Chiles Valley District · Napa Valley
Visit Nichelini with a Private Chauffeur
A five-generation family winery in remote Chiles Valley, with a hand-hewn stone cellar from the 1890s, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Anton Nichelini, a Swiss immigrant, came to Chiles Valley as a homesteader in 1884, the first Swiss settler in the valley. He bonded the winery in 1890, the same year he married Caterina, and the couple raised twelve children here. The winery says it is the oldest continuously family-owned and operated winery in Napa County.
The family's hand-hewn stone winery, which included a Roman wine press, and the house above it, finished by 1895, still stand. Five generations have run the place, and fifth-generation Aimée Sunseri became head winemaker in 2009. Zinfandel vines planted in 1928 and Sauvignon Vert planted in 1946 are still producing in the Chiles Valley District, east of the main valley.
Tastings are casual and unhurried. From May through October they are held outdoors in the backyard, and from November through April they move indoors. In the outdoor season guests can bring a picnic, and there is a bocce court. The drive out past Lake Hennessey on Highway 128 is part of the visit.
Tasting Fees
$30 for the Signature Tasting of five current-release wines (a white-only flight is available). $60 for the Legacy Tasting. One tasting fee is waived with a $60 wine purchase per person.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
2950 Sage Canyon Road, St. Helena
AVA
Chiles Valley District
Visiting
Open Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday afternoons. Reservations are highly recommended; walk-ins are welcome.
Known For
Zinfandel from vines planted in 1928, and a rare Sauvignon Vert, from Napa County's oldest continuously family-owned winery
Founded
1890 (Anton Nichelini homesteaded here in 1884)
Good to Know
Children and guests under 21 are welcome if supervised. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome during the outdoor season (May to October), when you can also bring a picnic. Tastings move indoors from November through April, when seating is limited. The winery does not host private events.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:30 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Auberge du Soleil or Meadowood. Nichelini opens at 11 a.m., and the drive out Highway 128 takes about 25 minutes, so the day starts a little later than usual.
10:30 · Pickup at Auberge du Soleil or Meadowood
Nichelini sits in Chiles Valley, east of Lake Hennessey. Auberge du Soleil, on the hillside above Rutherford, and Meadowood, a country estate hotel just east of St. Helena, are each about 25 minutes away by Highway 128. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
11:00 · Nichelini Family Winery
The Signature Tasting ($30) or the Legacy Tasting ($60), poured outdoors in the backyard from May through October. We allow about an hour here.
12:15 · Dakota Shy
About 12 minutes away. A small estate in eastern St. Helena where every visit starts with a tour of the grounds and winery before a seated tasting. The Estate Tasting is $125 and runs about 75 minutes. By appointment only.
1:45 · Lunch at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch
About 15 minutes away. Farm-to-table cooking in St. Helena, with ingredients from the Long Meadow Ranch farm and ranch. Open daily for lunch. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:55 · Titus Vineyards
About 8 minutes away. A family winery on the Silverado Trail, where the seated Vista Room Experience looks out over the 50-acre estate vineyard. Tastings are $60 and about an hour. By appointment; last appointment at 3 p.m.
4:00 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:15 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
About $215 to $245 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Nichelini pours Friday through Sunday (and Thursday afternoons only), so plan this day for a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
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 Nichelini?
Reservations are highly recommended, and walk-ins are welcome. Indoor seating is limited from November through April. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Nichelini?
$30 per person for the Signature Tasting and $60 for the Legacy Tasting, with one fee waived for each $60 wine purchase per person, as of September 2026.
Can children and dogs visit Nichelini?
Yes. Children and guests under 21 are welcome if supervised, and leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome during the outdoor season, May through October.
How old is Nichelini Family Winery?
Anton Nichelini homesteaded in Chiles Valley in 1884 and bonded the winery in 1890. His hand-hewn stone winery, which included a Roman wine press, still stands.
Who owns Nichelini?
The Nichelini family, now in its fifth generation. Fifth-generation Aimée Sunseri has been head winemaker since 2009.
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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