We Asked 11 Sommeliers: What’s the Most Underrated Napa Wine? (2026)
Napa has been one of the most esteemed winemaking regions in the world for decades. Known to churn out big, teeth-kicking Cabernet Sauvignons and bold Chardonnays, Napa is now synonymous with luxury wine among some drinkers. That said, the region offers a rich diversity beyond the most popular wineries and elite bottles.
With vineyards stretching from the sun-drenched valley to high-altitude plots, Napa plays host to a wide diversity of grapes and vinification styles. And despite Napa’s mass acclaim, there are still some wines in the area that fly under the radar. That’s why we tapped sommeliers from across the country to name the Napa wines that they think are ripe for more attention.
Ranging from old-school Cabernets to sparkling wines, these are the Napa wines that sommeliers think deserve some more love.
The most underrated Napa wines, according to sommeliers:
Pilcrow Granite Lake Cabernet Sauvignon
Scholium Project Pergamos Cabernet Sauvignon 2024
Chardonnay
Stony Hill Chardonnay
Domaine Carneros Brut Vintage Cuvée
Mayacamas Vineyards Chardonnay 2020
Cabernet Franc
Enfield Wine Co.
Cain Vineyards & Winery Cain Five
Component Wine Co. Petit Verdot
Matthiasson Wines
Locanda Beckstoffer Georges III Cabernet Sauvignon
“Pilcrow’s Granite Lake Cabernet Sauvignon. It has all the intensity and structure of great mountain Cabernet, but Pilcrow turns the volume down — lower alcohol, restrained oak, bright acidity, and a distinctly savory, mineral character. It feels more like a glimpse into old-school Napa than another modern cult Cabernet. For me, Granite Lake is Pilcrow’s best wine, and it deserves to be mentioned alongside far more famous Napa Cabernets.” —Andrew Albert, sommelier, Cru Uncorked, Moreland Hills, Ohio
“My underrated Napa wine is Abe Schoener’s Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon from his ‘Scholium Project’ label. The vines at a higher altitude give a cooler, mountainous tone that balances the fruit’s deep body. I love Abe’s experimental style — this wine combines intrigue and unexpected freshness with a really satisfying texture you’d crave from a Napa Cab.” —Bethany Heinze, co-owner and beverage director, Vern’s, Charleston, S.C.
“I firmly believe Chardonnay is one of Napa Valley’s most underrated wines. The western side of the valley is home to incredible producers like Stony Hill, Staglin, and Heitz Cellars, crafting wines that are stunning upon release but truly shine with age. I’ve had the pleasure of tasting older vintages of Stony Hill that have absolutely blown me away. The best part is that you can find beautifully aged Napa Chardonnay for a fraction of what you’d pay for comparable white Burgundy.” —Juan Valencia, sommelier, Ômo by Jônt, Winter Park, Colo.
“Domaine Carneros sparkling wine. With a climate and variety of quality soils ideal for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the Los Carneros AVA in the Napa Valley produces outstanding — though often underrated — méthode traditionnelle sparkling wine. Domaine Carneros (by Taittinger) stands out for its use of 100 percent Los Carneros AVA grapes that are sustainably farmed, meticulously blended, and aged at least three years on the lees. The result is a light, crisp, and structured wine with significant minerality. Within its broad sparkling portfolio, the lovely Vintage Estate Brut Cuvée is a great value and readily available. It’s featured in my Bahamian wine cellar.” —Harlan Spiva, sommelier, Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, Nassau, Bahamas
“Mayacamas Vineyards Chardonnay 2020. This was an extremely difficult vintage, but Mayacamas Vineyards over-delivered through its high elevation and Old World winemaking style. This is a luxury bracket wine priced at only $50 to $60 per bottle. For those wanting an old-school, pre-ABC (Anything But Chardonnay) Napa experience inspired by the great white Burgundies of Meursault and the flinty minerality of Pouilly-Fuissé, look no further.” —Ryan Furlan, lead sommelier, La Grande Boucherie, Chicago
“One of the most underrated wines coming out of Napa Valley today is Cabernet Franc. Napa is naturally associated with Cabernet Sauvignon, but Cabernet Franc offers incredible aromatic complexity, freshness, and elegance while still reflecting the valley’s world-class terroir. Its notes of violet, graphite, red fruit, and spice make it exceptionally versatile at the dining table and a great option for guests looking to explore Napa beyond its most famous variety. At my restaurants, guests often default to Cabernet Sauvignon, but Cabernet Franc provides the same sense of place with more brightness, aromatic lift, and food versatility.” —Adil Berrady, director of food and beverage, Kimpton Gray Hotel, Vol. 39, and Boleo, Chicago
“Enfield Wine Co. Not everything John Lockwood makes is technically Napa, as some of the vineyards he sources from sit just over the border, but the winery as a whole represents a style of Napa that people don’t always think about. All of his wines show restraint and a sense of place. They’re interesting and delicious without trying too hard, and they’re a great reminder that there’s a lot more happening in and around Napa than big Cab and rich Chard.” —Andrew Limberg, director of operations and Sommelier, Moon Rabbit, Washington, D.C.
“My favorite underrated producer in Napa has got to be Cain Vineyards & Winery. Located on Spring Mountain, it lost nearly all of its vineyard land during the Glass Fire in 2020 but has since replanted. The knowledge and the hospitality they provide is amazing. The winery’s flagship bottle, Cain Five, is a showstopper at any age and provides incredible value — especially when released as a library wine.” —Gabriel Corbett, sommelier, Hive Hospitality, Washington, D.C.
“If you’re looking for the most underrated wine in Napa, I’d point you to Component Wine Co.’s Petit Verdot. Marc Gagnon is definitely not one to shy away from a challenge — Petit Verdot has one of the longest ripening cycles of any grape, and he pulls it off beautifully every single year. Only 600 bottles are made annually, so it’s not easy to find, but trust me — when you do see it, grab it.” —Andrey Ivanov, master sommelier, Nisei; owner, Bliss Wine Concierge, San Francisco
“Matthiasson is one of the producers I consistently come back to when talking about the breadth of what Napa can be. Steve and Jill Matthiasson have built a program equally around farming and wine making, letting individual varieties and sites speak for themselves. Of course, they make Cabernet, but some of the most compelling wines are things like Ribolla Gialla, Refosco, and their white blend. For a region that is so often defined by one or two particular styles of wine, Matthiasson is a great reminder of just how diverse Napa can be.” —Sean Lowder, director of operations, Liberty Restaurant Group, Arlington, Va.
“My choice would be Locanda. I think the Beckstoffer Georges III Cabernet expression is comparable to other iconic wines selling for three times the price at restaurants. It’s truly stellar and, for the quality and pedigree, feels like an especially compelling bottle. The wine has the depth and complexity you’d expect from a much more expensive pour, while still feeling like a thoughtful value on the list.” —Gene Dexter, wine specialist, Lotte and Charlotte, Seattle
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