St. Helena · Napa Valley
Visit Alta Nova with a Private Chauffeur
Master Sommelier Desmond Echavarrie's Napa Valley Cabernet from elevated vineyard sites, made by Britt Nichols. Alta Nova does not receive visitors; here is what to know, and a day at sought-after estates nearby that do host.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Alta Nova is the label of Desmond Echavarrie, who passed the Master Sommelier exam after nine years of trying and then left The French Laundry to work full time in the wine business. The name is Latin for new heights, and the label carries Le Fasi della Luna, an antique aquatint etching of the Earth and Moon in orbit that he found in a book of celestial maps. His wife and partner, Genevieve, is part of the project.
The aim is profound Cabernet Sauvignon from elevated vineyard sites. Winemaker Britt Nichols interned at Chappellet and worked at Jordan, Keller Estate and Peter Michael before stints at St. Clement, with Philippe Melka and on Coho. In 2024 Virginie Boone named her one of nine next-generation California winemakers to watch and called Alta Nova an outstanding Cabernet priced under $100.
Alta Nova is sold to those who sign up on the winery's website, and it publishes no tasting room or visiting program, so it does not receive visitors. To keep the theme of altitude, the day below starts 2,000 feet up Spring Mountain, then drops to Calistoga for a winery in a former water plant and a modern winery built into the mountainside.
Tasting Fees
Alta Nova does not offer tastings.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
St. Helena
AVA
Napa Valley
Visiting
Alta Nova does not receive visitors; its wine is sold to those who sign up on the winery's website.
Known For
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from elevated vineyard sites
Founded
Founding year not published
Good to Know
Sign up to purchase at altanovacellars.com. Contact info@altanovacellars.com or 707-637-4715.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Alila Napa Valley or Harvest Inn.
10:00 · Pickup at Alila Napa Valley or Harvest Inn
Since Alta Nova does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. Alila Napa Valley and Harvest Inn are both in St. Helena, about 25 minutes from the first stop up the winding Spring Mountain Road. The day runs a little over six hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:25 · Schweiger Vineyards
About 25 minutes away. A family estate about 2,000 feet up Spring Mountain. The Estate Tasting is $65, four current releases in about 75 to 90 minutes. By appointment, daily from 10 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
12:10 · Lunch at Brasswood Bar + Kitchen
About 20 minutes away. Lunch at Brasswood Bar + Kitchen on Highway 29 north of St. Helena, with a patio and seasonal menus, open daily from 11:30 a.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
1:35 · Museion Winery
About 15 minutes away. A family winery in a former Calistoga water plant, with wines named for the Greek Muses and a custom crush cellar for small producers. The Amuse Me tasting is $65; we allow about an hour. Prepaid reservation for 1 to 6 guests; days and hours are confirmed when we book.
2:45 · Hourglass
About 8 minutes away. The Smith family's modern winery built into the mountainside at the Blueline estate, designed by Olle Lundberg. $150 per person for new guests, waived with the purchase of three bottles each; the length is confirmed with the appointment, and we allow about 75 minutes. By appointment; we arrange it on your behalf.
4:00 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:20 p.m., a little over six hours after pickup.
About $280 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Museion and Hourglass confirm days and times when we book. The day runs a little past six hours; extra time is billed by the hour. Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting.
Every tour is custom. This day is a starting point: your chauffeur will shape it around what matters to you, and we plan multi-day tours for guests who want to see more of wine country.
Your Vehicle & Six-Hour Tour Rates
Up to 6 guests
Elite Luxury SUV
Lincoln Navigator or Cadillac Escalade
From $750
Six-hour wine tour, plus 20% gratuity. Additional hours $125 each.
Up to 9 guests
Jet Sprinter or Executive Luxury Van
Captain's chairs and room to spread out
From $1,350
Six-hour wine tour, plus 20% gratuity. Additional hours $225 each.
Larger groups travel in more than one vehicle, and we plan the winery appointments around your group, since many wineries limit groups to 6 to 8 guests. Tasting fees are separate and paid directly to each winery. Every tour starts with six hours; add time by the hour when you book.
Questions
Can you visit Alta Nova?
No. Alta Nova has no tasting room and does not host visitors, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at nearby wineries that do.
How can I buy Alta Nova wine?
Sign up to purchase on altanovacellars.com.
Who owns Alta Nova?
Master Sommelier Desmond Echavarrie, a former French Laundry sommelier, with his wife and partner, Genevieve.
Who makes Alta Nova?
Britt Nichols, who also makes Head High Wines and Band of Vintners.
What does Alta Nova mean?
New heights, from Latin, a nod to always asking what comes next after reaching a summit.
How does booking a tour with Bien Chauffeured work?
Reserve a six-hour tour online, even if your plans are still taking shape. Your chauffeur will email you first to learn what matters to you, then build your itinerary and make the winery appointments. Extra hours can be added.
Reserve Your Tour Now, Plan the Details Later
Your plans don't need to be final to book. Reserve your six-hour tour online, and your chauffeur will email you first to learn what matters to you, then build your itinerary and make the winery appointments. Prefer to talk? Call our concierge at 888-291-2328.
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