Charter Oak Winery

When in Napa and looking for a truly unique wine tour you should plan for a tour at Charter Oak. We were lucky enough to get a private tour from Layla which gives you a unique perspective since her husband's family have been making wine on that property for over 100 years. The wines are delicious and Layla gives you a full tour of the property as well as history lesson while enjoying some truly wonderful wines. She is an amazing artist and shares her paintings while visiting. We will definitely be back next time in town.

I was first introduced to the family of Charter Oak Wines at an event in Sea Island, GA at the beautiful Cloister Resort. It was there and then I had to meet the vintners of an outrageously delicious and balanced 2014 Zinfandel that remains my favorite bottle today. My family and I first met the winemakers, Rob and David Fanucci during their harvesting two years ago. From the moment we arrived, they were welcoming and invited us to help with the process and thus a relationship began. What you learn immediately is this tiny boutique in St Helena is a generational run vineyard that produces world-class award winning wines the same way Rob's grandfather intended, silken, elegant and balanced. Everything about Rob and Layla is about passion and that is evident not only in their wines yet too, in Layla's magnificent art that is always on display. Also, try and stay on the property. They have two beautifully appointed cottages that make for the perfect base station when visiting wine country. We won't stay anywhere else now. Thank you Layla, Rob and David for sharing with us. Hope to return soon

Welcoming atmosphere and helpful waiting staff. A great place to go for night out for two and order what I I believed was the best steak ever!!

Charter Oak Winery is in a gorgeous setting in St. Helena. The winery itself is so charming and Layla the owner is so hospitable and knowledgeable about the history of the winery and the wines itself. The small, but mighty, production nicely showcases the love that is poured into the wine. Not to mention it is delicious!! Layla is a world class painter and her paintings are situated throughout the winery. Splendid experience!!

MUST DO! This tour and tasting added something unique to our time in wine country. It is intimate, charming, authentic and delicious! The family history is something we will never forget. Layla has beautiful art to accompany the amazing wine in a beautiful home.

This winery is unlike any other you will ever visit! It’s small and intimate, and the owners escort you on a private tour, treating you like family or an honored guest. Then they offer you a delightful tasting of several of their current wines. Layla will show you her art and studio if you’re lucky - she is a talented, world class artist who paints in a very unique and beautiful style. Of all our many trips to Wine Country and visits to countless vineyards and wineries, Charter Oak stands out as the place I not only want to return again and again, but the place we buy reliably delicious wine from. We’ve been patrons for 20+ years and consider the owners very extended family. To me, Charter Oak is what heaven must be like! I would love to spend more time there just quietly observing or helping. Great people, great wine, great art.

Our time at Charter Oak was so different than the typical Napa winery tour...it was more like visiting family or dear friends. Layla was incredibly hospitable and the wines we tasted together at her kitchen table were exceptional. I don't know anywhere else you can have this intimate of a tasting. Lastly, Layla's art and the story behind it is enchanting, and we're greatly looking forward to visiting her gallery exhibition in NYC this month.

This was our second visit to this little St Helena gem! The wines and art are perfection, Layla is the most gracious, welcoming host. As Charter Oak wine club members, we were able to stay on property in one of the quaint little cottages. A MUST see when in Napa Valley! Cheers!

This place was the best part of our trip. We stayed the night in the cottages and enjoyed the wine tasting the first day. The wine was quite good and the intention and process they follow can't be found anywhere else in Napa. I've been to Napa, Sonoma, and Tuscany many times. European vineyards have a heritage while Cali vineyards often push technique where they are lacking in age and generational experience. I was delightfully surprised to learn their family has been growing and making wine in Napa since 1900. They manually crush their grapes at the end of the season which we heard it a great time to visit and join in. The cottages are quaint, perfect for those who like to read a book and cook great food in their well stocked kitchen. It's a Chefs paradise. We will be back.

Great food and overall a nice place . Def would go back . People need to try this place if they haven't already .

This wnery was part of our San Francisco State University alumni 2016 Napa wine tour. About 60 of us arrived at their charming location and we were broken up into three groups because it's not very big. I'm not even sure they do tours for the public? I think they live here. The first part of the tour is seeing some of the owner's art work in her studio. Her daughter's Emmy is also displayed so it's kinda cool to see up close. Next they talk a bit about the wine cellar. Then you go to another area in the back which is a beautiful kitchen, and we tasted delicious wines with no sugar added, so no hangover! It's very good. We also were fortunate to eat lunch here, right by their vineyards. It's only an acre, but very nice. They had their daughter's wedding here, but they really should think about other weddings. It would be nice! Previously on our tour, we went to Hawk and Horse, which also was at their private residence.

