Shafer Vineyards

This was one of the main stops during our visit to Napa. Shafer is one of my all time wines and it was the wine selected for our first anniversary. That day we drank a 2008 Shafer Hillside Select and it got engraved in our hearts forever. Lisa was our host and she did a magnificent job. We got there like 30 minutes earlier and it was no problem, she took us for a little walk around the property, then we sat in this high wall glass room with incredible views, tasted the whole current release lineup and a bonus library HSS. We honestly felt like home, this was one of the most memorable visits of the trip and one that added a good feeling to the future journey drinking Shafer wines…

We had an absolutely lovely visit to Shafer Vineyards. Our educator, Ethan, was extremely welcoming and knowledgeable and we thoroughly enjoyed our time with him, in addition to the wines we tasted, which were all excellent. It was interesting learning about the history of the Shafer family and hearing some of the stories behind the wines. We are Napa locals and have visited our fair share of wineries, but Shafer definitely stands out and will be a new favorite of ours. It's only been a few days since our visit, and I already want to go back.

A great family owned winery. Fantastic wines that we have enjoyed over the years. Consistently high quality and in a lovely setting. We did the tasting, and John, the owner stopped by.

Amazing location, absolutely great wine, super hospitality from the team, definitely a place to visit if you are in Napa Valley!

The winery is beautiful and we really enjoyed the wines. Maria was a pleasure!

Beautiful views meet luscious wines! If you are looking for Zen- it is here!

Incredible views, great wine, and fantastic staff. Ilse was WONDERFUL - very approachable and knowledgeable. She absolutely knew her wines but wasn't snooty or uppity like others we have encountered. Ilsa even gave us great recommendations based on the wine we liked and our palette preferences. Definitely book in advance so you're guaranteed a spot and personalized attention.

Upon my visit, Bob the wine educator greeted us in a humble and sincere manner. Bob was very grounded and made the experience all the more pleasant and fascinating. The history of John Shafer and the continued efforts of his son, Doug Shafer, is not pretentious but in fact humble and meaningful. The estate reflects Shafer’s history through its modest but very mindful design. Elias Fernandez the winemaker is mentioned many times throughout the tasting - personally I admire Bob for the mention of Elias as to give credit where it is due. Needless to say, the Shafer family is much more than a label or a mere face. Doug Shafer himself made an appearance for us while we sampled the TD-9! Shafer is incredible - truly a staple in the Napa Valley.

This was one of the main stops during our visit to Napa. Shafer is one of my all time wines and it was the wine selected for our first anniversary. That day we drank a 2008 Shafer Hillside Select and it got engraved in our hearts forever. Lisa was our host and she did a magnificent job. We got there like 30 minutes earlier and it was no problem, she took us for a little walk around the property, then we sat in this high wall glass room with incredible views, tasted the whole current release lineup and a bonus library HSS. We honestly felt like home, this was one of the most memorable visits of the trip and one that added a good feeling to the future journey drinking Shafer wines…

We had an absolutely lovely visit to Shafer Vineyards. Our educator, Ethan, was extremely welcoming and knowledgeable and we thoroughly enjoyed our time with him, in addition to the wines we tasted, which were all excellent. It was interesting learning about the history of the Shafer family and hearing some of the stories behind the wines. We are Napa locals and have visited our fair share of wineries, but Shafer definitely stands out and will be a new favorite of ours. It's only been a few days since our visit, and I already want to go back.

A great family owned winery. Fantastic wines that we have enjoyed over the years. Consistently high quality and in a lovely setting. We did the tasting, and John, the owner stopped by.

Amazing location, absolutely great wine, super hospitality from the team, definitely a place to visit if you are in Napa Valley!

The winery is beautiful and we really enjoyed the wines. Maria was a pleasure!

Beautiful views meet luscious wines! If you are looking for Zen- it is here!

Incredible views, great wine, and fantastic staff. Ilse was WONDERFUL - very approachable and knowledgeable. She absolutely knew her wines but wasn't snooty or uppity like others we have encountered. Ilsa even gave us great recommendations based on the wine we liked and our palette preferences. Definitely book in advance so you're guaranteed a spot and personalized attention.

Upon my visit, Bob the wine educator greeted us in a humble and sincere manner. Bob was very grounded and made the experience all the more pleasant and fascinating. The history of John Shafer and the continued efforts of his son, Doug Shafer, is not pretentious but in fact humble and meaningful. The estate reflects Shafer’s history through its modest but very mindful design. Elias Fernandez the winemaker is mentioned many times throughout the tasting - personally I admire Bob for the mention of Elias as to give credit where it is due. Needless to say, the Shafer family is much more than a label or a mere face. Doug Shafer himself made an appearance for us while we sampled the TD-9! Shafer is incredible - truly a staple in the Napa Valley.

