Howell Mountain · Napa Valley
Visit Cimarossa with a Private Chauffeur
A terraced hilltop estate of vines and olive groves at about 2,100 feet, with 360-degree views and an Italian family's table, open to its club members, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Cimarossa means red hilltop. Dino Dina, who grew up near Genoa with a family farm, and his wife Corry Dekker met in biotechnology at Chiron, where Dino established the vaccine group; he later led Dynavax Technologies until he retired in 2013. Dino entered what he calls the grape game in 1997, after a search for the right mountain land that the family says took more than ten years.
The vineyard sits at about 2,100 feet on the Vaca Range in the Howell Mountain AVA, built to leave the land as native as possible: olive trees share rows with vines, and century-old trees stand in the middle of blocks. Riva di Ponente is a hand-farmed, terraced 1.4-acre block facing west. Mia Klein, who started her own Selene label in 1991, has made the wines since 2009.
Visits come with membership. The Il Circolo allocation club includes complimentary tours and tastings, and its larger Porcini level adds a private Italian-style lunch for up to six on the estate once a year. The family describes unrivaled 360-degree views over mountains, wilderness and the valley floor, and the estate also presses its own extra virgin olive oil.
Tasting Fees
Tours and tastings are complimentary for Il Circolo members. Cimarossa does not publish a fee for other visitors; to be verified upon reservation.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
Angwin
AVA
Howell Mountain
Visiting
By appointment for members of the Il Circolo allocation club, whose benefits include complimentary tours and tastings; visits are private for your party. Others can call the winery (707-307-3130) to ask; once you are a member, we arrange it on your behalf.
Known For
Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux-style reds, Nebbiolo and estate olive oil
Founded
1997 (Dina family; first vintage 2003)
Good to Know
Il Circolo comes in two levels: Focaccia, about 1 to 1.5 cases a year, and Porcini, about 2.5 cases. The estate shares its address when a visit is set. Ages, group size and pet rules are not published.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 9:50 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Meadowood or Alila Napa Valley.
9:50 · Pickup at Meadowood or Alila Napa Valley
Cimarossa is near Angwin on Howell Mountain, about 20 minutes from Meadowood at the foot of the mountain and about 25 from Alila Napa Valley in St. Helena. The estate confirms the visit time, and pickup moves with it. The day runs about six and three-quarter hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Cimarossa
A private members' tour and tasting. We plan about 75 minutes; the estate confirms the format.
11:45 · Summit Lake Vineyards & Winery
About 12 minutes away. The Brakesman family's estate near the top of Howell Mountain, known for old-vine Zinfandel since the 1970s, where the visit is a private vineyard tour and tasting. The fee is confirmed when we book; we allow about 75 minutes. By appointment, Monday to Saturday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
1:30 · Lunch at The Charter Oak
About 30 minutes down the mountain. Lunch at The Charter Oak at the south end of St. Helena, Christopher and Martina Kostow's family-style New American restaurant, open daily for lunch. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:50 · Sinegal Estate Winery
About 8 minutes away. The historic Inglewood Estate west of St. Helena, where an Estate Ambassador leads you through the winery and vineyard and out to a private lake and gardens before a seated tasting. $75 to $100, about 90 minutes. By reservation only.
4:20 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:35 p.m., about six and three-quarter hours after pickup.
About $75 to $100 per person in tasting fees for Sinegal, plus Summit Lake's fee, which is confirmed when we book; Cimarossa's tours and tastings are complimentary for members. Each is paid directly to the winery.
Cimarossa hosts members by appointment, and Summit Lake hosts Monday to Saturday. Sinegal does not publish its tasting days, so we confirm the day with each winery. The day runs about six and three-quarter hours.
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 Cimarossa?
Yes. Visits are by appointment for members of the Il Circolo club and are private for your party. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Cimarossa?
Tours and tastings are complimentary for Il Circolo members; Cimarossa does not publish a fee for other visitors, as of September 2026.
Who owns Cimarossa?
Dino Dina and his wife Corry Dekker, who met in biotechnology at Chiron.
Who makes the Cimarossa wines?
Mia Klein, the winemaker since 2009, who founded her own Selene label in 1991.
Does Cimarossa make olive oil?
Yes. Olive groves share the terraced hillsides with the vines, and the estate presses its own extra virgin olive oil.
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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