Seavey Vineyard

My parents came to Seavey 21 years ago, the year before they had me, and raved about how down to earth, genuine, and knowledgeable the Seavey family was. They were taken care of by Dorie, Bill and Mary Seavey's daughter, and got to meet and chat with Bill as well. They brought home 2002 Cabernets that we opened on my 18th birthday in 2021 and I'm not sure I've ever tasted wine that show-stopping. Now that I'm 21, we decided to take a trip and go back to Seavey so that I could experience it too. What an incredible gem. We visited some awesome vineyards during our stay at Napa but Seavey was our favorite by miles. You would think that after 21 years, the personal and intimate setting they offered when they were just a decade into the wine making business might be long gone. This was not the case at all. It's hard to write a review that does Seavey justice, but I could go on and on about how personal, intimate, special, and wonderful our visit to Seavey was. We got to chat and share a glass of wine with one of Bill's sons, Will, who lives on the ranch now and helps take care of everything. He had so much history and memories and passion to share with us! We were also shown around by Max, who talked with us for hours, was hilarious, knew the answers and then some to any question we asked, and truly just made leaving so sad haha. You could tell how much love he has for Seavey Vineyard and the family. Beyond our interactions with people there, the wine was of course SPECTACULAR! There wasn't a single thing we tried that we didn't love and Max made our tasting so special and just a great great time. You can tell how much time and love goes into the INCREDIBLE wines they make. My family drinks a lot of wine but Seavey's definitely ranks among the top. We're bringing bottles home of course! Especially because you can't get Seavey in store. The property itself was gorgeous. Nestled among all these green hills, the drive in was beautiful and their vineyards were beautiful. Everything was beautiful. The plants, the hills, the stone walls, the bridge, the structures, the cave that held the barrels of wine, the tasting room, the trees--I could have spent days here! The animals were definitely a bonus too! I'm such an animal person so I loved getting a good look at the cows, goats, sheep, and dogs/cat (Doodle🥹) that they have around their property who were all so friendly and freaking adorable. Overall this is just such an amazing, thoughtful, and truly special vineyard and group of people and I hope more people get to come and visit!! I will be back one day 🥰

What a gorgeous winery! The experience was excellent! Max is amazing and really made us feel like we were at our best friend’s home. The wine is exceptional and of course I became a member right away!

My husband and I absolutely loved our tour at Seavey Vineyard. Our host was Max and he was super informative and funny. We really enjoyed the “boutique” atmosphere. We truly felt that we got a behind the scenes look. We signed up for a membership and just received our first shipment and we can’t wait to drink all their fantastic wines!

If you would like to have beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon. Seavey is the place to visit. Also our guide Charlotte was super nice!!!

Seavey was a fantastic winery and Julio was a wonderful guide. The wine was delicious and it was a very friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Will definitely be recommending to all my friends!

Highly recommend this winery. Visited on 12/27/2023 and was greeted by Max who gave us a tour of the facility as we sipped on some great Chardonnay wine. Max was very welcoming and made our visit very pleasant. All their wines are excellent especially the Cabernets which are delicious.

A beautiful winery on Conn valley road in the eastern hills above napa valley.

Highly recommended. Max is the best host. Some really exceptional wines and a lovely setting. It was lightly raining when we arrived and the drive up the the Vineyard is magical

Very nice winery tucked away in the hills. Had a great experience, very nice layout and the wine was very good.

**Based upon ambiance since I don't drink... Avery cool wine tasting room and in the perfect setting. I don't know if this place is as known but it was perfect as it felt like we had the whole place to ourself.

