Calistoga · Napa Valley
Visit Paoletti with a Private Chauffeur
A family winery on the Silverado Trail with caves full of Carrara marble statues, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Paoletti Estates belongs to Gianni Paoletti, who was born in Venice and trained as a chef from the age of 16, and his wife Lilia. Gianni bought the Calistoga property in 1989, the same year the caves were dug, and the winery made its first release in 1994. Many of the wines still carry family names, such as Lilia's Il Sogno and Gianni's Dolce Vita.
The caves are the draw. Built in 1989, they hold nearly 60 statues carved from Carrara marble by sculptor Lucio Carusi, set among the barrels. Paoletti has 36 acres planted and makes Bordeaux and Super Tuscan style blends, plus rarities like a White Malbec and a Nero d'Avola.
This is a small, personal visit. Tastings and cave tours are by appointment only, and the winery takes reservations Friday through Monday by phone. Expect a walk through the caves and a pour of several wines, with the Italian touches that run through the whole property.
Tasting Fees
Paoletti does not publish tasting fees online. The fee is confirmed when the reservation is made by phone.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
4501 Silverado Trail, Calistoga
AVA
Calistoga
Visiting
By appointment only, Friday through Monday. Reservations are made by phone.
Known For
Carrara marble statues in the caves, Bordeaux and Super Tuscan style blends, and White Malbec
Founded
1994 (caves built in 1989)
Good to Know
Tastings and cave tours are by appointment only. Picnics are also by appointment. Call ahead about ages, group size and pets, which the winery does not publish online.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Solage or Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley.
10:00 · Pickup at Solage or Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley
Stay close and the tasting starts right away. Solage, an Auberge resort with its own mineral pools, and Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley, set among vineyards on the Silverado Trail, are each about 5 to 7 minutes from Paoletti. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Paoletti Estates Winery
A tasting and walk through the caves and their marble statues. Plan on about an hour; the winery confirms the time and fee when the appointment is made.
11:30 · Bremer Family Winery
About 15 minutes away. A family winery on the slopes of Howell Mountain, 2.3 miles up Deer Park Road from the Silverado Trail. The tasting of five wines is $45 (waived with two bottles per person), with a cave tour on request; we allow about an hour. By appointment for up to 6; last appointment at 4 p.m.
12:40 · Lunch at Brasswood Bar + Kitchen
About 10 minutes away. Lunch on the patio or in the dining room at Brasswood Bar + Kitchen on Highway 29 just north of St. Helena, 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.
2:05 · Laura Michael Wines
About 15 minutes away. A small family winery on the Lake County Highway north of Calistoga, pouring a white-based or a red-based flight. $25, waived with the purchase of two bottles of red; we allow about an hour. By advance reservation; open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and dogs cannot be accommodated.
3:05 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 3:15 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
Optional: Merryvale Vineyards
Adds about an hour and a half. A winery on Main Street in downtown St. Helena. Walk-ins are accepted as available for the Winery Exclusives tasting ($50, 90 minutes), seated in the winery or on the terrace, or standing at the bar; the tasting room is open until 5:30 p.m.
About $70 per person in tasting fees for Bremer Family Winery and Laura Michael Wines, plus Paoletti's tasting fee (confirmed when booking), paid directly to each winery.
Paoletti takes reservations Friday through Monday only, so plan this day for one of those days.
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 Paoletti?
Yes. Tastings and cave tours are by appointment only, Friday through Monday, and are booked by phone. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Paoletti?
Paoletti does not publish its tasting fee online. The winery confirms the fee when the reservation is made, as of September 2026.
What is in the Paoletti caves?
The caves, built in 1989, hold nearly 60 statues carved from Carrara marble by sculptor Lucio Carusi.
What is Paoletti known for?
Bordeaux and Super Tuscan style red blends from 36 planted acres, plus a White Malbec and a Nero d'Avola, both rarities in Napa Valley.
Who founded Paoletti Estates?
Gianni Paoletti, a Venice-born chef, and his wife Lilia. Gianni bought the property in 1989 and the first wine was released in 1994.
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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