Napa · Napa Valley
Visit Empress Court with a Private Chauffeur
A hillside vineyard at the southern mouth of Napa Valley, between Coombsville and Carneros, with views across San Pablo Bay toward the Golden Gate. Empress Court 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 vineyard was planted in 2007 and renamed Castrucci Vineyard in 2011, when David and Dawn Castrucci bought it; its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay won medals at the San Francisco Chronicle competition. In 2018 Margaret Wong, a businesswoman from Sacramento, bought the property and the Castrucci brand and renamed it Empress Court Vineyard. In 2019 she also opened Empress M, a Chinese restaurant on the Silverado Trail.
The vineyard is wrapped by Soscol Creek on a hillside of fractured rock at the southeastern mouth of Napa Valley, between the Coombsville and Los Carneros AVAs, and looks over San Pablo Bay toward the Golden Gate. The first estate Pinot Noir came in 2020, the year a frost led the family to replant Chardonnay with Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2023 estate Cabernet won a silver medal at the 2026 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
The wines are sold through the winery's online shop and the Empress Dynasty Club, which pairs wine with dining at Empress M. Empress Court has no public tasting room and publishes no visiting program; it occasionally hosts vineyard events, with none on the calendar at last check. The day below takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do host.
Tasting Fees
Empress Court Vineyard does not offer public 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
200 Soscol Creek Road, Napa
AVA
Napa Valley
Visiting
Empress Court has no public tasting room and publishes no visiting program. It hosts occasional vineyard events, listed on its events page when scheduled.
Known For
Estate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, plus the Castrucci label
Founded
Vineyard planted in 2007; Empress Court since 2018
Good to Know
Buy online at empresswines.com or join the Empress Dynasty Club ($300 a year, credited toward wine and dining at Empress M), which includes event invitations and priority reservations.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 9:45 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Stanly Ranch or Andaz Napa.
9:45 · Pickup at Stanly Ranch or Andaz Napa
Since Empress Court does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. Stanly Ranch, a resort among the Carneros vineyards, is about 12 minutes from the first stop, and Andaz Napa in downtown Napa about 8. The day runs about six and a half hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:00 · Crosby Roamann
About 10 minutes away. A small family winery that began in a Brooklyn apartment and now pours single-vineyard wines in Napa's Crusher District. The Private Barrel Tasting is $100, 60 to 90 minutes. By prior reservation; bookings for the next month open on the 15th.
11:45 · Keplinger Wines
About 15 minutes away. Winemaker Helen Keplinger's Grenache, Syrah and Oakville Cabernet, poured in a private vineyard setting at Arrow&Branch in Oak Knoll. The Rhone Tasting is $85, waived with a minimum purchase; we allow about an hour. By appointment.
1:00 · Lunch at Oenotri
About 15 minutes away. Lunch at Oenotri on First Street in downtown Napa, an Italian restaurant serving lunch daily from 11:30 a.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:30 · Buoncristiani Family Winery
About 15 minutes away. Three Napa-born brothers pour their wines in The Caves at Soda Canyon, a fully underground winery with sweeping valley views. The Signature Tour & Tasting is $85, about 90 minutes. Seatings at 10 a.m., 12:30 and 2:30 p.m., reserved at least a week ahead.
4:00 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:15 p.m., about six and a half hours after pickup.
About $270 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Crosby Roamann opens bookings for the next month on the 15th, and Buoncristiani seats at set times with a week's notice, so we book early. Back by about 4:15 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
Can you visit Empress Court Vineyard?
No. Empress Court has no public tasting room and publishes no visiting program, as of September 2026; it hosts occasional vineyard events when scheduled. We can plan a day at nearby estates that do host.
How can I buy Empress Court wine?
Through the online shop at empresswines.com, or with the Empress Dynasty Club, which includes discounts on wine and on dining at Empress M.
Who owns Empress Court Vineyard?
Margaret Wong, a Sacramento businesswoman who bought the property and the Castrucci brand in 2018.
Where is Empress Court Vineyard?
At 200 Soscol Creek Road in Napa, at the southeastern mouth of the valley between the Coombsville and Los Carneros AVAs.
What is Empress Court known for?
Estate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon; the 2023 estate Cabernet won silver at the 2026 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
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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