Stags Leap District · Napa Valley
Visit Ilsley with a Private Chauffeur
Four generations of Stags Leap District growers, whose grapes went into Robert Mondavi's first Cabernet. Ilsley 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
Ernest and June Ilsley began growing grapes in the Stags Leap area in 1954 as a retirement project, and in 1963 bought the 114-acre Downey Ranch, where grapes had been grown since the late 1800s. Ernie sold fruit to pioneering brands including Charles Krug and Robert Mondavi; the family says the first Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon contained Ilsley grapes. He was instrumental in establishing the Stags Leap AVA.
Third-generation siblings Ernie, David and Janice Ilsley started the Ilsley Vineyards label with a single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from the Downey Ranch estate. David has spent his career directing operations at neighboring Shafer Vineyards, and Ernie runs Ilsley Vineyard Management, which farms for other estates. Seis Primas, a blend first released in 2004 from six estate blocks, is named for the six girl cousins of the fourth generation.
Ilsley sells its Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Sauvignon and Seis Primas online, by phone and to its mailing list, which brings new-release updates and offers. The winery is not currently open to the public, according to the Stags Leap District Winegrowers, and its own site offers no tours or tastings. The day below takes you to three nearby estates that do welcome guests.
Tasting Fees
Ilsley 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
6275 Silverado Trail, Napa
AVA
Stags Leap District
Visiting
Ilsley Vineyards is not currently open to the public and does not offer tours or tastings.
Known For
Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon from the family's Downey Ranch
Founded
1954 (family began growing grapes)
Good to Know
Order online at ilsleyvineyards.com or by phone at (707) 815-5327, and join the mailing list there for new releases and special offers.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 9:45 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as North Block Hotel or Hotel Yountville.
9:45 · Pickup at North Block Hotel or Hotel Yountville
Since Ilsley does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do, including a Stags Leap District neighbor. North Block Hotel and Hotel Yountville are both in Yountville, about 6 minutes from the first stop, and pickup is at 9:45 for its 10 a.m. appointment. The day runs about seven hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:00 · Kapcsandy Family Winery
About 6 minutes away. A Hungarian-American family estate on the historic State Lane Vineyard, where the visit is a walk through the vineyard and winery followed by a seated tasting. $175, about two hours. By appointment, Tuesday to Saturday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; parties of 2 to 6, 21 and over.
12:10 · Lunch at Mustards Grill
About 8 minutes away. Lunch at Mustards Grill on Highway 29 just north of Yountville, a Napa Valley favorite for more than 40 years, open daily for lunch. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
1:30 · Robinson Family Vineyards
About 15 minutes away. A Stags Leap District family estate built against the rocky Palisades, where a member of the Robinson family hosts every visit. The private tour and seated tasting of four current releases is $65, about an hour and 15 minutes. By appointment, Tuesday to Saturday, until 2:45 p.m.
3:05 · HdV Wines
About 20 minutes away. Hyde de Villaine, a winery with Burgundian heritage, pouring private, education-focused tastings inside its winery on Trancas Street. $75 for current releases, from 90 minutes, Monday to Saturday by appointment, paid in advance.
4:35 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:50 p.m., about seven hours after pickup.
About $315 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Kapcsandy and Robinson host Tuesday to Saturday, so plan this day for one of those days. It runs about seven hours, back by about 4:50 p.m.
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 Ilsley?
No. Ilsley Vineyards is not currently open to the public and offers no tours or tastings, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at nearby Stags Leap and Yountville estates that do host.
How can I buy Ilsley wine?
Online at ilsleyvineyards.com or by phone at (707) 815-5327. Joining the mailing list brings new-release updates and special offers.
Who owns Ilsley Vineyards?
The Ilsley family. Third-generation siblings Ernie, David and Janice Ilsley run it with their spouses.
Where is Ilsley Vineyards?
On the Silverado Trail in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley, on the family's Downey Ranch.
What is Ilsley known for?
Estate Cabernet Sauvignon from the Downey Ranch, and Seis Primas, a blend named for the six cousins of the fourth generation.
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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