How Vintners Avoid Corkage Charges
Some Napa restaurants more likely to waive fees for industry members
Napa, Calif. -- In Napa Valley as in many other winemaking regions, vintners and winemakers often like to take their wines when they go out to eat. The practice is grudgingly accepted at local restaurants and even embraced by a few. "It's a fact of life in the valley," complains one sommelier, though another admits, "If they bring in a bottle of Two-Buck Chuck, I'm likely to make fun of them for being so cheap." Most restaurants will waive one corkage if you also buy a bottle, convenient since many diners want a cold bottle of white or sparkling wine from the restaurant's stock first and are more likely to bring a special bottle of red.
The common complaint by restaurateurs is, "Would they bring in a steak and expect us to cook it for them? We're in the business of selling wine as well and food, and it's important to us."
While bringing your own bottle is prohibited in some localities by custom, law or restaurant policy, most restaurants in Napa Valley charge $10 to $20 for the corkage fee, though the French Laundry charges $50.
Nevertheless, vintners who want to entertain guests--as well as ordinary diners--have many opportunities to skip the corkage charge.
In the first place, a few restaurants never charge corkage, at least for the first few bottles. They include Rutherford Grill, Foothill Grill and Zinsvalley, which are understandably popular with winery staff. The restaurants say they make it up the lost wine revenue on cocktails and other food. At Rutherford Grill, for example, general manager Don Wetherell says cocktail, appetizer and dessert sales rise when people bring in a bottle of wine so the table tab is actually higher when the patrons bring a bottle.
Not all restaurants have liquor licenses, of course, so most regard waiving corkage as a marketing tool. Many Napa Valley restaurants waive corkage at certain times, generally off nights during the week when few tourists are around. Napa Valley Grill in Yountville uniquely waives corkage on wines from Napa and Sonoma, a practice that is more common in Sonoma County.
A few, recognizing the role of winery staff in recommending restaurants, will waive corkage for vintners (owners), winemakers and sometimes winery staff. Others do it sometimes, particularly for regulars, but hate to be quoted.
For wineries, it's tempting to save the charges, but at least some take a different approach. Some, such as marketing-oriented CEO Michaela Rodeno of St. Supéry, buy their own wine off the list at regular prices to support the restaurant, and some vintners such as John Williams of Frog's Leap Winery encourage (and pay for) his staff to buy other wines but make it clear where they work and that the winery is supporting the restaurant.
Not surprisingly St. Supéry and Frog's Leap wines are found on many Napa Valley wine lists.
The common complaint by restaurateurs is, "Would they bring in a steak and expect us to cook it for them? We're in the business of selling wine as well and food, and it's important to us."
While bringing your own bottle is prohibited in some localities by custom, law or restaurant policy, most restaurants in Napa Valley charge $10 to $20 for the corkage fee, though the French Laundry charges $50.
Nevertheless, vintners who want to entertain guests--as well as ordinary diners--have many opportunities to skip the corkage charge.
| Napa Valley Restauraunt | City |
| Compadres Rio Grill | Napa |
| Cucina Italiana | Lake Berryessa |
| Foothill Grill | Napa |
| Lobster Shack | Napa |
| Locos Tex-Mex Grill | Napa |
| Pizzeria Tra Vigne | St. Helena |
| Rutherford Grill | Rutherford |
| Silverado Brewing Co.* | St. Helena |
| Vercelli | St. Helena |
| Zinsvalley** | Napa |
| *No charge for first bottle, then $10 **None for two bottles, then $10 |
|
Not all restaurants have liquor licenses, of course, so most regard waiving corkage as a marketing tool. Many Napa Valley restaurants waive corkage at certain times, generally off nights during the week when few tourists are around. Napa Valley Grill in Yountville uniquely waives corkage on wines from Napa and Sonoma, a practice that is more common in Sonoma County.
A few, recognizing the role of winery staff in recommending restaurants, will waive corkage for vintners (owners), winemakers and sometimes winery staff. Others do it sometimes, particularly for regulars, but hate to be quoted.
For wineries, it's tempting to save the charges, but at least some take a different approach. Some, such as marketing-oriented CEO Michaela Rodeno of St. Supéry, buy their own wine off the list at regular prices to support the restaurant, and some vintners such as John Williams of Frog's Leap Winery encourage (and pay for) his staff to buy other wines but make it clear where they work and that the winery is supporting the restaurant.
Not surprisingly St. Supéry and Frog's Leap wines are found on many Napa Valley wine lists.
| Napa Valley Restaurant | City | Specifications |
| BarBersQ | Napa | Wineries on list |
| barVino | Calistoga | |
| Bayleaf | Napa | |
| Brannans | Calistoga | |
| Checkers | Calistoga | |
| FlatIron | Calistoga | |
| Market | St. Helena | Tasting room staff only |
| Napa General Store | Napa | |
| Press | St. Helena | |
| Rings at Embassy Suites | Napa | |
| Siena at Meritage | Napa | |
| Wappo | Calistoga | When with customers |
| Wine Spectator Restaurant at CIA | St. Helena | |
| Wine Train | Napa |
SHARE »
