Howell Mountain · Napa Valley
Visit Howell at the Moon with a Private Chauffeur
Marc Cohen's single-vineyard Howell Mountain Cabernet, tasted on a deck in the middle of his vines high above Angwin, and a suggested day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Marc Cohen first saw Napa Valley at a medical conference in 1982. After 27 years practicing urology at NYU Medical Center, he spent two years searching Howell Mountain and in 2000 bought a 21-acre parcel above Angwin that had had one owner since the 1920s, with a red brick farmhouse and old apple and walnut trees. He planted his first 3.5 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon the next spring.
Lillian's Vineyard, named for his mother, was laid out with soil scientist Daniel Roberts in the volcanic soils of the Howell Mountain AVA. In 2004 Cohen planted a second block, the Knoll, about 100 feet higher. Sarah Gott, who led winemaking at Joseph Phelps and Quintessa, made the first release in 2004; Timothy Milos is the winemaker, and the Piña family farms the vines. Tysie, a Jack Russell terrier, is on the label.
Visits are by appointment, made by calling or emailing Marc. The Napa Valley Vintners listing describes tastings outdoors on a deck in the middle of the Cabernet vineyard, or indoors by the fireplace in winter, with the owner or winemaker usually on hand, and says dogs are welcome. It is about as personal as a Napa visit gets, and the drive up the mountain is part of it.
Tasting Fees
Tasting fees to be verified upon reservation. The winery's site does not publish a fee; the Napa Valley Vintners listing describes tastings as complimentary.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
425 Cold Springs Road, Angwin
AVA
Howell Mountain
Visiting
By appointment only, made by phone (415-310-8628) or email (marc@howellatthemoonwine.com); we arrange it on your behalf. Days and hours are not published.
Known For
Single-vineyard Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, including the Knoll Vineyard bottling
Founded
2000 (property bought; first release 2004)
Good to Know
The Napa Valley Vintners listing says the winery is dog friendly and that tastings are outdoors on the vineyard deck, or by the fireplace in winter. Age and group-size policies are not published; we confirm them when booking.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 9:40 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Meadowood or Alila Napa Valley.
9:40 · Pickup at Meadowood or Alila Napa Valley
Bravante seats guests only at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., so the day starts there and reaches Howell at the Moon just before noon; that is why pickup is a little early. Meadowood, at the foot of Howell Mountain, is about 18 minutes from Bravante, and Alila Napa Valley in St. Helena about 25. The day runs about six and a half hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:00 · Bravante Vineyards
About 20 minutes away. A small family estate on Howell Mountain with a private tasting cave and a patio looking over the vines. The private Estate Tour and Tasting is $75, about 90 minutes, for up to 8 guests. By appointment daily, with seatings at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
11:45 · Howell at the Moon
About 10 minutes away. A tasting with Marc Cohen's Howell Mountain Cabernet, on the vineyard deck in good weather. The length is not published, so we allow about an hour. Tasting fees to be verified upon reservation.
1:10 · Lunch at The Charter Oak
About 25 minutes away. Lunch at The Charter Oak in St. Helena, a sit-down restaurant cooking over an open hearth, open daily from 11:30 a.m. (brunch from 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.
2:30 · Schweiger Vineyards
About 15 minutes away. A family estate high on Spring Mountain, where tastings are poured on the terrace or balcony with long views back over the valley (weather permitting). The Estate Tasting is $65, four current releases in about 75 to 90 minutes. By appointment only, daily from 10 a.m.; last tasting at 3:15 p.m.
3:50 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:10 p.m., about six and a half hours after pickup.
About $140 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery, plus any Howell at the Moon fee confirmed when we book.
Bravante's fixed seatings set the order of the day, and Schweiger's last tasting is at 3:15 p.m., so this day runs about six and a half hours; extra time is billed by the hour. Howell at the Moon sets appointments directly with the owner. 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
Do I need a reservation at Howell at the Moon?
Yes. Visits are by appointment only, made by phone or email with the owner. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Howell at the Moon?
The winery does not publish a fee, and the Napa Valley Vintners listing describes tastings as complimentary; tasting fees to be verified upon reservation, as of September 2026.
Who owns Howell at the Moon?
Marc Cohen, a retired New York urologist who bought the Howell Mountain property in 2000 and planted the vineyard himself.
Can I bring my dog to Howell at the Moon?
The Napa Valley Vintners listing describes the winery as dog friendly; we confirm when we book.
Where is Howell at the Moon?
At 425 Cold Springs Road in Angwin, high on Howell Mountain, about 25 minutes up from St. Helena.
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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