Calistoga · Napa Valley
Visit Lawer Estates with a Private Chauffeur
A family winery from Alaska's Lawer family that pours at its own restaurant and tasting room in downtown Calistoga, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
David and Betsy Lawer founded Lawer Estates after buying a former apple orchard in Franz Valley, in the Knights Valley hills above Calistoga. About twenty years ago a well-known viticulturist told them any land that grew apples that good would grow great grapes. Betsy is a third-generation Alaskan banker, and today she and her daughter Sarah run the family's Calistoga restaurant, Eight North.
The certified sustainable vineyard sits on volcanic soils fed by an underground volcanic reservoir, with a cool breeze coming through a creek gap on hot afternoons. It grows Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay, Viognier and Petite Sirah, and about half the crop is dropped each year. Winemaker Cary Gott leads the team, and the labels are designed like old stock certificates, a nod to the family's banking roots.
Visits happen at Eight North on Lincoln Avenue, in the former Brannan's space, where the family pours at a dedicated tasting area. You can taste a flight of Lawer Estates wines, or follow one grape from tart verjus to fresh juice to finished wine. The kitchen centers on a wood-fired grill and uses the estate's olive oil and verjus, and the list also features other Calistoga and Napa Valley producers.
Tasting Fees
$40 for The Stages of Grape Maturity, a guided tasting of verjus, fresh grape juice and finished wine (Viognier or Syrah), plus a late-harvest Chardonnay. $45 for the Lawer Estates Wine Flight of four estate wines. Allow about an hour. Wines are also poured by the glass, and food can be ordered to pair.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
1374 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga
AVA
Calistoga
Visiting
Pours at Eight North, the family's restaurant and tasting room at 1374 Lincoln Avenue in downtown Calistoga. Open Thursday through Monday from 11 a.m.; closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Walk-ins are welcome; reservations are recommended for larger groups.
Known For
Estate Syrah, Pinot Noir, Viognier and Chardonnay from the family's Knights Valley vineyard, plus estate verjus and grape juice
Founded
Family-owned; estate vineyard bought about two decades ago
Good to Know
Eight North welcomes children of all ages and has a Little Somm tasting of grape juice and verjus for young guests; wine is for guests 21 and over. The main dining room seats groups of up to 16. Wines can be bought to go.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:45 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Solage or Calistoga Motor Lodge. Eight North opens at 11 a.m., so the day starts a little later than usual.
10:45 · Pickup at Solage or Calistoga Motor Lodge
Eight North opens at 11 a.m., so pickup is set for 10:45. Solage, an Auberge resort with mineral pools on the Silverado Trail, is about 4 minutes from Eight North, and Calistoga Motor Lodge, a retro-style hotel with geothermal pools, is about 2 minutes away. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
11:00 · Lawer Estates
At Eight North on Lincoln Avenue. The Lawer Estates Wine Flight ($45) or The Stages of Grape Maturity ($40); allow about an hour.
12:10 · Envy Wines
About 7 minutes away. A Tubbs Lane estate founded in 2006 by winemaker Nils Venge and vintner Mark Carter, with a patio facing Old Faithful Geyser. Tastings are $35, waived with the purchase of two bottles; allow about an hour. By reservation; tastings are for guests 21 and over. Open Thursday to Monday, like Eight North.
1:20 · Lunch at Sam's Social Club
About 8 minutes away. Lunch at Sam's Social Club at Indian Springs Calistoga, open to the public, serving lunch Monday through Friday and brunch on weekends until 2:30 p.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:30 · Tedeschi Family Winery
About 5 minutes away. A small family winery making about 2,000 cases a year, and dog, kid and bike friendly. The Estate Tasting starts at $35 and runs 60 to 90 minutes. By appointment for 1 to 6 guests; same-day appointments are welcome.
4:00 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:15 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
Optional: Picayune Cellars
Adds about an hour. A downtown Calistoga tasting room and mercantile a short walk from Eight North. Walk-ins are welcome as space allows for the Classic Tasting, four wines seated ($35, about an hour). Last tasting about an hour before closing: 5 p.m. on weekdays, 6 p.m. on weekends.
About $110 to $115 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Eight North is closed Tuesday and Wednesday, so plan this day for Thursday through Monday. On weekends, Sam's Social Club serves brunch rather than lunch, until 2:30 p.m.
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 Lawer Estates?
No. Lawer Estates pours at Eight North in downtown Calistoga, which welcomes walk-ins, though reservations are recommended for larger groups. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Lawer Estates?
$40 per person for The Stages of Grape Maturity and $45 for the Lawer Estates Wine Flight, as of September 2026.
Where do I taste Lawer Estates wines?
At Eight North, the Lawer family's wine-focused restaurant and tasting room at 1374 Lincoln Avenue in downtown Calistoga, in the former Brannan's space. It is open Thursday through Monday from 11 a.m.
Can children visit Lawer Estates?
Yes. Eight North welcomes children of all ages and offers a Little Somm tasting of grape juice and verjus. Wine is poured only for guests 21 and over.
Who owns Lawer Estates?
The Lawer family. David and Betsy Lawer founded the winery, and Betsy and her daughter Sarah run Eight North.
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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