St. Helena · Napa Valley
Visit Karl Lawrence with a Private Chauffeur
A word-of-mouth Napa Cabernet label since 1991, poured at restaurants such as The French Laundry. Karl Lawrence 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
Vintner Ric Henry was born in Napa and came back to the valley to attend Pacific Union College in Angwin. After years of social work around the country, he returned to Napa Valley in 1990 and began making wine with a couple of barrels of basement Calistoga Zinfandel with his brother. Karl Lawrence Cellars has made Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon since 1991.
Over the years the label has bought grapes from vineyards such as Morisoli, Herb Lamb, Henry Brothers' Ranch, Healy, Stagecoach, Beckstoffer To Kalon and Dr. Crane. Since 2013 it has sourced from the Pocai Vineyard in Calistoga and the Fig Tree Vineyard at the base of Howell Mountain. Winemaker Bruce Devlin, who joined Ballentine Vineyards in 1999, makes the wine; after the 2020 fires the team chose not to make a Cabernet that year, and Anam Cara, Irish for "soul friend," is its first Reserve in more than a decade.
Karl Lawrence has run as a word-of-mouth winery for more than thirty years, putting the money into the wine rather than a heavy bottle, a showpiece facility or marketing staff. Orders go by email to Ric, and the wine is poured and sold at places such as The French Laundry, SingleThread, Goose & Gander and Sunshine Foods. There is no tasting room, so it does not receive visitors. The day below visits three St. Helena and Howell Mountain estates that do.
Tasting Fees
Karl Lawrence 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
Karl Lawrence Cellars has no tasting room or winery open to visitors. It sells its wine by email order and through restaurants and wine shops.
Known For
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, recently from the Pocai Vineyard in Calistoga
Founded
1991
Good to Know
Order by emailing ric@karllawrence.com. The website lists restaurants and shops that pour and sell the wine, from St. Helena to Southern California.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Meadowood or Alila Napa Valley.
10:00 · Pickup at Meadowood or Alila Napa Valley
Since Karl Lawrence does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. Meadowood, the resort at the foot of Howell Mountain, is about 8 minutes from the first stop, and Alila Napa Valley, a Hyatt resort in downtown St. Helena, about 10 minutes. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Chateau Boswell Winery
About 8 minutes away. A family winery founded in 1979 on the Silverado Trail north of St. Helena, with a hand-hewn stone winery; during your appointment your group is the only one on the property. Chateau Boswell does not publish a tasting fee; we confirm it when we book and allow about an hour. By appointment only.
11:40 · Robert Craig Winery
About 25 minutes away. A mountain Cabernet house with an estate vineyard at 2,300 feet on the summit of Howell Mountain. The Summit Experience, a guided tour and tasting at the estate, is $135 (refunded with a case purchase); we plan about 75 minutes. By appointment only, with limited reservations.
1:10 · Lunch at Forum at Meadowood
About 15 minutes away. Lunch at Forum, the main restaurant at Meadowood at the foot of Howell Mountain, with seasonal dishes drawn from the Meadowood farm. Lunch is served on weekdays, with brunch 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 · Red Thread Wines
About 15 minutes away. A small family winery near the top of Howell Mountain, where the tasting is poured in the vineyard under an old black walnut tree. The Private Wine Tasting with a vineyard and winery walk is $65, about 75 minutes (waived with a $150 purchase). By appointment only; closed Sundays.
3:45 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:05 p.m., about six hours after pickup.
About $200 per person in tasting fees for Robert Craig and Red Thread, plus Chateau Boswell's fee, which is confirmed when we book. Fees are paid directly to each winery.
Red Thread is closed Sundays, so plan this day for Monday to Saturday. Robert Craig's estate visits are limited and Chateau Boswell confirms its time when we book.
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 Karl Lawrence Cellars?
No. Karl Lawrence has no tasting room or winery open to visitors, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at nearby estates that do host.
How can I buy Karl Lawrence wine?
By emailing Ric Henry at ric@karllawrence.com, or at restaurants and shops listed on the winery's website, including The French Laundry and Sunshine Foods in St. Helena.
Who owns Karl Lawrence Cellars?
Vintner Ric Henry. Bruce Devlin is the winemaker.
Where does Karl Lawrence get its grapes?
Since 2013, from the Pocai Vineyard in Calistoga and the Fig Tree Vineyard at the base of Howell Mountain; earlier vintages came from vineyards such as Beckstoffer To Kalon and Dr. Crane.
What is Anam Cara?
Karl Lawrence's first Reserve in more than a decade, from the Pocai Vineyard. The name is Irish for "soul friend."
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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