Napa · Napa Valley
Visit Greyscale with a Private Chauffeur
Jean and Larry Rowe's Bordeaux-style Napa wines, made since 2008 by former Clos du Val winemaker Kian Tavakoli. Greyscale 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
Greyscale Wines is a family-run winery established in 2008 by Jean and Larry Rowe. Jean grew up in Northern California with a backyard vineyard where her father made wine for decades. Larry is a UC Berkeley emeritus professor of electrical engineering and computer science and a co-founder of the original Ingres Corporation. A 2005 harvest trip to Bordeaux convinced them to make wine in the same elegant style.
Their winemaker is Kian Tavakoli, who studied at UC Davis, spent four years in the laboratory at Opus One and eight years at Clos du Val, where he ran the reserve red program. The Rowes made a first barrel of Cabernet from Stagecoach Vineyard in 2006 and went commercial with the 2008 vintage; that year's Cuvée Blanc won Best in Class at the 2011 San Francisco Wine Competition.
Current releases include Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, a 2022 Mount Veeder '15th Anniversary' Cabernet, Merlots from the Oak Knoll District and Los Carneros, and the Cuvée Blanc, sold online and through a wine club. Greyscale lists a post office box in Napa and no tasting room, so it does not receive visitors. The day below visits family wineries around the city of Napa that do host.
Tasting Fees
Greyscale 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
Napa
AVA
Napa Valley
Visiting
Greyscale Wines does not receive visitors; its wines are sold online and through its wine club.
Known For
Bordeaux-style wines: Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and the Cuvée Blanc of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon
Founded
2008 (first barrel made in 2006)
Good to Know
Wines are sold through the online store and wine club, with a mailing list for news. Office: 925-255-5187.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Carneros Resort and Spa or Andaz Napa.
10:00 · Pickup at Carneros Resort and Spa or Andaz Napa
Since Greyscale does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. Carneros Resort and Spa, among the vineyards of Los Carneros, is about 15 minutes from the first stop, and Andaz Napa, a boutique Hyatt hotel in downtown Napa, is about 10 minutes away. The day runs about six hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Encanto Vineyards
About 15 minutes away. A Mexican-American family winery founded by a vineyard manager from Michoacán, with small, personal tastings and barrel sessions in its south Napa tasting room. The Tasting Room Flight is $55 and the Signature Winery Tour & Tasting $75, about 90 minutes. By reservation; days and hours are confirmed when we book.
12:05 · Lunch at Bistro Don Giovanni
About 15 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.
1:25 · Olney Family Vineyards
About 10 minutes away. A family vineyard and cave winery on Dry Creek Road in the Oak Knoll District, where the visit is a tour of the vines, the cave and the cellar. The tour and tasting is $30 per person ($60 minimum per group); we allow about an hour. By appointment, arranged by phone.
2:45 · Tobias Vineyards
About 15 minutes away. Howell Mountain Cabernet from Toby and Dawn Forman's hand-farmed estate, poured at a private Estate Experience in downtown Napa. The fee is $200 per couple, fully waived with a six-bottle purchase of the Howell Mountain Cabernet; we plan about an hour. By request through the winery; we arrange it on your behalf.
3:45 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:00 p.m., six hours after pickup.
About $185 to $205 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Encanto, Olney and Tobias set their times when we book, so the order may shift. 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 Greyscale Wines?
No. Greyscale has no tasting room and does not host visitors, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at nearby wineries that do.
How can I buy Greyscale wine?
Through the online store linked from greyscalewines.com or by joining the wine club.
Who owns Greyscale Wines?
Jean and Larry Rowe, who established it in 2008.
Who makes Greyscale wine?
Kian Tavakoli, formerly of Opus One and Clos du Val, where he ran the reserve red wine program.
What is Greyscale known for?
Bordeaux-style Napa Valley wines, especially its Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon and the Cuvée Blanc, a blend of barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.
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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