Seavey came highly recommended by some folks we trust who work at other tasting rooms in town so I finally booked an appointment to give them a try. I can't say I was blown away by the experience. Everything from booking the appointment to the actual tasting wasn't one of the better times I've spent in Napa. My first contact with the vineyard came in the form of an e-mail requesting an appointment. Soon after I wrote with a date and time, I got a call back from a very aloof woman. I felt as if she was acting as a sort of wine bouncer trying to see if I could put my money where my mouth is. I totally and completely felt as if she was sizing me up over the phone in an attempt to make sure I could afford to buy their wine. While I certainly hope this was unintentional, it left me with a sinking feeling before I even set foot at the tasting room. Apparently I was deemed worthy to step into their hallowed winery because my appointment for two was confirmed. I opted for the Vintage Tasting at $60.00 per person (one fee waived with each 3 bottle purchase or wine club sign up). Tasting fees are getting ridiculous and Seavey's is no exception. My experience was worth nowhere near what they charged me, and this of course left a bad taste in my mouth -- no pun intended. I was sent an e-mail with detailed driving directions and instructions. Save these to your phone or print them out because your cell phone will not work. We drove deep into the Napa farmland and past old barns, rickety fences, and lots of trees. Follow the directions to the letter and even when you think you've gone too far, you haven't! We arrived about 5 minutes early to an empty tasting room and nobody in sight. We had secured the very first appointment of the day, so I was a little surprised that we beat the employees to the punch! After waiting nearly 10 minutes after our scheduled appointment time, we were finally greeted by a friendly little terrier dog and our tasting hostess. We were given a quick walkaround and mini tour of the winemaking facility and the property, learning just enough info about the vineyard practices and family's history. It was interesting without getting too technical and I never felt like I was overloaded with information. Most winery tours give me that glassy-eyed feeling, but Seavey's was about 75% interesting, which is far more than I can say for other wineries. After the brief tour we were taken upstairs in a historic stone barn from 1881. We sat in a former office loft and had a seated tasting. Four wines were poured, including three current vintage wines and one library wine from the cellar. We did not get to pick which wines were on offer, it's just the luck of the draw. Our tasting consisted of a 2008 Caravina Cabernet Sauvignon, a 2013 Merlot, a 2013 Caravina Cabernet Sauvignon, and a 2012 Seavey Cabernet Sauvignon. Across the board, the wines failed to excite me. I had such high hopes for this vineyard and I was disappointed. Perhaps they didn't put their best foot forward on the day of my visit? Who knows. I will say the library wine knocked the others out of the water. This led me to believe that Seavey wines needs quite a bit of time in the bottle. I also must point out something that I never complain about -- the size of the pours. The pours here were so ridiculously tiny that I found it extremely difficult to properly evaluate the wine. I'm not here to get drunk, but there was so little in the glass. The tasting experience was a little bit awkward because our hostess was sitting at the table directly across from us, but I think she got the hint and went downstairs for a little while so we could discuss our thoughts. We ended up purchasing three bottles of the 2008 Caravina. I wasn't thrilled with the wine but we figured it would be nice to have at least one tasting fee waived. Wineries truly are doing themselves a disservice by pricing their tasting fees ridiculously high. What's even worse is that now I have three bottles of wine that I didn't even really enjoy and that I'm not looking forward to opening. All this does is serve as a reminder that I felt like I "had" to buy the bottles, and when I see them in my cellar it stirs up a negative connotation. I do think the requirement of buying a half case of wine for two people to have a complimentary tasting is absolutely ridiculous. Was the experience worth $120 for a couple? No way. I realize everyone's tastebuds are different but I'm just not a fan of Seavey. Check it out if you are looking for an expensive off the beaten path experience in Napa. You won't find bachelorette party limos out here.

We were lucky enough to book a library wine tasting for my wife's birthday. We enjoyed the beautiful scenery on the way to the winery. When we pulled in I was a little surprised to see how small it was. We were greeted by the ever so friendly Julio. He gave us a tour of the winery, which is indeed small by Napa standards but bigger is not always better. The wines we tasted were all extraordinary. We've done many tastings (40+) so I have a good idea of what good wine is when I taste it and these wines had all my senses in overload. We enjoyed a slow paced, relaxed afternoon with Julio and really felt like we were sitting down with an old friend. His knowledge of wine is just as amazing as the wine. I honestly wasn't expecting too much, but I was totally blown away by the end of the tasting. We LOVED Seavey and will definitely be returning.

