Napa · Napa Valley
Visit Forthright with a Private Chauffeur
Two winemakers who met at Napa Valley College, making Merlot, Cabernet, Pinot Noir and whites by appointment, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Forthright is the work of proprietors and winemakers Patrick McEvoy and Rafer Caudill, who both studied enology at Napa Valley College. Patrick first tasted wine as a boy in Michigan and spent two decades in Europe before making his first Forthright vintages in 2018. Rafer grew up around a family farm in New York and studied architecture before turning to wine.
The lineup covers Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, plus library wines, and Patrick's years in Europe show in his love of Bordeaux blends. The small team also includes Ed Stritch and Jeff "The Brixmaster" Concepcion, and the winemakers handle the crush pad and barrel work themselves.
There is no public tasting room; Forthright is open by appointment only, arranged by email or phone. Fees and hours are not published, and the place is confirmed when the appointment is set. Expect a small, personal visit with the winemakers, and we arrange it on your behalf.
Tasting Fees
Tasting fees to be verified upon reservation.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
Napa
AVA
Napa Valley
Visiting
By appointment only, arranged by email (Inquire@ForthrightWinery.com) or phone (707-690-8985). The time and place are confirmed with the booking; we arrange it on your behalf.
Known For
Small-lot Napa Valley Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and whites
Founded
2018 (first vintages)
Good to Know
Fees, group size and ages are not published, so we confirm them when booking. Library wines are available.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Andaz Napa or Milliken Creek Inn. The Forthright appointment time is set with the winery, and we build the day around it.
10:00 · Pickup at Andaz Napa or Milliken Creek Inn
Both are in or near downtown Napa. We confirm the drive once the winery sets the place. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Forthright Winery
An appointment with the Forthright winemakers. We allow about an hour; the time, place and any fee are confirmed by the winery.
11:35 · Cuvaison
About 18 minutes away. A Los Carneros winery set on its Tai Estate Vineyard, pouring cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The seated Estate Tasting is $60 for about an hour. By advance reservation, open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; up to six guests, all 21 or older.
12:50 · Lunch at Bistro Don Giovanni
About 20 minutes away. Lunch at Bistro Don Giovanni, an Italian restaurant among the vineyards on Howard Lane, a valley favorite for more than 30 years, open 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.
2:05 · Patland Estate Vineyards
About 12 minutes away. A family winery whose Patland Caves Experience is a guided walk through the turns and barrel rooms of The Caves at Soda Canyon, ending outside with one of the valley's great views. $75, about 90 minutes. By appointment at least 24 hours ahead.
3:35 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:00 p.m., six hours after pickup.
About $135 per person in tasting fees for Cuvaison and Patland, paid directly to each winery, plus any Forthright fee, confirmed when we book.
We leave off an optional fourth stop; the Patland cave walk takes about 90 minutes, and three wineries is the right pace. Forthright's visits depend on the winemakers' schedule, so we confirm that time first.
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 Forthright?
Yes. Forthright is open by appointment only. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Forthright?
Forthright does not publish a tasting fee. Tasting fees to be verified upon reservation, as of September 2026.
Who makes Forthright wine?
Proprietors and winemakers Patrick McEvoy and Rafer Caudill, who both studied enology at Napa Valley College.
When did Forthright start?
Patrick McEvoy made the first Forthright vintages in 2018.
What wines does Forthright make?
Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, plus library wines.
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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