Charter Oak Winery & Vineyards in St. Helena, takes pride in being the “most original, old-world,” winery of some 500 wineries in Napa Valley.

The reason to visit: See how early wine pioneers lived and made wine in Napa Valley — and taste wines which hearken back to those simpler times. The wines made at Charter Oak are silken, elegant, and balanced, words not customarily used to describe Zinfandel or Petite Sirah. Charter Oak also makes an elegant, modestly priced Cabernet Sauvignon, whose grapes come from the peak of Mt. Veeder.