Napa · Napa Valley
Visit Ancien with a Private Chauffeur
Ken and Teresa Bernards' Pinot Noir quest, from five barrels of Carneros fruit in 1992 to a Coombsville vineyard on volcanic tufa. Ancien does not list tastings for 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
Ancien began in 1992, when Ken Bernards harvested two tons of Pinot Noir from four rows atop a knoll in the southwest corner of Carneros and made five barrels. Ken had come from Oregon and worked as a research enologist at Domaine Chandon. His wife Teresa, a Napa native, was lab director at Chandon and associate winemaker at Domaine Carneros before joining Ancien full time in 2000.
The focus is Pinot Noir, with Pinot Gris and Chardonnay made in the French tradition of fermenting and aging in barrel. Most vineyards were planted in partnership with small growers, starting with the Mink Vineyard in Coombsville in 1995, where vines root into compressed volcanic ash called tufa. The list also reaches Carneros, Russian River, Sonoma Mountain, Oregon's Willamette Valley and the Sta. Rita Hills. Humberto Ghivarello is winemaker.
The winery is in Napa, but Ancien does not list tastings, visiting hours or a visit page. The wines are sold through its online shop and The Quest, its membership, and the family hosts occasional ticketed events such as vineyard lunches. Until a visit is offered, the day below takes you to three estates around Napa that do host, including a Carneros Pinot Noir vineyard.
Tasting Fees
Ancien 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
Napa
AVA
Napa Valley
Visiting
Ancien does not list tastings or visiting hours on its website. The wines are sold online and through The Quest membership, with occasional ticketed winery events.
Known For
Pinot Noir from Carneros, Coombsville, Oregon and the Sta. Rita Hills, plus barrel-fermented Pinot Gris and Chardonnay
Founded
1992 (first five barrels of Carneros Pinot Noir)
Good to Know
Wines are sold on ancienwines.com and through The Quest membership; contact info@ancienwines.com. Ticketed events, such as a vineyard tasting and luncheon, are posted in the online shop.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Westin Verasa Napa or Napa River Inn.
10:00 · Pickup at Westin Verasa Napa or Napa River Inn
Since Ancien does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. Both hotels are in downtown Napa, about 10 minutes from the first stop in Carneros. The day runs about six and a half hours.
10:15 · Hyde Vineyards Estate
About 10 minutes away. Larry Hyde's Carneros vineyard, planted in 1979 and long a source for other wineries, now pouring its own Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on a vineyard terrace. The estate tasting is $75, about 75 minutes. By prior reservation, daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
11:40 · Crosby Roamann
About 9 minutes away. A small family winery that began in a Brooklyn apartment and now pours single-vineyard wines in a warehouse winery it built itself in Napa's Crusher District. The Private Barrel Tasting is $100, 60 to 90 minutes. By prior reservation.
1:15 · Lunch at Oenotri
About 7 minutes away. Lunch at Oenotri on First Street in downtown Napa, an Italian restaurant serving lunch 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.
2:45 · Mount George Winery
About 17 minutes away. A small family winery at the base of Mt. George, built by hand by its owners, who host every visit themselves on the terrace, in the winery and in the caves. The hosted experience is $80, up to two hours; we plan about 90 minutes. By appointment.
4:15 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:35 p.m., about six and a half hours after pickup.
About $255 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Crosby Roamann releases each month's reservations on the 15th of the month before, and Mount George sets visits by appointment, so we book both early. The day runs about six and a half 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
Can you visit Ancien?
Ancien does not list tastings, hours or a visit page on its website, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at nearby estates that do host.
How can I buy Ancien wine?
Through the online shop at ancienwines.com or by joining The Quest, Ancien's membership. Ticketed winery events are posted in the shop.
Who owns Ancien?
Co-founders Ken and Teresa Bernards. Ken made the first Ancien wine in 1992, and Humberto Ghivarello is now winemaker alongside him.
Where is Ancien?
The winery is in Napa. Its vineyards include the Mink Vineyard in Coombsville and sites in Carneros, Sonoma, Oregon and the Sta. Rita Hills.
What is Ancien known for?
Pinot Noir from many vineyard sites, including Coombsville's Mink Vineyard on volcanic tufa, plus Alsatian-style Pinot Gris and Old Wente Chardonnay.
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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