This was one of the main stops during our visit to Napa. Shafer is one of my all time wines and it was the wine selected for our first anniversary. That day we drank a 2008 Shafer Hillside Select and it got engraved in our hearts forever. Lisa was our host and she did a magnificent job. We got there like 30 minutes earlier and it was no problem, she took us for a little walk around the property, then we sat in this high wall glass room with incredible views, tasted the whole current release lineup and a bonus library HSS. We honestly felt like home, this was one of the most memorable visits of the trip and one that added a good feeling to the future journey drinking Shafer wines...

Amazing tasting at Shafer which started to open on Saturdays (used to be Mondays to Fridays only). Amazing hospitality team, we tasted through 2 vintages of the Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay, followed by TD-9, a proprietary blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec, including a sneak preview of the 2021 TD-9 which has 75% of Cabernet! The 2018 relentless, a blend of Syrah and Petite Sirah: dark with hint of pepper, is tasting great. Followed by the side by side Hillside Select of 2018 and 2014. Both heavenly delicious!! Overall, the great hospitality team here is world class and really presents the Shafer brand. Advance reservation required.

Shafer has famous reds. They are located on the hill on the Silverado trail and have gorgeous views and their regular red wine is some of the best red you'll ever buy. It's absolutely amazing. Famous Stags Leap district. When we opened their bottles at home the bold classic red cab that makes Napa famous comes through. If you like that big bold Napa Cab... add this to your list.

We had an absolutely lovely visit to Shafer Vineyards. Our educator, Ethan, was extremely welcoming and knowledgeable and we thoroughly enjoyed our time with him, in addition to the wines we tasted, which were all excellent. It was interesting learning about the history of the Shafer family and hearing some of the stories behind the wines. We are Napa locals and have visited our fair share of wineries, but Shafer definitely stands out and will be a new favorite of ours. It's only been a few days since our visit, and I already want to go back.

This was my first vineyard stop and it really set the tone perfectly for our visits over the next couple of days. From a quick tour and history in the vineyard, meeting Sushi the cat (but unfortunately Cody the lab dog was on PTO while owner Doug was on business travel), to the formal sit down tasting inside overlooking the property - the entire experience was laid back, relaxing, and delicious on the pallet! I learned more about the wine making and tasting process but it was an engaging conversation for the whole group (3 couples in our group joined by another group of three). Some really well done wines that hopefully I'll be enjoying in the future! Be sure to check out their history as the Shafer wines have been served at several Presidential dinner parties.

Very disappointed in this experience. By far the worst, most underwhelming tasting experience I've ever had. Let me start off by saying the wine is exceptional. Some are tasting a bit young, but there's no doubt that age will serve these wines well. We own a few bottles of Shafer Hillside Select and were very excited to finally get to visit the winery. When my husband and I arrived, we were a little surprised the tasting wasn't private. For $85 a person, you would think the experience would be a bit more intimate. It wasn't. You're there with about 10 other people. The host starts the experience outside. No wine. No tour. We were literally all standing there while the host just talked about the origin of Shafer. I'm totally open to hearing about the history of the winery but pour us a taste first or take us on a tour of the gorgeous property. We spent the first 20-30 just all standing around listening to this guy talk. Then he takes us inside to a long table with our 5 wines all poured (finally). We got an "owners manual" which is literally just a notebook that regurgitates everything the host is telling you. Our host was nice, but clearly could not read the room. He was not engaging whatsoever and talked to the guests rather than made us feel apart of the experience. Didn't ask any questions and would talk over people. I even felt uncomfortable whispering to my husband who was sitting next to me. Oh, you get crackers too. What's really unfortunate is that we were celebrating our 1st wedding anniversary and were looking to buy a bottle to hold onto for a few years. But sadly once that tasting was over, we just got out of there as soon as we could. Bottom line: don't waste your time (or your hard earned money) here. It's stuffy and you're better off reading about the history of the winery online, and going to a winery with a more intimate, warmer vibe. I do love learning about wineries and hearing stories about the founding members, but there should be a balance. And for that price, we wanted a personal experience with good wine. Not a history lesson.

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our tasting at Shafer, but we do wish that it was a bit less structured. The fact that you have to make a reservation, and the tasting is limited to 10 people or less, was something we really appreciated. No overcrowding or noisy atmosphere. We were surrounded by peacefulness, and fellow lovers of top notch wine. We certainly would have loved to spend more time outside, and getting a closer glimpse at the vines and the property, but you only get about 10 minutes outside before the tasting, with a brief history and Q&A. After that, you enjoy a seated tasting in a room overlooking the winery, with a Shafer expert to educate you on the wines. As for the wines, they are spectacular! We bought several bottles to take home, and can wait to enjoy them for a special occasion.

