Calistoga · Napa Valley
Visit Laura Michael with a Private Chauffeur
A small, family-run Calistoga winery at the top of the Silverado Trail, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Laura Swanton bought this Calistoga winery estate from the Traulsen family in 1999, after a career as a sales specialist at Cisco Systems in San Jose. Michael Swanton joined in 2006, bringing nearly two decades in power generation, and today he runs the vineyard. Many longtime visitors know the winery by its earlier name, Zahtila Vineyards.
This is a truly hands-on operation, and the couple sums it up simply: they do it all. The focus is small lots of Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, including Zinfandel from the estate vineyard planted in 1996 and a Calistoga Cabernet from Barlow Vineyards, about three miles south. The winery is Napa Green certified.
Visits are small and personal, set around the winery's gardens. You choose between a white-based flight and a red-based flight, and the lineup can include Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, a dry rosé of Zinfandel and Laura's Theme, a dessert wine made from estate Zinfandel and Calistoga Petite Sirah. Two resident dogs greet guests at the door.
Tasting Fees
$25 per person for a tasting, with a choice of a white-based or a red-based flight. The fee is waived with the purchase of two bottles of red wine.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
2250 Lake County Highway, Calistoga
AVA
Calistoga
Visiting
Open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. by advance reservation; book a few days ahead, or call for a same-day appointment. Closed on major holidays.
Known For
Small-lot Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, plus Chardonnay
Founded
1999 (estate purchased by Laura Swanton)
Good to Know
Groups larger than 8 are hard to host indoors, so larger parties should call ahead. Dogs are not permitted; the winery has two resident greeter dogs. Closed New Year's Day, Easter, the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Solage or Indian Springs Calistoga.
10:00 · Pickup at Solage or Indian Springs Calistoga
Stay close and the tasting starts right away. Solage, an Auberge resort with its own mineral pools and spa on the Silverado Trail, is about 6 minutes from Laura Michael Wines, and Indian Springs Calistoga, a historic spa resort with thermal mineral pools and mud baths on Lincoln Avenue, is about 5 minutes away. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Laura Michael Wines
A white or red flight in the gardens ($25), waived with the purchase of two bottles of red. Plan on about an hour.
11:30 · Tank Garage Winery
About 5 minutes away. A tasting room in a restored 1930s service station on Foothill Boulevard. The standard tasting is $40 and lasts 50 to 65 minutes. By reservation; guests under 21 must be with an adult.
12:45 · Lunch at Solbar
About 4 minutes away. Lunch at Solbar, the restaurant at Solage, with indoor and patio seating. Lunch is served Monday through Saturday, with brunch on Sunday. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:05 · Schramsberg Vineyards
About 9 minutes away. A sparkling wine house on Diamond Mountain with historic caves. The Classic Tasting Only experience is $70 (about an hour); the Cave Tour with Classic Tasting is $100. By appointment only; all guests must be 21.
3:10 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 3:20 p.m., well within six hours of pickup, which leaves room for the optional stop below.
Optional: Romeo Vineyards & Cellars
Adds about an hour. A tasting room in an 1800s carriage house in downtown Calistoga, shaded by old redwoods and cedars. Walk-ins are welcome for parties under 6 as space allows ($30, waived with a two-bottle purchase); final tasting at 5 p.m.
About $135 to $165 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Schramsberg's tasting-only visit is seated outdoors from May through October for up to four guests; larger parties should book the Cave Tour with Classic Tasting ($100) instead.
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 Laura Michael?
Yes. Visits are by advance reservation, ideally a few days ahead, and same-day appointments may be possible by phone. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Laura Michael?
$25 per person for a white-based or red-based flight, waived with the purchase of two bottles of red wine, as of September 2026.
Who owns Laura Michael Wines?
Laura and Michael Swanton. Laura bought the Calistoga estate in 1999, and Michael joined in 2006 and manages the vineyard.
What is Laura Michael Wines known for?
Small-lot Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, including Zinfandel from its estate vineyard planted in 1996, along with Chardonnay and a Zinfandel-based dessert wine called Laura's Theme.
Can I bring my dog to Laura Michael?
No. The winery has two resident greeter dogs and asks guests to leave pets at home or at the hotel.
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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