InnRutherford · Napa4.9 · 240
Rancho Caymus Inn
Mary Tilden Morton built this hacienda-style inn with 19th-century barn wood beams and stained glass.
Kid FriendlyWine EnthusiastsRomantic Getaways
★★★★1.0 mi
Rutherford · Napa Valley · Rutherford
Cakebread Cellars
Cakebread Cellars bottles four different Chardonnays and leads a dedicated tasting for each.
4.7(675)
Known forChardonnayCabernetFood PairingKid-FriendlyModernBoutique
About Cakebread Cellars
Cakebread Cellars, established in 1973, is renowned for its commitment to quality and sustainability in winemaking. The winery offers a diverse range of estate-grown wines, including their signature Napa Valley Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, crafted from the finest vineyards in Napa Valley. Visitors can enjoy exceptional wine tastings in a welcoming atmosphere, complemented by stunning views of the Napa Valley landscape.
Why Visit Cakebread Cellars
The Chardonnay Tasting flight ($75) walks through four distinct expressions of the grape from Carneros vineyards, showing how site and winemaking choices shift the profile. The Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting ($100) compares fruit from different estate blocks, cheese plates included, over ninety minutes.
- Chardonnay Tasting ($75) compares four Carneros vineyard expressions Friday–Sunday
- The Perfect Pair ($100) uses vegetables and herbs from the estate garden
- Benchland Select Cabernet Sauvignon is a single-vineyard wine bottled since 2019
- Family Tasting ($45) at 10am daily includes kids free under 21
- Established 1973 by Jack and Dolores Cakebread in Rutherford
The Setting
Cakebread Cellars sits along St. Helena Highway in Rutherford, founded in 1973 by Jack and Dolores Cakebread. A culinary garden planted with herbs, vegetables, and edible flowers grows steps from the tasting spaces and supplies ingredients for The Perfect Pair experience. Inside, communal seated tastings gather groups around tables where wine educators pour and answer questions while guests compare flights side by side.
The Tasting Experience
Classic Cakebread ($50) is a walk-around format with four red and white pours and a quick property tour, done in an hour. The Perfect Pair ($100) pairs four estate garden bites with wines at communal tables, offered Thursday through Monday at 11am and 2pm. Reserve Library Tasting ($100) brings out older bottlings alongside current releases, with seasonal bites from the garden, also seated communal-style for ninety minutes.
The Tasting
Tasting experiences.
Prices and availability are approximate and may not reflect current offerings.
Family Tasting
$45Family-friendly communal walk-around tasting of 4 current releases. Children can listen and learn while adults sample. 45 minutes. Daily at 10am. Guests under 21 complimentary.
Reservation Required
Classic Cakebread
$50Walk-around communal tasting of four current release red and white wines with a wine educator. Brief history and property tour. 60 minutes.
60 minReservation Required
Chardonnay Tasting
$75Flight of four different Chardonnay styles highlighting the versatility of the grape and distinct Carneros terroir. Communal seated experience. 75 minutes. Fri–Sun at 10am and 1:30pm.
Reservation Required
The Perfect Pair: Wine and Food
$100Educational wine and food tasting with four bites prepared from estate garden ingredients paired with wines. Communal seated experience. 75 minutes. Thu–Mon at 11am and 2pm.
90 minReservation Required
Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting
$100Tasting of Cabernet Sauvignon from top vineyard sites with cheese accompaniment. Communal seated experience. 90 minutes. $65 for Wine Club members. By appointment, Thu–Mon at 10:30am and 2pm.
Reservation Required
Reserve Library Tasting Experience
$100Curated selection of red and white wines from the family library plus current releases with seasonal bites from the culinary garden. Communal seated experience. 90 minutes. Thu–Mon at 10:30am and 2pm.
