Calistoga · Napa Valley
Visit Palisades Canyon with a Private Chauffeur
Organic, dry-farmed Petite Sirah, Chenin Blanc and Cabernet from a historic canyon vineyard below the Palisades cliffs east of Calistoga. Palisades Canyon 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
Felicia Woytak and Steven Rasmussen live among the vines of Palisades Canyon, a narrow canyon below the Palisades cliffs east of Calistoga. Horns Creek runs through the vineyard, named for the rancher who planted the canyon's first vines in the 1870s. His original four acres have grown to 17.5 acres of heritage vines, surrounded by more than 700 acres of rugged land the couple looks after.
The vineyard is certified organic, and the oldest vines, Petite Sirah grafted between 1964 and 1975, are head trained and dry farmed; Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon, added to the estate in 2017, complete the trio. Winemaker Graeme MacDonald, a fourth-generation Napa grower who has farmed his family's historic To-Kalon vineyard, uses native yeasts and a light hand. Sheep, goats with a guardian llama, and barn owls help farm the canyon.
The limited production wines are offered to members of the Palisades Canyon mailing list. There is no tasting room or visiting program, so Palisades Canyon does not receive visitors, although the owners host native plant society hikes and school field days. The day below stays in Calistoga: a horse ranch on Tubbs Lane, a Chenin Blanc vertical in the Diamond Mountain District and a winery in a former water plant.
Tasting Fees
Palisades Canyon does not offer tastings.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
Calistoga
AVA
Calistoga
Visiting
Palisades Canyon does not receive visitors; its wines are offered to mailing list members.
Known For
Estate Petite Sirah, Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon
Founded
Vines first planted in the 1870s; Cabernet added in 2017
Good to Know
Join the mailing list at palisadescanyonwines.com to be offered the wines. Contact 707-709-1004.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Four Seasons Napa Valley or Indian Springs.
10:00 · Pickup at Four Seasons Napa Valley or Indian Springs
Since Palisades Canyon does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. Four Seasons Napa Valley, a resort among the vines on the Silverado Trail, and Indian Springs, a historic hot springs resort in Calistoga, are each about 10 minutes from the first stop. The day runs a little under six hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Stereograph Wines
About 10 minutes away. Winemaker Sally Johnson Blum and artist Max Blum's small-lot label of rare Napa whites like Fiano and old-vine Chenin Blanc, poured at Tamber Bey's horse ranch on Tubbs Lane. A personalized tasting of current releases is $50, about an hour, waived with a qualifying purchase. By appointment, requested at least seven days ahead.
11:30 · T. Berkley Wines
About 15 minutes away. Winemaker Taylor Berkley Boydstun makes Loire-inspired old-vine Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc, poured at the Teachworth estate in the Diamond Mountain District south of town. The Chenin Blanc Vertical Tasting, single-vineyard Chenin across several vintages, is $75; we allow about 90 minutes. By appointment, for 1 to 6 guests.
1:10 · Lunch at Brasswood Bar + Kitchen
About 10 minutes away. Lunch at Brasswood Bar + Kitchen on Highway 29 north of St. Helena, with a patio and seasonal menus, open daily from 11:30 a.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:30 · Museion Winery
About 15 minutes away. A family winery in a former Calistoga water plant, with wines named for the Greek Muses and a custom crush cellar for small producers. The Amuse Me tasting is $65; we allow about an hour. Prepaid on Tock for parties of 1 to 6.
3:30 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 3:45 p.m., a little under six hours after pickup.
About $190 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Stereograph needs at least a week's notice, and Museion confirms its days when we book. 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
Can you visit Palisades Canyon?
No. Palisades Canyon has no tasting room and does not host visitors, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at nearby wineries that do.
How can I buy Palisades Canyon wine?
By joining the Palisades Canyon mailing list at palisadescanyonwines.com; the limited production wines are offered to members.
Who owns Palisades Canyon?
Proprietors Felicia Woytak and Steven Rasmussen, who live on the property; Graeme MacDonald is the winemaker.
Where is Palisades Canyon?
In a narrow canyon below the Palisades cliffs east of Calistoga, in the Calistoga AVA, along Horns Creek.
What is Palisades Canyon known for?
Estate Petite Sirah from organic, dry-farmed vines grafted in the 1960s and 1970s, plus Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
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.
Reserve Your Tour{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Winery","name":"Palisades Canyon Wines","url":"https://palisadescanyonwines.com","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Calistoga","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"94515","addressCountry":"US"},"containedInPlace":{"@type":"Place","name":"Calistoga AVA"}},{"@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Can you visit Palisades Canyon?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No. Palisades Canyon has no tasting room and does not host visitors, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at nearby wineries that do."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How can I buy Palisades Canyon wine?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"By joining the Palisades Canyon mailing list at palisadescanyonwines.com; the limited production wines are offered to members."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Who owns Palisades Canyon?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Proprietors Felicia Woytak and Steven Rasmussen, who live on the property; Graeme MacDonald is the winemaker."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Where is Palisades Canyon?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"In a narrow canyon below the Palisades cliffs east of Calistoga, in the Calistoga AVA, along Horns Creek."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is Palisades Canyon known for?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Estate Petite Sirah from organic, dry-farmed vines grafted in the 1960s and 1970s, plus Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How does booking a tour with Bien Chauffeured work?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"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."}}]}]}