PRIME Cellars sits in the Coombsville region of Napa Valley, a smaller, less crowded corner of the valley that feels more relaxed than some of the busier tasting room corridors. The winery focuses on Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, wines that founder Ted Henry has been perfecting since he started PRIME Cellars in 2005. Before launching his own label, Ted worked as a winemaker at Clos du Val, so he brings real technical knowledge to what he’s doing here.

What makes a visit here different is that Ted often spends time with guests during tastings, walking you through his wines and sharing the thinking behind each bottle. It’s the kind of experience where you actually get to talk with the person making the wine rather than a staff member running through a script. The atmosphere is intimate—this isn’t a massive operation with tour groups rotating through.

If you’re bringing your dog along, PRIME Cellars welcomes them. You can settle in for a tasting while your dog hangs out nearby, which beats the alternative of leaving them in a hot car or skipping the winery altogether. The setting itself is pleasant, with the kind of quiet that makes you want to linger over a glass rather than rush through.

The winery is small enough that it doesn’t feel overwhelming, and the Coombsville location means you’re not fighting crowds to get a tasting appointment. If you’re planning a Napa visit and want something more low-key than the big-name operations, this is worth adding to your list. Just call ahead to make sure they have availability and to confirm their current hours, since smaller wineries can have different schedules than the larger establishments.