Soda Canyon · Napa Valley
Visit Hertelendy with a Private Chauffeur
An ultra-small mountain Cabernet house with Hungarian roots, tasted privately in an underground winery above the Stags Leap District, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Hertelendy Vineyards carries forward a family winemaking tradition that began in Central Europe in the 18th century, when the Hertelendy family grew Grüner Veltliner and Welschriesling, and later Great Uncle Gábor tended vines on the volcanic basalt slopes above Lake Balaton in Hungary. Founder and vintner Ralph Hertelendy started with a basement vintage; consulting winemaker Phillip Corallo-Titus now works with him.
The estate is Rockwell Ridge Vineyard, a little over four acres at 1,365 feet on volcanic tuff, about 35 feet below the Howell Mountain AVA line. Hertelendy calls itself a co-founder of the Crystal Springs of Napa Valley AVA, where the vineyard sits. The winery makes about 650 cases a year: Cabernet Sauvignon, the Audēre red blend, the Signature mountain blend and Chardonnay.
Guests do not taste at the vineyard. Private tastings are held at The Caves at Soda Canyon, an underground winery above the Stags Leap District with wide views over Napa Valley, where Hertelendy makes its wines; the visit includes a tour of the facility. Tastings are by appointment and prepaid, and we arrange the booking with the winery on your behalf.
Tasting Fees
$95 for the Private Tasting, with a tour of The Caves at Soda Canyon. $145 for the Connoisseur Tasting, with a cheese plate. $195 for the Vintner's Tasting Experience, led by Ralph Hertelendy when he is available. The winery does not publish durations; we plan about an hour.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
2275 Soda Canyon Road, Napa
AVA
Crystal Springs of Napa Valley
Visiting
Private tastings by appointment at The Caves at Soda Canyon, not at the Crystal Springs vineyard. Prepaid; no same-day requests. We arrange it on your behalf.
Known For
About 650 cases a year of mountain Cabernet Sauvignon and red blends from Rockwell Ridge Vineyard in the Crystal Springs of Napa Valley AVA
Founded
Founded by Ralph Hertelendy
Good to Know
Reservations are limited and must be made ahead; same-day requests cannot be accommodated. The fee is prepaid, with a non-refundable 48-hour cancellation policy. One tasting fee is waived with a purchase of 12 or more bottles.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Silverado Resort or Milliken Creek Inn.
10:00 · Pickup at Silverado Resort or Milliken Creek Inn
Silverado Resort, the golf and spa resort at the foot of Atlas Peak, is about 10 minutes from The Caves at Soda Canyon, and Milliken Creek Inn, a small inn on the Napa River off the Silverado Trail, is about 15 minutes away. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Hertelendy Vineyards
The Private Tasting at The Caves at Soda Canyon, with a tour of the underground winery ($95, prepaid). We plan about an hour; the Connoisseur Tasting ($145) adds a cheese plate.
11:30 · Shafer Vineyards
About 12 minutes away. A hillside estate in the Stags Leap District, home of Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon. The 90-minute tasting is $140. By appointment, Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
1:15 · Lunch at R+D Kitchen
About 12 minutes away. Lunch at R+D Kitchen on Washington Street in Yountville, which serves lunch daily from 11:30 a.m. (11 a.m. on weekends). Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:40 · Ackerman Family Vineyards
About 18 minutes away. A small Coombsville Cabernet house whose Stonehaven Vineyard was the first in Coombsville to be certified organic, pouring at the Ackerman Heritage House just steps from downtown Napa. The Ackerman Tasting of current releases is $65; we allow about an hour. By reservation, Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
3:45 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:00 p.m., six hours after pickup.
About $300 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
This day suits Tuesday to Friday, when both Shafer and Ackerman host; on other days we swap in another Stags Leap or Coombsville estate.
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 Hertelendy?
Yes. Tastings are by appointment only, prepaid, and same-day requests cannot be accommodated. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Hertelendy?
$95 per person for the Private Tasting, $145 for the Connoisseur Tasting and $195 for the Vintner's Tasting Experience, as of September 2026.
Where do you taste Hertelendy wines?
At The Caves at Soda Canyon, an underground winery above the Stags Leap District with views over Napa Valley. The estate vineyard itself, Rockwell Ridge in the Crystal Springs of Napa Valley AVA, is not open for visits.
How much wine does Hertelendy make?
About 650 cases a year, mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and red blends from its high-elevation estate.
Who owns Hertelendy Vineyards?
Founder and vintner Ralph Hertelendy, whose family's winemaking roots go back to 18th-century Central Europe and Hungary.
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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