Staff Picks in the Beer, Wine, and Spirits Department

At Browns Valley Market, we’re proud to be Napa’s go-to grocery store for unique craft beers, local wines, fine spirits, and authentic Italian liqueurs. We are fortunate to be located in the heart of Wine Country and the microbrew capital of the U.S., so our shelves are fully stocked with high quality beverages to elevate any occasion. But with so many options to choose from, how do you know where to start?  

The Brown’s Valley Market team is here to help! In this guide, our friendly staff shares their top picks in the beer, wine, and spirits department to help you find your new favorite refreshments. Read on to learn what to add to your next shopping list! 

1. Craft Beer: Great Notion Brewing

Great Notion Brewing is on a mission to keep beer exciting and unpredictable with bold, fruity IPAs and stouts & sours inspired by desserts like French toast, key lime pie, and more. 

Our selection of Great Notion beers at Browns Valley Market is always rotating, but recurring favorites include:

If any of these beers sound worth a try, stop by our Napa Valley store to experience Great Notion Brewing for yourself! 

2. White Wine: 2023 Cornarea Roero Arneis

Isabelle’s pick comes all the way from Piedmont, Italy! If you’re looking for an elegant yet approachable white wine, a bottle of 2023 Cornarea Roero Arneis does not disappoint. Floral and fruity, the Roero Arneis pairs wonderfully with cheese, vegetables, and lean proteins like fish, tofu, or chicken. 

Cornarea is a family-run winery with a history deeply tied to the Arneis grape, a rare white variety grown exclusively in the Roero region since the 1400s. When it nearly vanished in the 1970s, Cornea was the first to bring it back from the brink of extinction. The Bovone family is still at the helm today, producing wines like this that proudly wear the DOCG label—the highest level of quality recognition in Italy.

3. Red Wine: 2022 Bella Union Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Nothing says Napa Valley like a bottle of 2022 Bella Union Cabernet Sauvignon! This 2022 vintage carries aromas of black cherry, cedar, plum, and dark chocolate. It’s delicious on its own or paired with steak, short ribs, or sharp aged cheese.

Michael’s red wine pick is a quintessential example of what makes Napa Valley so special. Known as the king of red grapes in Napa, Cabernet Sauvignon accounts for 40% of total production—and few know them better than Bella Union.

Bella Union was founded in 2012 by the partners of Far Niente and Nickel & Nickel, two renowned names in the business. It sits on a 25-acre vineyard along Bella Oaks Lane in Rutherford, one of Napa’s most celebrated areas for growing Cabernet. The region’s volcanic soils and warmth give their wines a depth and structure that’s hard to find anywhere else.

4. Whiskey: Frank August Bourbon

Jake’s pick is a bourbon worth knowing about. The tasting notes for this premium bourbon whiskey include caramel, vanilla, and warm oak, with hints of baking spices.

Frank August is a modern American whiskey brand that focuses on carefully curated Kentucky Straight Bourbon. This Kentucky-based distillery keeps each batch small, blending just 10-15 hand-selected barrels at once. Their Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey was named the “World’s Best Bourbon” at the 2025 International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC).

5. Aperitif: atost Natural California Aperitif

Michael’s aperitif pick is an all-natural, grape-based California aperitif made from oranges and strawberries freshly picked in Ventura County. It’s bright and fruit-forward with just the right touch of bitterness, making it the perfect addition to your next Spritz or special cocktail.

But don’t just take our word for it! atost earned a Double Gold medal at the 2023 San Francisco Spirits Competition, holding its own against global names in the category.

This family-run operation is rooted in California farm culture, skipping artificial colors and flavors to instead rely fully on the tastes of nature to shine through. It’s a better-for-you way to enjoy an aperitif without compromise.