Soda Canyon · Napa Valley
Visit ELLMAN with a Private Chauffeur
A South African family's new estate winery at the foot of Soda Canyon, where tastings in The Studio open with Grand Cru Champagne and the Overlook looks over the vines, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
ELLMAN is the family project of brothers Neil and Lance Ellman, who were born in South Africa and run their family's mattress business from Miami. On their first visits to Napa they were struck by how much the eastern Vaca range reminded them of Stellenbosch, and in 2007 they set out to learn winemaking. Andy Erickson makes the wines, with associate winemaker Patrick Nyeholt.
The 20-acre estate vineyard faces west along the Silverado Trail at the base of Soda Canyon, below Atlas Peak, on an ancient riverbed strewn with cobbles. It was planted in 1999 to a suitcase clone of Cabernet Sauvignon. The flagship is The Estate Cabernet, alongside the Jemma red blend; Jeb Dunnuck wrote that only six barrels of the 2021 The Estate were made.
The estate winery opened to guests in 2025. Tastings are in The Studio, an indoor room hung with art by Andy Warhol, Raina Lee and Vincent De Silva, with a vinyl library, or out on the Overlook with views across the vineyard. An open kitchen hosts rotating chefs for food pairings. Guests are greeted with a glass of Grand Cru Champagne, and we arrange the reservation for you.
Tasting Fees
Tasting fees to be verified upon reservation. ELLMAN does not publish the price of The Studio experience.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
1022 Soda Canyon Road, Napa
AVA
Napa Valley
Visiting
By reservation only, booked on Tock for parties of 1 to 8; parties of six or more or flexible times go to the winery by email or phone. Days and hours are not published on the winery's site.
Known For
The Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and the Jemma red blend, made by Andy Erickson
Founded
Family began winemaking in 2007; estate winery opened in 2025
Good to Know
Tastings are by reservation only. Larger parties and special requests go to info@ellmanwine.com or 707-947-3010. Ages and pet rules are not published, so we confirm them when we book.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Silverado Resort or Milliken Creek Inn.
10:00 · Pickup at Silverado Resort or Milliken Creek Inn
Silverado Resort, the golf and spa resort at the foot of Atlas Peak, is about 8 minutes from ELLMAN, and Milliken Creek Inn, a small riverside inn on the Silverado Trail, is about 10 minutes away. The day runs a little over six hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · ELLMAN
Tastings in The Studio begin with a glass of Grand Cru Champagne, and the Overlook takes in the estate vineyard. The length and fee are not published, so we allow about 90 minutes and confirm the details when we book.
12:00 · Robinson Family Vineyards
About 12 minutes away. A family estate built against the Stags Leap Palisades, where a member of the Robinson family leads every tour and seated tasting. $65 per person, about an hour and 15 minutes. By appointment, Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
1:30 · Lunch at Mustards Grill
About 12 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.
2:55 · J Gregory Cellars
About 12 minutes away. A private, sit-down tasting of small-lot Cabernet from Mark Jessup, a Napa native who helped make the early Opus One wines. $75 per person; we plan about an hour. By appointment, daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
3:55 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:10 p.m., a little over six hours after pickup.
About $140 per person in tasting fees for Robinson Family Vineyards and J Gregory Cellars, paid directly to each winery, plus ELLMAN's fee, to be verified upon reservation.
Robinson Family Vineyards is closed Sunday and Monday, so this day works Tuesday to Saturday. ELLMAN does not publish its tasting length, so we allow 90 minutes and confirm it when we book. Back by about 4:10 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
Do I need a reservation at ELLMAN?
Yes. Tastings are by reservation only, booked on Tock for up to 8 guests. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at ELLMAN?
ELLMAN does not publish its tasting fee, so it is to be verified upon reservation, as of September 2026.
Who owns ELLMAN?
Brothers Neil and Lance Ellman, a South African-born family based in Miami. Andy Erickson is the winemaker.
Where is the ELLMAN estate?
At 1022 Soda Canyon Road in Napa, on a 20-acre vineyard along the Silverado Trail at the base of Soda Canyon, below Atlas Peak.
What is the tasting like at ELLMAN?
Guests are greeted with Grand Cru Champagne and taste in The Studio, among works by Andy Warhol and other artists and a vinyl library, or on the Overlook above the vines.
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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