Oakville · Napa Valley
Visit MacDonald with a Private Chauffeur
Fourth-generation growers of dry-farmed old-vine Cabernet in the historic To Kalon Vineyard. MacDonald 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
The MacDonald family's great-grandparents planted their first vines in Oakville in 1954. For about 60 years the family sold its grapes to Robert Mondavi, whose Reserve and early Opus One wines used them, and Mondavi called them the best grape growers in Napa Valley. Today brothers Alex and Graeme MacDonald, the fourth generation, farm the land and make the wine.
The 15 acres lie in the historic To Kalon Vineyard on the Oakville benchland at the foot of the Mayacamas, with Cabernet Sauvignon vines more than 70 years old, among the oldest plantings left in the valley. The vines are dry-farmed, organic and tended by hand, and the wine is made with native yeasts, only as much as the brothers can make with their own hands.
MacDonald sells its Cabernet through a mailing list and a members' site. The family gives a post office box in Oakville and publishes no tasting room or visiting program, so it does not receive visitors. The day below takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do.
Tasting Fees
MacDonald Vineyards 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
Oakville
AVA
Oakville
Visiting
MacDonald Vineyards does not receive visitors; it publishes no tasting program and lists only a post office box in Oakville.
Known For
Dry-farmed, old-vine To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon
Founded
Vines first planted in 1954
Good to Know
Join the mailing list at macdonaldvineyards.com/signup. Inquiries go to info@macdonaldvineyards.com or 707-225-7264.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Hotel Villagio or Napa Valley Lodge.
10:00 · Pickup at Hotel Villagio or Napa Valley Lodge
Since MacDonald does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. Hotel Villagio and Napa Valley Lodge, a boutique lodge at the north end of Yountville, are both about 15 minutes from the first stop west of St. Helena. The day runs about six and a half hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Sinegal Estate Winery
About 15 minutes away. The historic Inglewood Estate west of St. Helena, with a private lake, gardens and caves, where an Estate Ambassador leads each tasting. Estate tastings are $75 to $100, about 90 minutes, and fees are refunded with qualifying purchases. By reservation; days and times are confirmed when booking.
11:55 · J.H. Wheeler
About 8 minutes away. Single-vineyard Cabernet poured at Wheeler Farms, a historic St. Helena estate with organic culinary gardens and an olive grove. The Culinary Garden Walk and Tasting is $125, about 90 minutes. Open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. by reservation.
1:45 · Lunch at R+D Kitchen
About 18 minutes away. Lunch at R+D Kitchen, a relaxed Yountville spot with a sushi bar and a patio, open for lunch daily. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
3:05 · Institution Winery
About 8 minutes away. A small label made with winemaker Russell Bevan, poured in a relaxed room at HQ Winery on Hoffman Lane just outside Yountville. Tasting reservations are $75 to $200 depending on the wines; we plan about 75 minutes. By appointment for parties of one to six.
4:20 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:30 p.m., about six and a half hours after pickup.
About $275 to $300 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
Can you visit MacDonald Vineyards?
No. MacDonald has no tasting room and publishes no visiting program, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at nearby estates that do host.
How can I buy MacDonald wine?
Join the mailing list on macdonaldvineyards.com; members order through the family's site.
Who owns MacDonald Vineyards?
The MacDonald family. Brothers Alex and Graeme MacDonald, the fourth generation, run it today.
Where is MacDonald Vineyards?
In the historic To Kalon Vineyard on the Oakville benchland, at the foot of the Mayacamas Mountains.
What is MacDonald known for?
Dry-farmed Cabernet from vines more than 70 years old, grapes the family sold to Robert Mondavi for about 60 years, including for his Reserve and early Opus One.
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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