St. Helena · Napa Valley
Visit Charles Krug with a Private Chauffeur
The Mondavi family's historic estate at the north end of St. Helena, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Charles Krug founded his winery in 1861, and it calls itself Napa Valley's oldest winery. It also says it opened California's first tasting room, in 1882. The estate is a California Historical Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In 1943 Cesare and Rosa Mondavi bought the idle winery, encouraged by their son Robert. After Robert left to found his own winery, his brother Peter led Charles Krug, and Peter's family still runs it four generations on. Tastings are poured in the Redwood Cellar, built in 1872.
The focus today is estate Cabernet Sauvignon, tasted in the Redwood Cellar or on the lawns under the old trees. With Cucina di Rosa serving food on site and a welcome for children and dogs, it is a relaxed, generous visit.
Tasting Fees
$50 for the seated Estate Tasting in the Redwood Cellar. $75 for the Cabernet Connoisseur tasting of four estate Cabernets, about an hour. $90 for the 90-minute Tour & Tasting or the hour-long chocolate pairing, and $150 for the caviar pairing.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
2800 Main Street, St. Helena
AVA
St. Helena
Visiting
Open daily 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. All tastings are by appointment; Cucina di Rosa, the food counter, takes walk-ins.
Known For
Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Founded
1861
Good to Know
Most experiences take 1 to 12 guests. Children and non-tasters over 2 are $10; the tour and the caviar pairing are 21 and over. Leashed dogs are welcome. No outside food or picnics.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:15 a.m. from a St. Helena hotel such as Alila Napa Valley or Harvest Inn, in time for the 10:30 opening.
10:15 · Pickup at Alila Napa Valley or Harvest Inn
Stay close and the tasting starts right away. Alila Napa Valley, a Hyatt luxury resort on Main Street, is about 3 minutes from Charles Krug, and Harvest Inn, set among gardens at the south end of St. Helena, is about 7 minutes away. Pickup is at 10:15 because Charles Krug opens at 10:30. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:30 · Charles Krug
The Cabernet Connoisseur tasting, about an hour ($75), or the Estate Tasting ($50).
11:40 · Freemark Abbey
About 3 minutes north. Founded in 1886 by Josephine Tychson, one of Napa Valley's first recorded women winemakers, and one of the wineries in the 1976 Judgment of Paris. Seated tastings are about an hour, from $50. By reservation.
12:55 · Lunch at Farmstead
About 8 minutes away. Lunch at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch on Main Street in St. Helena, a farm-to-table restaurant open daily. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:10 · V. Sattui Winery
About 5 minutes away. Founded in San Francisco in 1885 and reopened in St. Helena in 1976, with a large Italian deli and picnic grounds. The Mercato tasting is about an hour ($45). Reservations recommended.
3:30 · Back to your hotel
Back by 4:15 p.m., six hours after pickup.
Optional: Markham Vineyards
Adds about an hour. Taste in one of the valley's landmark stone cellars, built in the 1870s. Walk-ins are welcome; open until 5:30 p.m., with tastings from about $55.
About $145 to $170 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. The fourth stop is there if the day allows.
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 Charles Krug?
Yes. All tastings are by appointment. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Charles Krug?
$50 per person for the Estate Tasting, $75 for the Cabernet Connoisseur and $90 for the Tour & Tasting, as of September 2026.
What time does Charles Krug open?
At 10:30 a.m. daily, until 5 p.m.
Can children and dogs visit Charles Krug?
Yes. Children and non-tasters over 2 are $10, and leashed dogs are welcome. The tour and caviar pairing are 21 and over.
Who owns Charles Krug?
The Mondavi family, who bought the winery in 1943. The family of Peter Mondavi runs it today.
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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