Napa Valley · Napa Valley
Visit Aratas Wine with a Private Chauffeur
A Napa Valley producer devoted to Petite Sirah, with vineyard-designate wines made at Cuvaison in Carneros since 2009. Aratas 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
Aratas Wine was established in Napa Valley in 2008 by founding vintner Stephanie Douglas and co-proprietors John and Mickey Chohany, brothers whose Hungarian heritage gave the brand its name; Aratas means harvest of gold. From 2004 the partners made a single Petite Sirah for their own enjoyment from a small Oak Knoll District vineyard, and after their grower friend died in an accident in 2008, they turned it into a brand. The Chohanys have run Second Street, an American bistro in Williamsburg, Virginia, since 1985.
Petite Sirah, which Aratas calls an American Heritage grape, is the focus: a Napa Valley Petite Sirah, a Shake Ridge Ranch Petite Sirah from Amador County and library vintages back to 2009. The lineup also includes an Oak Knoll Sauvignon Blanc, a Los Carneros Chardonnay, the Surreptitious rosé and Veneration, a red blend, at $44 to $75 a bottle. The wines have been made at Cuvaison in Carneros since 2009, and Stephanie Douglas serves on the board of the Petite Sirah advocacy group PS I Love You.
Aratas sells online and through its Access Aratas list; it has no tasting room and lists no appointments. In 2026 it is celebrating 20 years with a Legacy Event in Virginia that it calls its final grand tasting. The day below starts with Petite Sirah in the Oak Knoll District and ends in Carneros, at Cuvaison.
Tasting Fees
Aratas does not offer tastings. On the day below, expect about $165 per person: $50 at Robert Biale, $60 at Cuvaison and $55 at Etude.
Tasting fees as of October 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
Napa
AVA
Napa Valley
Visiting
Aratas Wine has no tasting room and does not receive visitors; its wines are sold online and through its Access Aratas list.
Known For
Napa Valley Petite Sirah, including Shake Ridge Ranch and library vintages
Founded
2008
Good to Know
Order at arataswine.com or join the Access Aratas list. Contact (707) 299-9119 or Uncorked@AratasWine.com.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a Napa hotel such as Napa River Inn or Carneros Resort and Spa.
10:00 · Pickup at Napa River Inn or Carneros Resort and Spa
Since Aratas Wine does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. Napa River Inn, downtown, is about 10 minutes from the first stop, and Carneros Resort about 20. The day runs about six hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Robert Biale Vineyards
About 10 minutes away. Heritage Zinfandel and Petite Sirah from a family farm in the Oak Knoll District, home of Black Chicken. $50 for the Valley Vista tasting, 90 minutes, outdoors on the Back Porch. By appointment.
12:00 · Lunch at Bistro Don Giovanni
About 5 minutes away. Lunch at Bistro Don Giovanni, an Italian restaurant among the vineyards north of Napa. We confirm hours when we book. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
1:40 · Cuvaison
About 20 minutes away. Cool-climate Carneros Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from a Swiss family estate, and the winery where Aratas has been made since 2009. $60 for the Estate Tasting, about an hour. Every tasting is by reservation.
2:55 · Etude Wines
About 10 minutes away. Carneros Pinot Noir and Napa Cabernet from the winery founded by Tony Soter. $55 for the Terroir tasting, about an hour. Open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; walk-ins welcome.
3:55 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:15 p.m., about six hours after pickup.
About $165 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Cuvaison closes at 3 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, so its 1:40 p.m. tasting fits any day; on Friday to Monday there is room to linger.
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 I visit Aratas Wine?
No. Aratas has no tasting room and lists no appointments, as of October 2026. Cuvaison in Carneros, where the wines are made, hosts tastings.
How can I buy Aratas wine?
Online at arataswine.com, or by joining the Access Aratas list. Questions go to (707) 299-9119.
Who is behind Aratas?
Founding vintner Stephanie Douglas and co-proprietors John and Mickey Chohany, who established Aratas in 2008.
What does Aratas mean?
It means harvest of gold, chosen to honor the Chohany family's Hungarian heritage. It is pronounced Era-toss.
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 833-915-2436.
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