Downtown Napa · Napa Valley
Visit KrisTodd with a Private Chauffeur
A three-acre jewel box of Howell Mountain Cabernet, poured at Vintner's Collective in downtown Napa, with private members' tastings hosted by Kristine and Tod, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Kristine and Tod Ratfield fell for Howell Mountain in 2010, when they rented a house surrounded by vineyards for a week and began wondering whether they could grow grapes there one day. They now live on a five-acre farm on Bell Canyon Road, on the west side of the mountain, where they tend an organic garden, ride the tractor and also run a law firm in Walnut Creek.
The three-acre vineyard sits between Beatty Ranch and O'Shaughnessy in the Howell Mountain AVA, planted in 2013 mostly to Cabernet Sauvignon clones 7 and 337 in rocky, iron-rich red volcanic soil with only 18 to 24 inches of topsoil. Jason Ray of Napa Select Vineyard Services farms it organically, though not certified, and Massimo Monticelli makes the wines, aged 22 to 30 months in new French oak.
The Ratfields showcase their wines at Vintner's Collective, a relaxed tasting room on Main Street in downtown Napa where you can drop in at the bar without a reservation or book a private tasting with a cheese and charcuterie plate. Wine club members can also arrange a private tasting with Kristine and Tod by appointment, given plenty of notice.
Tasting Fees
At Vintner's Collective: $50 for a bar tasting, no reservation needed, and $100 for a private tasting, with a cheese and aged charcuterie plate for $25 per person extra.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
1245 Main Street, Napa
AVA
Howell Mountain
Visiting
Poured at Vintner's Collective, 1245 Main Street, downtown Napa, open daily 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The bar tasting needs no reservation; the private tasting is by appointment. Wine club members can request a private tasting with Kristine and Tod, with plenty of advance notice.
Known For
Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, plus Sauvignon Blanc and a rosé of Cabernet
Founded
2013 (vineyard planted; the Ratfields first came to Howell Mountain in 2010)
Good to Know
Flights at Vintner's Collective come from its member wineries, so ask for KrisTodd when booking. Vintner's Collective generally allows 90 minutes for a seated tasting, and parties of 7 or more book by phone.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Andaz Napa or Archer Hotel Napa.
10:00 · Pickup at Andaz Napa or Archer Hotel Napa
Both hotels are in downtown Napa, close to Vintner's Collective, so we start in the Oak Knoll District about 12 minutes north and come back to town after the tasting room opens at 11. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Zeitgeist Cellars
About 12 minutes away. A husband-and-wife label from a former Spottswoode winemaker, pouring heritage whites, including Trousseau Gris, and vineyard-designate Cabernets in private tastings at Arrow&Branch in the Oak Knoll District. The Zeitgeist Tasting Experience is $85; we allow about an hour. By reservation.
11:35 · KrisTodd Vineyards
The private tasting at Vintner's Collective ($100), or a bar tasting ($50) if you prefer to drop in. We plan about an hour.
12:50 · 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.
2:25 · Altamura Vineyards & Winery
About 25 minutes away. A family ranch with caves and a stone winery in quiet Wooden Valley east of Napa, where the hosted tasting of four estate wines comes with a meat and cheese platter. $75; we allow about 75 minutes. By appointment, requested through the winery; weekend tastings are available.
3:40 · Back to your hotel
Back in downtown Napa by about 4:00 p.m., six hours after pickup.
About $210 to $260 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Altamura is by appointment through its request form, and Zeitgeist books on Tock; we confirm both before the day. Vintner's Collective is open daily.
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 KrisTodd?
Not for the bar. A bar tasting at Vintner's Collective needs no reservation; the private tasting and members' tastings with Kristine and Tod are by appointment. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at KrisTodd?
$50 for a bar tasting and $100 for a private tasting at Vintner's Collective, plus $25 per person for an optional cheese and charcuterie plate, as of September 2026.
Where is the KrisTodd vineyard?
On Bell Canyon Road on the western slopes of Howell Mountain, between Beatty Ranch and O'Shaughnessy.
Who owns KrisTodd Vineyards?
Kristine and Tod Ratfield, who live on the property.
Who makes KrisTodd wine?
Winemaker Massimo Monticelli; Jason Ray of Napa Select Vineyard Services farms the vineyard.
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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