St. Helena · Napa Valley
Visit Hobel with a Private Chauffeur
A small family label of single-vineyard Napa Cabernet, named for a woodworking plane and made by winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown. Hobel 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
Hobel began with the 2009 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, made by co-owner Cameron Hobel with winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown. Hobel is Cameron's family name, and a hobel is also a woodworking plane, the tool craftsmen have used for centuries to smooth, balance and finish wood. The winery uses it as a picture of Brown's style: smooth, balanced wine that respects the fruit.
Brown also makes the wines for Schrader and for his own Rivers-Marie. Hobel bottles single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, mostly from small family vineyards around Calistoga, under woodworking names such as The Cut, The Joist and The Arris. Wine Spectator's James Molesworth wrote that in a crowded field for Napa Cabernet, "finding producers such as Hobel is a reward for the work."
Production is small, and the wines are sold through the winery's website and mailing list, with a three-bottle minimum order. Hobel has no tasting room of its own and does not offer public tastings, so the estate does not receive visitors. The day below visits three estates nearby that do host, two of them with wines by Thomas Rivers Brown.
Tasting Fees
Hobel 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
St. Helena
AVA
Napa Valley
Visiting
Hobel has no tasting room and does not offer public tastings; the wines are sold online and through its mailing list.
Known For
Single-vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon by Thomas Rivers Brown
Founded
2009 (first vintage)
Good to Know
Sign up on hobelwines.com for the mailing list. Online orders need at least three bottles, and buyers must be 21 or older.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 9:40 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Alila Napa Valley or Southbridge Napa Valley.
9:40 · Pickup at Alila Napa Valley or Southbridge Napa Valley
Since Hobel does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do, two of them with wines by Hobel's winemaker, Thomas Rivers Brown. Both hotels are in St. Helena, about 20 minutes from Calistoga, and we start at 9:40 for Rivers-Marie's 10 a.m. tasting. The day runs about six and a half hours, and extra time is added by the hour.
10:00 · Rivers-Marie
About 20 minutes away. Thomas Rivers Brown and Genevieve Marie Welsh's own winery on Foothill Boulevard, opened in 2020, pouring small-lot single-vineyard Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet. A seated tasting of current wines takes about 60 to 90 minutes; the fee is confirmed when the winery accepts the reservation. By advance reservation, with tastings at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.
11:35 · Crocker & Starr
About 20 minutes away. A small St. Helena estate where the visit starts with a glass of sparkling wine and a walk into the vineyard, then a seated tasting under the Garden Arbor. The Estate Vineyard Experience is $95, about 75 minutes, for groups of up to 6. By reservation.
1:05 · Lunch at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch
About 6 minutes away. Lunch at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch at the south end of St. Helena, a farm-to-table restaurant open daily for lunch 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.
2:30 · Schrader Cellars
About 15 minutes away. Celebrated To Kalon Cabernet, made by Thomas Rivers Brown and poured at the To Kalon Collective in Oakville. The Schrader Cellars Experience is $195 plus an 18% hospitality fee, five wines with small plates; we plan about 90 minutes. By reservation on Tock, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
4:00 · Back to your hotel
Back in St. Helena by about 4:20 p.m.
About $290 per person in tasting fees for Crocker & Starr and Schrader (plus Schrader's 18% hospitality fee), plus Rivers-Marie's fee, which is confirmed with the reservation; each paid directly to the winery.
We start at 9:40 to meet Rivers-Marie's 10 a.m. tasting, so the day runs about six and a half hours. Rivers-Marie confirms requests within one to two business days, so book a few days ahead.
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 Hobel?
No. Hobel has no tasting room and does not offer public tastings, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at nearby estates that do host, including two with wines by Hobel's winemaker.
How can I buy Hobel wine?
Through hobelwines.com and its mailing list. Online orders need at least three bottles.
Who owns Hobel?
Co-owner Cameron Hobel, whose family name the label carries. Thomas Rivers Brown has made the wine since the first vintage in 2009.
Where is Hobel?
The winery lists St. Helena as its home. Its single-vineyard Cabernets come mostly from small family vineyards around Calistoga.
What is Hobel known for?
Single-vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon by Thomas Rivers Brown, with woodworking names such as The Cut and The Arris. Wine Spectator's James Molesworth called finding producers such as Hobel "a reward for the work."
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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