Mount Veeder · Napa Valley
Visit Peter Franus with a Private Chauffeur
Mount Veeder Zinfandel and Cabernet from a winemaker who has worked these slopes since 1980. Peter Franus's tasting room is temporarily closed; 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
Peter Franus came to Napa Valley in 1980 as a viticulturist on Mount Veeder, working for William Hill, and in 1981 joined Mount Veeder Winery, where he learned the craft and went on to run its winemaking. He made the first wine under his own name in 1987, set out on his own in 1992, and runs the label today with his wife, Deanne. Robert Parker called him one of California's finest blenders and winemakers.
The heart of the label is the Brandlin Vineyard on Mount Veeder, a steep, rocky slope the Brandlin family first planted in the 1920s. Franus has made a Brandlin Zinfandel every year since 1991, and his first Brandlin Cabernet Sauvignon, from 2016, earned 95 points from Antonio Galloni of Vinous. He also makes a Napa Valley Merlot, a Bordeaux-style red, and Albariño and Mourvèdre from Lake County.
The wines are sold on the winery's website, through its wine club and to the trade, with followings in Canada and several countries in Asia and Europe. For now the winery's visit page says simply that the tasting room is "temporarily closed," so there is no place to taste. The day below takes you to three Mount Veeder and Napa estates that do welcome guests.
Tasting Fees
Peter Franus does not offer tastings while the tasting room is temporarily closed.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
Napa
AVA
Mount Veeder
Visiting
Peter Franus is not hosting visitors right now. In the winery's words, the tasting room is "temporarily closed."
Known For
Mount Veeder Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon from the Brandlin Vineyard
Founded
1987 (first vintage under his own label)
Good to Know
Wine is sold on peterfranus.com and through the wine club, whose members get first access to small releases and invitations to winemaker events. Questions go to info@franuswine.com or 707-945-0542.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Archer Hotel Napa or Andaz Napa.
10:00 · Pickup at Archer Hotel Napa or Andaz Napa
Since Peter Franus is not hosting visitors right now, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do, starting on his home mountain. Archer Hotel Napa and Andaz Napa are both in downtown Napa, about 15 minutes from the first stop on the lower slopes of Mount Veeder. The day runs about six and a half hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Fontanella Family Winery
About 15 minutes away. Jeff and Karen Fontanella's family winery on the slopes of Mount Veeder. The Fontanella Journey Tasting pours four current releases and a barrel sample with a cheese plate ($65, 75 minutes). By appointment, daily, with reservations from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
11:45 · Matthiasson
About 15 minutes away. Steve and Jill Matthiasson's organic family farm on Dry Creek Road in the Oak Knoll District, known for rare Italian grapes, with tastings outdoors by the vines. The standard tasting of five to six wines is $75, about 75 minutes. By appointment only, seven days a week.
1:15 · Lunch at Angèle
About 15 minutes away. Lunch at Angèle, a French brasserie on the Napa River in downtown Napa, serving lunch daily from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
3:00 · Krupp Brothers
About 12 minutes away. Two brothers' winery at the foot of the Vaca Mountains, pouring wines from their volcanic Stagecoach Vineyard with cheese and charcuterie. The Estate Tasting is $75, seated at 10 a.m., 12:30 or 3 p.m.; we plan about an hour and a quarter. By appointment; the fee is waived with a minimum purchase.
4:15 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:30 p.m., six and a half hours after pickup.
About $215 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Krupp Brothers seats its estate tasting at set times, so we book the 3 p.m. seating. The day runs about six and a half hours, back by about 4:30 p.m.
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 Peter Franus?
Not right now. The winery says its tasting room is temporarily closed, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at nearby estates that do host.
How can I buy Peter Franus wine?
On peterfranus.com and through the wine club, which ships two, six or twelve bottles at a time. The wines are also sold through the trade.
Who owns Peter Franus Wine Company?
Winemaker Peter Franus, who runs it with his wife, Deanne.
Where is Peter Franus?
The winery lists a post office box in Napa. Its signature vineyard, Brandlin, is on Mount Veeder, in the Mount Veeder AVA on the southwestern side of Napa Valley.
What is Peter Franus known for?
Brandlin Vineyard Zinfandel from Mount Veeder vines first planted in the 1920s, made every year since 1991. The winery says the 2008 Brandlin Zinfandel was Wine & Spirits magazine's top Zinfandel of the year.
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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