We have had the most impressive tours at Charter Oak Winery. Layla is so welcoming and talented. The winery itself is so unique. My husband and I always recommend the tour to our friends.. If you want to see something original and warm and delightful in the Napa Valley you must visit Charter Oak Winery. And the wine is fantastic. M & H

NOW THIS IS THE REASON TO GO TO ST. HELENA. I had the pleasure of getting a private tour from the lovely Layla who is the co-owner of this super eclectic (and historic!) property. Before I even get to the wine, I gotta tell you that when you drive up to the property, it will appear as if you're rolling up to someone's quaint little home. And that's kind of what it is... Walk into the living room with a grand piano, spectacular city-scape paintings from Ms. Layla herself and good vibes all around. Then step into the den area that's kind of a quasi-converted store, where you'll find Layla's paintings and swag from the winery. Then you GOTTA go on the tour - I can't spill all the beans (you just have to go!). But the tour will give you the back-story on the many generations of this family-owned, artisanal business. You'll get a first-hand view of the oldest hand-press in all of the Valley. You'll walk through the vineyards in the back. You'll see Layla's art studio. But most impressively, you'll taste the wines... OMG, let me tell you, DIVINE award-winning reds. It's been awhile so I don't remember what the specialties are, but you need to know that these wines are made in super limited production (it's a very small operation) and it seems like virtually every release was an award winner. I couldn't walk away without buying at least 4 bottles. As if you needed any more convincing, there's a another historical gem steps away - an amazing, ma + pop olive-oil store that you cannot miss, which is right across the street from Charter Oak. Artisanal wine and olive oil within steps of each other...doesn't get better than that!!

My husband and I made this our first stop during our first trip to Napa. We stayed 4 hours and didn't bother going to any other winery because we couldn't imagine the experience would measure up. Getting to know the Fanuccis and hearing the history of the house and the vineyard was incredible. It's now our home away from home and the wine is a staple in our house. It's really like no other place you'll ever visit!!

I'm a St Helena resident who has visited many wineries. Charter Oak is my favorite by far. This boutique operation offers a welcome throwback to the days when wineries survived on their merits rather than hyped overpriced tours, amplified music and special events. Charter Oak Zinfandel is quite possibly the best I've ever tasted, period. Third generation owners, Rob and Layla Fanucci, couldn't be more gracious hosts.

Highpoint of our Napa Valley trip. Small boutique winery run by the Fanucci family. Rob (the husband) and his son David are the winemakers and come from generations of wine makers. Layla (the wife) is an internationally recognized artist and has her gallery there which you get to tour as well. Wine is excellent. Only downside is the rest of the wineries and wines in Napa fall short of your expectations if you start your trip with Charter Oak -- it sets the bar very high. Do Charter Oak last on your trip.

My wife and I have been driving wine tours for ten years in Napa and Sonoma. We are actually ranked No 2 by TA so when we speak it is from authority and experience. We have over 750 wineries to choose from when we make our itineraries and we always use the same criteria for the wineries that get on our preferred list. They must have great people, superior place, and stellar wine. 2.5 out of three just won't cut it. We reserve the absolutely unique experience of Charter Oak Winery for the discerning few who adore authentic historical contact with the wine country's deepest roots. From the first moment your special host, owner Roberto, unlocks the cellar doors to the vintage winery you feel like you are on a turn of the century movie set. Every aspect , nook and cranny is reeking with authentic Napa history and Roberto weaves a magic spell as he describes the generations of his family that toiled here before during and after Prohibition. Gives our guests chills to zoom back 120 years by stepping across the threshold. But the bottom line is the wine and everyone adores this Zinfandel-- only one I buy in the Valley myself! Please reserve an hour to go back in this amazing time capsule and then walk across the tree shaded street to the stellar and totally original Napa Valley Olive Oil Manufactory. You never buy Zinfandel or olive oil anywhere ever again!

Definitely a must go to if you are ever in St. Helena. The visit was awesome and the wines were amazing!!! I especially enjoyed the Petite Sirah and the Monte Rosso wines. I will absolutely be coming back here soon!

Ok so first of all the wine was good however as part of a wine tour we were on we visited a number of wineries that day at although they had tasting charges they all waved them when we purchased, this was the only one that stilled charged even if you purchased, alarm bells should have rung out when they didn't charge the card whilst we where there. they didn't reply to emails afterwards, had lousy customer service afterwards when i called them. As we left the winery the tour rep even said they needed to get their act together. i will be visiting the area again but no way will i go back there better wineries that want your business are out there.