Yountville · Napa Valley
Visit Dominus with a Private Chauffeur
Christian Moueix's Yountville estate on the historic Napanook vineyard, with a stone-walled winery by Herzog & de Meuron. Dominus 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
The Bordeaux vintner Christian Moueix first came upon the Napanook vineyard west of Yountville in 1981 and established Dominus Estate in 1983. George Yount first planted vines here in 1838, and Inglenook's John Daniel Jr. bought the estate in 1946. Moueix began in partnership with Daniel's daughters, Robin Lail and Marcia Smith, and became sole owner in 1995.
The estate covers about 103 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot on gravelly and clay loam soils in the Yountville AVA; in the 1940s and 1950s Napanook supplied fruit for some of Napa Valley's finest wines. In 1997 Dominus completed a winery by the Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron, its walls made of wire gabions filled with local basalt that insulate against the valley's heat. Three wines are made: Dominus, Napanook and Othello.
The winery was designed to all but disappear into the vineyard from a distance, and it stays private: Dominus Estate is closed to the public, with no tours or tastings. The estate keeps a mailing list on its website and also sells to the wine trade. For a day in the area, we take you to neighboring estates of the same standing that do open their doors.
Tasting Fees
Dominus Estate 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
Yountville
AVA
Yountville
Visiting
Dominus Estate is closed to the public; there are no tours or tastings.
Known For
Dominus, a Cabernet Sauvignon-based red from the Napanook vineyard, and its Herzog & de Meuron winery
Founded
1983 (vineyard first planted in 1838)
Good to Know
To buy the wine, sign up for the mailing list on the Dominus Estate website. The estate also sells through the wine trade.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 9:45 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Bardessono or Hotel Villagio.
9:45 · Pickup at Bardessono or Hotel Villagio
Since Dominus Estate does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. We pick up at 9:45 so you're at Kapcsandy for its 10 a.m. appointment. Bardessono, a garden hotel in the center of Yountville, and Hotel Villagio, at the south end of town, are each about 8 minutes from the first stop.
10:00 · Kapcsandy Family Winery
About 8 minutes away. A Hungarian-American family estate on the historic State Lane Vineyard, where a tour of the vineyard and winery ends in a seated tasting. $175, about two hours. By appointment, Tuesday to Saturday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; 21 and over.
12:10 · Lunch at Bottega
About 8 minutes away. Lunch at Bottega, an Italian restaurant on Washington Street in Yountville, serving from 11:30 a.m. Tuesday to Sunday. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
1:35 · Odette Estate Winery
About 12 minutes away. An organic Stags Leap District estate under the Palisades, with a LEED Gold winery designed to recall a flowing evening gown. The Odette Experience is $100, with Estate and Reserve Cabernets and a cheese plate for every two guests; we plan about 75 minutes. Open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. by reservation.
3:05 · Staglin Family Vineyard
About 15 minutes away. An organic, solar-powered family estate on the Rutherford Bench, where a private visit walks the vineyard and tours the underground winemaking caves before a tasting of the estate wines. $150, about 90 minutes. By appointment, Tuesday to Saturday, with members first.
4:35 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:50 p.m., about seven hours after pickup.
About $425 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Kapcsandy and Staglin host Tuesday to Saturday, so plan this day for one of those days. Staglin confirms its start time when it accepts the appointment, and we adjust the day around it. The day runs about seven hours; we can shorten it by dropping the last stop.
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 Dominus Estate?
No. Dominus Estate is closed to the public and offers no tours or tastings, as of September 2026.
How can I buy Dominus wine?
Sign up for the mailing list on the Dominus Estate website. The wines, including the second wine, Napanook, are also sold through the wine trade.
Who owns Dominus Estate?
Christian Moueix, who established it in 1983 and has been sole owner since 1995.
Where is Dominus Estate?
On the Napanook vineyard just west of Yountville, in the Yountville AVA of Napa Valley.
What is Dominus known for?
Its Cabernet Sauvignon-based red, Dominus, and its winery by Herzog & de Meuron, built from wire gabions filled with local basalt.
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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