Oak Knoll District · Napa Valley
Visit J Gregory with a Private Chauffeur
A private, sit-down tasting with the small-lot Cabernet of Mark Jessup, a Napa native who helped make the early Opus One wines, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Mark Jessup started as a cellar worker at Inglenook during the 1978 harvest and joined the cellar team at Robert Mondavi Winery in 1980, where he worked on the Reserve Cabernets and the early Opus One wines. He launched Jessup Cellars in 1996, and in 2005 he and his wife Kandice, both Napa Valley natives, created J Gregory Cellars.
The label honors their son Jonathan Gregory Jessup, and the thumbprint on every bottle stands for Mark's four sons. Mark works with a small group of growers he has known for years: the Celebration Vineyard at the base of Mount George in Coombsville, Hidden Oaks in Wooden Valley, the Kasten Vineyard in the Oak Knoll District and organically farmed Madonna Vineyard Chardonnay from Carneros.
The visit is a private, sit-down tasting in a small wine lounge on El Centro Avenue in the Oak Knoll District, on the north side of Napa. It is by appointment every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the table is yours alone, so there is time to ask about the vineyards and Mark's years at Mondavi. Large formats and library wines are also offered.
Tasting Fees
$75 per person for the private sit-down tasting. The winery does not list a length; 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
1890 El Centro Avenue, Napa
AVA
Oak Knoll District
Visiting
By appointment only, daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 1890 El Centro Avenue in Napa. Booked by phone, text or email; we arrange it on your behalf.
Known For
Small-lot Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah from long-time grower vineyards
Founded
2005
Good to Know
Every tasting is a private, sit-down visit. Ages and group size are not published, so we confirm them when booking. Large formats and library selections are available to buy.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Milliken Creek Inn or Silverado Resort.
10:00 · Pickup at Milliken Creek Inn or Silverado Resort
Both are a short drive from El Centro Avenue: Milliken Creek Inn, on the Napa River off the Silverado Trail, is about 8 minutes away, and Silverado Resort, at the foot of Atlas Peak, about 12. The day below runs a little past six hours to catch Buoncristiani's 2:30 seating, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · J Gregory Cellars
The private sit-down tasting ($75), poured for your party alone. We allow about an hour.
11:35 · 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, between 10 a.m. and 2:45 p.m.
1:05 · Lunch at Mustards Grill
About 10 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.
2:30 · Buoncristiani Family Winery
About 20 minutes away. Three Napa-born brothers pour their wines in The Caves at Soda Canyon, an underground winery with sweeping views of the valley floor. The Signature Tour & Tasting is $85 for about 90 minutes, at the 2:30 p.m. seating. By reservation, requested at least a week ahead; adults only.
4:00 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:15 p.m., a quarter hour past six hours.
About $225 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Robinson Family hosts Tuesday to Saturday, so plan this day for those days. Buoncristiani asks for requests at least a week ahead, and its 2:30 seating brings you back about 15 minutes past six hours.
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 J Gregory?
Yes. Tastings are private and by appointment only, daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at J Gregory?
$75 per person for the private sit-down tasting, as of September 2026.
Who makes the J Gregory wines?
Founder and co-owner Mark Jessup, who began at Inglenook in 1978, spent 14 years at Robert Mondavi Winery and founded Jessup Cellars in 1996.
What does the J Gregory name mean?
It honors Mark and Kandice Jessup's son Jonathan Gregory Jessup. The thumbprint on the label stands for Mark's four sons.
Where is J Gregory?
At 1890 El Centro Avenue in Napa, in the Oak Knoll District AVA on the north side of town.
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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