Overview
Rutherford is a small township in the Napa Valley region of California located between St. Helena and Oakville, along Hwy 29. This area of the valley was originally owned by General Vallejo and through a series of gifts became the property of Thomas and Elizabeth Rutherford as a wedding present 1964. The Rutherfords developed a winery, which grew to be one of the best wineries of the area. Now the town is home to high quality wineries and restaurants, a beautiful location to enjoy the wine country.
5 things to do · 3 places to eat · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Rutherford
Frog's Leap Winery
Organic vineyard and garden, offering vineyard tours and wine tasting in their Red Barn. In order to tour or taste call in advanced and make a reservation, during the high season call well in advanced.
Swanson Vineyards
Swanson Vineyards offers wine tasting by appointment only, but it is well worth making that appointment. Cirgue Tasting is $20 and their one hour Harvey Tasting is $55
Beaulieu Vineyard
This century old winery is known for its Cabernet which the founding winemaker said required the Rutherford dust to grow. Wine tasting $10, Reserve Tasting $25.
Grgich Hill Cellars
Wine tasting: $10, Winery tour and VIP room tasting $15.
Bonaventura Balloon Company
Fly high above the wine country in a hot air-balloon. For a romantic adventure or a group delight.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–Nov. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 38°F. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby Sonoma)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- STS Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport, Santa Rosa — 21 mi away. Directions
- CCR Buchanan Field, Concord — 38 mi away. Directions
- SMF Sacramento International Airport, Sacramento — 48 mi away (major hub). Directions
From San Francisco: Highway 101 North over the Golden Gate Bridge, to Highway 37; Highway 37 East towards Vallejo/Napa, to Highway 121; Highway 121 North towards Napa to Highway 29 North to Rutherford.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Typical meal: about $18 per person at listed restaurants.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Frog's Leap Winery, Swanson Vineyards, Beaulieu Vineyard
- Lunch Rutherford Grill
- Afternoon Grgich Hill Cellars, Bonaventura Balloon Company
- Dinner Auberge du Soleil
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Get in
By plane
- San Francisco International Airport, +1 650-821-8211.
By car
From San Francisco: Highway 101 North over the Golden Gate Bridge, to Highway 37; Highway 37 East towards Vallejo/Napa, to Highway 121; Highway 121 North towards Napa to Highway 29 North to Rutherford.
Get around
A car is recommended for getting between the various town in Napa Valley. Please do not drink and drive or wine taste and drive.
Do
Wine Tasting
Ballooning
Do Bonaventura Balloon Company
Fly high above the wine country in a hot air-balloon. For a romantic adventure or a group delight.
Buy
Eat
Eat Rutherford Grill
Known for its BBQ ribs and cornbread.
Eat Auberge du Soleil
Serving Breakfast, lunch, dinner daily. A classic Californian cuisine menu with a prix fixe menu and two tasting menus; meat and veterinarian parings with wine. Expensive.
Eat La Toque
Make reservations well in advance. For weekends at least 6 weeks ahead. $49 - 88 prix fixe.
Drink
If you are looking for a bar or club head towards St. Helena.
Sleep
Nearby
Oakville
City / town · 4 listings · 2 mi away
St. Helena
City / town · 19 listings · 4 mi away
Yountville
City / town · 21 listings · 5 mi away
Kenwood
City / town · 15 listings · 7 mi away
Glen Ellen
City / town · 30 listings · 9 mi away
El Verano
City / town · 12 listings · 12 mi away
Sonoma
City / town · 66 listings · 12 mi away
Calistoga
City / town · 38 listings · 12 mi away
My experience
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