Calistoga · Napa Valley
Visit Knighton with a Private Chauffeur
A replanted mountain vineyard on the Old Toll Road above Calistoga, with wines made at Vineyard 29. Knighton 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
Jim and Ann Knighton bought their property on the slopes of Mount St. Helena above Calistoga in 1999, with no plan to farm grapes. The first owners had carved vineyard blocks out of the hillside in the mid-1980s as Jericho Creek Vineyards, but no grapes were ever harvested and the land sat idle for more than a decade. After "mountain boredom set in," the Knightons began replanting in 2004.
The site of 50-plus acres runs between Jericho Creek and the Old Toll Road, built in 1867 to haul cinnabar ore down to the Calistoga railhead, with a 500-foot drop from north to south. Vineyard 29, led by Keith Emerson, makes the wines: the Reserve, LaCour and Ava Grace Cabernets. Antonio Galloni of Vinous gave the 2019 Reserve 96 points and wrote that Knighton "could be one of the best sites in Napa." A portion of Ava Grace sales goes to the March of Dimes.
The wines are sold through three clubs (Reserve, Vineyard and Ava Grace) and the mailing list, and past buyers and list members get first claim on the limited supply. Knighton does not list a tasting room or visits. The day below goes to three estates nearby that do host, including Vineyard 29, where the Knighton wines are made.
Tasting Fees
Knighton 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
Calistoga
AVA
Napa Valley
Visiting
Knighton does not list a tasting room or public visits; the wines are sold through its clubs, mailing list and website.
Known For
Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon (Reserve, LaCour and Ava Grace) from the slopes of Mount St. Helena
Founded
1999 (property bought; replanted from 2004)
Good to Know
Join the mailing list or a club (Reserve, Vineyard or Ava Grace) on knightonfamilyvineyards.com; past buyers and list members get first priority, and purchases may be limited.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Four Seasons Napa Valley or Calistoga Motor Lodge.
10:00 · Pickup at Four Seasons Napa Valley or Calistoga Motor Lodge
Since Knighton does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do, including Vineyard 29, where the Knighton wines are made. Four Seasons Napa Valley is about 8 minutes from the first stop and Calistoga Motor Lodge about 10. The day runs about six and a half hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Hourglass
About 8 minutes away. The Smith family's modern winery, designed by Olle Lundberg and built into the hillside at the Blueline estate on the Silverado Trail. Tastings are $150 for new guests, waived with three bottles per person; we allow about 75 minutes. By appointment only, arranged by email.
11:45 · Vineyard 29
About 15 minutes away. A St. Helena estate north of town, where the Signature Experience opens with a CRU wine, tours the winery and caves, then pours current Vineyard 29 and CRU releases with a seasonal, locally sourced spread. $110, 1.5 hours, by appointment.
1:30 · Lunch at Market
About 8 minutes away. Lunch at Market, an American restaurant in a historic brick and stone building on Main Street in St. Helena, open for lunch Monday to Saturday from noon. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:45 · Ink Grade
About 10 minutes away. A Howell Mountain vineyard first planted in the 1870s, poured at the Heitz Cellar Home Ranch on Taplin Road, with a tour of the Stone Cellar before a seated tasting of five wines. Ink Grade: The Study of Mountain Terroir is $150, 90 minutes to 2 hours. By appointment, seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
4:15 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:40 p.m., about six and a half hours after pickup.
About $410 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries (Hourglass's $150 is waived with a three-bottle purchase per person), paid directly to each winery.
This day runs about six and a half hours with three long visits; extra time is billed by the hour. Market serves lunch Monday to Saturday; on Sunday we choose another St. Helena restaurant.
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 Knighton?
Knighton 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 Vineyard 29, where its wines are made.
How can I buy Knighton wine?
Through knightonfamilyvineyards.com, its Reserve, Vineyard and Ava Grace clubs, and the mailing list. Past buyers and list members get first priority.
Who owns Knighton Family Vineyards?
Jim and Ann Knighton, who bought the property in 1999.
Where is Knighton?
On the slopes of Mount St. Helena north of Calistoga, between Jericho Creek and the historic Old Toll Road. The winery does not publish a visitor address.
Who makes the Knighton wines?
Vineyard 29, under Keith Emerson, its president, CEO and director of winemaking.
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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