Howell Mountain · Napa Valley
Visit O'Shaughnessy with a Private Chauffeur
A Howell Mountain estate with a wine cave dug into the mountain, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Betty O'Shaughnessy bought land in Oakville in 1990, and the estate is still family operated today. In 1996 she began planting Cabernet Sauvignon and blending varieties on Howell Mountain, and the first vintage came in 2000. Sean Capiaux, who had made wine at Jordan, Pine Ridge and Peter Michael, joined in 2001 and leads the winery as president and technical director.
The estate spans three appellations: about 40 organically farmed acres in the Howell Mountain AVA at 1,500 to 1,850 feet, two vineyards on Mount Veeder, and the original Oakville property, where Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc grow. The cave was built from 2002 to 2004, and the winery opened in 2004. The 2020 Glass Fire threatened the estate, but Sean and the team protected the winery.
Visits are small and by appointment. The Winery Tour and Tasting walks through the cave and winery, then sits down for four wines, about 75 minutes in all. The cave also holds the family's collection of more than 13,000 bottles from wine regions around the world. The estate is about 20 minutes up the mountain from St. Helena, and the winery sends directions when you book.
Tasting Fees
$50 for the Winery Tour and Tasting, a cave and winery tour with a seated tasting of four wines, about 75 minutes. $75 for the Cave Tour and Tasting, a seated tasting among the barrels, about 90 minutes. Private cave dinners and visits to the Oakville and Mount Veeder estates are by inquiry.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
1150 Friesen Drive, Angwin
AVA
Howell Mountain
Visiting
By appointment only, booked online. Available times vary by day, and the winery books several weeks out for much of the year.
Known For
Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux varieties from volcanic mountain vineyards, plus Mount Veeder Cabernet and Oakville Sauvignon Blanc
Founded
1990 (Howell Mountain winery opened in 2004)
Good to Know
Families are welcome, though the cave and vineyard terrain are uneven and the visit is designed for adults; children must be supervised. Please leave dogs at home. Online bookings take up to 12 guests (10 for the cave tasting); larger groups contact the winery. Cancellations need 48 hours' notice.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Alila Napa Valley or Harvest Inn. The drive up Howell Mountain takes about 25 minutes, so the tasting is set for 10:30.
10:00 · Pickup at Alila Napa Valley or Harvest Inn
Alila Napa Valley, a luxury resort and spa at the north end of St. Helena, is about 20 minutes from the estate, and Harvest Inn, set in gardens at the south end of town, is about 25 minutes away. The drive up the mountain is part of the visit, so the first tasting is set for 10:30. Times vary by day, and pickup moves with the slot we book. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:30 · O'Shaughnessy Estate Winery
Winery Tour and Tasting, about 75 minutes ($50): a walk through the cave and winery, then four wines at the table. The Cave Tour and Tasting ($75) runs about 90 minutes and moves the rest of the day back 15 minutes.
12:00 · Rombauer Vineyards
About 15 minutes away. A tasting room on a knoll just off the Silverado Trail, with gardens of more than 100 kinds of plants and views of the Mayacamas. Tastings are $25, about an hour. Reservations required; parties of up to 6.
1:15 · Lunch at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch
About 10 minutes away. Lunch at Farmstead, Long Meadow Ranch's restaurant in St. Helena, served daily from 11:30 a.m. (11 a.m. on weekends). Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:30 · Cakebread Cellars
About 8 minutes away. A Rutherford winery known for Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Courtyard Tasting is $60 for 75 minutes, seated in an open-air courtyard. By reservation, open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
3:50 · Back to your hotel
Back by 4:00 p.m., six hours after pickup.
Optional: Alpha Omega
Adds about an hour and a half. A Rutherford winery a few minutes south of Cakebread, where leashed dogs and supervised children are welcome. Walk-ins are welcome when availability allows; tastings start at $75 and run about 90 minutes, with final seating at 4:30 p.m.
About $135 to $160 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
Do I need a reservation at O'Shaughnessy?
Yes. All visits are by appointment, and the winery often books several weeks ahead. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at O'Shaughnessy?
$50 per person for the Winery Tour and Tasting (about 75 minutes) and $75 for the Cave Tour and Tasting (about 90 minutes), as of September 2026.
Can children visit O'Shaughnessy?
Families are welcome, but the cave and vineyard terrain are uneven and the visit is designed for adults. Children must be supervised at all times.
Who owns O'Shaughnessy Estate Winery?
Founder Betty O'Shaughnessy's family still operates the estate. Sean Capiaux, with the winery since 2001, is president and technical director.
What is O'Shaughnessy known for?
Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux varieties from its organically farmed Howell Mountain vineyards, along with wines from its Mount Veeder and Oakville estates.
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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