Soda Canyon · Napa Valley
Visit Roy Estate with a Private Chauffeur
A 24-acre estate just south of the Stags Leap District, split by a creek into two distinct sites, with Cabernet made by Philippe Melka since 2005. Roy Estate 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
Shirley and Charles Roy founded Roy Estate in 1999, searching for the ideal site and hiring some of Napa Valley's most respected vineyard and winemaking consultants. Philippe Melka has made the wines since April 2005. Since mid-2017 the estate has belonged to proprietors Stephany Maillery and Stephan Crétier, who describe themselves as caretakers of the site.
The 24-acre vineyard is a valley within a valley at the foot of the Vaca Mountains, immediately south of the Stags Leap District in the cooler southern end of Napa Valley. A creek divides it in two, which Melka compares to Bordeaux's Right Bank and Left Bank: volcanic soil on one side for powerful tannins, deeper loam on the other for more generous wines. Cabernet, Merlot and Petit Verdot grow on gentle slopes.
There are three wines: the estate Cabernet Sauvignon, the Mr. Evans proprietary red and La Rêveuse, made only in outstanding years and rarely more than 50 cases. Critics have scored recent Cabernets in the mid to high 90s. The wines are sold by allocation through the estate's waiting list. Roy Estate publishes no visiting program and uses a post office box, so it does not receive visitors. The day below goes to nearby estates that do.
Tasting Fees
Roy Estate 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
Napa Valley
Visiting
Roy Estate does not receive visitors; it publishes no tasting or visiting program, and its wines are sold through a waiting list and allocation.
Known For
Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Mr. Evans proprietary red and La Rêveuse, made by Philippe Melka
Founded
1999
Good to Know
Join the waiting list with the form on royestate.com or at info@royestate.com (707-968-1710). Allocation members manage orders through the estate's online store.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Silverado Resort or Milliken Creek Inn.
10:00 · Pickup at Silverado Resort or Milliken Creek Inn
Since Roy Estate does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do, from Soda Canyon to the Stags Leap District and Yountville. Silverado Resort and Milliken Creek Inn are both about 12 minutes from the first stop. The day fits about six hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · McKahn Wines
About 12 minutes away. A family-hosted private tasting in The Caves at Soda Canyon, a cave winery high on the hillside with a view over the valley, pouring Rhône varieties and Cabernet with a cheese plate. $85, about 90 minutes. By reservation, requested at least 48 hours ahead.
12:00 · Lunch at Brix
About 20 minutes away. Lunch at Brix on Highway 29 near Yountville, a sit-down restaurant beside its own gardens. Lunch is served 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.
1:20 · Robinson Family Vineyards
About 12 minutes away. A family estate built against the Stags Leap Palisades, where a Robinson hosts every private tour and seated tasting. The tasting of four current releases is $65, about 1 hour 15 minutes. By appointment, Tuesday to Saturday, with the last start at 2:45 p.m.
2:50 · Stewart Cellars
About 10 minutes away. A family-owned winery on Washington Street in Yountville whose NOMAD Cabernets come from Beckstoffer's Heritage Vineyards. The Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting of four single-vineyard Cabernets is $85, about an hour. Open daily 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; reservations advised.
3:50 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:10 p.m., six hours after pickup.
About $235 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Robinson hosts Tuesday to Saturday, so plan this day for one of those days; McKahn needs 48 hours' notice. 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 Roy Estate?
No. Roy Estate publishes no tasting or visiting program and sells by waiting list and allocation, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at nearby estates that do host.
How can I buy Roy Estate wine?
Join the waiting list through the form on royestate.com or by emailing info@royestate.com; allocation members order through the estate's store.
Who owns Roy Estate?
Proprietors Stephany Maillery and Stephan Crétier, since mid-2017. Shirley and Charles Roy founded it in 1999.
Who makes Roy Estate wine?
Philippe Melka, who has made the wines since April 2005.
What is La Rêveuse?
Roy Estate's top wine, made only in outstanding vintages and rarely more than 50 cases.
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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