Family owned winery with very beautiful grounds and great tasting wines. As a winery with a very low production rate, the wines are priced accordingly, but unlike some vineyards who charge a lot for so-so wine, you get what you pay for here...high quality, well balanced wines. Most wines are done in a Bordeaux style, and you can easily tell that they will pair well with many dishes and can also be aged for years to come. My friend and I were warmly welcomed by our host, Julio, who did an excellent job providing the history of the vineyard. Then he took us on a small tour of the facilities which ended in the tasting room. The 1:1 attention from a private tour is well worth the effort. One note, make sure you pay attention to the directions and look for the small sign on the left to get to the driveway...it's a little bit tricky.

Beautiful location and excellent wines. This isn't a warehouse location where you are going to be jostled and rushed. Julio did took his time with the tasting and we left with two bottles. Don't miss this hidden gem.

Loved our visit to Seavey...Julio was an awesome host. Wines are killer. Thanks Julio

We wound our way down Conn Valley Road- a short little departure from the valley floor that really feels far off the beaten path- finally arriving at Seavey. Seavey is essentially an old dairy farm in Conn Valley, restored into a winery and vineyards in 1981 by William Seavey. The winery is an old stone building overlooking what remains of the dairy farm. The vineyards are off in the distance on gentle low mountain slopes and across the pasture toward Lake Hennessey and Pritchard Hill. The vineyards are sustainably farmed and the winery is solar powered. All wines are 100% estate grown. The winemaking is overseen by consulting winemaking superstar Philippe Melka. We tasted alongside another group, al fresco outside the winery. Luckily, there were some high rollers in the other group so we were drinking 97 Cab before too long. The 97 Cab was one of the best wines I've ever tasted... The 2005 is on its way there too. They had a killer gnarly Chardonnay with bright fruit and stinky cheese notes- awesome. The Caravina Cab was killer. Great experience- can't wait to go back.

What a beautiful drive to approach this vineyard and the views did not disappoint once we arrived. Julio did our tasting and what an experience it was. This is Not your typical Napa style wines. This is different, French in nature, and the bold natures of Napa are left behind to the elegant and sublime gentle nature's of the wines here. The Merlot is a must try (and you'll likely want) and the night and day characters of their wines by differing years is fascinating. The property is stunning with its rustic appearance, but there is nothing rustic about the wine. Would def stop by again soon

2005 Seavey Merlot Napa Valley! Ah the much malign Merlot! That Movie made it famous~~~~~~~ Yeah I saw the Movie and love it. Merlot in general has gotten such a bad rap the last 5 years but Seavey Vineyards Merlot was one well structured wine. Merlot does sometimes come off tasting to much like Cabernet and to tell you the truth if I tasted those 2 grapes side by side. I would probably not be as accurate as I wanted to be. Seavey Vineyards Merlot has a beautiful nose of blackberries with lots of cedar, clove and dark chocolate. It has a long finish. The Merlot has 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot added to it. The price is on the higher side at $50.00 per. You should be able to find it at Local So.Cal wine shops. Enjoy the wine if you dare drink a Merlot. Cheers!

We were warmly greeted immediately upon our arrival -- as soon as we opened our car doors! After introductions, we were taken on a private and informative tour, followed by a wonderfully relaxing wine tasting outdoors. The wines are delicious! We went home with the 2005 Caravina and the 2010 Merlot. Great experience and lovely wines.

Seavey is one of my new favorite places to visit when in the Napa area. Dorie was the most gracious and knowledgable hostess. Our visit was perfect and the wines were wonderful! We will be looking forward to our next visit.

Reservation needed but so worth it. They greet you with a generous tasting of wine before your given your tour. Nothing is rushed and you have someone there with you all the time to answer an questions. Everything we tried was great and they waive the tasting fee when you bought a certain amount of bottles but you can't leave without buying it's just that good! Well worth it.

