Cabernet Country (Oakville, Rutherford & Stags Leap): Opus One, Mondavi, Inglenook & Stag's Leap

In the central benchlands of Napa Valley, across the four miles of Oakville and Rutherford on Highway 29 and the volcanic amphitheatre of the Stags Leap District on the Silverado Trail, deep alluvial gravel fans and warm afternoons with cool evening bay breezes create the most prized Cabernet Sauvignon terroir outside Bordeaux, France.

1. The 'Oakville & Rutherford' Bench Along Highway 29

1. Opus One (7900 St Helena Hwy, Oakville): born in 1979 as a historic 50/50 joint venture between Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Bordeaux's First Growth Château Mouton Rothschild and Robert Mondavi. Designed as a limestone temple rising out of the vines, booking an advance tasting or tour here lets you sample one of the world's most collectable Bordeaux-style blends on a rooftop terrace.
2. Robert Mondavi Winery & Historic To Kalon Vineyard (Oakville): walk through the famous 1966 Mission-style archway overlooking To Kalon Vineyard (planted in 1868 by H.W. Crabb, meaning 'Highest Beauty' in ancient Greek).
3. Inglenook (1991 St Helena Hwy, Rutherford): founded in 1879 by Finnish sea captain Gustave Niebaum and purchased in 1975 by filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola using his profits from The Godfather. Drive down a palm-lined gravel lane to a grand 1887 stone château and courtyard reflecting pool, where you can book a wine flight or visit the inside Coppola Cinema Museum displaying his Oscars, Tucker car and film costumes.
4. Caymus Vineyards, Nickel & Nickel, Far Niente & Frog's Leap (Organic Red Barn in Rutherford).

2. The Two '1976 Judgment of Paris' Winners (Stag's Leap & Chateau Montelena)

Taste at the two estates that shocked the wine world on 24 May 1976 in Paris (immortalised in the film Bottle Shock and the Smithsonian Museum):

• The Red Winner, 'Stag's Leap Wine Cellars' (5766 Silverado Trail): sit inside the glass F.A.Y. Outlook & Visitor Center facing the volcanic Stags Leap Palisades while tasting S.L.V. and Cask 23 Cabernets (note the apostrophe: Stag's Leap Wine Cellars won in 1976, whereas half a mile away sits 1893 Stags' Leap Winery).
• The White Winner, 'Chateau Montelena' (1429 Tubbs Lane, Calistoga): taste crisp Chardonnay beside an 1882 English Gothic stone castle and Chinese Jade Lake with red zig-zag bridges and swans.