Howell Mountain · Napa Valley
Visit Robert Foley with a Private Chauffeur
Winemaker Bob Foley's small, family-run winery and wine cave on Howell Mountain, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Bob Foley graduated from UC Davis in 1977 and started at Heitz Cellars. He was the founding winemaker at Markham Vineyards for 15 years, then from 1992 the founding winemaker at Pride Mountain Vineyards for another 15, and he made wines for Switchback Ridge, Hourglass, Paloma and School House along the way. Robert Foley Vineyards bottled its first Claret in 1998.
Today Bob makes his own wines at a winery on Howell Mountain, where more than 1,000 barrels rest in a cave system completed in 2008. The lineup runs from the Claret and The Griffin blend to Petite Sirah, Merlot, Charbono and limited Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from the estate. His wife, Kelly Kehoe, runs the business.
This is a small, production-focused winery with a staff of three, so visits are few and personal. Tastings are by appointment, usually Thursday to Saturday at 10:30 a.m., and last about an hour. The visitor permit allows only 10 guests a day, and the winery is about 20 minutes east of St. Helena on rural mountain roads.
Tasting Fees
$50 per person plus tax for a tasting of about an hour. One tasting fee is refunded for every six bottles purchased.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
1300 Summit Lake Drive, Angwin
AVA
Howell Mountain
Visiting
By appointment, usually Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 10:30 a.m.; other days and times are sometimes possible by request. Book at least 48 hours ahead by email; no walk-ins.
Known For
Bold red wines: the Claret, The Griffin, Petite Sirah, Charbono and estate Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
Founded
1998 (first Claret)
Good to Know
Adults only. The permit allows 10 guests per day, and reservations are secured by credit card. No food is served and picnics are not permitted. Rideshare cars may not return to collect guests from the mountain, so plan transportation both ways. Closed some dates, including November 25 to 28 and December 24 to January 8.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Alila Napa Valley or Harvest Inn. The winery's tasting starts at 10:30, and the drive up Howell Mountain takes about 25 minutes.
10:00 · Pickup at Alila Napa Valley or Harvest Inn
Alila Napa Valley at the north end of St. Helena is about 25 minutes from the winery, and Harvest Inn at the south end of town is about 30 minutes away. The day is built around the winery's 10:30 a.m. tasting. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:30 · Robert Foley Vineyards
A tasting with the Foley family team, about an hour ($50 plus tax).
11:50 · Melka Estates
About 20 minutes away. A small St. Helena estate on the Silverado Trail from winemaker Philippe Melka and his wife Cherie, known for Bordeaux-style blends. Meet Melka is $75, about 45 minutes in the loft, by appointment; the fee is waived with a wine purchase.
12:50 · Lunch at Brasswood Bar + Kitchen
About 10 minutes away. Lunch at Brasswood Bar + Kitchen on Highway 29 north of St. Helena, a sit-down restaurant 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.
2:15 · Schweiger Vineyards
About 15 minutes away. A family estate high on Spring Mountain Road pouring Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and a rare mountain Pinot Noir. The Estate Tasting is $65, four current releases in about 75 to 90 minutes, by appointment daily until 3:15 p.m.
3:35 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 3:55 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
About $190 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 Robert Foley?
Yes. Tastings are by appointment at least 48 hours ahead, usually Thursday to Saturday at 10:30 a.m., and walk-ins are not possible. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Robert Foley?
$50 per person plus tax, with one fee refunded for every six bottles purchased, as of September 2026.
Who is Robert Foley?
Bob Foley is a UC Davis-trained winemaker who was founding winemaker at Markham Vineyards and then Pride Mountain Vineyards before focusing on his own label.
Can children visit Robert Foley Vineyards?
The winery welcomes adult guests only.
Can we picnic at Robert Foley?
No. The winery is not permitted for picnics and does not serve food, so lunch is planned elsewhere.
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":"Robert Foley Vineyards","url":"https://www.robertfoleyvineyards.com","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"1300 Summit Lake Drive","addressLocality":"Angwin","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"94508","addressCountry":"US"},"foundingDate":"1998","containedInPlace":{"@type":"Place","name":"Howell Mountain AVA"}},{"@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Do I need a reservation at Robert Foley?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. Tastings are by appointment at least 48 hours ahead, usually Thursday to Saturday at 10:30 a.m., and walk-ins are not possible. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How much is a tasting at Robert Foley?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"$50 per person plus tax, with one fee refunded for every six bottles purchased, as of September 2026."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Who is Robert Foley?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Bob Foley is a UC Davis-trained winemaker who was founding winemaker at Markham Vineyards and then Pride Mountain Vineyards before focusing on his own label."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Can children visit Robert Foley Vineyards?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The winery welcomes adult guests only."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Can we picnic at Robert Foley?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No. The winery is not permitted for picnics and does not serve food, so lunch is planned elsewhere."}},{"@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."}}]}]}