Spring Mountain District · Napa Valley
Visit Fantesca with a Private Chauffeur
A Spring Mountain estate on land from Caroline Bale's 1860 dowry, with a mountainside cave, valley views and a private tour and tasting, and a suggested six-hour day around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Fantesca's vineyard has a long story. It was part of the more than 300 acres Caroline Bale brought as her dowry when she married Charles Krug in 1860. Phylloxera and Prohibition left the land idle for more than seven decades, until it was replanted to Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot in 1997. Susan and Duane Hoff, who left corporate careers helping build Best Buy, became the proprietors in 2004.
The estate sits in the Spring Mountain District, with eight blocks on steep slopes, including a terraced block of Cabernet, and the vineyards are certified organic by CCOF. Heidi Barrett made the wines for years before leaving in 2025; today Tony Arcudi and Chelsea Hoff make them. The name comes from La Fantesca, the lone female character in early Commedia dell'Arte, and the label wears her red.
Every visit is private. A host walks you through the grounds and the historic Cabernet vineyards, into the cellar and the mountainside cave, then sits you down to taste with Spring Mountain views. You can add seasonal bites by chef Ross Melling, inspired by his time with Thomas Keller at The French Laundry. It is about 10 minutes up the hill from town, which makes it an easy first stop.
Tasting Fees
$200 per person for the Private Tour & Tasting, 90 minutes. Add $50 per person for Taste of Fantesca, seasonal chef-curated bites.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
2920 Spring Mountain Road, St. Helena
AVA
Spring Mountain District
Visiting
Open by appointment only, seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Book ahead; last-minute requests are hard to fit, especially on weekends and holidays. Closed Black Friday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Day, and New Year's Eve and Day.
Known For
Organic estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot from Spring Mountain, plus Russian River Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
Founded
2004 (current proprietors; vineyard replanted in 1997)
Good to Know
Children are not allowed anywhere on the estate, including the vineyard and grounds. Parties of 1 to 8. The tour covers the grounds of a working winery, so wear comfortable walking shoes. Cancel at least 24 hours ahead.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Alila Napa Valley or Harvest Inn.
10:00 · Pickup at Alila Napa Valley or Harvest Inn
Both are in St. Helena, about 10 to 15 minutes from Fantesca: Alila Napa Valley on the hillside at the north end of town, and Harvest Inn on Highway 29 at the south end. The day below runs about six and three-quarter hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Fantesca Estate & Winery
The Private Tour & Tasting, 90 minutes ($200): the grounds, vineyard, cellar and cave, then a seated tasting. Add Taste of Fantesca ($50) when booking.
12:00 · Barnett Vineyards
About 15 minutes away, higher up Spring Mountain. A small family estate near the top of Spring Mountain, with views from about 2,000 feet over Napa Valley. The Tasting Experience is $125, a guided flight of five current releases in about 90 minutes, at the noon seating. Open daily by prepaid appointment, with tastings at 10 a.m., noon and 3 p.m.
1:55 · Lunch at The Charter Oak
About 25 minutes away, back down the mountain. Lunch at The Charter Oak at the south end of St. Helena, Christopher and Martina Kostow's family-style New American restaurant, 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.
3:15 · Mathew Bruno
About 10 minutes away. A Rutherford estate around an 1890s house with a wraparound porch, a lavender garden and a bocce court over the vines. The Rutherford Estate tasting of two whites and two reds is $75, 60 to 90 minutes. By reservation, Tuesday to Sunday.
4:35 · Back to your hotel
Back in St. Helena by about 4:50 p.m.
About $400 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Barnett seats tastings at set times, so the day follows its noon seating and runs about six and three-quarter hours. Mathew Bruno is closed Mondays; on a Monday we swap in another estate.
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 Fantesca?
Yes. Fantesca is open by appointment only, and last-minute requests are hard to fit, especially on weekends. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Fantesca?
$200 per person for the 90-minute Private Tour & Tasting, plus $50 for the optional Taste of Fantesca bites, as of September 2026.
Can children visit Fantesca?
No. Fantesca is a working winery and does not allow children anywhere on the estate.
Who owns Fantesca?
Susan and Duane Hoff, who became proprietors in 2004. Tony Arcudi and Chelsea Hoff make the wines.
What is the history of the Fantesca vineyard?
The land was part of Caroline Bale's dowry when she married Charles Krug in 1860. It lay idle for decades after phylloxera and Prohibition and was replanted in 1997.
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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