Goosecross Cellars

Goosecross Cellars is one of Yountville's hidden treasures, a family-owned estate on State Lane that has been producing wines with old-fashioned hospitality since 1985. Founded by Gus and Colleen Gamba, and now run by their son David, the winery occupies 12 acres of prime Yountville vineyard land in one of the most prestigious yet least pretentious corners of the valley. While neighboring properties have been acquired by luxury brands and transformed into appointment-only destination experiences, Goosecross has maintained the warmth and accessibility that characterized Napa Valley in an earlier era.

The estate vineyard covers 12 acres on State Lane, a quiet road that connects Highway 29 to the Silverado Trail through some of Yountville's finest vineyard land. The alluvial soils and moderate Yountville climate produce fruit of elegance and balance, with the estate Cabernet showing the soft tannins and dark fruit character that make Yountville wines so approachable. Additional fruit sourced from other Napa appellations allows the winery to offer a diverse portfolio that extends beyond the estate's small acreage.

Winemaker Bill Nancarrow produces a range that includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and the estate's signature Aeros blend. The wines are crafted in a style that emphasizes drinkability and food-friendliness, avoiding the heavy extraction and high alcohol that can make some Napa wines fatiguing. The Cabernet is polished without being austere, the Chardonnay is rich without being heavy, and the overall portfolio reflects a winemaker who understands that the best wine is the one you want to drink another glass of.

The tasting room at Goosecross feels like visiting a friend's country house. The small, welcoming space opens onto a terrace overlooking the vineyard, and the staff greet visitors with genuine warmth rather than scripted hospitality. Tastings are relaxed and conversational, with the team happy to open additional bottles or linger over a particular wine if the conversation warrants it. At $55, the tasting is moderately priced for Yountville, and the personal attention makes it feel like a private experience.

Goosecross represents the Yountville that existed before the town became the culinary capital of Napa Valley. In an era of $100 tasting fees and Instagram-optimized architecture, Goosecross offers something increasingly rare: a genuine, family-run winery where the wine and the people are the attraction, not the building. For visitors who have been overwhelmed by the valley's luxury marketing, a stop at Goosecross feels like a deep breath.