Oakville · Napa Valley
Visit Forgotten Union with a Private Chauffeur
A winegrower's label built on the Old Federal Vineyard, once part of H.W. Crabb's To Kalon, with Carneros wines on the side. Forgotten Union 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
Benjamin Leachman founded Forgotten Union in 2016 and runs it alone. A biochemistry graduate, he began in a winery lab in 2004, earned a master's at UC Davis, then became assistant winemaker and vineyard manager at Seavey Vineyard and later associate winemaker at Checkerboard. When a back injury made cellar work almost impossible, he moved into vineyard management and started his own label.
Vidi Vitis, the flagship, comes from the Old Federal Vineyard in Oakville, which H.W. Crabb made part of his To Kalon Vineyard in 1881; the USDA studied grape growing there as early as 1903, and UC Davis now tends it. Sheepish is a riper take on Carneros fruit from vineyards such as Firetree, first planted in 1883. All the wines are single-vineyard, unfined and unfiltered.
Leachman calls himself a vigneron, a grower who also makes the wine. The current wines, including the 2023 Vidi Vitis Old Federal Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, are sold through the online shop and mailing list. There is no tasting room, so Forgotten Union does not receive visitors. The day below takes you to three sought-after estates around Oakville that do host.
Tasting Fees
Forgotten Union Wines does not offer 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
Oakville
AVA
Oakville
Visiting
Forgotten Union Wines does not receive visitors; it publishes no tasting room or visiting program.
Known For
Vidi Vitis Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc from the Old Federal Vineyard in Oakville, and Sheepish wines from Carneros
Founded
2016
Good to Know
Buy through the shop on forgottenunionwines.com or join the mailing list; tech sheets are posted on the site.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Hotel Villagio or Bardessono.
10:00 · Pickup at Hotel Villagio or Bardessono
Since Forgotten Union does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. Hotel Villagio and Bardessono, both in Yountville, are each about 8 minutes from the first stop in Oakville. The day fits about six hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Neyers Vineyards
About 8 minutes away. Bruce and Barbara Neyers' family winery, shaped by years importing wine from small French estates, hosts unhurried seated tastings in Oakville. $50 per person, about 90 minutes. By appointment, Thursday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
11:55 · Lunch at R+D Kitchen
About 8 minutes away. Lunch at R+D Kitchen, 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.
1:00 · Ghost Block Estate Wines
About 10 minutes away. A fifth-generation farming family's Cabernet label, poured at the historic Napa Wine Company in Oakville. The Taste of Oakville and Yountville AVA is $55, about 90 minutes, and the Pelissa Vineyard Tour by open-air golf cart is $95. By reservation at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
2:50 · J Gregory Cellars
About 20 minutes away. Mark Jessup, a Napa native who helped make the early Opus One wines, pours his small-lot Cabernet at a private sit-down tasting. It is $75 per person; we plan about an hour. By appointment, daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
3:50 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:05 p.m., about six hours after pickup.
About $180 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Neyers hosts Thursday to Saturday, and Ghost Block's tastings start at set times (we book 1 p.m.), so this is a Thursday to Saturday plan. Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting.
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 Forgotten Union Wines?
No. Forgotten Union publishes no tasting room or visiting program, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at nearby estates that do host.
How can I buy Forgotten Union wine?
Through the online shop and mailing list on forgottenunionwines.com.
Who owns Forgotten Union Wines?
Benjamin Leachman, its founder and sole proprietor.
What is the Old Federal Vineyard?
An Oakville vineyard that H.W. Crabb made part of his To Kalon Vineyard in 1881, later used for USDA research and now tended by UC Davis.
What labels does Forgotten Union make?
Vidi Vitis, the flagship from the Old Federal Vineyard, and Sheepish, from Carneros vineyards.
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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