Coombsville · Napa Valley
Visit Covert Estate with a Private Chauffeur
A Coombsville hillside estate whose winery is built underground between the vines and an oak grove, visited one party at a time by advance inquiry, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Covert Estate is the work of three families: Cal and Pam Nicholson, library wine collectors and Napa Valley vintners; Dave and Laura Nestor, longtime California wine collectors; and French winemaker Julien Fayard, who has made wine in both France and Napa Valley and makes the wines with traditional Bordeaux techniques adapted to the site.
The estate sits on the eastern hills of the Vaca Range in the Coombsville AVA. The winery was built underground between the vineyard and an oak grove, and the estate says it can only be seen from above; it was set into the hillside to cut noise and visual impact, and it is certified Napa Green. The southeast-facing slope is mostly volcanic ash from Mount George, cooled by fog from San Pablo Bay.
Visits are by advance inquiry only, one party at a time, and each request is reviewed by the hospitality team. We send the inquiry on your behalf and confirm the format and any fee before your day. Nicholson Jones, the families' second label, also pours at this winery by appointment.
Tasting Fees
Covert Estate does not publish a tasting fee. Any fee for a private visit is confirmed by the estate when the inquiry is accepted.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
15 Chateau Lane, Napa
AVA
Coombsville
Visiting
By advance inquiry or private request only, one party at a time; we arrange it on your behalf. Requests are reviewed personally by the estate's hospitality team.
Known For
Bordeaux-style Coombsville wines made by Julien Fayard, from an estate with an underground winery
Founded
By three partner families; winemaker Julien Fayard
Good to Know
Only a limited number of guests are welcomed, so ask well ahead. Inquiries need an account on the estate's website, which we set up with you. The estate is a working winery on a private lane.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Silverado Resort or Andaz Napa.
10:00 · Pickup at Silverado Resort or Andaz Napa
Silverado Resort, at the foot of Atlas Peak, is about 12 minutes from the estate, and Andaz Napa, a boutique hotel in downtown Napa, is about 12 minutes away. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Covert Estate
A private visit by advance inquiry, one party at a time. We plan about an hour; the format and any fee are confirmed by the estate.
11:35 · Fontanella Family Winery
About 20 minutes away. Jeff and Karen Fontanella's family winery on the slopes of Mount Veeder, where the tasting starts in the barrel room and moves to a patio under arching oak trees. The Fontanella Journey Tasting is $65 plus tax, about 75 minutes, with a cheese plate; the Reserve Tour and Tasting is $95. By appointment, daily from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
1:05 · Lunch at Grace's Table
About 12 minutes away. Lunch at Grace's Table on Second Street in downtown Napa, a sit-down restaurant open daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:20 · Shadybrook Estate Winery
About 12 minutes away. A family estate on the historic Rapp Ranch in Coombsville, with tastings on the Grand Terrace and horseback rides through the property for guests who book them ahead. Wine Tasting on the Grand Terrace is $95 with cheese and charcuterie, about 90 minutes. By reservation; final seating 3:30 p.m.
3:50 · Back to your hotel
Back by 4:00 p.m., six hours after pickup.
About $160 to $190 per person in tasting fees for Fontanella and Shadybrook, paid directly to each winery, plus any fee Covert Estate sets for a private visit.
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 Covert Estate?
Yes. Visits are by advance inquiry only, one party at a time, and each request is reviewed by the estate. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Covert Estate?
Covert Estate does not publish a tasting fee; any fee for a private visit is set by the estate when the inquiry is accepted, as of September 2026.
What is unusual about the Covert Estate winery?
It is built underground between the vineyard and an oak grove, set into the hillside so it can only be seen from above.
Who owns Covert Estate?
Three families: Cal and Pam Nicholson, Dave and Laura Nestor, and winemaker Julien Fayard.
What AVA is Covert Estate in?
Coombsville, on the eastern hills of the Vaca Range above the city of Napa, on volcanic ash soils from Mount George.
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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