Peju Winery in Rutherford is one of Napa Valley’s most recognizable estates, but after several visits, the reason we keep returning is the food and wine experience. We’ve visited for both traditional wine tastings and Peju’s Chef’s Tasting Experience, where a progression of Napa Valley wines is paired with dishes created by the winery’s culinary team.

Located along Highway 29 in Rutherford, Peju combines a beautiful estate, gardens, art, and a broad range of Napa Valley wines with some of the more interesting culinary tasting options we’ve experienced in the valley.

The Peju Estate

Peju has been part of Napa Valley since the early 1980s, and its Rutherford estate feels very different from many of the modern tasting rooms found throughout the valley.

The pink stucco buildings, stonework, gardens and distinctive tower give Peju an almost European feel. The property itself is worth spending some time exploring before or after your tasting.

One of the most memorable features inside is the large stained-glass window overlooking Peju’s wine collection. Outside, vineyards, gardens and art installations make the estate particularly photogenic.

The Chef’s Tasting Experience

If food and wine pairing is an important part of your Napa trip, this is the Peju experience we would choose.

Rather than simply tasting a flight of wines, the Chef’s Tasting Experience pairs a series of Peju wines with small dishes created to complement each wine.

And this isn't something we tried only once. We've returned for the culinary tasting, and the menu has changed between visits.

On one visit, pairings included Sauvignon Blanc with ahi and cucumber, dry rosé with heirloom tomato flatbread and burrata, Pinot Noir with truffled Brie fondue, Reserve Meritage with pork belly confit, and Reserve Cabernet Franc with beef tenderloin tartare.

On another visit, the menu ranged from Chardonnay with basil-asparagus panna cotta and caviar to Malbec with Korean-style pork belly confit and Cabernet Sauvignon with Wagyu beef short-rib Wellington.

That changing menu is part of the appeal. Peju isn't simply adding a cheese plate to a standard tasting; the food is designed around the wines.

More Than Cabernet

Cabernet Sauvignon may dominate many Napa itineraries, but one thing we enjoy about Peju is the diversity of wines available during a tasting.

Our Chef’s Tasting Experiences have included everything from Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and dry rosé to Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon.

For visitors spending several days tasting Cabernet-heavy flights throughout Napa Valley, that variety can be a welcome change.

Classic Tasting at Peju

You don't have to book the culinary experience to enjoy Peju.

We've also done a more traditional tasting here. It provides a chance to focus primarily on the wines while still enjoying the Rutherford estate and gardens.

For a first visit, either experience works. But if we were choosing between them, we'd spend the extra time on the Chef's Tasting Experience. It distinguishes Peju from many of the other winery visits available in Napa Valley.

Take Time to Explore the Property

Don't rush out immediately after your tasting.

Peju's gardens, vineyards and artwork are part of the experience. The property changes with the seasons as well — we've seen it surrounded by summer greenery and decorated for both fall and the holidays.

Who Is Peju Best For?

Peju is particularly good for visitors who want more than a straightforward Cabernet tasting. We'd consider it for:

Food and wine lovers - the Chef's Tasting Experience is the main reason we'd return.

First-time Napa visitors - the estate delivers the classic vineyard-and-winery atmosphere many people picture when planning a Napa trip.

Groups with different wine preferences - the portfolio extends well beyond Cabernet Sauvignon. LPE tip - The Reserve Cab Franc!!!

Visitors who enjoy beautiful winery grounds - gardens, artwork and distinctive architecture add to the experience.

Our Take

Peju is easy to overlook when planning a Napa itinerary because it sits directly on Highway 29 and is one of the valley's better-known wineries. But our experiences here have been much more personal and interesting than the location might suggest.

The Chef's Tasting Experience is what makes Peju stand out for us. Napa has plenty of excellent Cabernet tastings; fewer wineries combine such a broad range of wines with a thoughtfully prepared progression of small dishes.

Add the Rutherford setting, gardens, art and distinctive estate, and Peju offers considerably more than a quick tasting-room stop.

For us, it's the culinary experience that turns Peju from a winery worth visiting into one worth revisiting.

Plan Your Visit

Location: Rutherford, Napa Valley
Best for: Food and wine pairings, first-time Napa visitors, couples and groups
Our pick: Chef’s Tasting Experience
Allow: Roughly 90 minutes to 2 hours for a more involved experience, plus some time to explore the property.

More Napa Valley Winery Experiences

If you're planning a Napa Valley wine trip, continue with our first-hand winery guides:

Jarvis Estate Winery
An extraordinary underground winery and cave experience.

Far Niente Winery
Historic Napa Valley elegance, beautiful grounds, and classic Napa wines.

Nickel & Nickel
A deep dive into single-vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

O’Brien Estate

An intimate, family-owned vineyard experience in Oak Knoll.

Faust Haus
A bold, contemporary approach to the Napa Cabernet experience.

NAPA Travel Guide