Shafer Vineyards makes some of the best California wines, and the tasting is well worth the $45. As others stated, it's by appointment only; they only do two seatings a day; and they book fast. This is an appointment you want to make as soon as you book your trip - or even before then. The tasting starts promptly on the patio, where you get a brief story on the history, the lay of the land, their techniques - all very interesting. Into the main dining area, you go, where a table for 10 awaits with a beautiful view of the property thanks to the sliding curtain walls. Shafer only makes five wines total, and they're poured well before you get there, so you get to experience optimal tasting! Mmmm. In total, we were there for a little over an hour. savoring each exquisite wine, taking notes in the handy booklet they provide, which also comes with food pairing suggestions and recipes. You can also find recipes online. I truly loved all the wines, but they save the best for last: The Hillside Select. ...Which my guy took the liberty of drinking all of mine while I snuck away to the ladies room. (In the words of Stephanie Judith Tanner: "How rude!") Since it was a 10am tasting, we didn't get a chance to meet assistant winemaker Elias Hernandez or Doug Shafer, which would have been a nice treat. All in all, I rec this vineyard to anyone who wants to taste quality wines and walk away with a few bottles to add to the home collection.

Cabernet lovers this is for you! My maiden name happens to be SHAFER so I have long wanted to try this winery. It did not disappoint. Living in the East Bay I have been to my share of wineries, but this is my new favorite. Intimate, stunning views, incredibly personal sommaliers, Ilsa was especially amazing! I was especially impressed with the Cabernet. If you like full bodied, high quality wine I highly recommend. Today was a day I will always remember!

********************* 1567 ********************** We love everything about this wine tasting experience. We got to taste some of the delicious Cabernet Sauvignon. We learn about the history of the vineyards, the story of Shafer, and soil, the land, and the people behind the wines. We got to taste the iconic One Point Five and the rare Chardonnay as well as a dessert wine with chocolate pairing at the end. It was such a treat. Shafer Vineyards traces its beginnings to 1972 when John Shafer left a 23-year career in the publishing industry and, with his family, moved to the Napa Valley to pursue a second career in wine. After purchasing a 210-acre estate in Napa Valley's Stags Leap District, the Shafer family faced the arduous task of replanting the existing vineyards, which dated to the 1920s, and terracing the steep and rocky hillsides, eventually expanding vineyard acreage to its current 50 acres. We got to meet Mr. John Shafer, at 92 years old, he comes to the winery every day. What an inspiration for us all. Winemaker Elias Fernandez has been with Shafer since 1983, I'm humbled to have met him. Our wine educator has also been with Shafer over a decade. That says a lot about a company. We had an amazing time here. I highly recommend if you are a cab/old world wine lover like I do. Trust your Somm :-)

There are only a few things in life that truly amaze me. Shafer Vineyards is one of them. I admit it. I was a non-believer. As much as I loved great wines, I wasn't sure if I wanted to splurge two hundred bucks for a cabernet sauvignon. Nonetheless, peer pressure got to me and a few years ago on September 1st, we made our way to Shafer to purchase their much beloved Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon during their annual limited release to the public. We got there around 10:15am. There was a line!!! What?!? There are people waiting in line buy $200 bottles of wine?? Seriously! Each individual is allowed to buy a maximum of two bottles of Hillside Select. I figured since I had been standing in line for about half an hour, I might as well buy two. I kept wondering if I had gone out of my mind. This was one bottle of wine, after all. Seriously, I was really doing this? YES!!! My brother and I purchased a total of 4 bottles that day. We put it away in our wine refrigerator and saved it for a special occasion. Then came the dilemma. What occasion warrants drinking such an expensive bottle of wine? Keep in mind that the price of the wine steadily goes up as it ages and this wine is only sold in limited quantities to select restaurants and merchants. Last year, we took one of the bottles of wine to the French Laundry to celebrate my birthday. They opened the bottle for us and poured it into a decanter to let it breath. This wine was amazing!!! It literally stole the show at our meal. It was better than the French Laundry's tasting menu! Yes, it really was!!! I had waited for so long to eat at the French Laundry but the Shafer Hillside Select was the star of the show. The aroma was titillating. It was smooth and had a lingering finish. You could taste hints of black cherry and other fruit flavors. I loved the fact that the tannins were not overpowering. The tannins were soft and well disguised. It is honestly the best wine I've ever had in my life! I was afraid to open this bottle of wine because I thought I'd be disappointed. It was the most spectacular wine ever! I can't wait to open the other 3 bottles! And I will definitely be back to buy more Hillside Select on September 1st!

It is a little difficult getting a reservation for a tasting -- they only do 2 groups of ten a day. They spend a lot of time with you and provide a lot of great information about the winery. The poured 5 wines, including a 93 Hillside and a 95 Merlot. The pours were very generous and the wines were wonderful. Staff certainly knows what they are talking about and as friendly as could be -- no pressure to buy -- and availability somewhat limited (no Hillside or Relentless).....

