Welcome to Rutherford
Home of famous "Rutherford Dust" Cabernet wineries.
Among Napa Valley's famed Cabernets, those hailing specifically from the Rutherford area have an especially passionate following.
The unique soil in the Rutherford area, once a riverbed, produces wines in which fruit and herb flavors are tinged with a mysterious, almost spicy element known as "Rutherford dust." Wondering which foods pair best? Learn all about it during a lunch tasting on the terrace at Round Pond Estate.
Known for
The Rutherford Grill, scenic countryside, famous wines with the unique "Rutherford dust" soil
Vibe
Rustic yet refined, comfortable, authentic
Population
164
Once you get to Rutherford
Stay at
Rancho Caymus Inn on the valley floor, or at the five-star resort
Auberge du Soleil. Auberge du Soleil is one of the most exquisite properties in the valley, with a Michelin-starred restaurant and breathtaking views of the valley below. Try a wine tasting and a picnic at
Rutherford Hill Winery. Then check out the historic
Inglenook wine estate, purchased by film director Francis Ford Coppola in 1975, which houses a museum dedicated to the history of Inglenook and the birth of cinema. Finish your wine tasting experience at
Elizabeth Spencer Winery, in their historic brick cottage or beautiful courtyard.
A little Rutherford history
Rutherford was founded on the nearly 12,000-acre Mexican land grant, Rancho Caymus, which was deeded to early settler George C. Yount from General Mariano Vallejo in 1838. Yount gave a small portion of the grant as a wedding present to his granddaughter, Elizabeth, when she married Thomas Rutherford in 1864, and the family name stuck.
Experience Rutherford
