Atlas Peak · Napa Valley
Visit Kongsgaard with a Private Chauffeur
The family behind The Judge, one of California's most sought-after Chardonnays, made by hand with old-fashioned methods. Kongsgaard 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
John and Maggy Kongsgaard, fifth-generation Napa natives, founded the winery in 1996 with a first vintage from the Judge vineyard, planted to Chardonnay in the 1970s. John had made wine at Newton Vineyards for more than a decade. Their son Alex Kongsgaard and Evan Frazier later joined as winemaking partners, and production stays at what the three can make by hand.
The Judge, named for John's father Thomas Kongsgaard, a Napa County Superior Court judge, comes from a small vineyard on shallow volcanic soil in Coombsville and is one of the most sought-after Chardonnays in California. The New York Times critic Eric Asimov wrote that Kongsgaard consistently makes the best Chardonnay in California. The family also makes Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and white blends from low-yield vineyards.
The wines are sold mainly through an annual mailing list offer in September and to fine restaurants around the world. Kongsgaard is not open to the public, so the estate on Atlas Peak Road does not receive visitors. The day below takes you to three sought-after estates in the same eastern hills and Coombsville that do.
Tasting Fees
Kongsgaard 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
4375 Atlas Peak Road, Napa
AVA
Atlas Peak
Visiting
Kongsgaard is "not open to the public" and does not offer tours or tastings.
Known For
The Judge Chardonnay, plus Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah
Founded
1996
Good to Know
Join the mailing list on kongsgaardwine.com; the main offer goes out each September. Orders: orders@kongsgaardwine.com or 707-226-2190.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Silverado Resort or Milliken Creek Inn.
10:00 · Pickup at Silverado Resort or Milliken Creek Inn
Since Kongsgaard does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. Silverado Resort, a golf and spa resort at the foot of Atlas Peak, is about 15 minutes from the first stop, and Milliken Creek Inn, an inn on the Napa River just off the Silverado Trail, about 20 minutes. The day runs about six and a half hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Sommras
About 15 minutes away. A members-focused estate at 1,700 feet on Atlas Peak that hosts small groups by invitation for long, unhurried visits. We send the request on your behalf and plan about 90 minutes; any fee is confirmed when the estate accepts.
12:05 · Seven Apart
About 20 minutes away. A Cabernet house with a mountaintop vineyard on Atlas Peak, hosting a tour of its Base Camp on the Silverado Trail and a seated tasting of the estate Cabernets with paired cheeses, about 90 minutes. By reservation, mainly for allocation members; the fee is confirmed when we book.
1:50 · Lunch at Bistro Don Giovanni
About 12 minutes away. Lunch at Bistro Don Giovanni, an Italian restaurant among the vineyards on Howard Lane, a valley favorite for more than 30 years, open daily 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.
3:10 · Favia
About 20 minutes away. Viticulturist Annie Favia and winemaker Andy Erickson's home winery on a historic Coombsville property restored with native plants and orchards and farmed with organic and biodynamic methods. Any fee is confirmed when the appointment is set (allow about an hour). By appointment, Thursday to Monday.
4:10 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:25 p.m., about six and a half hours after pickup.
Sommras, Seven Apart and Favia do not publish tasting fees; each is confirmed when the visit is booked and paid directly to the winery.
Sommras hosts by invitation and Seven Apart mainly hosts allocation members, so we send requests early and suggest other Atlas Peak or Silverado Trail estates if needed. Favia hosts Thursday to Monday. Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting.
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 Kongsgaard?
No. Kongsgaard is not open to the public and does not offer tastings, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at nearby estates that do host.
How can I buy Kongsgaard wine?
Join the mailing list on kongsgaardwine.com; the wines are offered mainly once a year in September and also appear on fine restaurant wine lists.
Who owns Kongsgaard?
John and Maggy Kongsgaard, with their son Alex Kongsgaard, who makes the wine with John and partner Evan Frazier.
Where is Kongsgaard?
On Atlas Peak Road in the hills east of Napa; The Judge comes from the family's vineyard in Coombsville.
What is Kongsgaard's most famous wine?
The Judge Chardonnay, named for John's father, Napa County Superior Court judge Thomas Kongsgaard.
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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