Running a minute late, we joined the group out on the patio as our host pointed out the Hillside Select vineyards surrounding the winery, and talked about Shafer's sustainable farming practices. It was all fairly simple, more of an orientation than a tour. The treat came when we were taken into the cellar to see the 2008 One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon being bottled. Winemaker Elias Fernandez was overseeing everything, and was kind enough to say hello to everyone. We tasted the 2008 One Point Five in the cellar- with beautifully forward fruit and elegantly layered spice and tannins that should develop and integrate while the wine rests in bottle awaiting release. We tasted through the Shafer wines in a sun room overlooking the patio and vineyards- a magnificent setting. To highlight the tasting, John Shafer came out and shared a few moments of his time with the group. It's a highly structured tasting, so we didn't get too caught up in every detail of Shafer's winemaking process. As a whole, the wines are balanced and classically styled, but unmistakably Californian. Bold and rich, but unmistakably luxurious and silky. The tasting was capped off with some insanely good chocolates paired with a nice port-style dessert wine only available at the winery. What a magnificent kick-off to the trip! WINES- -2008 Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay, Carneros- 75% barrel fermented, no malo, wild yeast. Straw, green apple & stone fruit, pear, light oaky vanilla notes. Crisp and bright with great balance---Excellent---$48 -2007 Merlot Napa Valley- Caramel apple, cherry, plum. Elegant with silky spice tannins and mint on the finish---Very Good to Excellent---$48 -2007 One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap- Dense and full. Vanilla, butterscotch, cassis, tobacco. Gliding red & black fruits that soar into cedar and spice box notes on the tannins and finish. Silky and velvety---Excellent to Stellar---$70 -2006 Relentless, Napa Valley Syrah/Petite Sirah- Co-fermented. Inky and full. Cassis, leather, white pepper, with meaty notes. Meaty black fruits, pepper-bold but elegant with firm peppery grip and spicy finish---Very Good to Excellent---$70 -2005 Hillside Select, Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon- 32 months in 100% new French Oak. Dense and full. Vanilla, green olive, cassis, currant, and cedar on the nose. Waves of cassis, cigar box, herbs, vanilla, cedar, and red berries that are elegant and silky. Firm white pepper tannins lead into a finish of berries and olive---Excellent to Stellar, but will move to "Stellar to Classic" as the red and black berry notes develop and the tannins further integrate with many years in the bottle---$215

Shafer and Seavey were the first California Cabernets I fell in love with. Needless to say, it was a pleasure visiting these extraordinary wineries. Shafer wines best attributes are its sensual balance, texture and distinct aromas and flavors that is impossible to resist. Our tasting line-up consisted of five exceptional wines, including Shafer's highly regarded Hillside Select Cabernet - 2011 Red Shoulder Chardonnay, 2011 Merlot, 2006 Relentless, 2006 One Point Five, and 2009 Hillside Select. Having the immense pleasure of meeting Mr. John Shafer himself, it was indeed a very special day!! Bookmark Shafer's as a MUST on your to-do list.

Met John Shafer in person during our tasting! We were so honored. We saw John's sculpted work of his dog as well. We got a souvenir pen and an Owner's Manual as well during the tasting. Their white wine and red wines are superb. There was art everywhere and the view of the valley and the mountain was amazing!!! We were seated in a long table during the wine tasting and it was a wonderful experience as our tour guide provided us a mini lecture on the history, geography, anthropology, biology, and oenology related to the wines that we were tasting. Crackers were provided during the wine tasting so you can clean your palate in between. Lots of parking. Secluded place. Makes you feel very special.

Hands down one of my most favorite wineries in all of the Napa Valley!! The tastings are worth every penny and you will be treated like family when you are there. The epitome of elegance, class and fine wines with a great family story. Every single wine they pour is delicious, you do not want to waste a drop! Besides their famous Hillside select Cabernet, second to none, their Merlot is affordable and fabulous. The tasting room itself is all glass and brings the outside in as you leisurely taste through five of their wines over the course of about an hour. You must make an appointment well in advance as they do not take appointments on the weekends. $55 pp. Plan ahead you will not be disappointed in this fabulous Napa icon.

I've been waiting for 5 years to get on their Hillside Select List. I'm on their crappy one (1.5/Red Shoulder Ranch/Merlot) that you can get at your local grocery store for cheaper. I dunno why. For their commercial tasting (Non-Cave-Barrell-Tasting). Johnny, the wine marketer and tasting emcee walked us thru their front property and discussed how their vineyard started and how the new additions have fostered their growth into a premier wine maker. It's cool to learn that they plant plants in the middle of the vines to sustain and nurture the soil to make the grapes grow in fertile soil. Now on to the tasting... 08 Red Shoulder Ranch. They named it funny b/c of the Red Shoulder Hawk would carnivourously eat the rodents in the fields. Anyway, RSR is aged in 75% French oak and 25% Stainless Steel with no secondary fermentation. Unfiltered. The Stainless steel aging prevents too much oak and sweetens the process. Tasted young, crisp hazlenut and really stable. 07 Merlot. 15% Cab blend. They harvest these grapes from the Oak Knoll District. Wine is aged in 70% new barrells and 30% secondary barrells. Tasted oak, plum, rasberry with a smooth finish. Little to no heat on the finish. John Shafer walks in. It's great to listen to a phenomenal story. He didn't like wine in the beginning. There was an opportunity to buy land and so he did....not knowing that 30 years later...Shafer would be what it is today. 94 One Point Five from their Library. Oak, light crisp. Delicate and settled. You can tell the maturity of this. Aged 20 months in oak barrells. 12 year cellar life. Became flat and old. 07 One Point Five. Drank side by side with 94. Finish was smooth. Interesting texture with the side by side comparison. Impressed. 99% Cab and 1% Petit Verdu. 93 RP rating. 06 Relentless. Named after winemaker Elias Fernandez work ethic...Relentless. Gotta admire a maker that's been with the vineyard for 26 years. Acidic, tannins are strong. Menthol and a bit of tobacco. Easy finish. Grapes are grown in their La Mesa block. 80% Syrah and 20% Petit Syrah. 3000 cases produced. 05 Hillside Select. Floral nose. Robust. Rising, but not raised yet. This wine spends 34 months in oak barrells, then 1 year in the bottle before it's released. Tons of oak and you can feel/taste the fruit trying to push thru. Will come out with proper cellaring. Heavy boquet very silky and great texture. Long finish. Should cellar for 20-25 years. Tasting is free for list go-ers. Bought 4 Hillside Select bottles had Dougie autograph one of them for me. Yippie...I'm so happy.

