Mount Veeder · Napa Valley
Visit Pym-Rae with a Private Chauffeur
The Mount Veeder estate of the Tesseron family of Château Pontet-Canet, on the former vineyard of Robin Williams, farmed biodynamically with its own cows. Pym-Rae 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
In January 2016 the Tesseron family, owners of Château Pontet-Canet in Pauillac, bought Villa Sorriso, the Mount Veeder property of actor Robin Williams. Williams had named the vineyard for the middle names of two of his children, Pym and Rae, and out of respect for that story the Tesserons kept the name for the wine. The estate is also called Tesseron Estate.
The family wanted a high, cool site with old vines and marine sedimentary soils, and Mount Veeder gave them all three. The vines average about 29 years and none were replanted. The Pontet-Canet approach came with them: biodynamic farming, dry farming, no vine trimming, the estate's own cows, hand sorting and 40 small concrete vats with no pumps. Michel Rolland advised on the wine until his death in 2026.
The wine is a Mount Veeder red from Bordeaux varieties, made in small quantities. It is offered through the estate's direct allocation list, which you join with a form on the website, and the family describes it as destined for a knowledgeable few. Pym-Rae publishes no tasting room or visiting program, so it does not receive visitors. The day below goes to Mount Veeder and Oak Knoll estates that do.
Tasting Fees
Pym-Rae 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
Napa
AVA
Mount Veeder
Visiting
Pym-Rae does not receive visitors; it publishes no tasting room or visiting program and sells its wine through a direct allocation list.
Known For
A biodynamically farmed Mount Veeder red from Bordeaux varieties, made by the Pontet-Canet family
Founded
2016 (Tesseron family purchase)
Good to Know
Join the direct allocation list with the form on pym-rae.com for future vintage offers. General inquiries go to info@pym-rae.com.
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 Pym-Rae does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do, starting high on Mount Veeder. Archer Hotel Napa and Andaz Napa are both in downtown Napa, about 25 minutes from the mountain. The day fits about six hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:30 · Mt. Brave
About 25 minutes away. The Mt. Veeder Experience climbs to about 2,000 feet, starting at the Mt. Brave Overlook among redwoods, oaks and madrones, then moves to a private seated tasting of organically farmed mountain wines. $175, 90 minutes or more, for 2 to 6 guests; the meeting point is confirmed with the booking.
12:35 · Lunch at Bistro Don Giovanni
About 25 minutes away. Lunch at Bistro Don Giovanni, an Italian restaurant among the vineyards on Howard Lane, a valley favorite for more than 30 years, 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.
1:55 · Hendry Ranch Wines
About 12 minutes away. A family ranch winery at the foot of Mount Veeder, named to the San Francisco Chronicle's Top Wineries list each year since 2021. The Classic Tasting of whites and reds is $75, 60 to 90 minutes; we plan 75. By appointment, daily from about 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
3:25 · Arrow&Branch
About 12 minutes away. Steve and Seanne Contursi's winery on Solano Avenue in the Oak Knoll District, opened in 2024 and shared with a small collective of artisan vintners, with the organically farmed Lady Liberty Vineyard around it. Fees are confirmed when the appointment is booked (allow about an hour). By appointment only.
4:25 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:40 p.m., under seven hours after pickup; the extra time is added by the hour.
About $250 per person in published tasting fees (Mt. Brave and Hendry Ranch), paid directly to each winery; Arrow&Branch confirms its fee when we book.
Mt. Brave's meeting point and Arrow&Branch's time are confirmed when we book. With the drive up and down Mount Veeder this day runs closer to seven hours. 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 Pym-Rae?
No. Pym-Rae publishes no tasting room or visiting program and sells through its allocation list, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at nearby estates that do host.
How can I buy Pym-Rae wine?
Join the direct allocation list with the form on pym-rae.com; the estate sends future vintage offers to the list.
Who owns Pym-Rae?
The Tesseron family of Château Pontet-Canet in Pauillac, who bought the estate in January 2016.
Why is it called Pym-Rae?
Robin Williams, who owned the property as Villa Sorriso, named the vineyard for the middle names of his children, and the Tesserons kept the name.
Where is Pym-Rae?
On Mount Veeder, in the mountains on the west side of Napa Valley.
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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