Just off the the Silverado Trail sits the sparkling wine cellars of Mumm Napa Valley. The famous French Champagne producer from Reims started testing California grapes in 1979 and decided on Napa for its U.S. operation. The first vintage was in 1986. The current facility was conceived in 1991 and completed in 1994.

The low rambling building hosts their Tasting Salon, a large sit down tasting room with dozens of tables both inside and out, and table service from a knowledgeable and attentive staff. The feeling is reminiscent of a high end restaurant though the focus is all on the wine including still Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. 

Regular tours on the hour give an overview of the traditional French methods of sparkling winemaking production. The wines are created and blended on site from their own Carneros vineyards and from dozens of other nearby growers.

You begin your tour in a demonstration vineyard, and then enter the state-of-the-art winery. Enhancing the tour are short video loops of activities showing the action of harvest, bottling, riddling, disgorging, and labeling. For a fee there are private VIP tours available by appointment.

You are encouraged to take your glass full of bubbly to the winery building and take in the fine art photography gallery which exhibits the work of many renowned, as well as local, photographers. The extensive exhibit features more than 100 dramatic landscape photographs taken along the John Muir Trail, including nearly 30 Ansel Adams originals.
Tasting is by the glass or by the flight. Cheese and crackers are available. Many of the wines are only offered in the tasting room and include an assortment of distinctive refreshments including a sparkling Pinot Meunier, the special Carlos Santana DVX, and a wild berry non-alcoholic juice. There is a bocce ball court and space for large events.