This is one of my husbands favorite wines ... visiting this vineyard was a bucket list item for him, so for his 50th bday we finally got to Napa and Shafer. After visiting vineyards all day starting at 9:30am at Caymus, then Robert Mondavi, to Joseph Phelps our last stop was the most anticipated Shafer vineyard . To say we were extremely disappointed would be kind. The pompous, rude tour guide only made the end of our day more disappointing. The appearance of the property was subpar, not standing up to its name or quality/price of its wine, The staff was not welcoming or friendly... and when I offered feedback it was NOT well received . I know the Vineyard name draws you to visit .. BUT be prepared to be disappointed .

Shafer has outstanding wines, and their wine tasting experience is similarly excellent. To visit, one needs a reservation, which helps keep the winery from being crowded (I also believe they have a 10 person per time slot max). After a brief tour of the grounds, one is invited into a seated tasting where one gets to taste a number of their current vintages, including Hillside Select and Relentless, and learn about the history of the winery and the wines one is drinking. Overall, it was a great experience, and the staff were very friendly and knowledgeable. We will definitely be back next time we are in Napa. I also bought their book, a Vineyard in Napa, which chronicles the history of the winery. It was a very interesting read and well-worth picking up.

We were able to make an appointment on the day of the visit. $35 per person is steep, and it is non-sharable and charged over the phone. I only know one other winery, Far Niente, who charges more ($50 pp). Anyhow, the $35 does NOT include a tour. Yes, we went into the front yard and looked at their vineyards but that was it. So was it worth it? Well, I'm still scratching my head. But most likely once was enough. Reasons for YES: - We met John Shafer. He came into the tasting room for few minutes to talk. - An opportunity to taste a $200 Hillside Select - Though 2003 Hillside Select is technically sold out, you can buy it If you do the tasting. I suspect that you cannot just go in there and buy one. Per Shafer, you are a "guest" of the winery when you are there for tasting and hence is welcomed to buy the sold out Hillside (which sounds bit strange). Reasons for NO: - No real tour of the vineyards - No tasting of vertical or aged wines - Relatively small pours...though I had leftover in all of my wine glasses. - Personally, I didn't think Hillside was overrated. There are greater wines out there. Wines tasted: - 2006 Chardonnay - 2005 Chardonnay - 2005 Merlot - 2005 One Point Five (their lower end Cab) - 2003 Hillside Select (their higher end Cab) - 2004 Relentless (their Shiraz) OK, I started to sound like a nerd again so quit here.

Before anything, I'll have to insist that you make scheduling an appointment for a wine tasting at Shafer Vineyards a top priority for your next visit to Napa Valley. First a short background - I was introduced to wine about 5 years ago by my then girlfriend (now my wife). Since then I've taken great interest in wine, reading various creating a cellar room, and taking copious notes whenever I can. We recently spent two weeks in Sonoma Valley and Napa Valley for our honeymoon, and Shafer Vineyards was one of the wineries we planned to visit. I tweeted shortly after my tasting, "The wine we had at Shafer Vineyards today changed my entire outlook/understanding of great wine. Unbelievable stuff." Before I'll rate any cab a 5/5 in my notes, I always think back to my first few sips of that Hillside Select. We were limited to buying only 2 bottles of the Hillside per person. We bought 4 with the intention of drinking it for every ten year anniversary. Looking back at my notes, a quick summary below (which notable excerpts): 2010 Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay - 4.5/5 2009 Merlot - 4.5/5 1.5 Cabernet Sauvignon - 5/5 2008 Relentless Blend (75% Syrah, 25% petite sirah) - 5/5 - very enticing bouquet of fresh berries, vanilla, oak, and cinnamon. I distinctly remember huffing this one for a while haha. 2007 Hillside Select - 6/5 - No words can sufficiently explain how good this was. Extremely velvety, but still well balanced with strong, firm tannins. Also detected leather, blueberries, allspice, and other red berries on taste. Very much looking forward to drinking this in ten years.

