St. Helena · Napa Valley
Visit Cultivar with a Private Chauffeur
A family estate in the Mayacamas hills above Rutherford since 1958, home of the allocated Caspar Estate wines. The Napa estate 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
In 1958 Caspar Escher and his wife, Virginia, bought land on Whitehall Lane in the Mayacamas range, high above the Rutherford Bench, and in 1962 built a small house with Thomas Church as architect and landscape designer. Caspar raised cattle and horses there, and the family tended a grove of century-old Mission olive trees, fruit trees and gardens. Their grandchildren, Jody Harris and Gingy Harris Gable, run the business today.
The family planted its first block of Cabernet Sauvignon in 2000, harvested in 2004 and sold grapes to well-known wineries before starting Cultivar Wine. The first Caspar Estate Cabernet, named for their grandfather, followed with the 2008 vintage. Made by Julien Fayard, Caspar Estate Cabernet, Sauvignon Blanc and a tiny Cabernet Franc are the estate's top wines, alongside olive oil and wildflower honey from about a quarter million bees.
Caspar Estate is sold by allocation, two shipments a year, with remaining bottles poured at the family's restaurant. Cultivar runs a restaurant in San Francisco's Marina District, a tasting room at Ghirardelli Square and, since February 2026, a restaurant in Sausalito. The Napa estate itself publishes no visiting program and does not host guests. The day below takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do.
Tasting Fees
Cultivar does not offer tastings at the Napa estate.
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
The Napa estate does not host visitors. Cultivar pours its wines at its restaurants in San Francisco and Sausalito and its Ghirardelli Square tasting room.
Known For
Caspar Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc from the Mayacamas hills above Rutherford
Founded
Estate bought in 1958; first Caspar Estate vintage 2008
Good to Know
Join the Caspar Estate allocation on cultivarwine.com for two shipments a year (Sauvignon Blanc in spring, Cabernet in fall). The Cultivar wine club and online shop cover the wider range.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 9:45 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Rancho Caymus Inn or Harvest Inn.
9:45 · Pickup at Rancho Caymus Inn or Harvest Inn
Since Cultivar's Napa estate does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do, starting with a neighbor on Whitehall Lane. We pick up at 9:45 for Long Meadow Ranch's 10 a.m. start: Rancho Caymus Inn and Harvest Inn are each about 8 minutes away. The day runs about six and three-quarter hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:00 · Long Meadow Ranch Winery
About 8 minutes away. An organically farmed family ranch in the Mayacamas foothills, on land first granted after the Civil War, with historic olive groves and a mountain winery. The private Mountain Estate Experience is $125, 90 minutes. By reservation, with set start times (usually 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.).
12:00 · Parallel Napa Valley
About 15 minutes away. A Cabernet house started by ski friends from Park City and made by Philippe Melka, tasted with food at the Brasswood property. The Après Wine Tasting with small bites and cheeses is $100, 90 minutes, at 10 a.m., noon or 2 p.m. By appointment, Monday to Saturday.
1:45 · Lunch at The Charter Oak
About 8 minutes away. Lunch at The Charter Oak in St. Helena, a sit-down restaurant cooking over an open hearth, open daily from 11:30 a.m. (brunch from 11 a.m. on weekends). Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
3:10 · Boich Family Cellar
About 12 minutes away. A small allocation house making Beckstoffer To Kalon and Georges III Cabernet, poured in the cave lounge at Hunnicutt on the Silverado Trail. The hosted tasting with light bites is $150. By prior arrangement only; availability is intentionally limited.
4:15 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:30 p.m., about six and three-quarter hours after pickup.
About $375 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Long Meadow Ranch's Mountain Estate and Parallel both start at set times, and Parallel is closed on Sundays, so this day works Monday to Saturday. Boich confirms availability when we request it. Back by about 4:30 p.m.
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 Cultivar's Napa estate?
No. The Caspar Estate above Rutherford publishes no visiting program and does not host guests, as of September 2026. Cultivar pours its wines in San Francisco and Sausalito, and we can plan a Napa day at nearby estates that do host.
How can I buy Cultivar and Caspar Estate wine?
Caspar Estate is sold by allocation, two shipments a year, on cultivarwine.com, which also sells Cultivar wines and runs a wine club. Remaining Caspar Estate bottles are poured at the family's restaurant.
Who owns Cultivar?
Jody Harris and Gingy Harris Gable, grandchildren of Caspar and Virginia Escher, who bought the estate in 1958.
Where is the Caspar Estate?
On Whitehall Lane in the Mayacamas range, high above the Rutherford Bench on the west side of Napa Valley.
What is Cultivar known for?
The Caspar Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc, made by Julien Fayard, plus estate olive oil and honey.
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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