There are two roads through Napa: Highway 128--which cuts north and south from the city of Napa to Calistoga--is the thumping central artery of the Valley. Less traveled is a road just east, the Silverado Trail.

Home to small family-owned wineries, under-the-radar cult producers and large, international vintners like Mumm Napa Valley and, there’s no debating that this is some of California’s most prestigious Cabernet Sauvignon acreage. Spanning several appellations in about 28 miles, you’ll be hard-pressed to get to all of the wineries on the trail in a day. If you have the time, break the trip in half, concentrating on the southern half--wineries between Napa and Yountville one day, and the northern Silverado Trail wineries from Oakville to Calistoga on a second leg.

Cabernet Sauvignon is the premier wine in this region, but be on the watch for some terrific Zinfandel and Burgundian grapes (Malbec, Petite Sirah, Petite Verdot) and Italian varietals like Barbera, Sangiovese and Temperanillo. You’ll also find plenty of Pinot Noir—it’s a favorite challenge of winemakers—but grapes are mostly imported from the nearby Carneros region, or from the cooler northern and central coasts.

Most of the following wineries are open to the general public for tasting. Some, like Reynolds’s Family Winery, require an appointment, but are always glad to have visitors.  Click here to see a more detailed map of the area.

Southern Silverado Trail: Napa to Yountville

Reynold’s Family Winery: At the far southern end of the trail, this family-run winery (the owner is also the winemaker) has very limited production focused on Cabs and its red blend, Persistence. Winemaker Steve Reynolds is described as something of a “mad scientist”, always eager to try new blends and clones. A collaborative effort with several other vintners, the wine uses grapes from Napa Valley’s 13 (now 14) appellations. 3266 Silverado Trail, Napa, California, 707.258.2558.www. reynoldsfamilywinery.com.

Darioush: Rising from the vineyards, Darioush is a fantastic Persian palace in the heart of Wine Country. With soaring columns, stone floors and fountains to please even the most discriminating regent (Darioush is, in fact, the name of a Persian king), these big, bold Cabernets and Bordeaux blends keep the wow-factor going. 4240 Silverado Trail, Napa, California, 707.257.2345. www,darioush.com.

Clos du Val: As one of just five wineries chosen to represent the US in the historic 1976 Paris Tasting, Clos du Val has a long and impressive history in the Valley. Though it’s lost some of its cache over the years, focusing on larger production value wines, there are still some solid reserve wines to be found. 5330 Silverado Trail, Napa, California, 707.261.5225. www.closduval.com.

Chimney Rock: The Stag’s Leap appellation, just east of Yountville is home to some of the most prized wines in the Valley. Chimney Rock is counted among them, with highly sought-after Cabernets from the much-lauded Terlato family. 5350 Silverado Trail, Napa, California, 800.257.2641. www.chimneyrock.com

Pine Ridge: Stellar Cabernets from several appellations, including Stag’s Leap, Oakville, Rutherford and Howell Mountain. 901 Silverado Trail, Napa, California, 707.253.7500.www. pineridgewinery.com.

Stag’s Leap: A century (plus)-old winery that has become a benchmark for great Cabernets. 6150 Silverado Trail, Napa, California, 707.944.1303. www.stagsleapwinery.com

Robert Sinskey: Best known for Pinot Noirs, Sinskey’s Vin Gris has created a ruckus among rose drinkers who love its crisp, fruit-forward personality and price. The winery offers food-pairings with most of its wines and is an amble-worthy spot to take a break and enjoy the scenery.6320 Silverado Trail, Napa, California, 800.869.2030. www.robertsinskey.com.

Northern Silverado Trail:

Miner Family: Though this winery is a newcomer to the valley, the family has long been involved in the winemaking business. Impressive Cabernets, along with Pinot Noirs from the Santa Lucia highlands. 7850 Silverado Trail, Oakville, California, 800.366.WINE. www.minerfamilyvineyards.com.

Plumpjack: Though you may miss it the first, second and possibly third time you pass by, this fledgling vineyard is worth seeking out. Great Cabernets from one of Napa Valley’s emerging young vintners. 620 Oakville Cross Road, Oakville, California, 707.945.1220. www.plumpjack.com.

Mumm Napa Valley: A premier maker of sparkling wines with one of the best vineyard views in the valley. 8445 Silverado Trail, Rutherford, California, 707.967.7700. www.mummnapa.com

Quintessa: Designed to blend into the landscape, Quintessa is a sort of sideways parenthesis of rock and glass that nestled into the vineyards. Entrance is by appointment only so visitors can enjoy a relaxed tour and sit-down tasting of this Napa winery’s premier Cabernets. 1601 Silverado Trail, Rutherford, California, 707.967.1601. www.quintessa.com

Duckhorn: Merlot is the primary focus of the Duckhorn family, who recently opened two other red-centric wineries: Paraduxx (a few miles south, also on the Silverado Trail) and Goldeneye Winery (known for Pinot Noir) in Mendocino’s Anderson Valley. Fowl-fanciers will appreciate the large collection of duck art gracing the estate. 1000 Lodi Lane, St. Helena, California, 866.367.9945. www.duckhorn.com.

Casa Nuestra: Whizzing by castle after castle, after estate, it’s hard to imagine that the Valley was once mostly dotted with family farms and cattle ranches. Precious few of the original homes remain, but Casa Nuestra is testament to Napa’s past—a cozy, yellow farmhouse not much bigger than some of its’ neighbors garages. Dogs and cats welcome visitors to the friendly, uncomplicated tasting bar inside. The winery specializes in unique French and Italian varietals including Columbard, Chenin Blanc and field blends of Chianti. 3451 Silverado Trail North, St. Helena, California, 866.844.WINE. www.casanuestra.com.

Clos Pegase: A stroll around the temple-like Clos Pegase will likely land you at the giant thumb—an ode to hitch-hikers, or gardeners depending on your perspective. Throughout the winery, modern and ancient art collide in a mish-mash of thought-provoking creativity. Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are the winery’s signature bottlings, though they also produce a number of others, including Merlot and Pinot Noir. 1060 Dunaweal Lane, Calistoga, California, 707.942.4281. www.clospegase.com.