Napa · Napa Valley
Visit Carte Blanche with a Private Chauffeur
A small Napa label chasing First Growth quality with Philippe Melka, poured at Vintner's Collective in Napa's oldest stone building, and a suggested day around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Nicholas Allen founded Carte Blanche in 2007. He came to California nearly 20 years ago looking for a clean slate on which to make a great Napa Valley wine of his own, and that idea gave the label its name. His goal is First Growth quality, informed by Bordeaux traditions, close attention to the vineyards and classical winemaking.
Carte Blanche has no estate of its own. Instead it has farmed long-term parcels on some of Napa's best vineyards: Beckstoffer Missouri-Hopper and Beckstoffer Orchard Avenue in Oak Knoll since 2008, and UV Vineyard and Sun Chase since 2014. Philippe Melka has been head winemaker since 2024, and the range covers Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and the flagship blend, The Mark.
Guests taste Carte Blanche at Vintner's Collective in downtown Napa, a tasting room for small family wineries in an 1875 stone building that was once a saloon and brothel; the wines are also poured at Brasswood in St. Helena. The winery's own Masterclass walks through vineyard practice and winemaking in an unpretentious way.
Tasting Fees
$45 for the Carte Blanche Masterclass of current and limited-production wines. At Vintner's Collective, $50 for a five-wine bar tasting (about 45 minutes, no reservation needed) and $100 for a seated reserve tasting upstairs, by appointment.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
1245 Main Street, Napa
AVA
Napa Valley
Visiting
Poured at Vintner's Collective, 1245 Main Street, Napa, open daily 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and at Brasswood in St. Helena. The Carte Blanche Masterclass is booked through the winery.
Known For
Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and The Mark, from Beckstoffer and other top vineyards
Founded
2007
Good to Know
There is no estate to visit. The wines Vintner's Collective pours change, so we ask for Carte Blanche when we book. Pairing lunches and dinners with Carte Blanche at Brasswood are arranged through the winery's general manager.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:45 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Milliken Creek Inn or Westin Verasa Napa. Vintner's Collective opens at 11 a.m.
10:45 · Pickup at Milliken Creek Inn or Westin Verasa Napa
Both hotels are a few minutes from Vintner's Collective in downtown Napa. We start at 10:45 because the tasting room opens at 11. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
11:00 · Carte Blanche Wine
A tasting of Carte Blanche at Vintner's Collective: the Masterclass ($45) or the seated reserve tasting upstairs ($100). We allow about an hour and 15 minutes.
12:30 · Lunch at Boon Fly Café
About 15 minutes away. Lunch at Boon Fly Café at Carneros Resort, open daily with its brunch menu served from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
1:50 · Palmaz Vineyards
About 20 minutes away. A family estate east of Napa with an underground winery, and guests love the guided cave tour. The Private Tour and Portfolio Tasting is $150 per person for about two hours, with light hors d'oeuvres. By appointment only.
4:00 · Back to your hotel
Back by 4:15 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
About $195 to $250 per person in tasting fees for the two wineries, paid directly to each winery.
This day has two winery stops because the Palmaz cave tour runs about two hours. For a third winery, we add an hour to the tour.
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 Carte Blanche?
The bar tasting at Vintner's Collective needs no reservation, but the seated reserve tasting and the Masterclass are booked ahead. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Carte Blanche?
$45 for the Masterclass, or $50 for the bar tasting and $100 for the seated reserve tasting at Vintner's Collective, as of September 2026.
Where can I taste Carte Blanche?
At Vintner's Collective, 1245 Main Street in downtown Napa, and at Brasswood in St. Helena. There is no estate tasting room.
Who makes Carte Blanche?
Proprietor Nicholas Allen founded it in 2007; Philippe Melka has been head winemaker since 2024.
What vineyards does Carte Blanche use?
Long-term parcels at Beckstoffer Missouri-Hopper and Beckstoffer Orchard Avenue (since 2008), plus UV Vineyard and Sun Chase (since 2014).
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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