Yountville · Napa Valley
Visit Gemstone Vineyard with a Private Chauffeur
Estate Cabernet from 20 micro-blocks of heirloom clones on a 16-acre Yountville vineyard, sold by allocation since 1997. Gemstone does not open to the public; 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
Gemstone began in 1992, when its founder, Paul Frank, drew on a background in geology and a long career in the diamond business to choose a 16-acre plot of alluvial soil in Yountville, off the Silverado Trail. The brand debuted with the 1997 vintage. Carole and Michael Marks bought Gemstone in 2008, and in 2023 it passed to Jason Rebrook. Philippe Melka made the wines from 2005 and Thomas Rivers Brown through the 2022 vintage; Julien Fayard is now the winemaker.
The vineyard is planted in 20 micro-blocks of heirloom clones, mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with some Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot, on rocky alluvial soils that are hand-tended and sustainably farmed. Gemstone now makes three small estate wines: the 2023 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (500 cases, native fermentation, 20 months in 80% new French oak), the 2022 Estate Cabernet Franc (75 cases) and the 2022 Ruby Selection, drawn from the four most distinctive barrels of the vintage (100 cases).
Gemstone has no public tasting room and publishes no visit program; its wines go to members of its Allocation List, the Gemstone Circle, who get priority on future vintages. The day below stays close to the vineyard, in the Stags Leap District and Yountville.
Tasting Fees
Gemstone does not offer public tastings.
The day below visits Cliff Lede ($70), Stag's Leap Wine Cellars ($95) and Pine Ridge ($60), about $225 per person in tasting fees.
Tasting fees as of October 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
Yountville
AVA
Yountville
Visiting
Gemstone is not open to the public; its wines are offered to members of its Allocation List.
Known For
Estate Yountville Cabernet Sauvignon from 20 micro-blocks of heirloom clones
Founded
1997 (first vintage; vineyard bought in 1992)
Good to Know
Join the Allocation List (the Gemstone Circle) at gemstonevineyard.com for access to new releases. Contact 707-944-0944 or info@gemstonevineyard.com.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Bardessono or Hotel Yountville.
10:00 · Pickup at Bardessono or Hotel Yountville
Since Gemstone does not open to the public, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do host. Bardessono and Hotel Yountville are both in Yountville, about 5 minutes from the first stop and a few minutes from Gemstone's vineyard. The day runs about six hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:10 · Cliff Lede Vineyards
About 5 minutes away. A rock-and-roll themed Stags Leap estate with a Howard Backen winery. The Reserved Tasting is $70, an hour; book ahead on Tock.
11:30 · Stag's Leap Wine Cellars
About 10 minutes away. Home of the Cabernet that won the 1976 Judgment of Paris. The signature tasting of four current releases is $95; open daily by reservation. We plan about an hour.
12:45 · Lunch at Bouchon Bistro
About 12 minutes away. Lunch at Bouchon Bistro, Thomas Keller's French bistro on Washington Street in Yountville. We confirm lunch hours when we book. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:15 · Pine Ridge Vineyards
About 10 minutes away. Stags Leap Cabernet tasted in caves 130 feet underground. The Estate Tasting is $60, about an hour; open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., reservations strongly encouraged.
3:20 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 3:30 p.m.
About $225 per person in tasting fees at Cliff Lede, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars and Pine Ridge, paid directly to each winery.
All three wineries are open daily, and each is best booked ahead, so we set the times together. For a longer day, add the Stag's Leap Wine Cellars estate experience with a cave walk ($125, 48 hours' notice).
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 Gemstone Vineyard?
Gemstone has no public tasting room and publishes no visit program, as of October 2026; its wines go to its Allocation List. We can plan a day at nearby estates that host.
How can I buy Gemstone wine?
Join the Allocation List, the Gemstone Circle, at gemstonevineyard.com. Members are offered the estate wines and get priority on future vintages.
Who owns and makes Gemstone?
Jason Rebrook has owned Gemstone since 2023, and Julien Fayard is the winemaker. Philippe Melka and Thomas Rivers Brown made earlier vintages.
Where is the Gemstone vineyard?
On 16 acres of rocky alluvial soil in the Yountville AVA, off the Silverado Trail, planted in 20 micro-blocks of heirloom clones.
What wines does Gemstone make?
An Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, an Estate Cabernet Franc and the Ruby Selection, a blend of the four most distinctive barrels of the vintage.
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 833-915-2436.
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