Napa · Napa Valley
Visit Ghost of a Chance with a Private Chauffeur
Usurper, a small-lot Napa Valley red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties. Ghost of a Chance 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
Ghost of a Chance is a small Napa Valley label built around one red wine, Usurper. The name is the point: the winery's site presents Usurper as a challenge to the idea that a satisfying Bordeaux-inspired blend from Napa Valley has to cost $100 or so. A review by wine writer Mike Dunne, quoted on the site, puts it at $28 and finds cherries, chocolate and chalk with a thread of Cabernet Sauvignon's herbal notes.
Retail listings fill in the details. The 2017 Usurper was 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc from three vineyards around Napa, made by winemaker Eric Lyman. The 2018 leaned further on Merlot, with some Malbec, and only eight barrels were made. The same retailer has also carried a Ghost of a Chance Grooveline Pinot Noir from Napa Carneros.
There is no tasting room. Ghost of a Chance lists only a contact form and a phone number, and it does not offer tours or tastings. The day below goes to three estates near Napa that do host, in the Stags Leap District and the Oak Knoll District, with lunch in Yountville.
Tasting Fees
Ghost of a Chance does not offer tastings. On the day below, the tasting fees are $60 at Pine Ridge, $75 at Chimney Rock and $45 at Trefethen, about $180 per person in all, paid directly to each winery.
Tasting fees as of October 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
Napa
AVA
Napa Valley
Visiting
Ghost of a Chance has no tasting room and does not offer tours or tastings.
Known For
Usurper, a small-lot Napa Valley red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties
Founded
Founding year not published
Good to Know
The winery's site has a contact form and lists a phone number, (707) 738-2130. Retailers such as Backroom Wines have carried Usurper.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a hotel in downtown Napa such as Andaz Napa or Westin Verasa Napa.
10:00 · Pickup at Andaz Napa or Westin Verasa Napa
Since Ghost of a Chance does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. Both hotels are in downtown Napa, about 20 minutes from the first stop on the Silverado Trail. The day runs about six hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:20 · Pine Ridge Vineyards
About 20 minutes away. Stags Leap District Cabernet tasted in caves 130 feet underground. The Estate Tasting is $60, about an hour; open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with reservations strongly encouraged.
11:35 · Chimney Rock Winery
About 5 minutes away. A Cape Dutch-style estate in the Stags Leap District. Taste of Terroir is $75, about 90 minutes, daily; open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., book ahead.
1:20 · Lunch at Bouchon Bistro
About 15 minutes away. Lunch at Thomas Keller's French bistro on Washington Street in Yountville. We confirm 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.
2:45 · Trefethen Family Vineyards
About 10 minutes away. A family estate in the Oak Knoll District around Napa Valley's last 19th-century wooden gravity-flow winery. Winery Flights are $45, about an hour; open daily 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with reservations required and prepaid.
3:45 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:00 p.m., about six hours after pickup.
About $180 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
All three wineries are open daily, so this day works any day of the week. Trefethen requires a prepaid reservation, which we make when we book.
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 Ghost of a Chance?
No. Ghost of a Chance has no tasting room and offers no tours or tastings, as of October 2026. We can plan a day at nearby wineries that do.
How can I buy Ghost of a Chance wine?
Contact the winery through the form on ghostofachancewines.com or by phone at (707) 738-2130. Retailers such as Backroom Wines have also carried Usurper.
What is Usurper?
A Napa Valley red blend of Bordeaux varieties. The 2017 was 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc from three vineyards around Napa; a review quoted by the winery puts it at $28.
Who makes Ghost of a Chance wine?
Retail listings name Eric Lyman as winemaker. The winery's own site does not publish its owners' or winemaker's names.
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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