Oakville · Napa Valley
Visit Kelham with a Private Chauffeur
An Oakville family label that holds its Cabernet in the cellar for years and releases it only when it is ready to drink. Kelham 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
Kelham was founded in 1998 by the Kelham family, Decanter reports, around one signature habit championed by patriarch Rawson Kelham: releasing the wines only when they are ready to drink, even if that takes a decade. Founder and winemaker Ron Nicholsen now leads what the winery calls the next generation of Kelham.
The heart of the range is Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville's gravelly benchlands, alongside Cabernet Franc, Merlot, red blends, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Nicholsen counts Ric Forman and Cain's Chris Howell among his mentors. Current releases reach back more than a decade, such as the 2014 Estate and 2015 Reserve Oakville Cabernets, and Decanter put current prices at $125 to $350.
The wines are sold through the winery's website and its membership, which offers two-day shipping year-round, control over your allocation and wines available only through the estate. Kelham does not list a tasting room or public visits. The day below visits three estates nearby that do host, two of them tied to Nicholsen's mentors.
Tasting Fees
Kelham does not offer public 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
Oakville
AVA
Oakville
Visiting
Kelham does not list a tasting room or public visits; the wines are sold online and through its membership.
Known For
Long-aged Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon, released when it is ready to drink
Founded
1998
Good to Know
Membership includes two-day shipping year-round and control over your allocation. Sign up, or use the contact form, on kelhamwines.com.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Rancho Caymus Inn or Bardessono.
10:00 · Pickup at Rancho Caymus Inn or Bardessono
Since Kelham does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do, starting with the mountain estate of Ric Forman, one of Ron Nicholsen's mentors. Rancho Caymus Inn is about 20 minutes from Forman and Bardessono about 30. The day below runs about six hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:30 · Forman Vineyard
About 25 minutes away. Winemaker Ric Forman's small estate on a ridge at the base of Howell Mountain, where a private seated tasting comes with a cave tour, 60 to 90 minutes. The fee is not published and is confirmed when the visit is arranged by email. By appointment, daily 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
12:00 · Lunch at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch
About 15 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.
1:20 · Miner Family Winery
About 15 minutes away. A winery in the eastern hills of Oakville with sweeping vineyard views and a 20,000-square-foot cave. The Private Vineyard Views Tasting, in the third-floor lounge or on the terrace with your own host, starts at $100, up to 90 minutes. Open Thursday to Monday, with limited availability Tuesday and Wednesday.
3:05 · Cain Vineyard & Winery at The Yount Room
About 12 minutes away. Decanter calls Chris Howell, another of Nicholsen's mentors, a Cain Five legend; Cain's Spring Mountain wines are poured at The Yount Room in Yountville. The Winery Focus flight ($50) can be devoted to Cain, with its wines poured side by side; we allow about an hour. Reserve ahead on Tock; open daily 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
4:05 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:15 p.m. in Yountville (about 4:25 p.m. to Rancho Caymus Inn).
About $150 per person in tasting fees for Miner and Cain at The Yount Room, plus Forman's fee, which is confirmed when the visit is arranged; each paid directly to the winery.
Miner has limited availability on Tuesday and Wednesday, so Thursday to Monday is easiest for this day, which runs a little 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
Can you visit Kelham?
Kelham does not list a tasting room or public visits, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at nearby estates that do host, including two tied to winemaker Ron Nicholsen's mentors.
How can I buy Kelham wine?
Through kelhamwines.com and the Kelham membership, which offers year-round two-day shipping and control over your allocation.
Who owns Kelham?
The Kelham family, who founded it in 1998; founder and winemaker Ron Nicholsen leads it today.
Where is Kelham?
Its Cabernets come from Oakville's gravelly benchlands, with some fruit from St. Helena. The winery does not publish a visitor address.
What is Kelham known for?
Releasing its Oakville Cabernet only after years of bottle age, so current releases include wines more than a decade old.
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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