First order of the day while finalizing the itinerary was to ensure an appointment with Seavey Vineyard, one of the first American Cabernet's I fell in love with. (Primarily were a left-bank Bordeaux drinker). I applaud Seavey and Shafer wines for opening my palate to the wondrous world of American Cabernets. I can still recall my initial sip of Seavey Cabernet- ripe, aromatic, full-bodied, and complex wine that finished with fine tannins - sensational! The winding road leading to the Vineyard could hardly deter me from my appointment. And I couldn't have chosen a better day to visit Seavey - the bright sun dazzled the vineyard, the hint of crispness in the air beseeched an outdoor setting. Ms. Dorie Seavey amongst her many talents might be a clairvoyant too, as she had set the table for an outdoor wine tasting. A freshly baked loaf of Epi (french bread), bowl of EVOO, and line up of stellar Seavey wines awaited us - I was in wine nirvana! Today at the heart of Seavey is a beautiful vineyard and winery dedicated to producing age-worthy Bordeaux-style wines using sustainable farming and gentle extraction methods. The Seaveys continue to handcraft their wines, sourcing their grapes from the steep hillside land which was first planted to vines by European immigrants over 130 years ago. In 2003, the Seavey's installed one of the first solar energy systems used by a Napa Valley winery. The project eliminates 24,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions annually. The Seavey's practice old world grape growing techniques while utilizing modern technology. Despite challenges of running a boutique family winery, the Seavey Family continues to make stunningly rich and complex cabernets year after year. Be it the warm sunny days and steep vineyards, or the herculean appetite for life and a palpable hunger for success, Seavey Vineyard continues to make distinctive wines of power and elegance. Seavey sells most of their wines to current wine club members and almost everything by word of mouth. The good news for collectors - they typically hold back 20% of each harvest for their library. So bookmark Seavey for your next trip to Napa.

We had a staggeringly good tasting at Seavey a few months back. It's a hillside location of the Silverado Trail. The historic location (beautiful old stone building from the Franco-Swiss winery) dates to the late 1800's. The grounds are charming. This is one of those few big deal Napa Cabernets people tell you about. It is breathtaking. As with other posters, the other varietals were terrific as well. The tasting was just as friendly and informative as I would have hoped - as a guy who tastes a lot of wine that is a real treat for me. Well worth the time. Definitely call ahead to make an appointment.

Seavey is easily my favorite spot in Wine Country. Sipping their robust and complex Merlot while overlooking the peaks and valleys of St. Helena is truly an enchanting experience. Dorie Seavey will delight you with the family history, you'll learn about the cab's harsh growing conditions that help make it so rich and satisfying, and you'll try some unforgettable wine. My boyfriend and I can barely turn the corner on our way out before starting to plan our next visit. Thank you Dorie and Seavey Vineyards for crafting such an excellent experience and product.

***My winery/tasting room reviews are rated based upon many factors. First is QPR or quality to price ratio of the wine. In other words, is the wine priced according to how good it is. The second factor is the tasting room experience. This involves the staff, grounds and anything unique about the winery.*** Tasting room fee: Aprx. $25 (Forgot specifics) Wine price range: $40-$95 Appointment may be required, CALL AHEAD After tasting at some mega-fancy wineries this day, I needed a touch of everydayness. The location of Seavey, tucked way back in Conn Valley Road, and the thumbs up from fellow Yelper John R. made me think that a visit here was just what I needed. There are some real gems off the beaten path and I was hoping I would find another one. I rolled in to their vineyard and mini cattle ranch. The property still has livestock used to keep the grass in check and for eating. Looking around you get the feeling that not much has changed in a long time. I found out that some of the buildings indeed are from the 1800's. I walked in and was the only person there in the small but intimate tasting room. I was greeted by I think Alex, who talked about the winery history and introduced me to Mr. Seavey. He then joined me on an impromptu tour of the grounds and explained their philosophy. They make a merlot and a chard. I did not keep notes on either. However, they poured two cabs, both of which were fantastic. It looks like I found another superstar. I was not buying much wine on this trip, but had to make an exception here and picked up a great cabernet. It lasted until the night I got back from Napa when I opened it to enjoy with a nice filet mignon. There are a lot of great names in Napa. Many of the more well known names are over-visited and little more than tourist traps (yes Sterling I am talking about you). If you are visiting Napa, there are many other wineries that make top notch wine and provide a much more intimate tasting room experience. But don't take my word for it. Robert Parker calls Seavey the "most underrated great Cabernet produced in Napa Valley." Geeze, now I regret only buying one bottle. **Note, though not too far off Silverado trail, the road has some major potholes. Slow down or you might be explaining to your rental car company how you popped a tire and bent the rim. Uhhh. not that it happened to me or anything.

