Rutherford: Napa Valley

Tucked between better known Yountville and St. Helena, Rutherford is all gardens, vineyards and winderies; it's where the produce you eat in those fancy restaurants and the grapes you drink in that delicious vino is actually grown. Andre Tchelistcheff, winemaker for longtime Rutherford winery Beaulieu Vineyards, said "Cabernets need a touch of that Rutherford dust." Perfectly posed to soak in the supple sunlight, this appellation produces superior Cabernet Sauvignon due to its volcanic deposits and gravel, sand, and loam "dust"; expect bright berry flavors, paired with soft tannins and a light herbaceousness.

While only six square miles, nearly sixty wineries enjoy the Old World-style appellation of Rutherford, including some of the biggest names in the Valley. Mumm Cuvee's outdoor terrace allows you to soak in the stunning views with a chilled bottle of sparlking wine at your side. Though usually mobbed with tourists, Niebaum Coppola Winery produces some of the most well-known wines in the region, and features memorabilia from Francis Ford Coppola's career. The stone-walled tasting room at historic Beaulieu is also popular.

Aside from wineries, teeny tiny Rutherford is also known for being the home of lavishly lovely Auberge du Soleil, a French-countryside-styled resort that also houses a top-rated restaurant.
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