Oakville · Napa Valley
Visit Caladan with a Private Chauffeur
Winemaker Christopher Carpenter's mountain-grown Cabernet Franc and red blend, tasted by reservation at the Cardinale estate in Oakville, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Caladan is a small label made by Christopher Carpenter, the winemaker behind Cardinale. Rather than centering on Cabernet Sauvignon, it explores what the winery calls the nuance, elegance and charisma of Bordeaux's great, lesser-known varieties. The lineup is short: a Cabernet Franc and a Proprietary Red Wine whose blend changes with each vintage.
The fruit comes from four of Napa Valley's mountain appellations: Spring Mountain District, Howell Mountain, Diamond Mountain District and Mount Veeder. A cornerstone is the Yverdon Vineyard on Spring Mountain, which climbs to about 2,000 feet on sedimentary soils. Each season Carpenter decides which sites lead, in the winery's words choosing the brightest star to guide the blend.
Caladan has no tasting room of its own. Its tasting is hosted at the Cardinale estate on Highway 29 in Oakville and reserved through Cardinale's Tock page, so you taste mountain wines in a seated setting on the valley floor. Caladan does not publish a separate fee; Cardinale's own tastings at the estate start at $125, and we confirm Caladan's price when we book.
Tasting Fees
Tasting fees to be verified upon reservation. Caladan does not publish a separate tasting fee; Cardinale's own tastings at the same estate start at $125.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
7600 St. Helena Highway, Oakville
AVA
Oakville
Visiting
By reservation, at the Cardinale estate, 7600 St. Helena Highway, Oakville, booked through Cardinale's Tock page or by phone (707-948-3054). We arrange it on your behalf.
Known For
Mountain-grown Cabernet Franc and a Proprietary Red from Bordeaux varieties
Founded
Founding year not published
Good to Know
All visitors to the Cardinale estate must be 21 or older. Caladan's tasting is arranged through Cardinale, so the fee, length and party size are confirmed when we book. Wines are also sold online and through a mailing list.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Rancho Caymus Inn or Bardessono.
10:00 · Pickup at Rancho Caymus Inn or Bardessono
Rancho Caymus Inn in Rutherford is about 5 minutes from the Cardinale estate, and Bardessono in Yountville about 8 minutes. The day fits about six hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Caladan
A reserved Caladan tasting at the Cardinale estate in Oakville; we allow about 75 minutes. The fee and length are confirmed when we book.
12:00 · Strala Vineyards
About 15 minutes away. A husband-and-wife label from a leading vineyard manager and a barrel expert, poured with food and art at the Brasswood Estate north of St. Helena. The Classic Tasting is $75; we allow about an hour. Seatings at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m., reserved at least 48 hours ahead.
1:15 · Lunch at The Charter Oak
About 8 minutes away. Lunch at The Charter Oak in St. Helena, a sit-down restaurant cooking over an open hearth, open daily from 11:30 a.m. (brunch from 11 a.m. on weekends). Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:35 · Kelleher Family Vineyard
About 12 minutes away. A family's ten-acre Oakville Cabernet vineyard beside its own restaurant, Brix, where library Cabernets are poured in the gardens and vines. The Kelleher Cabernet Vertical is $95, 60 to 90 minutes. By appointment; closed Monday and Tuesday.
3:50 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:05 p.m., about six hours after pickup.
About $170 per person in tasting fees for Strala and Kelleher, paid directly to each winery; Caladan's fee is confirmed when we book.
Kelleher is closed Monday and Tuesday, and Strala seats at set times, so plan this day for Wednesday to Sunday. 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
Do I need a reservation at Caladan?
Yes. The Caladan tasting at the Cardinale estate is by reservation through Cardinale's Tock page. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Caladan?
Tasting fees to be verified upon reservation; Caladan does not publish a separate fee, and Cardinale's own tastings start at $125, as of September 2026.
Who makes Caladan?
Winemaker Christopher Carpenter, who also makes Cardinale.
Where do Caladan's grapes come from?
Four mountain appellations: Spring Mountain District (including the Yverdon Vineyard), Howell Mountain, Diamond Mountain District and Mount Veeder.
What does Caladan make?
A Cabernet Franc and a Proprietary Red Wine built on Bordeaux's lesser-known varieties, with the blend changing each vintage.
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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