My girlfriend and I had an absolutely awesome experience at Seavey. I've been to more than 20 wineries/vineyards in the Napa Valley over the past two years, and Seavey ranks No. 1 . Dorie Seavey gave us the tour and poured our wine. The three of us ended up sitting on the patio (quaint, with beautiful scenery) and talking well past the slated end time for the tour/tasting. And we would have stayed longer if we didn't have to make it to another appointment. It felt like we were invited guests of the Seaveys vs. paying visitors. The Vineyard's history is great, the wine is phenomenal (best Merlot I've tasted to date and a fantastic Cab), their process is unique (they don't crush their grapes), and the grounds are tucked away in one of those off-the-beaten-path-gem locations. If you have a large group, Seavey will still be awesome, but I see it as perfectly suited for a smaller, more intimate group/setting. We'll definitely be back, and I give Seavey my highest recommendation. Thanks, Dorie!

Wow... as of 2/17/2010 there's only two reviews on Seavey. I shouldn't be that surprised since the winery is nestled in the winding roads in the secluded hills of Napa. Truly a hidden treasure just minutes away from hwy 29. The rustic farmhouses are used as their tasting room, office, distilling and storage. This is a true cult winery making less than 2000 cases a year. Prices range from $50-105 with a majority at $65/bottle. This winery was recommended by Alex at Darioush and we were lucky to be invited up as they are closed on weekdays. Brandon gave us a nice tour of the estate and history. We even got to shake hands with the proprietor, Bill Seavey, charming man. The estate raises their own herd of cattle. Hopefully one day they'll host a wine pairing party and serve some delicious organic steaks! Say hi to Scooter and Leife!

Date: January 18, 2005 Winery: Seavey Vineyard Winemaker: Philippe Melka Tasting: Appointments only Contact: 707.963.8339 Tucked away deep inside Conn Valley up Howell Mountain Road. If you want to plan a trip to visit this quaint winery, should also book a few other appointments in the area, such as Buehler Vineyards. 2001 Chardonnay A Meursault clone Chardonnay if I recall correctly. Fig and floral perfume on the nose. Flavor of Chinese preserved sour plum with mineral and stone. Don't the the word sour scare you off, just a very distinct flavor profile I picked up. A very well made Chardonnay that can age for a few years. 2001 Merlot Cherry and orange peel essence. Touch of dried strawberries. Pine, red fruits, mint and Italian herbs. Approachable tannin. 2001 Caravina Red/black plum nose. On palate, it's like biting into a ripe red plum with sweet tannin, bay leaf, eucalyptus and a touch of anise and coriander. 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Ripe Bing Cherry rises from the glass. Firm tannin hits you on the palate immediately, followed by deep sweet black fruits hiding in the background. An elegant wine that's got great structure, complexity and a strong mid-palate. Long finish. Reminds me a bit of '99 when it's first released, need to crack one of those to see how it's progressing.

Beautiful example of the old ways of wine making and a piece of property that represented how Napa looked back in the earlier years! Dorie and her staff are very passionate about their wine, the industry and the protection of it, Highly suggest a visit to a place where the focus is wine quality, not selling you a t-shirt or a bottle opener.

Spectacular winery! As a Napa resident, you tend to forget about all of the gorgeous little wineries nestled in the forest. I stopped by Seavey on my way to another fabulous spot, Amizetta, and was so glad I did! I tasted some truly dazzling wines, and had a tour by a stunning, statuesque blond named Tara. Tara was informative, bubbly, hilarious! I'd highly recommend Seavey Wines! Ask to be on Tara's tour!

