Howell Mountain · Napa Valley
Visit Dunn with a Private Chauffeur
Randy Dunn's family winery high on Howell Mountain, famous for long-lived Cabernet Sauvignon, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Randy and Lori Dunn bought 14 acres on Howell Mountain in 1978, and their first vintage, 660 cases of 1979 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, launched Dunn Vineyards. In 1983 Randy and neighboring vintners drew the boundaries of the Howell Mountain AVA, above the fog line at 1,400 feet. The family still runs the winery, with son Mike in the cellar since 2002 and grandson Alex farming full time.
Dunn makes only Cabernet Sauvignon, in an old-school style that has changed little since the first vintage, with the Howell Mountain and Napa Valley wines made the same way. The family farms 42 acres between 1,850 and 2,100 feet, mostly facing east, and Randy has long held that keeping alcohol below 14 percent is essential.
A visit is a look at a working mountain winery. Guests walk into the vineyards, explore the caves and then sit down to taste several vintages of Dunn Cabernet. Appointments are Monday to Friday, groups are small, and requests go in at least three business days ahead. The winery's second-generation label, Retro Cellars, is poured at the same visit.
Tasting Fees
$125 per person hospitality fee for a visit that walks the vineyards and caves and ends with a seated tasting of several vintages of Dunn Cabernet Sauvignon (Retro Cellars wines are poured too).
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
805 White Cottage Road North, Angwin
AVA
Howell Mountain
Visiting
By appointment only, Monday to Friday. Requests must be made more than three business days ahead and are confirmed by the winery; no walk-ins.
Known For
Howell Mountain and Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon made in a traditional, age-worthy style
Founded
1979 (land bought in 1978)
Good to Know
Groups are limited to six; larger groups contact the winery. Appointments are requested through the winery's member site, and cancellations need five business days' notice for a refund. The winery is a working farm on mountain roads.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 9:30 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Meadowood or Alila Napa Valley. Dunn's appointments begin at 10 a.m., and the drive up Howell Mountain takes about 20 to 25 minutes.
9:30 · Pickup at Meadowood or Alila Napa Valley
Meadowood, at the foot of Howell Mountain, is about 20 minutes from the winery, and Alila Napa Valley at the north end of St. Helena is about 25 minutes away. The drive up the mountain is part of the day, so the first visit is set for 10 a.m., when Dunn's appointments start. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:00 · Dunn Vineyards
Vineyard and cave walk, then a seated tasting of several vintages of Dunn Cabernet ($125). We plan about 90 minutes; the winery does not publish a set length.
11:50 · Melka Estates
About 20 minutes away. A small St. Helena estate on the Silverado Trail from winemaker Philippe Melka and his wife Cherie, known for Bordeaux-style blends. Meet Melka is $75, about 45 minutes in the loft, by appointment; the fee is waived with a wine purchase.
12:50 · Lunch at Forum at Meadowood
About 10 minutes away. Lunch at Forum, the main restaurant at Meadowood at the foot of Howell Mountain, with seasonal dishes drawn from the Meadowood farm. Lunch is served Monday to Friday, with brunch on weekends. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:05 · Mending Wall
About 12 minutes away. A Silverado Trail winery making limited-production, single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. The Estate Tasting is $85 and runs 60 to 90 minutes, by appointment with a 48-hour cancellation policy.
3:15 · Back to your hotel
Back by 3:30 p.m., six hours after pickup.
Optional: Alpha Omega
Adds about an hour and a half. A Rutherford winery known for its estate fountains and terrace views of the Mayacamas Mountains. Walk-ins are welcome when space allows for flights from $75, about 90 minutes; final seating at 4:30 p.m.
About $285 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
Do I need a reservation at Dunn?
Yes. Visits are by appointment only, Monday to Friday, requested more than three business days ahead and confirmed by the winery. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Dunn?
$125 per person for the hospitality visit with a vineyard and cave walk and a seated tasting of several Cabernet vintages, as of September 2026.
Who founded Dunn Vineyards?
Randy and Lori Dunn, who bought their Howell Mountain land in 1978 and made their first Cabernet in 1979. Their son Mike has run the cellar since 2002.
What is Dunn known for?
Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon in a traditional style, with the family keeping alcohol levels below 14 percent.
How large a group can visit Dunn?
Up to six guests. Larger groups need to contact the winery directly.
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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