Oakville · Napa Valley
Visit Courtesan with a Private Chauffeur
Oakville Cabernet in mask-labeled bottles from Bridget Raymond, who grew up among the vines of Oakville and Rutherford. Courtesan 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
Courtesan is the label of winemaker Bridget Raymond, who was raised among the vineyards of Oakville and Rutherford and made her first "wine" at the age of nine. She studied winemaking at Napa Valley College and the UC Davis extension, worked at several Napa wineries, made wine in Italy and was a winemaker for several years at Naked Wines. She started Courtesan in 2004 and also consults for other clients. She chose the name for its Renaissance meaning: a well-educated woman trained in the arts.
The main wines are Courtesan Cabernet Sauvignons focused on Oakville, each with the same silk-screened mask on the bottle in a different color. The Blue Mask is an Oakville Cabernet, the Purple Mask a barrel selection from the same vineyards, and the Red Mask Reserve a blend of Oakville and Atlas Peak Cabernet. A second label, Brigitte, with a black lace design, covers a Bordeaux-style red blend and a rosé of Cabernet, and in some years she makes Omerta, a secret blend. The reds often spend 28 to 31 months in mostly new French oak and up to two years in bottle before release.
Courtesan lists only a post office box in Rutherford and a sales email, and the Napa Wine Project lists it as private, with no appointments. Wine is sold through the website and its mailing list. There is no tasting room, so the day below stays in Rutherford and Oakville, close to the vineyards where Bridget grew up.
Tasting Fees
Courtesan does not offer tastings. The three wineries on the day below run about $175 per person: $60 at Grgich Hills, $65 at Silver Oak and $50 at Frog's Leap.
Tasting fees as of October 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
Rutherford
AVA
Oakville
Visiting
Courtesan is not open to the public and does not offer appointments; its wines are sold through its website and mailing list.
Known For
Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon under Blue, Purple and Red Mask labels
Founded
2004
Good to Know
Join the mailing list or buy through the Acquire page at courtesanwines.com. Questions go to sales@courtesanwines.com.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Rancho Caymus Inn or Auberge du Soleil.
10:00 · Pickup at Rancho Caymus Inn or Auberge du Soleil
Since Courtesan does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. Rancho Caymus Inn is in Rutherford, about 5 minutes from the first stop, and Auberge du Soleil about 10. The day runs about five and three-quarter hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Grgich Hills Estate
About 5 minutes away. Founded by the winemaker behind the Judgment of Paris Chardonnay and farmed organically, on Highway 29 in Rutherford. Miljenko's Tasting is $60, about 90 minutes. Open daily 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; seated tastings by reservation.
11:55 · Lunch at Rutherford Grill
About 5 minutes away. Lunch at Rutherford Grill, an American grill on Rutherford Road; we confirm hours when we book. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
1:15 · Silver Oak Cellars
About 10 minutes away. Cabernet Sauvignon only, aged in American oak, at a LEED Platinum winery on the Oakville Cross Road, in the same appellation as Courtesan's Blue Mask. The Silver Oak Tasting of four wines is $65, about an hour. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
2:25 · Frog's Leap
About 10 minutes away. A relaxed, organic, dry-farmed winery around a red barn in Rutherford. The garden tasting is $50; we plan about an hour. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., by appointment; closed Wednesdays.
3:30 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 3:45 p.m., about five and three-quarter hours after pickup.
About $175 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Frog's Leap is closed Wednesdays, so plan this day for any other day. For a longer stay at Grgich Hills, the AVA Exploration ($125, about 90 minutes) takes the same time slot.
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 I visit Courtesan?
No. Courtesan has no tasting room and does not offer appointments, as of October 2026. We can plan a day at nearby Rutherford and Oakville wineries that do.
How can I buy Courtesan wine?
Through the Acquire page and mailing list at courtesanwines.com, or by emailing sales@courtesanwines.com.
Who makes Courtesan?
Winemaker and founder Bridget Raymond, who grew up among the vineyards of Oakville and Rutherford and started Courtesan in 2004.
What do the mask colors mean?
The Blue Mask is an Oakville Cabernet, the Purple Mask a barrel selection from the same vineyards, and the Red Mask Reserve a blend of Oakville and Atlas Peak Cabernet.
Does Courtesan make other wines?
Yes. The Brigitte label covers a Bordeaux-style red blend and a rosé of Cabernet, and Omerta is a secret blend made only in some years.
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 833-915-2436.
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