Tuesday, May 11, 2004 Shafer Vineyards 2002 Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay Aroma of fig, butter, cinnamon, and sweet floral scent. Perserved mango and pineapple attacks the palate followed by the melody of ripe tropical fruits, layers upon layers. Lingering finish, slightly toasty. Worth a shot. 2001 Firebreak Caramel and butterscotch accompanied by toasty oak rises from the glass. Heavy oak influence with red fruits hidden in the background. Seem a bit rough and unsettled, will likely settle down with additional bottle age. Comments reserved. 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Sorry, no detailed notes, sidetracked by conversation. Worth a shot.

Yes, it's expensive. Yes, they're only open M-F. Yes, you must book in advanced. But it's all totally worth it! Firstly, the grounds are breathtaking. Definitely one of the most beautiful properties in the Napa Valley and an exceptional tasting 'dining room'. Like most people that review this place or are familiar with Shafer, they make one of the best Napa wines in the valley including the cult-status Hillside Select. It is a $45 tasting fee, however you get to taste a complete flight of ALL their wines (which are not cheap at all) including their Hillside Select wine, but it's all totally worth it. The thing I like most about our experience here was that it was totally wine focused. There is a small tour and a brief explanation of the history, but was kept short and sweet because we're here to taste some damn wine! Mostly all their wines are exceptional. The only one that I didn't like (and everyone else for that matter) was the One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon. It was merely okay and definitely disappointing for the price point ($72). However everything else was excellent. Some stand outs were the Merlot, the Relentless Syrah and of course the Hillside Select. Amongst the 3 I liked, the Relentless was the best. It didn't taste like your typical spicy, heavy Syrah. It was deep, but not overly rich and you can taste the fruit, which is good. I left with a Syrah and Hillside Select (which hurt the pockets!). All totally worth it, I don't know if I'd return any time soon, but I definitely when I need to restock on that Hillside Select.

My husband and I visited Shafer on 5/13/14. The entire experience was truly exquisite. I booked our reservations about two months in advance for the afternoon tasting. Based on the other reviews here, it is a good thing that I did as there is limited seating for each of the daily two tasting. The property is off of the Silverado Trail and there are no signs on the main road soliciting their location. This certainly creates an intimate and private setting. Once you turn into the property (off of a private drive on Silverado), the views are simply amazing. Our tasting began fairly promptly. We went out onto the vineyard where our guide gave us a brief history of the Shafer family. It was fairly hot that day so I was glad to get back into the house to taste some wine! Our tasting included the 2011 Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay, 2011 Napa Valley Merlot, 2011 One Point Five, 2010 Relentless, and the 2009 Hillside Select. The Hillside Select was just lovely. I know it sounds cliche, but it was like liquid velvet with dark cherry notes. I'll admit at first sip, I was not fan of the One Point Five. It opened up nicely during the tasting thus changing my mind. Oh yes, Doug Shafer greeted us and chatted us up a little. He joked about a wine he made in the 80s that got a 68 wine rating! We also John Shafer going out to check the mail. Seriously, you can't make that stuff up! We left Shafer with a bottle of Hillside and One Point Five. Honestly, I don't know what I was thinking at the time. I should have bought the max number of bottles allowed for Hillside Select! Needless to say, if you are looking for an elegant wine tasting in a beautiful setting with some of the best wines in Napa, stop by Shafer. You won't be disappointed!

Visited Shafer for my 36th bday. I loved it. Their was only 10 people who taste per sitting (total of (2) sit down tastings per day). Make sure to call in advance since it's by appointment only. A couple showed up without reservations and they were denied. Tasting is $45 per person and only open M-F. Finally, John Shafer and Elias Hernandez stopped by our tasting and wished me a happy bday. Since I'm a big wino, I felt like a teenage girl who just met justin beiber. Anyway, my cousin works at Shafer so after the tasting Elias took us on a tour of their caves. Pretty awesome. One of the best wineries in the Napa Valley.

This is a delayed review with very mixed feelings. My wife and I visited the winery for a second time this past December. The wine is 5/5 and almost every varietal is stellar. The winery experience is extremely blah. The environment is very pretty. The guide provides a brief tour (10 min) of the property from a terrace and then you go in for a seated tasting of 5 (maybe 6 wines) around a large table w 8-10 other folks. Our host was knowledgeable and engaging but the experience totally lacks impact. On the day we were visiting the employees were heading to a holiday luncheon and we were literally rushed to finish. It's a great wine to acquire but not worth the pricey tasting.

We enjoyed an awesome tasting at Shafer on our honeymoon. The experience at Shafer is amazing. Shafer is nestled away in its own microclimate of napa. A beautiful property with talented wine makers and staff. While this tasting will be one of the more expensive tasting you go to, it is worth every penny. The wine tasting is organized in a beautiful dining room sit down setting where the staff walk you through the wines, their history and the adventure your senses will experience. Shafer does not offer discounts or refunds of tasting fees when you buy bottles...because they don't have to. Their wines are fantastic and the price they charge is worth the enjoyment you will get from them. Make an appointment in advanced as walk in are not allowed.

