Oakville · Napa Valley
Visit Miner with a Private Chauffeur
A family winery in the eastern hills of Oakville with vineyard views from the tasting room and more than 20,000 square feet of caves, and a suggested six-hour day around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Dave and Emily Miner founded Miner Family Winery in 1996. Dave started in wine in 1993 as president of Oakville Ranch Vineyards, which was owned by his uncle, and Emily joined as tasting room manager in 1994. In 1999 they bought the winery building on the Silverado Trail from Dave's family, and the winery is still family owned.
The same year, a 15-month project carved more than 20,000 square feet of caves into the hillside behind the winery. The Oracle, Miner's flagship Bordeaux-style blend, began with the 2001 vintage, and the 2025 harvest was the winery's 30th. Michelle Shafrir became head winemaker in 2022, after Gary Brookman's 25 years.
The tasting room sits up on the eastern hills of Oakville with a long view over the vineyards, and it was fully updated in 2019. Walk-ins are welcome for the regular flights, which makes Miner an easy, unhurried start to the day. The private tastings add a dedicated host, and the Private Cave Tasting and Oracle Vertical take you through the production area and caves.
Tasting Fees
$30 for The Trio, about 30 minutes, and $50 for the Current Release Tasting, up to 60 minutes. From $100 for the Private Vineyard Views Tasting, from $125 for the Private Cave Tasting with a barrel sample and production tour, and from $200 for the Oracle Vertical Tasting with cheese and charcuterie, each up to 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
7850 Silverado Trail, Oakville
AVA
Oakville
Visiting
Open Thursday to Monday, with limited availability on Tuesday and Wednesday. Walk-ins are welcome; reservations are taken online for groups of up to 10.
Known For
The Oracle, a Bordeaux-style red blend, plus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay
Founded
1996, by Dave and Emily Miner
Good to Know
All guests must be 21 or older. The Current Release Tasting and the Trio do not include the cave tour. Private tastings are for up to 4 guests. A chocolate pairing from a local chocolatier can be added ($30).
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Bardessono or Hotel Villagio.
10:00 · Pickup at Bardessono or Hotel Villagio
Both hotels are in Yountville, about 10 minutes from Miner by way of the Yountville Cross Road and the Silverado Trail. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Miner Family Winery
The Current Release Tasting, up to 60 minutes ($50). The Private Cave Tasting (from $125, up to 90 minutes) adds the caves and moves the rest of the day back 30 minutes.
11:25 · Shafer Vineyards
About 10 minutes away. A Stags Leap District estate set against its rugged hillside vineyards, home of Hillside Select. The Collectors Experience is $140 for 90 minutes, five current wines including Hillside Select. By appointment, Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; parties up to 8.
1:05 · Lunch at Brix
About 12 minutes away. Lunch at Brix on Highway 29 between Yountville and Oakville, a sit-down restaurant beside its own gardens, serving lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day but Tuesday. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:20 · Hendry Ranch Wines
About 15 minutes away. A ranch of more than 200 acres on Redwood Road, farmed by the Hendry family, where well-behaved dogs are welcome outdoors. The Hendry Classic Tasting of whites and reds is $75 for 60 to 90 minutes; we plan about an hour. Daily from about 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. by appointment; 21 and over, parties up to 6.
3:20 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 3:35 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
About $265 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Miner hosts Thursday to Monday, Shafer Tuesday to Saturday and Brix is closed Tuesday, so this day works Thursday to Saturday.
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 Miner?
No. Walk-ins are welcome, Thursday to Monday, though booking ahead holds your table and is needed for the private tastings. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Miner?
$30 per person for The Trio, $50 for the Current Release Tasting and from $100 to $200 for the private vineyard, cave and Oracle tastings, as of September 2026.
Does Miner have wine caves?
Yes. More than 20,000 square feet of caves were carved into the hillside in 1999; the Private Cave Tasting and Oracle Vertical include them.
What is The Oracle?
Miner's flagship Bordeaux-style blend, first made in the 2001 vintage.
Who owns Miner Family Winery?
The Miner family. Dave and Emily Miner founded it in 1996.
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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