Chiles Valley District · Napa Valley
Visit Castlevale with a Private Chauffeur
Louis M. Martini's descendants making about 100 cases a year of Defender Cabernet from a Chiles Valley ranch they kept in 2002. Castlevale 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
Castlevale is the brand of Hollsted Cox, great-grandson of Louis M. Martini, and his mother Carolyn Martini Cox, who spent forty years at the Louis M. Martini Winery, the last 17 as CEO. When the family winery sold in 2002, Carolyn, her husband Barry and Hollsted kept 30 acres of the Chiles Valley ranch that Louis P. Martini had planted, and they replanted it mostly to Cabernet Sauvignon.
Chiles Valley is a small valley over the mountains east of St. Helena, granted to pioneer Joseph B. Chiles by General Vallejo. The vineyard, High Valley Vineyards, takes its name from the public schoolhouse that once stood there; its grapes are among the last to ripen in the appellation. Most of the fruit goes to Louis M. Martini, and a small selection becomes Defender, made by Angelina Mondavi and 100% Cabernet since 2022.
Castlevale is a very small operation, about 100 cases a year, sold through its website. Hollsted and his wife Jennifer are building a home on the land, and the winery comes next, so for now there is no tasting room and Castlevale does not receive visitors. The day below heads over the hills to Chiles Valley and the remote eastern ranches that do host.
Tasting Fees
Castlevale 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
St. Helena
AVA
Chiles Valley District
Visiting
Castlevale does not receive visitors; there is no winery or tasting room yet, and the wine is sold through its website.
Known For
Defender, a Chiles Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Founded
Vineyard kept and replanted after 2002
Good to Know
Defender is sold on castlevalewines.com (recent vintages listed at $95). Contact info@castlevalewines.com or 707-828-5516.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 9:45 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Meadowood or Alila Napa Valley.
9:45 · Pickup at Meadowood or Alila Napa Valley
Since Castlevale does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. We pick up at 9:45 a.m. because Chiles Valley is about 30 minutes over the hills from St. Helena. The day runs about six and a half hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Green & Red Vineyard
About 30 minutes away. A family Zinfandel estate in the hills above Chiles Valley, named for its red chert and green serpentine soils. The Tasting and Winery/Vineyard Tour is $60, about 90 minutes. By appointment, for parties of four or fewer.
12:05 · Somerston Estate
About 20 minutes away. A remote ranch of more than 1,600 acres in the hills east of the valley, with vines climbing past 2,000 feet. The private Somerston Estate Experience is $150, 90 minutes, for 2 to 4 guests. Open daily by prepaid reservation, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
2:00 · Lunch at Forum at Meadowood
About 25 minutes away. Lunch at Forum, the main restaurant at Meadowood at the foot of Howell Mountain, with seasonal dishes drawn from the Meadowood farm. Lunch is served on weekdays, with brunch on weekends. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
3:10 · NEOTEMPO
About 8 minutes away. A family winery's private studio in St. Helena, where each wine is poured with its own playlist, imagery and seasonal bites. The Private Portfolio Tasting is $95 to $125, 60 minutes. By reservation only, one small group at a time.
4:10 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:20 p.m., about six and a half hours after pickup.
About $305 to $335 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Green & Red takes parties of four or fewer, and the drives over the hills are long, so the day runs past six hours; extra time is billed by the hour. 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
Can you visit Castlevale?
No. Castlevale has no winery or tasting room yet and does not host visitors, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at nearby wineries that do host.
How can I buy Castlevale wine?
On castlevalewines.com, where Defender is listed by vintage.
Who owns Castlevale?
Carolyn Martini Cox, granddaughter of Louis M. Martini, her husband Barry and their son Hollsted Cox, the fourth generation.
Where is the Castlevale vineyard?
High Valley Vineyards in Chiles Valley, a small valley over the mountains east of St. Helena.
Who makes Castlevale?
Winemaker Angelina Mondavi makes Defender from a small selection of the ranch's Cabernet.
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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