Finally been able to book for the tasting appointment and it was outstanding. Well worth the price especially the relentless and one point five. The hillside was great but we all knew that given it's price point. I highly recommend everyone to go there at least once.

Easily the best winery and tasting I've ever experienced. Our host, Bob, was knowledgeable,funny and gracious - it felt like we had known him for years. Shafer wines are world-class, and the tasting portion was very in depth and informative - pours are generous so you are getting your moneys worth. Can't wait to visit again. A real treat. Thank you Bob and the Shafer family!

Been visiting since the early 1980's. Get on the early wine tour; not as busy and taste buds are better in the am than later in the day. Plus it's decadent sipping before noon. I'll be here when Rome falls (if they give me 8 hours notice....)

This is a beautiful property. The view of the valley goes for miles and the building and vineyards very breathtaking! We received a manual on the wines we tasted. Red wines were very much to our tastes. Very balanced and delicious. We met Jon and received a great history on his father and how the winery began and is being carried on with his son. You are seated in a big conference room with floor to ceiling glass windows with the view of the property and valley. But, it ends there you do not leave the building at all, there is no tour of production or the vineyards.

Loved our experience at Shafer - if you are into wine it's worth the money to taste here, absolutely. Plus, they allow you to purchase the Hillside Select which is difficult to find unless you're a member of their wine club. We received an incredible education from our tasting guide, who was happy to answer any and all questions we had...plus we got to meet John Shafer himself (who even walked us through a few of the wines)! You'll taste 5 different wines, plus a port at a seated tasting in a room with magnificent floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open out onto Shafer's hillside vineyards. They provide you with a map of the vineyard, plus a notebook with the winery's history, information about each of the wines, and a pen to take notes with. The vineyard dogs are adorable and even have their own Facebook pages! They recently won a James Beard award for "Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional" which is no surprise after experiencing a tasting with them firsthand. It's appointment only and doesn't have a sign out front which makes it a lovely, more private experience - make your reservations now!

Excellent tasting visit to this wonderful winery. This was the first time we had these wines and they were all great....pricey but great. I think there were five wines we tasted...not small tastes either. Beautiful tasting room and grounds. Bob, our host, did a great job. After the formal tasting we were treated to a Cab port.....awesome! It was great. Needless to say, we had some bottles of various wines shipped home.

The Hillside Select was amazing! But for the price, there are cheaper options from Napa. Cliff Lede (a stone throw away) makes comparable Cabs for much less.

Best wine tasting in Napa. The Relentless may be my favorite wine for the money, but the tasting allows you to taste the rare jewel, Hillside Select Cabernet. The tasting is more than worth the money to enjoy wines from arguably the best vineyard on the planet. On top of that, John Shafer, the patriarch and founder, stopped by our tasting to say hello and chat for a few minutes. Very cool touch. A must do for anyone who loves great reds.

The $50 wine tasting is worth every penny and more. I loved the educational experience and the fact that I meet both owners and the dog :) I love their wines because of the tasting. (GREAT views also)

Came here to visit and learn more about their highly respected wines. Special treat to learn that the Shafer Relentless 2008 was just named the Wine Spectator #1 of the year! Yes, it was happily announced by the Shafer staff! =) They had actually sold out of the '08 wine 6 months ago and their '09 Relentless, which was just released on 9/1/12, was already low on inventory.... not a bad problem to have..... What I liked: The merlot and the hillside select. The Merlot was very nice and is balanced with cab and petit syrah. The Hillside select was simply delicious and if not for the high price tag ($230), I would have bought some to take home. I'm still on the fence on the Relentless as it does have a spicy kick to it which might be good for eating heavier foods. We got to try several of their wines: Chardonnay, Merlot, One Point Five Cab, Relentless Syrah and the Cab Reserve, the Hillside Select. If you enjoy wines, you simply have to come and visit this winery in Napa. Their wines are great! Recommend!

This was one of the Mrs. and my favorite winery experiences when we visited a few years back. They were still completing the current tasting room, and we were one of the only groups whose tasting wasn't cancelled. They offered samples of all they're offerings: Firebreak, (which they no longer make) Red Soulder Ranch Chard, Cab, (now 1.5) Relentless, (their Syrah blend) and a 95 Hillside Select. All of the wines were very good wines, well made, and we got nice pours as we talked about the wines. (wasn't a fan of the style of the Chard, but the wine is still a very well-made wine) The 95 HSS was out of this world, the pooch was running around, we got a tour of the facilities including showing us where the Shafer Port is made and the store behind it. Overall, this was not only informative, but showed just how much pride, passion and craftsmanship the Shafer family has in putting together one of the best wineries in the Valley. Another endearing quality about this winery is they've hardly raised their prices on Shafer Hillside Select, their top-end wine. While other wineries have jacked prices up considerably on a yearly basis, (prior to the recession) Shafer has maintained their price line for the most part even with a waiting list they've since had to close due to length of people on it. I believe they also provide the ability to pick up a bottle of the HSS one day a year for people in the area on that particular day.

