St. Helena · Napa Valley
Visit Copper Bear with a Private Chauffeur
Beckstoffer Vineyards winemaker Jesse Giacomelli's own Cabernet, made in two-to-four-barrel lots from Beckstoffer Heritage vineyards. Copper Bear 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
Copper Bear is the small family label of winemaker Jesse Giacomelli, who makes the wine for Beckstoffer Vineyards in Rutherford. He holds a master's degree in viticulture and enology from UC Davis, has more than 15 years of winemaking in Napa, Sonoma and Argentina, and trained under consulting winemakers Benoit Touquette and Aaron Pott.
The wine is mostly Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from Beckstoffer Heritage vineyards, with their gravelly loam soils, made in two-to-four-barrel lots and fewer than 500 cases a year. Wine journalist Jim Silver has called it among the most promising small wineries in the valley. Vineyard-designate reds come out in the fall, and a Single Barrel Series red and a rosé in the spring.
Releases go to the allocation list twice a year, first come, first served, and limited memberships add first access and member discounts. Copper Bear has no tasting room and publishes no visits, so it does not receive visitors. The day below stays upvalley around St. Helena and Rutherford, home of the Beckstoffer vineyards that supply the wine.
Tasting Fees
Copper Bear Wines 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
Napa Valley
Visiting
Copper Bear does not receive visitors; its wines are offered to its allocation list and members twice a year.
Known For
Small-lot Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from Beckstoffer Heritage vineyards
Founded
Founding year not published
Good to Know
Join the allocation list on copperbearwines.com for the fall and spring releases; memberships are offered on a limited basis. Questions go to jesse@copperbearwines.com.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 9:45 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Harvest Inn or Alila Napa Valley.
9:45 · Pickup at Harvest Inn or Alila Napa Valley
Since Copper Bear does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. We pick up at 9:45 a.m. for the 10 a.m. seating at the first stop, about 5 minutes from Harvest Inn and 10 from Alila Napa Valley. The day fits about six hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:00 · Strala Vineyards
About 5 minutes away. A husband-and-wife label from a leading vineyard manager and a barrel expert, poured with food and art at the Brasswood Estate north of St. Helena. The Classic Tasting is $75; we allow about an hour. Seatings at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m., reserved at least 48 hours ahead.
11:20 · Haynes Vineyard
About 15 minutes away. Wines from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines planted in Coombsville in 1967, tasted after a tour of Joe Heitz's original Home Ranch east of St. Helena. $150 per person plus tax, 90 to 120 minutes. By reservation, daily 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
1:20 · Lunch at Rutherford Grill
About 12 minutes away. Lunch at Rutherford Grill at the Rutherford crossroads, a sit-down grill open daily. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:40 · VGS Chateau Potelle
About 8 minutes away. A small, French-owned winery pouring single-vineyard wines with bites from La Toque in a St. Helena tasting house and garden. A private Wine Tasting of six wines is $75; we allow about an hour. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., by reservation.
3:40 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 3:55 p.m., about six hours after pickup.
About $300 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries (plus tax at Haynes), 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
Can you visit Copper Bear?
No. Copper Bear has no tasting room and does not host visitors, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at nearby wineries that do host.
How can I buy Copper Bear wine?
Join the allocation list on copperbearwines.com for the fall and spring releases, or ask about a membership.
Who makes Copper Bear?
Owner and winemaker Jesse Giacomelli, who is also the winemaker for Beckstoffer Vineyards in Rutherford.
Where do Copper Bear's grapes come from?
Mainly Beckstoffer Heritage vineyards in Napa Valley.
How much Copper Bear is made?
Fewer than 500 cases a year, in lots of two to four barrels.
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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