Pope Valley · Napa Valley
Visit Cervantes with a Private Chauffeur
A 1,200-acre family ranch in remote Pope Valley, with Bordeaux-style wines by Andy Erickson and private, by-inquiry visits, and a suggested day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Xavier and Cecilia Cervantes left real estate in Mexico City and, in 2012, bought a ranch in Pope Valley with their three teenage children. They made their first vintage in 2015 with their friend Andy Erickson, the winemaker known for Screaming Eagle, Staglin, Dalla Valle and Harlan. Today their son Jeronimo leads the winery and Mauricio oversees the vineyards.
The 1,200-acre ranch sits in the Vaca Range in the northeast of Napa County, in Pope Valley, a named area within the Napa Valley AVA that locals call the valley's last frontier. Soils run from clay and loam to volcanic. The family makes a Cabernet Sauvignon, a Bordeaux blend called Blacktail and a Sauvignon Blanc named Palomino, aiming for balance and restraint over excess.
Visits are private and by inquiry only, a relationship-driven welcome to the ranch rather than a tasting bar. Friends of the family say that if you drive ten miles east, you go back fifty years, and guests feel it on the road in. We send the inquiry for you and plan the rest of the day in the eastern hills once the family confirms a time.
Tasting Fees
Tasting fees to be verified upon reservation. Cervantes does not publish a visit fee; it is confirmed when the inquiry is accepted.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
4520 Hardin Road, Pope Valley
AVA
Napa Valley
Visiting
Private visits by inquiry only, through the winery; there is no public tasting room. We make the inquiry on your behalf.
Known For
Cabernet Sauvignon, the Blacktail Bordeaux blend and Palomino Sauvignon Blanc by Andy Erickson
Founded
2012 (ranch purchased; first vintage 2015)
Good to Know
Pope Valley is about 30 minutes from St. Helena over Howell Mountain. Visit length, fee, ages and group size are not published; we confirm them when the family accepts the inquiry. The winery offers a membership.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 9:40 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Meadowood or Auberge du Soleil, for the drive over Howell Mountain to Pope Valley.
9:40 · Pickup at Meadowood or Auberge du Soleil
Meadowood, at the foot of Howell Mountain, is about 30 minutes from the ranch, and Auberge du Soleil a little more. We leave early for the drive over the mountain. The day below has two wineries and runs about five and a half hours.
10:15 · Cervantes Family Vineyards
A private visit to the ranch, by inquiry. No length or fee is published, so we allow about 90 minutes and confirm the details when the family accepts.
12:05 · Maxville Winery
About 20 minutes away. A 1,000-acre Chiles Valley estate with a private lake and vines planted in 1974, reached by a scenic drive into the eastern hills. The Estate Tasting with cheese and charcuterie is $75, about 90 minutes, with 24 hours' notice. By prepaid appointment, daily 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
2:00 · Lunch at The Charter Oak
About 30 minutes away. Back over the hills to The Charter Oak in St. Helena, a sit-down restaurant cooking over an open hearth, open 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.
3:00 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 3:15 p.m., or add an hour for one more tasting in town.
About $75 per person in tasting fees for Maxville, plus Cervantes' fee, which is confirmed when the visit is arranged. Fees are paid directly to each winery.
Pope Valley and Chiles Valley are long, scenic drives from the valley floor, so this day has two wineries and a late lunch. Maxville's Estate Tasting includes cheese and charcuterie, which holds guests until lunch, and needs 24 hours' notice.
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 Cervantes?
Yes. Visits are private and by inquiry only. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a visit to Cervantes?
Cervantes does not publish a fee; it is to be verified upon reservation, as of September 2026.
Who makes the Cervantes wines?
Andy Erickson, known for his work at Screaming Eagle, Staglin, Dalla Valle and Harlan, has made the wines since the first vintage in 2015.
Where is Cervantes Family Vineyards?
On a 1,200-acre ranch at 4520 Hardin Road in Pope Valley, in the Vaca Range northeast of St. Helena.
Who owns Cervantes Family Vineyards?
The Cervantes family: Xavier and Cecilia, who bought the ranch in 2012, with their children. Jeronimo leads the winery and Mauricio the vineyards.
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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