During my first visit to the Napa Valley, my son planned a full-day of winery tours and tastings, with Seavey Vineyard as our last stop. I'm still a novice when it comes to the creation of fine wine and Dorie was far-and-away the most welcoming and engaging host. While it was late on a Sunday just prior to the beginning of the harvest, there was no feeling of rushness, nor disinterest; especially, given my inquisitive and questioning nature. Seavey Vineyard is a jewel. My spouse and I will be remembering our visit with every glass of their wonderful 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon over the long midwest winter ahead!

We have a Family winery tour business and SEAVEY vineyards and owner Dorie Seavey is without question, our qualified clients (and ours) favorite wineries in the region. Dorie offers gracious hospitality and her wines are exquisite. The winery is in one of the most bucolic settings in the region ... far from the maddening crowds on the valley floor. If you enjoy a private visit and are purchasing wine, this is the place for you ... ENJOY! David (eclectictour.com)

absolutely stunningly beautiful setting and the wine is amazing. I think I have found my new favorite winery

Girls trip to napa to run in 1/2 marathon just kept getting better with our scheduled appointment with Alex at Seavey. We had planned a wine & cheese/chocolate pairing for a Tuesday at 9:45. Unfortunately, an accident on 29 caused us to run late. no problem...Alex & Ms Seavey were completely understanding. The tour & grapevine lesson in the vineyard was awesome but tasting thee Wine was the highlight. Devine pairings with delicious cheese and chocolate made a perfect compliment to the lovely vineyard. Extra credit was the adorable jack Russell, leAfy. We were tempted to take her home with us along with our wine orders.

My group and I signed up for a tasting and wine tour, this winery exceeded my expectations. Such a hometown feel in how they have grown their crops and treated their grapes. We got a personal tour from the winemaker and he was exceptional in showing us the procession from crop to bottle. His dedication to his craft is unlike I have ever seen. Amazing winery and staff! I highly recommend!

Seavey Vineyard, which I have had the good fortune to visit twice, is as about as relaxed and unpretentious as you can find. The vineyard itself dates back to the early 1870s, when 143 acres were purchased by Charles Volper. In 1881, he built a stone dairy barn, which still exists today as the winery production area and tasting room. William and Mary Seavey purchased the property in 1979, replanted the vineyards, and produced grapes to sell to other wineries until 1990, when they produced their own Seavey Vineyard branded Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. In 1994, they released their first Merlot, and in 1999, released their second Cabernet Sauvignon called Caravina. When you arrive at Seavey, you feel as if you've stepped back in time, except for their state-of-the-art solar energy, wine production, and wine order processing systems. William (Bill) Seavey still lives on the property and the five Seavey children have continued the family's legacy of producing world-class, age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Merlot. When you visit, you will often be greeted by Dorie or Art Seavey, who manage sales and marketing at the winery. Tastings and tours at the winery are by appointment only Monday through Saturday. The tasting fee is $45 per person and one tasting fee is waived per three-bottle purchase. The winery also has a vintage wine club (two shipments per year) as well as a library wine club (three shipments per year).

Given the other reviews posted, I emailed the winery to schedule an appointment for a visit earlier month. Unfortunately, I never received a call back. I rated them two stars knowing the wine is great, but if they really do not want visitors, then say so. Given today's economy, it seems quite rude not to return phone calls or emails.

This winery is a must visit if you are interested in higher end cabernet wines. Pretty hard to find, but worth the effort! Our host greeted us on our arrival, then spent an hour with us explaining the history of the vineyard and the family. Beautiful surroundings, and fabulous view. We sat outside for the tasting, and the wines are spectacular, full bodied, and worth the price. Can't wait for my first shipment!

Worth the ride for the wine and the beautiful landscape. Solid, sophisticated wines. The 2009 Merlot is one of the best I've tasted with complex berry flavors with hints of spicy tobacco. The flagship Cabernet is intense and well balanced. I look forward to opening a bottle in 5 years. This is an exceptional wine and a value at $95.