Far Niente

Far Niente

1350 Acacia Drive
P.O. Box 327
Oakville, CA 94562
United States

Phone (707) 944-2861
Fax (707) 944-2312

Founded by John Benson in 1885, Far Niente prospered until the onset of Prohibition in 1919, when the winery ceased operation and the buildings and estate were abandoned. Sixty years later, in 1979, Gil and Beth Nickel purchased the old stone shell of a winery and spent three years restoring the building to its original, 19th century grandeur. During restoration the name, “Far Niente,” which romantically translated means “without a care,” was found carved in stone on the front of the building. Now on the National Register of Historic Places, Far Niente produces critically acclaimed, estate bottled Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon wines that are renowned for their consistent house style and ability to evolve with extended age.

Map

This winery’s location has been confirmed by the winery.

Visiting the Winery

Twenty-five years after its revival, Far Niente opened for public tours and tastings, by appointment. Tours begin with a walk through the tri-level winery, which is built into the surrounding hillside. Guests are then led through a portion of the 40,000 square-foot Far Niente wine aging caves, which were the first modern wine caves built in North America when excavation began in 1980. The tour concludes with a visit to the Carriage House, home to a fascinating collection of classic automobiles.

Tastings follow each tour and feature the current releases of Far Niente’s estate wines, including a Napa Valley Chardonnay and Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as carefully aged Chardonnay and Cabernet from the Far Niente Cave Collection. The Cave Collection vintages extend back to the early 1990s. Each tasting ends with a taste of Dolce, the sumptuous, late harvest wine produced by Far Niente’s sister winery, also called Dolce. For further information about the tour and tasting program, please contact the winery at (707) 944-2861.