Stags Leap District · Napa Valley
Visit Malk Family Vineyards with a Private Chauffeur
A tiny family estate tucked under the volcanic Stags Leap Palisades in an old oak grove, with visits by appointment, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Brian Malk's family farmed wine in Franschhoek, near Cape Town, almost a century ago. Twenty years after moving to the United States in 1978, he and his wife Nancy went looking for a vineyard of their own, and in 1998 they bought this property at the foot of the palisades in the Stags Leap District. Robbie Meyer has been their winemaker from day one.
The estate covers 11 acres at the base of the volcanic Stags Leap Palisades. Two acres of vines sit along the western edge, then the land climbs steeply into a grove of black and live oaks, with terraces planted to drought-tolerant California and South African plants. Solar panels, owl boxes, bat houses and beehives are part of the farming, and total production is under 1,000 cases.
The lineup is small: the SLD Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, a Fort Ross-Seaview Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, a rosé of Pinot Noir and the Staffordshire Reserve, named for Griffin, the family's Staffordshire Bull Terrier, who still graces the labels. Visits are by appointment only, arranged through the winery's sales director, and we set it up for you.
Tasting Fees
Tasting fees to be verified upon reservation.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
5850 Silverado Trail, Napa
AVA
Stags Leap District
Visiting
By appointment only. Visits are arranged by phone (707-690-1227) or email with James Nieves, the winery's director of sales; we arrange it on your behalf. Days and times are confirmed by the winery.
Known For
Stags Leap District estate Cabernet Sauvignon and the Staffordshire Reserve
Founded
1998 (property purchased)
Good to Know
Production is under 1,000 cases, and some wines are released only to the wine club. Fees, ages, group size and pet policy are not published and are confirmed when the visit is set.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Silverado Resort or Bardessono.
10:00 · Pickup at Silverado Resort or Bardessono
Silverado Resort, a golf and spa resort at the foot of Atlas Peak, is about 15 minutes from Malk Family Vineyards, and Bardessono, a spa hotel in Yountville, about 10 minutes away. The day below fits about six hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Malk Family Vineyards
A visit by appointment at the estate under the palisades. The format and fee are set when the winery confirms; we plan about an hour.
11:30 · Paraduxx
About 8 minutes away. Duckhorn's red-blend winery on the Silverado Trail, built around a 10-sided fermentation house modeled on old round barns. The seated Duckhorn Vineyards Flight is $50 for 60 to 75 minutes. Reservations required; last seated tasting at 3 p.m.
12:55 · Lunch at Brix
About 12 minutes away. Lunch at Brix on Highway 29 near Yountville, a sit-down restaurant beside its own gardens and vineyard, serving lunch from 11:30 a.m. (closed Tuesday). Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:15 · Perliss Estate
About 20 minutes away. Estate Cabernet, Sémillon and amphora-aged wines by winemaker Aaron Pott, poured at Blackbird Vineyards' tasting room on Latour Court in south Napa. $80 to $110; we allow about an hour. By reservation for parties of 1 to 8.
3:20 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 3:40 p.m., well within six hours of pickup.
About $130 to $160 per person for Paraduxx and Perliss Estate, plus Malk's fee, which is confirmed when the appointment is set.
Malk confirms its appointment time, and we build the day around it. Brix is closed on Tuesday, so on that day we choose another lunch spot. Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting.
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 Malk Family Vineyards?
Yes. Visits are by appointment only, arranged with the winery by phone or email. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Malk Family Vineyards?
Malk does not publish a tasting fee; tasting fees to be verified upon reservation, as of September 2026.
Who owns Malk Family Vineyards?
Brian and Nancy Malk, who bought the Stags Leap District property in 1998. Winemaker Robbie Meyer has made the wines since the beginning.
Who is on the Malk label?
Griffin, the family's Staffordshire Bull Terrier, who appeared on the first wines and still graces every vintage; the Staffordshire Reserve is named for him.
What wines does Malk make?
An SLD Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, a Fort Ross-Seaview Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, a rosé of Pinot Noir and the Staffordshire Reserve, under 1,000 cases in all.
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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