Shafer wines are well known and the coveted Hillside Select Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon has paved a bright path for each of their wines. Visiting Shafer is a beautiful step into the hilly Stags Leap District--off Silverado Trail and not marked. Not marked so those that don't have a reservation make a visit and leave disappointed. The staff were friendly but not overly so--in fact I really didn't get a chance to chat with any Shafer employee--which I enjoy doing as I always learn something new. Reservations are only a Monday through Friday affair and can be difficult to obtain. Make sure you have a map and instructions as it is easy to not find. The tasting is expensive $40.00. The tasting is a sit down with other visitors and lead by a Shafer team member. I was completely excited about the vineyard and the vistas and couldn't wait to make my way in. The atmosphere was a bit museumesque--the Shafer employee talk about their wines with an occasional question but general silence and most people talking with those they came with but usually sotto voce. What broke up the awkwardness was a visit by John Shafer. A very welcoming presence and down-to-earth person and truly made everyone relax and re-ignite the excitement of being a Shafter Vineyards. I enjoyed after the formal presentation talking with the people around me and petting the resident pooch who has a statue of himself in the entry way of the winery. I did enjoy the wine tasting experience and trying their wines especially their coveted Hillside Select label

My wife and I visited Shafer Vineyards for one reason... to see where the bar is set for wine quality. We had never tasted a Shafer wine prior to our visit, having only read rave reviews in wine publications and websites such as Wine Spectator and Yelp. Our visit confirmed that not only is their wine the finest we've had, but the vineyard's dedication and commitment to an incredible product produced in the gentlest, most sustainable way, is unparalleled. What a day we had. To stand in the vineyard where the cabernet grapes are grown, to taste all their wines in a beautiful, relaxed room, and to meet both John and Doug Shafer, was memorable. These wines are delicious and expensive. Shafer realizes the investment made by their customers, and provides an owner's manual to insure their wines are fully explained, stored, aged, and drunk at the right time in the right way. We wound up buying a case, which won't ship until the cooler month of November, and on our visit, we got a free, autographed copy of Doug's excellent book, "A Vineyard In Napa." Highly recommend.

Incredible winery and people. Michelle was awesome a personality you only come across in one out of a thousand people you will meet in your lifetime. The winery itself is stunning vineyard to the complex itself. Wine tasting was superb. For years and many thousands of dollars spent I tried to get my wife to drink wine! Well Shafer did it with one wine tasting! What can I say to add to this review? How about a short conversation with John Shafer himself! Walking the winery and speaking with his guests! A legend and gentle man. A Shafer fan now for life Mike & Nancy New York

The best formal tasting in Napa Valley hands down. Awesome wines, awesome people, awesome facility and the best wine dog in the business (Tucker)!

I usually don't review wineries, but I had such a fantastic experience at Shafer. It's appointment only, and you sit at a beautiful table overlooking the estate. The appointment is intimate and the wines are phenomenal. The grounds of the estate are gorgeous (even though in January there's not much to see, but I can imagine how beautiful it must be later on in the year). Overall, it was one of the best tasting experiences I've had in Napa Valley.

Hands down one of the best winery experiences in the Napa Valley. Beautiful views of the Napa Valley from their gorgeous estate, impeccable wines, and superb service. You cannot ask for anything more!

Wonderful tasting and extremely informative - comfortable for novices as well as seasoned wine afficianados. The only drawback, and this is not the fault of the winery at all, is that the others in our ten-person group were quiet to the point of being dour. I thought wine was meant to be enjoyed and experienced - these folks were focused on their little black books for 90 minutes. If I have any suggestions for improvement, it would be for the host to engage the guests a bit for a more lively, enjoyable and fun experience for all.

The wines at Shafer are amazing and they are brought to life by a great group of people. Their 1.5 Cab, Relentless Syrah, and of course the Hillside Select, are all stars. Go take in the beautiful scenery and savor some truly delicious wine, you deserve it!

Had an outstanding tasting on a rainy day. Great staff at Shafer and the wine is better than advertised.

Shafer is one of the best wineries in the world. It goes to show you yelp may be good for some things like food, but wine forget about it. Unless you dont care about quality of wine, and are just there for the experience. Anyone who is into wine, knows shafer. Their 2002 hillside select must be one of the best wines if you can find it and afford it. A better web site for quality wine, if you are into that type of thing is www.cellartracker.com. It is not meant ot be funny like yelp just the facts is a wine good or bad. Shafter also does another label relentless which is great. I used to feel joy for being the first reviewed, but this is no pleasure just neutral.. Come to think of if if you are a high end winery, may be you dont want to be reviewed on yelp.

Probably my favorite winery in Napa. All sustainable fruit done extremely well. Hillside Select is liquid velvet. The grounds are gorgeous. John, Shafer's ambassador is informative, warmly welcoming and is a gracious host and always runs a great tasting.