St. Helena · Napa Valley
Visit Duckhorn Vineyards with a Private Chauffeur
The Merlot pioneer of St. Helena, now celebrating 50 years, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Dan and Margaret Duckhorn founded Duckhorn Vineyards in 1976, one of the first 40 wineries in Napa Valley. Their first harvest, in 1978, produced 800 cases each of Three Palms Vineyard Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, and Duckhorn became known as the American pioneer of luxury Merlot.
The 2014 Three Palms Vineyard Merlot was Wine Spectator's Wine of the Year in 2017. Duckhorn opened its Estate House in St. Helena in 2000, and the winery celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026.
The St. Helena estate is closed for a year-long renovation and is due to reopen in spring 2027. Until then, Duckhorn wines are poured at The Duckhorn Collection on the Silverado Trail, where seated tastings run daily. The wines to try are the Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and The Discussion blend.
Tasting Fees
$50 for the Duckhorn Vineyards flight of five current releases, 60 to 75 minutes. $100 for the 50th anniversary Legacy Flight with food, about 90 minutes, and $150 for Gather & Graze, Thursday to Sunday; both add a 20% gratuity.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
1000 Lodi Lane, St. Helena. Until spring 2027, tastings are at The Duckhorn Collection, 7257 Silverado Trail, Napa.
AVA
St. Helena
Visiting
The St. Helena estate is closed for renovation until spring 2027. Tastings are at The Duckhorn Collection, 7257 Silverado Trail, by appointment only, daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the last seated tasting at 3 p.m.
Known For
Merlot, especially Three Palms Vineyard, and Cabernet Sauvignon
Founded
1976
Good to Know
Flights take 1 to 6 guests; groups of up to 14 arrange by email. Tastings are 21 and over, with a family tasting available on request.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Auberge du Soleil or Bardessono, close to The Duckhorn Collection.
10:00 · Pickup at Auberge du Soleil or Bardessono
Stay close and the tasting starts right away. Auberge du Soleil, on the hillside above Rutherford, and Bardessono in Yountville are both about 8 minutes from The Duckhorn Collection, where Duckhorn is pouring during the renovation. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · The Duckhorn Collection
The Duckhorn Vineyards flight of five current releases, 60 to 75 minutes ($50).
11:45 · Frog's Leap
About 10 minutes away. A relaxed, organic, dry-farmed winery around a red barn in Rutherford. The garden tasting is $50, Thursday to Monday, and the vineyard house tour and tasting is $75. By appointment; closed Wednesdays.
1:00 · Lunch at Auberge du Soleil
About 5 minutes away. Lunch on the hillside terrace at Auberge du Soleil, with views across the valley; the bar serves lunch daily. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:15 · ZD Wines
About 5 minutes away. Family-owned since 1969, known for Pinot Noir and Abacus, a blend of every Reserve Cabernet vintage since 1992. The Vineyard View tasting is about an hour ($50). By appointment, 21 and over.
3:35 · Back to your hotel
Back by 4:00 p.m., six hours after pickup.
Optional: Grgich Hills Estate
Adds about an hour. Founded by Mike Grgich, the winemaker behind the Chardonnay that won the 1976 Judgment of Paris. Walk-ins are always welcome for wine by the glass or bottle on the garden patio; open until 4:30 p.m.
About $150 to $175 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
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
Is Duckhorn Vineyards open?
The St. Helena estate is closed for renovation until spring 2027. Duckhorn tastings continue at The Duckhorn Collection, 7257 Silverado Trail, Napa.
Do I need a reservation for a Duckhorn tasting?
Yes. Tastings are by appointment only. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a Duckhorn tasting?
$50 per person for the Duckhorn Vineyards flight, as of September 2026. The Legacy Flight is $100 and Gather & Graze is $150, both plus a 20% gratuity.
What is Duckhorn known for?
Merlot, above all Three Palms Vineyard, whose 2014 vintage was Wine Spectator's Wine of the Year in 2017.
When was Duckhorn founded?
In 1976, by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn. The winery celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026.
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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