St. Helena · Napa Valley
Visit AMPL with a Private Chauffeur
Paulina Michalek's family label of Howell Mountain Cabernet, named for Alex, Max, Paulina and Libor, with a yearly members' tasting in St. Helena, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Paulina Michalek grew up in the Czech Republic, where wine was shared at the family table. After college in Chicago she moved to San Francisco for a career in finance, and trips to Napa Valley with her husband Libor, also from the Czech Republic, led the family to a home on Howell Mountain. She launched AMPL in 2019, naming it for the first letters of Alex, Max, Paulina and Libor.
The red wines come from the Howell Mountain AVA: a single-vineyard 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and a Bordeaux-style Proprietary Red, alongside a Provence-style rosé from North Coast fruit. Jon Jones makes them. He has made wine in Napa Valley for more than 20 years, with stints at Mondavi, Merryvale and Opus One, and also makes wine under his family's Paravel label.
AMPL is sold through allocation-only memberships and at select shops and online. There is no tasting room. Members receive a yearly tasting for up to four people in St. Helena and an invitation for two to the fall release and pickup party, so a visit starts with joining. Paulina handles memberships herself, and we plan the day around the tasting once it is set.
Tasting Fees
The yearly members' tasting is a membership benefit. AMPL does not publish a fee for other visitors; to be verified upon reservation.
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
Howell Mountain
Visiting
No tasting room. Members receive one wine tasting a year for up to four people in St. Helena; the place and time are set with proprietor Paulina Michalek (paulina@amplwine.com). Once you are a member, we arrange it on your behalf.
Known For
Single-vineyard Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon and a Bordeaux-style Proprietary Red
Founded
2019 (Paulina Michalek)
Good to Know
Membership is a yearly allocation of 6, 12 or 24 bottles of the Cabernet and the Proprietary Red, with complimentary delivery in San Francisco and Napa. Ages, group size and pet rules are not published.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Harvest Inn or Southbridge Napa Valley.
10:00 · Pickup at Harvest Inn or Southbridge Napa Valley
Both hotels are at the south end of St. Helena, a few minutes from town. AMPL sets the members' tasting with you, and we build the day around it. The day runs about six and three-quarter hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · AMPL Wine
The members' tasting in St. Helena, for up to four people. We plan about an hour; the place and format are confirmed by AMPL.
11:30 · Fantesca Estate & Winery
About 12 minutes away, up Spring Mountain. A Spring Mountain estate on land from Caroline Bale's 1860 dowry, where a host walks you through the historic Cabernet vineyard and the mountainside cave before a seated tasting with valley views. The Private Tour & Tasting is $200, 90 minutes. By appointment, seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
1:15 · Lunch at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch
About 15 minutes away. Lunch at Farmstead, Long Meadow Ranch's farm-to-table restaurant at the south end of St. Helena, open daily for lunch. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:50 · Somerston Estate
About 25 minutes east. A remote ranch of more than 1,600 acres in the hills past Lake Hennessey, with vines climbing past 2,000 feet; the quiet drive out on Sage Canyon Road is part of the visit. The Somerston Estate Experience is $150, 90 minutes, for 2 to 4 guests. Prepaid reservations, daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
4:20 · Back to your hotel
Back in St. Helena by about 4:45 p.m., about six and three-quarter hours after pickup.
About $350 per person in tasting fees for Fantesca and Somerston, paid directly to each winery; AMPL's members' tasting is a membership benefit.
AMPL's tasting is a once-a-year membership benefit, set with Paulina Michalek. Fantesca and Somerston host every day. The day runs about six and three-quarter hours.
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
Do I need a reservation at AMPL?
Yes. AMPL has no tasting room; members arrange their yearly tasting with proprietor Paulina Michalek. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at AMPL?
The yearly tasting for up to four people is a benefit of AMPL membership; no fee is published for other visitors, as of September 2026.
What does AMPL stand for?
The first letters of the family's names: Alex, Max, Paulina and Libor.
Who makes AMPL wine?
Jon Jones, who also makes wine under his family's Paravel label.
How can I buy AMPL wine?
Through an allocation-only membership of 6, 12 or 24 bottles a year, or at select shops and online.
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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