Rutherford (California)

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Derivative work by john2690. Other authors listed on source image page.

Rutherford is a small township in the Napa Valley region of California located between St. Helena and Oakville, along Hwy 29. This area of the valley was originally owned by General Vallejo and through a series of gifts became the property of Thomas and Elizabeth Rutherford as a wedding present 1964. The Rutherfords developed a winery, which grew to be one of the best wineries of the area. Now the town is home to high quality wineries and restaurants, a beautiful location to enjoy the wine country.

Get in

By plane

San Francisco International Airport, +1 650-821-8211.
Napa County Airport

phone: +1 707 253-4300

address: 2030 Airport Rd
No scheduled service. Useful for private planes.

By car

From San Francisco:

Highway 101 North over the Golden Gate Bridge, to Highway 37;

Highway 37 East towards Vallejo/Napa, to Highway 121;

Highway 121 North towards Napa to Highway 29 North to Rutherford.

Get around

A car is recommended for getting between the various town in Napa Valley. Please do not drink and drive or wine taste and drive.

Do

Wine Tasting

Frog's Leap Winery

address: 8815 Conn Creek Rd
Organic vineyard and garden, offering vineyard tours and wine tasting in their Red Barn. In order to tour or taste call in advanced and make a reservation, during the high season call well in advanced.
Swanson Vineyards

phone: +1 707 967-3500

address: 1271 Manley Ln
Swanson Vineyards offers wine tasting by appointment only, but it is well worth making that appointment. Cirgue Tasting is $20 and their one hour Harvey Tasting is $55
Beaulieu Vineyard

phone: +1 707 967-5200

address: 1960 St. Helena Hwy (Hwy 29)
This century old winery is known for its Cabernet which the founding winemaker said required the Rutherford dust to grow. Wine tasting $10, Reserve Tasting $25.
Grgich Hill Cellars

phone: +1 707 963-2784

address: 1829 St. Helena Hwy (Hwy 29)
Wine tasting: $10, Winery tour and VIP room tasting $15.

Ballooning

Bonaventura Balloon Company

phone: +1 707 944-2822
Fly high above the wine country in a hot air-balloon. For a romantic adventure or a group delight.

Buy

St. Helena Olive Oil Company

address: 8576 Highway 29 (in Rutherford)
Daily 10AM-5PM. Gourmet oils, ingredients, wine accessories, and bath and beauty products.

Eat

Rutherford Grill

phone: +1 707 963-1792

address: 1180 Rutherford Rd
Known for its BBQ ribs and cornbread.
Auberge du Soleil

phone: +1 707 967-3111

address: 180 Rutherford Hill Rd
Serving Breakfast, lunch, dinner daily. An classic Californian cuisine menu with a prix fixe menu and two tasting menus; meat and veterinarian parings with wine. Expensive
La Toque

phone: +1 707 963-9770

address: 1140 Rutherford Cross Rd
Make reservations well in advance. For weekends at least 6 weeks ahead. $49 - 88 prix fixe.

Drink

If you are looking for a bar or club head towards St. Helena.

Sleep

Auberge Du Soleil Resort

phone: +1 707 963-1211

address: 180 Rutherford Hill Rd
Elegant and luxurious doesn't even begin to describe Auberge De Soleil. Offers "private maisons" rooms, beautiful view and romance.
Rancho Caymus

phone: +1 707 963-1777

address: 1140 Rutherford Rd
A Californio (Spanish/California in the early and mid 1800s) style rancho, makes you feel as though you are staying in General Vallejo's home. Top notch and expensive.

Go next

SPUI