Yountville · Napa Valley
Visit Elyse with a Private Chauffeur
A small-production pioneer of vineyard-designate Zinfandel and Cabernet, poured in a casual, intimate room on Hoffman Lane just south of Yountville, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Nancy and Ray Coursen came to California from Cape Cod in 1983 so Ray could make wine. Ray learned at Whitehall Lane under Art Finkelstein, rising to head winemaker, and in 1985 the couple started Elyse with 286 cases of Zinfandel from the Morisoli Vineyard, still a cornerstone. They named it for their daughter, born in 1986.
After a decade of making wine in borrowed cellars, the Coursens bought a small winery and vineyard on Hoffman Lane in 1997, in the Yountville AVA. Elyse grew into a portfolio of vineyard-designate Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah. Russell Bevan has made the wines since 2018, and Robert Parker called Elyse an under-the-radar, high-quality producer.
The tasting is casual and intimate, in a small room one mile south of Yountville and just off the beaten path. Tastings are booked through HQ Winery, the hospitality home at the same address. It is a relaxed stop for guests who like Zinfandel as much as Cabernet and want to hear about the vineyards behind each bottle.
Tasting Fees
$75 to $200 per person for a prepaid tasting reservation at HQ Winery, depending on the wines poured. Durations are not published; we plan about an hour.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
2100 Hoffman Lane, Napa
AVA
Yountville
Visiting
By appointment only, through Tock or by phone (707-944-2900 x1). Open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tock lists tasting times from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Known For
Vineyard-designate Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah
Founded
1985
Good to Know
All visitors must be 21 or older. Please give 24 hours' notice for cancellations or changes. Tock takes parties of 1 to 6; larger groups call ahead.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as North Block Hotel or Hotel Villagio.
10:00 · Pickup at North Block Hotel or Hotel Villagio
Both hotels are in Yountville, about 5 minutes from the winery. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Elyse Winery
A prepaid tasting from $75; we plan about an hour.
11:30 · Clos du Val
About 10 minutes away. A Stags Leap District pioneer founded in 1972, where the Hirondelle House Tasting pours current releases with a seasonal dip and sourdough. $75, about an hour. By reservation; open Thursday to Monday.
12:45 · Lunch at R+D Kitchen
About 12 minutes away. A relaxed Yountville spot with a sushi bar and a patio, open for lunch daily. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:05 · Cardinale
About 10 minutes away. A historic Oakville stone winery with a panoramic terrace view across the valley. An Introduction to Cardinale pours four current releases with seasonal bites for $125; we plan about 75 minutes. By appointment.
3:20 · Back to your hotel
Back in Yountville by about 3:35 p.m., well within six hours of pickup.
About $275 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Clos du Val is open Thursday to Monday, so this day works on those days.
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 Elyse?
Yes. Elyse is by appointment only, booked through Tock or by phone. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Elyse?
$75 to $200 per person for a prepaid tasting reservation, as of September 2026.
Who founded Elyse Winery?
Ray and Nancy Coursen, who started the label in 1985 with 286 cases of Zinfandel and named it after their daughter.
Who makes Elyse wine today?
Russell Bevan, the winemaker since 2018.
Can children visit Elyse?
No. All visitors must be at least 21 years old.
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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