premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Artesa serves four wines in a classic tasting flight ($10); five reserve wines are $15. Guided tours, which include the reserve tasting, are $20 (daily at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.) 1345 Henry Road (Dealy Lane turnoff from Old Sonoma Road), Napa; (707) 224-1668 or artesawinery.com; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, last tasting at 4:30 p.m.; reservations required for groups of eight or more.

Baldacci Family Vineyards Rating: TWO AND A HALF STARS

Owners Tom and Brenda Baldacci purchased their Stags Leap District vineyard property in 1997 and began making their own estate wines in 2000. The wines are named after family members, including Brenda's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and the IV Sons label, the latter a nod to the couple's four children. Sample three wines for $10 (refundable with purchase) or six to seven reserve wines ($25). 6236 Silverado Trail, Napa; (707) 944-9261 or baldaccivineyards.com; by appointment, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily.

Bouchaine Vineyards

Rating: TWO AND A HALF STARS

Bouchaine, specializing in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, was established in 1981 on the site of the oldest continuously operating winery in Carneros. A tasting of five wines is $15-$20. For $30, taste five wines, along with cheese and olives, on the veranda. The winery also offers a picnic lunch for two ($95; reservations required). 1075 Buchli Station Road (near Las Amigas Road), Napa; (800) 654-9463 or bouchaine.com; 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. daily; reservations required for groups of eight or more.

Chimney Rock Winery

Rating: THREE AND A HALF STARS

Located at the heart of the Stags Leap District, Chimney Rock is known for its Cabernet Sauvignons and Elevage blends. The Cape Dutch-style building is reminiscent of South Africa's oldest winery, Groot Constantia, founded in 1685. A Summer Trio of two whites and one rosé is $10; other tastings are $20-$30. Private tours and additional specialty tastings are available by prior appointment. 5350 Silverado Trail, Napa; (800) 257-2641 or chimneyrock.com; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

Clos du Val

Rating: TWO AND A HALF STARS

The winery's 1972 Cabernet Sauvignon was one of only six California Cabernets in the famed 1976 Paris Tasting. Tastings are $10-$20. Picnic areas are located in the winery's olive grove (reservations advised; $10 reservation fee per person). Tours of the winery and a demonstration vineyard can be reserved a day ahead. 5330 Silverado Trail, Napa; (707) 261-5200 or closduval.com; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

Cuvaison

Rating: THREE STARS

Winemaker Steve Rogstad produces a range of wines from the winery's 400-acre Carneros estate - certified Napa Green in 2008 - and 140-acre Mount Veeder estate. A four-pour tasting is $15. Cuvaison also has a second tasting room in Calistoga. 1221 Duhig Road, Napa; (707) 942-2455 or cuvaison.com; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

Darioush Winery

Rating: TWO AND A HALF STARS

Raised in the Iranian winegrowing region of Shiraz, Darioush Khaledi came to the United States and founded his eponymous winery in 1997. The winery's architecture evokes the ancient Persian capital Persepolis. A tasting of five wines is $25; a $50 tour and tasting pairs estate wines with Cowgirl Creamery cheeses (by appointment, 2 p.m. daily). 4240 Silverado Trail, Napa; (707) 257-2345 or darioush.com; 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

Domaine Carneros

Rating: THREE STARS