Reservation Required
The Pour
$60$70$70$45$55$55
Wine list. (10)
Prices are approximate and may not reflect current offerings.
| Wine | Type | Vintage | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 Merlot, Napa Valley Deep aromas of blackberry and black cherry with a background of crushed stone and violet. | Merlot | 2021 | $60 | |
2022 Annahala Ranch Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley Opening with vibrant aromas of strawberry jam and tart cherry, hints of fennel seed, dried fig, chamomile, mocha, and baking spices. | Pinot Noir | 2022 | $70 | |
2022 Apple Barn Vineyard Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley Sourced from a former apple orchard, benefits from cool conditions of the nearby Pacific Ocean. | Pinot Noir | 2022 | $70 | |
2023 Two Creeks Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley Medium-bodied with flavors of juicy strawberry, red raspberry, and cherry. | Pinot Noir | 2023 | $45 | |
2023 Rubaiyat Red Blend, North Coast A blend of 59% Syrah and 41% Pinot Noir, opens with vibrant aromas of red plum, black cherry, watermelon, and violet. | Red Blend | 2023 | $55 | |
2023 Suscol Springs Grenache, Napa Valley Greets the senses with a medley of raspberry jam, fresh cherries, orange marmalade, cherry blossom, and vanilla bean. | Red Blend | 2023 | $55 |
2021 Merlot, Napa Valley
Deep aromas of blackberry and black cherry with a background of crushed stone and violet.
Merlot2021
2022 Annahala Ranch Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley
Opening with vibrant aromas of strawberry jam and tart cherry, hints of fennel seed, dried fig, chamomile, mocha, and baking spices.
Pinot Noir2022
2022 Apple Barn Vineyard Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley
Sourced from a former apple orchard, benefits from cool conditions of the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Pinot Noir2022
2023 Two Creeks Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley
Medium-bodied with flavors of juicy strawberry, red raspberry, and cherry.
Pinot Noir2023
2023 Rubaiyat Red Blend, North Coast
A blend of 59% Syrah and 41% Pinot Noir, opens with vibrant aromas of red plum, black cherry, watermelon, and violet.
Red Blend2023
2023 Suscol Springs Grenache, Napa Valley
Greets the senses with a medley of raspberry jam, fresh cherries, orange marmalade, cherry blossom, and vanilla bean.
Red Blend2023
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to Stay Nearby
View allInn
HotelRutherford · Napa4.7 · 1,755
Auberge du Soleil
Auberge du Soleil terraces down a Rutherford hillside planted with heritage olive and oak trees.
Adults OnlyWine LoversRomantic Getaways
★★★★★3.2 mi
Drive Times
From Napa hotels.
Estimated drive time from each hotel to Cakebread Cellars, ordered by proximity.
| Hotel | Drive | Book |
|---|---|---|
| Silverado Resort | ~19 min | Book |
| The Westin Verasa Napa | ~23 min | Book |
| Archer Hotel Napa | ~23 min | Book |
| Andaz Napa, by Hyatt | ~23 min | Book |
| Carneros Resort and Spa | ~26 min | Book |
| The Meritage Resort and Spa | ~29 min | Book |
Estimates based on straight-line distance with a wine-country routing factor. Actual drive times vary with traffic and route choice.
More Wineries in Rutherford
View all →
Rutherford · Napa4.6 · 635
Frog's Leap Winery
A certified organic estate in Rutherford where kids run through the vineyard rows during the Family Friendly Garden Tasting.
ReservationDog OKKid Friendly
$$From $50
Rutherford · Napa4.6 · 181
Honig Vineyard & Winery
Solar panels on the winery roof power Honig's entire operation, from crush to tasting room.
ReservationDog OKKid Friendly
$$From $30
Rutherford · Napa4.3 · 329
Rutherford Hill Winery
Rutherford Hill has produced Merlot since 1972 and houses aging caves beneath its hilltop property.
ReservationDog OKKid FriendlyPicnic
$$$From $75
Rutherford · Napa4.7 · 1,106
Caymus Vineyards
Chuck Wagner and his parents made 240 cases of Cabernet in 1972; today the family still farms the same Rutherford land.
Reservation
$$From $50Preview
Related Guides
Planning a wine country trip?
Explore curated day trips and build your own custom route.