St. Helena · Napa Valley
Visit Lithology with a Private Chauffeur
A small estate at the foot of Howell Mountain making single-vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet in a historic stone winery, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Alejandro P. Bulgheroni, an Argentine rancher and energy engineer, began pursuing wine and terroir in 2007. In 2014 he bought a 13-acre site at the foot of Howell Mountain and named it Lithology, the study of rocks, a nod to his background in geology. Michel Rolland and Philippe Melka set up the winemaking, and Matt Sands has made every vintage since 2015.
The collection is built on single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from three Beckstoffer vineyards (To Kalon in Oakville, and Las Piedras and Dr. Crane in St. Helena), joined from the 2023 vintage by Steltzner Vineyard in the Stags Leap District. A flagship cuvée named for the founder is blended from the best barrels of each vintage, a small estate block grows Sauvignon Blanc, and two Napa Valley wines, a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Cabernet Franc, round out the list. In the winery's words, the vineyard leads and the winemaking follows.
The land was part of the 1841 Carne Humana land grant. Jim and Nina Talcott planted the first vines here in 1975 and built the stone winery that still stands, which later became the first home of H. William Harlan's Promontory and The Napa Valley Reserve. Today each visit is a hosted, seated tasting for your party of 2 to 8, about 90 minutes, with a small food pairing.
Tasting Fees
$175 for The Estate Experience, a seated tasting of single-vineyard and small-production wines with a small food pairing, about 90 minutes.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
500 Meadowood Lane, St. Helena
AVA
Napa Valley
Visiting
Open daily, with tastings starting between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Prepaid reservations are required, on Tock or by phone.
Known For
Single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Beckstoffer To Kalon, Las Piedras and Dr. Crane, and an Estate Sauvignon Blanc
Founded
2014 (first vines on the site planted in 1975)
Good to Know
Guests must be 21 or over. Parties of 2 to 8; larger groups arrange their visit by phone or email. Only service animals are allowed.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 9:45 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Meadowood Napa Valley or Alila Napa Valley.
9:45 · Pickup at Meadowood Napa Valley or Alila Napa Valley
Lithology's first tasting of the day is at 10 a.m., so we pick up at 9:45. Meadowood Napa Valley, a 250-acre resort estate, shares Meadowood Lane with Lithology and is about 3 minutes away, and Alila Napa Valley, an adults-only hotel on Main Street in St. Helena, is about 8 minutes away. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:00 · Lithology
The Estate Experience, about 90 minutes ($175): a seated tasting of single-vineyard and small-production wines with a small food pairing. Later start times run until about 2:30 p.m.
11:50 · Keenan Winery
About 20 minutes away. Across the valley and up to 1,700 feet in the Spring Mountain District, a family winery founded in 1974 around a restored 1904 stone winery. The estate tasting is $50, about 75 minutes, and the fee applies to a purchase of $50 or more. By appointment; well-behaved dogs are welcome.
1:20 · Lunch at Brasswood Bar + Kitchen
About 15 minutes away. Back down the mountain to Brasswood Bar + Kitchen on Highway 29 north of St. Helena, open daily from 11:30 a.m., with a patio looking over the vineyards. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:35 · Failla Wines
About 8 minutes away. On the Silverado Trail north of St. Helena, Failla pours limited-production single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The seated Lodge Tasting of about five wines is $65 and takes about an hour. By reservation, with start times from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
3:35 · Back to your hotel
Back by 3:45 p.m., six hours after pickup.
Optional: Romeo Vineyards & Cellars
Adds about an hour. About 12 minutes north of Failla, a tasting room on Lincoln Avenue in downtown Calistoga and home of Sempre Vive wines. Walk-ins are welcome when space allows for groups under 6 (6 or more need a reservation). Tastings are $30, waived with a two-bottle purchase; last tasting at 5 p.m.
About $290 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. The fourth stop is there if the day allows.
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 Lithology?
Yes. Prepaid reservations are required for parties of 2 to 8, and larger groups arrange their visit by phone or email. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Lithology?
$175 per person for The Estate Experience, about 90 minutes with a small food pairing, as of September 2026.
Can children visit Lithology?
No. The estate cannot host guests under 21, and only service animals are allowed.
Who owns Lithology?
Its founder, Alejandro P. Bulgheroni, an Argentine rancher and energy engineer who bought the estate in 2014. Matt Sands is winemaker and general manager.
What is Lithology known for?
Single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Beckstoffer's To Kalon, Las Piedras and Dr. Crane vineyards, crowned by a flagship cuvée named for the founder.
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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