Calistoga · Napa Valley
Visit Helena View Johnston with a Private Chauffeur
A small, dry-farmed organic estate at the quiet north end of Napa Valley, where the winemaker walks you through the vines, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Charles Johnston, the owner and winemaker, started building his winery on the edge of a forested hill north of Calistoga in 1988, and the first vintage of estate Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon followed in 1992. The name joins the views of nearby Mount St. Helena with the family name, and Margrit Mondavi gave her input on it. For three decades the winery was largely a one-man operation.
The estate vineyards are dry-farmed and have been certified organic by CCOF since 1992, which the winery says made it one of the first in Napa Valley to be fully certified. Beyond Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, Johnston planted a small block of Marselan in 2021, a cross of Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache developed in France in 1961 and still rare in California.
The 2017 Tubbs Fire destroyed the winery, cellar and surrounding buildings and damaged about 30 percent of the vines. The family replanted the vineyards first and is now rebuilding the winery. Visits are by appointment only: a guided walking tour of the estate and a tasting led by the winemaker, in a corner of the valley where the hills close in and the crowds thin out.
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
3500 Highway 128, Calistoga
AVA
Calistoga
Visiting
By appointment only. Visits are a guided estate tour and tasting led by the winemaker, requested by email (visit@helenaview.com); we arrange it on your behalf.
Known For
Organic, dry-farmed estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Marselan
Founded
1988 (first vintage 1992)
Good to Know
Appointments must be arranged in advance. The visit is a walking tour of the estate vineyards, so wear comfortable shoes. The winery building is being rebuilt after the 2017 Tubbs Fire.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Calistoga Motor Lodge or Indian Springs.
10:00 · Pickup at Calistoga Motor Lodge or Indian Springs
Both hotels are in downtown Calistoga, about 8 minutes south of Helena View Johnston. Indian Springs is a historic resort built around a mineral pool, and Calistoga Motor Lodge is a spa hotel a few blocks away. The winery sets the appointment time, and pickup moves with it. The day below runs about six and a quarter hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Helena View Johnston Vineyards
A guided walking tour of the organic estate vineyards and a tasting led by the winemaker, by appointment only. We allow about 90 minutes. Tasting fees to be verified upon reservation.
12:00 · Spire Collection
About 8 minutes away. A gated Jackson Family estate on Bennett Lane in north Calistoga, pouring wines from the family's estates around the world. The Seated Tasting is $75 for five wines chosen around your preferences, prepaid; we allow about an hour. By appointment, with reservation times from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
1:15 · Lunch at Solbar
About 10 minutes away. Lunch at Solbar, the restaurant at Solage in Calistoga, serving lunch Monday through Saturday from 11:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:45 · Phifer Pavitt Wine
About 10 minutes away. A family estate on the Silverado Trail born from a weekly date night, with tastings in its Winery and Tasting Barn. The current release tasting is $95, waived with three bottles of the Cabernet; we allow about 75 minutes. By appointment only, and space is very limited.
4:00 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:15 p.m., about six and a quarter hours after pickup.
About $170 per person in tasting fees for Spire Collection and Phifer Pavitt, plus the Helena View Johnston fee, to be verified upon reservation; paid directly to each winery.
Solbar serves lunch Monday to Saturday, so plan this day for Monday through Saturday; on a Sunday we book another sit-down restaurant in Calistoga. Helena View sets its appointment time, and we adjust the day around it.
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 Helena View Johnston?
Yes. Visits are by appointment only and must be arranged in advance. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Helena View Johnston?
Tasting fees to be verified upon reservation; the winery does not publish a fee online, as of September 2026.
What is Helena View Johnston known for?
Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc from dry-farmed vineyards certified organic by CCOF since 1992, plus a small planting of Marselan, a grape still rare in California.
Who owns Helena View Johnston?
Charles Johnston, the founder, owner and winemaker, who began building the winery in 1988.
What happened to the winery in the 2017 fire?
The Tubbs Fire destroyed the winery, cellar and surrounding buildings and damaged about 30 percent of the vines. The family replanted the vineyards first and is rebuilding the winery.
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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