Oak Knoll District · Napa Valley
Visit Darms Lane with a Private Chauffeur
A secluded Oak Knoll District estate, once the Crichton Hall Chardonnay vineyard, replanted by the Bump family to Cabernet and other Bordeaux varieties. Darms Lane 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
The property was established in 1983 as a Chardonnay estate called Crichton Hall Vineyard. Larry Bump came across it in the early 1990s and joined as one of many partners. When the vines needed replanting in the early 2000s, the Bump family took on the job, and by 2002 they owned the 50-acre property outright. Larry calls it a tiny island in a corner of the valley, with steep hills, ancient oaks and young vines.
The old Chardonnay was replaced with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, and the first estate Darms Lane Cabernet followed in 2005. Production is around 3,000 cases a year, and the estate also sells fruit to Spottswoode and Venge Vineyards. Winemaker Marisa Taylor, formerly head winemaker and general manager at Rutherford Hill, makes the Bon Passe and Linda's Hillside Cabernets, an Oak Knoll Chardonnay and a Russian River Valley Pinot Noir.
Darms Lane sells through its online store, a wine club with three shipments a year and distributors. The winery publishes no tasting room or visiting program, so it does not receive visitors. The day below takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do, starting with a neighbor in the Oak Knoll District.
Tasting Fees
Darms Lane 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
Napa
AVA
Oak Knoll District
Visiting
Darms Lane does not receive visitors; it publishes no tasting room or visiting program.
Known For
Estate Oak Knoll District Cabernet Sauvignon (Bon Passe and Linda's Hillside) and Chardonnay
Founded
2005 (first estate Cabernet; property planted in 1983)
Good to Know
Buy through the online store or join the wine club (3, 6 or 12 bottles, three shipments a year). The office answers at (707) 224-4200, weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as North Block Hotel or Bardessono.
10:00 · Pickup at North Block Hotel or Bardessono
Since Darms Lane does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. North Block Hotel and Bardessono are both in Yountville, about 12 minutes from the first stop in the Oak Knoll District. The day runs a little over six hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Celani Family Vineyards
About 12 minutes away. A Tuscan-style family estate in the Oak Knoll District with vineyard views and olive trees, where the Private Estate Tasting pours at least four wines, including Ardore Cabernet, with seasonal nibbles. $88, 60 minutes. Private visits by appointment, daily 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
11:40 · Mt. Brave
About 20 minutes away. Chris Carpenter's organically farmed Mount Veeder estate above the fog line, where a walk at the Mt. Brave Overlook comes before the seated tasting. The Mt. Veeder Experience is $175, 90 minutes or more, for 2 to 6 guests. By reservation; the meeting point is confirmed with the booking.
1:30 · Lunch at Mustards Grill
About 20 minutes away. Lunch at Mustards Grill on Highway 29 just north of Yountville, a Napa Valley favorite for more than 40 years, open daily for lunch. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:45 · Blankiet Estate
About 8 minutes away. A hillside estate above Yountville with a castle-style tasting room, deep caves and Bordeaux-style reds. The Classic Experience, a formal tasting of five or more wines, is $175; we allow about 75 minutes. By appointment, Tuesday to Saturday.
4:00 · Back to your hotel
Back in Yountville by about 4:10 p.m., a little over six hours after pickup.
About $438 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Blankiet hosts Tuesday to Saturday, so this is a Tuesday to Saturday plan, and Mt. Brave confirms its meeting point with the booking. The day runs a little over six hours.
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 Darms Lane?
No. Darms Lane publishes no tasting room or visiting program, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at nearby estates that do host.
How can I buy Darms Lane wine?
Through the online store on darmslanewine.com or the wine club, which ships three times a year.
Who owns Darms Lane?
The Bump family. Larry Bump has been involved since the early 1990s, and the family became sole owners by 2002.
Where is Darms Lane?
On Darms Lane in the Oak Knoll District, north of the city of Napa.
Who makes Darms Lane wine?
Winemaker Marisa Taylor, formerly head winemaker and general manager at Rutherford Hill.
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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