Mount Veeder · Napa Valley
Visit Hess Persson Estates with a Private Chauffeur
The Hess family's Mount Veeder winery in a 1903 stone building, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Donald Hess, a Swiss entrepreneur and art collector, founded his winery on Mount Veeder in 1978 and opened it to the public in 1989 together with his contemporary art collection. Since 2021 it has been known as Hess Persson Estates, led by Sabrina and Timothy Persson.
The winery is set in a stone building from 1903, high in the Mayacamas Mountains above the town of Napa, with a garden courtyard and views across the vines. The art museum is closed through the end of 2026.
The wines are Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon under the Hess Collection, Lion Tamer and Panthera labels, plus a Small Block Series sold only at the winery. The drive up Redwood Road is part of the experience.
Tasting Fees
$40 for the Bar Tasting. $70 for the 90-minute Estate Tasting and $110 for the Reserve Estate Tasting. $250 for the ATV Vineyard Tour & Tasting.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
4411 Redwood Road, Napa
AVA
Mount Veeder
Visiting
Open Thursday to Monday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., last service at 3; closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Reservations recommended. The art museum is closed through the end of 2026.
Known For
Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon
Founded
1978
Good to Know
Guests must be 21 or older, including infants. Service dogs only. Online bookings take up to 6 guests; groups of 5 or more are asked to contact the winery.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a downtown Napa hotel such as Archer Hotel Napa or Andaz Napa, about 20 minutes from the winery.
10:00 · Pickup at Archer Hotel Napa or Andaz Napa
Stay close and the tasting starts right away. Archer Hotel Napa, a boutique hotel with a rooftop bar in downtown Napa, and Andaz Napa, a boutique Hyatt hotel in downtown Napa, are each about 20 minutes from Hess, up Redwood Road on Mount Veeder. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:30 · Hess Persson Estates
The Estate Tasting, about 90 minutes ($70).
12:25 · Trefethen Family Vineyards
About 25 minutes away, down the mountain. A family estate since 1968 around an 1886 wooden gravity-flow winery, the only one of its kind left in Napa Valley; its Chardonnay won the 1979 Wine Olympics. Winery flights are about an hour ($45). By reservation, 21 and over.
1:35 · Lunch at Mustards Grill
About 10 minutes away. Lunch at Mustards Grill on Highway 29, a Napa Valley institution open daily. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:45 · Laird Family Estate
About 11 minutes away. An elevated tasting room with views across the valley, where families, well-behaved pets and picnics are welcome. Flights are $50 to $60, waived with a wine purchase. By reservation.
3:50 · Back to your hotel
Back by 4:00 p.m., six hours after pickup.
Optional: Darioush
Adds about an hour. A winery inspired by ancient Persepolis, with columns and reflecting pools on the Silverado Trail. The Estate Bar Tasting takes walk-ins ($60, 45 minutes); open until 5 p.m.
About $165 to $175 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. This day works Thursday to Monday, when Hess is open.
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 Hess Persson Estates?
Reservations are recommended, and walk-ins may be available. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Hess?
$40 per person for the Bar Tasting, $70 for the Estate Tasting and $110 for the Reserve Estate Tasting, as of September 2026.
Is the Hess art collection open?
The art museum is closed through the end of 2026.
When is Hess open?
Thursday to Monday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Can children visit Hess?
No. Guests must be 21 or older, including infants.
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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