Pritchard Hill · Napa Valley
Visit Melanson Vineyard with a Private Chauffeur
Small lots of Pritchard Hill Cabernet from a family vineyard whose fruit has gone to Heidi Barrett and Thomas Brown. Melanson Vineyard 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
Greg Melanson bought a Calistoga vineyard in 1978 as a weekend base for glider flying, and the first Melanson Vineyard wine, a Sauvignon Blanc, was bottled in 1985. In 1988 the family sold the Calistoga vineyard and bought 42 acres on Pritchard Hill, in the eastern hills of Napa Valley, with a 10.5-acre vineyard first planted to Riesling in the 1960s. In 1999 they replanted 7.5 acres to Cabernet Sauvignon. Greg's son Matt, who grew up on the property, studied viticulture and works in the business.
The vineyard sits at an average of 1,200 feet, above the fog, and is planted to Clone 7 and Clone 337 Cabernet. Its fruit has been sought by winemakers including Heidi Barrett, Thomas Brown, Celia Welch and Jeff Ames. Melanson's own wine is made by Jeff Fontanella, who started in the cellar at Opus One and worked at Saddleback Cellars under Nils Venge. The 2009 Matthew's Block Cabernet spent 30 months in French oak, and just 125 cases were bottled.
There is no tasting room and no visit program. The wines are sold only through ACME Fine Wines in St. Helena. The day below starts on Pritchard Hill at Chappellet and stops at Saddleback Cellars, where Melanson's winemaker learned his craft.
Tasting Fees
Melanson Vineyard does not offer tastings. On the day below, fees run $125 at Chappellet, $40 at Saddleback Cellars and $75 at Rutherford Hill, paid to each winery.
Tasting fees as of October 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
Pritchard Hill, St. Helena
AVA
Napa Valley
Visiting
Melanson Vineyard is not open to the public; its wines are sold through ACME Fine Wines.
Known For
Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, including the Matthew's Block bottling, made by Jeff Fontanella
Founded
1985 (first Melanson Vineyard wine)
Good to Know
To buy, search for Melanson at ACME Fine Wines, which the winery names as its only seller. Pritchard Hill is not an official AVA, so the wines are labeled Napa Valley.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Auberge du Soleil or Meadowood.
10:00 · Pickup at Auberge du Soleil or Meadowood
Since Melanson Vineyard does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. Both hotels are about 20 to 25 minutes from Pritchard Hill. The day runs about seven hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:25 · Chappellet Winery
About 25 minutes away. A family winery in a pyramid on Pritchard Hill, Melanson's neighbor on the same slopes. The Pinnacle of Pritchard Hill Tour & Tasting is $125, 90 minutes, with a vineyard and winery tour. By reservation only.
12:25 · Lunch at Rutherford Grill
About 25 minutes away. Lunch at Rutherford Grill on Highway 29, known for its wood-fired rotisserie. We confirm lunch hours when we book. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
1:50 · Saddleback Cellars
About 10 minutes away. Nils Venge's small Oakville winery, where Melanson winemaker Jeff Fontanella worked early in his career. The tasting is $40, always with a Cabernet, with picnic tables under the sycamores. By appointment only; last tastings at 3 p.m.
3:05 · Rutherford Hill Winery
About 15 minutes away. A hilltop winery above the Silverado Trail with a valley-view terrace and a mile of caves. View of the Valley, five wines on the terrace, is $75, about 90 minutes. Open until 5 p.m.; reservations highly recommended.
4:35 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 5:00 p.m.
About $240 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Saddleback's last tastings are at 3 p.m., so we book it right after lunch. For a shorter day, end after Saddleback and be back by about 3:15 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
Can I visit Melanson Vineyard?
No. Melanson Vineyard has no tasting room or visit program, as of October 2026. We can plan a day on and around Pritchard Hill at wineries that host.
How can I buy Melanson Vineyard wine?
Through ACME Fine Wines in St. Helena, which the winery lists as the place to buy its limited production wines.
Who makes Melanson wine?
Winemaker Jeff Fontanella, who started at Opus One and worked at Saddleback Cellars under Nils Venge. The vineyard is owned by Greg Melanson and his family.
Where is the vineyard?
On Pritchard Hill in Napa Valley's eastern hills, at an average of 1,200 feet, with 10.5 acres planted mainly to Cabernet Sauvignon.
Is Pritchard Hill an AVA?
No. Pritchard Hill is not an official AVA; the family thinks of it as a lieu-dit, a growing area known by name.
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 833-915-2436.
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