By Leslie Sbrocco—
Driving north along Napa Valley’s Highway 29, you pass a plethora of imposing wineries with lengthy, winding driveways and majestic buildings situated in picture-perfect vineyards. Then you see it … a sprawling lawn dotted with smiling visitors at picnic tables, children running around laughing, and dogs frolicking in the grass. In the background is a beautiful old stone building surrounded by vines. You think to yourself, this spot looks fun. Turns out, you’re right. This joyous place is V. Sattui Winery.
After a decades-long career visiting wineries around the globe, I rarely wax poetic and it takes something very special to inspire such rhapsodizing. My recent visit to V. Sattui in Napa Valley has me doing just that. I hadn’t been to the property in nearly 20 years. It’s a staple in Napa Valley, but I was always chasing the latest rising-star winery. I finally decided it was time to revisit this historic destination on its 50th anniversary landmark.
Their story began in San Francisco where Italian immigrant, Vittorio Sattui, opened a small winery in 1885. Prohibition shut their doors but not their dreams. In 1975, Vittorio’s great-grandson, Dario Sattui, brought the family business back to life in Napa Valley with the goal of sharing the Italian lifestyle connecting wine, food, family, and friends.
Stepping into their bustling, recently renovated market, Mercato del Gusto, is a feast for the senses. It’s sleek and modern, but you still feel like you’re in the old winery building. It smells delicious due to the numerous bar and food areas serving an extensive menu of sandwiches, cheeses, desserts, and more. At one tasting bar I spoke with a group of women celebrating birthdays, at another was a couple toasting their weekend away. The atmosphere was electric.
It was there I met Tom Davies, the passionate, long-time President and Managing Partner of the winery. His love of V. Sattui comes shining through in his wide grin. “It’s not a job, it’s my life,” he has said. Along with Director of Winemaking, Jason Moravec, and Michelin-star Executive Estate Chef, Stefano Masanti, I was treated to an al fresco afternoon on the patio sampling award-winning wines, noshing on custom charcuterie platters, and even ending with house-crafted chocolates and gelato.
To shine a light on V. Sattui’s commitment to accessibility for all wine lovers, they have started offering a free three-wine tasting flight every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. In the current hyper-priced Napa Valley, this is a savvy move. Not only has it increased their business on typically slow tasting days, but it has also endeared itself even more to V. Sattui’s fans old and new.
Because V. Sattui Winery was founded on the concept of sharing wine in the context of everyday life, the way to buy their wares is by visiting. As Tom Davies said to me, “Being direct it’s about the experience. In the old days, our tastings were held on a redwood board spread over two wine barrels. From the beginning, we wanted to make small lots of delicious wine and sell it directly to consumers.”
V. Sattui’s roster of wine offerings is vast and includes recognized wines such as cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, zinfandel, sauvignon blanc, and chardonnay, but they also produce limited bottlings of unique wines. Their lineup includes reds such as grenache, malbec, and petite sirah, along with whites ranging from albariño to sémillon, a variety of rieslings, and even sparkling and sweet wines. There’s always something new to discover.
If you want to try the V. Sattui wines, you can buy them online (https://www.vsattui.com/), but I recommend visiting and getting the full experience. Bring an empty stomach and an appetite for palate-pleasing adventure with you!
Here are two standout bottlings from my recent visit:
2022 V. Sattui Cabernet Franc, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County $80
As a fan of cabernet franc, I’m constantly on the lookout for new bottles of the classic variety. A centuries-old vine from the Bordeaux region of France, it’s one of the parents of the famed red grape, cabernet sauvignon (white grape sauvignon blanc being the other). V. Sattui’s expression showcases sultry aromas of dark fruits, tea leaves, and rose petals. Once you sip it, the earthy, savory notes are layered with a lush yet lovely texture. It is a beauty to drink now or to cellar for up to a decade.
2025 V. Sattui Chenin Blanc, Los Carneros, Napa Valley $38
Looking for a perfect white to quench your thirst regardless of season? This one is it. Chenin blanc is a grape known in France’s Loire Valley but also in a few pockets in California where it’s grown. V. Sattui’s vineyard in the cool Los Carneros growing area, straddling Napa and Sonoma, gives the vines plenty of time to ripen while maintaining acidity and freshness. Crisp and juicy with hints of citrus and orange blossom, it is alluring to smell and lip-smackingly good to drink. Pair it alongside grilled fish, roast chicken, or spicy curry.
Author, speaker, wine consultant, and television host Leslie Sbrocco is known for her entertaining approach to wine and food. She has won multiple Emmy Awards for her work on PBS, which includes hosting the series “Check, Please! Bay Area,” which is now in its 21st season; “Check, Please! You Gotta Try This!” and the national series “100 Days, Drinks, Dishes & Destinations.” www.LeslieSbrocco.com
Sbrocco Sips
Published on July 30, 2026
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