Yountville · Napa Valley
Visit Cornerstone Cellars with a Private Chauffeur
A small-lot winery born on Howell Mountain in 1991, pouring seated tastings at The Yount Room in historic Yountville Station, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Cornerstone Cellars began in 1991 with friends sharing a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon at a picnic table on Howell Mountain. Dr. Mike Dragutsky, tasting there with longtime vintner Randy Dunn, learned that a few extra tons of Randy's fruit were available, and the winery was born. In 2014 Kari Auringer, an assistant winemaker in the early 2000s, returned to lead the winemaking.
Cornerstone owns no estate vineyard; it bottles small lots, sometimes no more than 100 cases, from growers it has known for years in Oakville, Rutherford, Calistoga, Yountville and Mount Veeder, plus Sonoma and the Sta. Rita Hills. Since 2012 it has made a Merlot from UC Davis's own Oakville Station vineyard. The tasting room sits in the Yountville AVA.
Cornerstone opened its Yountville tasting room in 2009. Today it pours at The Yount Room, a collective tasting room in the historic Yountville Station that it shares with Cain, Conn Creek and other partners, in a gallery-like space with music. Tastings are seated and private: a four-wine Cornerstone flight or a Collective Flight, with seasonal cheese boards available.
Tasting Fees
$50 for the Winery Focus of Cornerstone, a seated four-wine flight of current releases, and $50 for the Collective Flight across partner wineries. The winery does not publish durations; we plan about an hour.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
6505 Washington Street, Yountville
AVA
Yountville
Visiting
Open daily 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at The Yount Room, 6505 Washington Street, Yountville; last seating at 5 p.m. Reservations are encouraged and walk-ins are welcome. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Known For
Small-lot Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, including Oakville Station Merlot
Founded
1991
Good to Know
A family-friendly room: guests under 21 are welcome with adults, and dogs can join on the patio. A credit card holds reservations. Groups of up to 24 can book the Tasting Salon.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:45 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as North Block Hotel or Hotel Yountville, because The Yount Room opens at 11 a.m.
10:45 · Pickup at North Block Hotel or Hotel Yountville
North Block Hotel and Hotel Yountville are both in Yountville, a couple of minutes from The Yount Room. Pickup is at 10:45 because the room opens at 11 a.m. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
11:00 · Cornerstone Cellars
The Winery Focus of Cornerstone, a seated four-wine flight ($50). We plan about an hour; a seasonal cheese board can be added.
12:15 · Matthiasson
About 10 minutes away. An independent family winery where tastings are held outdoors, overlooking the organically farmed Phoenix Vineyard in the Oak Knoll District. The tasting is $75 for five to six wines, about 75 minutes (the Reserve Tasting is $135). By appointment, seven days a week.
1:40 · Lunch at Bistro Don Giovanni
About 10 minutes away. Lunch at Bistro Don Giovanni, an Italian restaurant among the vineyards on Howard Lane, a valley favorite for more than 30 years, 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 · Stags' Leap Winery
About 15 minutes away. A historic Stags Leap District estate whose Estate Tour & Tasting ends with a seated tasting inside the stately Manor House. $65 and 90 minutes, offered daily at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. By appointment only; 21 and over.
4:35 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:45 p.m., six hours after pickup.
About $190 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 Cornerstone Cellars?
Reservations are encouraged because seating is limited, though walk-ins are welcome when there is room. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Cornerstone Cellars?
$50 per person for the Winery Focus of Cornerstone and $50 for the Collective Flight, as of September 2026.
Can children visit Cornerstone Cellars?
Yes. Guests under 21 are welcome with adults, and dogs are welcome on the patio.
Where does Cornerstone Cellars pour its wines?
At The Yount Room in the historic Yountville Station at 6505 Washington Street, a collective tasting room it shares with Cain, Conn Creek and other partners.
How did Cornerstone Cellars start?
In 1991 on Howell Mountain, when Dr. Mike Dragutsky, tasting with vintner Randy Dunn, bought a few extra tons of Randy's fruit.
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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