Rutherford · Napa Valley
Visit Rutherford Ranch with a Private Chauffeur
A family-owned Silverado Trail winery among century-old olive trees, pouring Rutherford Cabernet, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
The winery stands on the site of the original Round Hill Winery, founded in 1978 by Ernie and Virginia Van Asperen with Charlie Abela. When the Van Asperens retired in 2000, Marko and Theo Zaninovich, long-time shareholders, bought the winery. Under the Zaninovich family the estate vineyards were replanted and the winery and tasting room renovated.
The winery sits on the Silverado Trail in the Rutherford AVA, a district known for Cabernet Sauvignon and the dusty, earthy character called Rutherford dust. A 100-year-old olive grove still frames the property. The Reserve wines poured here are sold only at the winery, and the Torcia line gathers single-appellation Cabernets from across Napa Valley.
Visits are relaxed and friendly. A wine educator guides the Reserve Tasting on the patio or inside the tasting room, telling the story of the winery's long history. The Torcia Experience is a private, seated Cabernet tasting in the Proprietor's Lounge with a tour of the Abela Estate vineyard, and a guided walking tour of the estate runs twice a day.
Tasting Fees
$55 for the Reserve Tasting, about an hour. $75 for the Guided Tour and Reserve Tasting (11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. daily), 60 minutes. $95 for the Torcia Experience and Vineyard Tour, 60 minutes.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
1680 Silverado Trail South, St. Helena
AVA
Rutherford
Visiting
Open daily 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Book online for parties of up to 8, or call or email the tasting room; for a visit within 24 hours, contact the winery directly.
Known For
Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, winery-exclusive Reserve wines and single-appellation Torcia Cabernets
Founded
1978 (as Round Hill Winery)
Good to Know
Online reservations are for parties of up to 8; groups of 9 or more arrange their visit directly with the winery. The Guided Tour and Reserve Tasting is a shared experience of up to 12 guests. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Auberge du Soleil or Harvest Inn.
10:00 · Pickup at Auberge du Soleil or Harvest Inn
Stay close and the tasting starts right away. Auberge du Soleil, a hillside resort above Rutherford, is about 5 minutes from Rutherford Ranch, and Harvest Inn, a garden resort at the south end of St. Helena, is about 6 minutes away. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Rutherford Ranch Winery
The Reserve Tasting, four current releases with a wine educator, about an hour ($55). The Torcia Experience and Vineyard Tour ($95) also runs about 60 minutes and fits the same schedule.
11:30 · Mending Wall
About 15 minutes away. A small winery on the Silverado Trail north of St. Helena, in the foothills of Howell Mountain, with wines made by Thomas Rivers Brown. The Estate Tasting is $85 and runs 60 to 90 minutes. By appointment only.
1:00 · Lunch at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch
About 10 minutes away. Lunch at Farmstead on Main Street in St. Helena, a farmhouse restaurant cooking with ingredients from Long Meadow Ranch's own farm, ranch and vineyards, open for lunch daily. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:20 · Turnbull Wine Cellars
About 10 minutes away. An Oakville winery that farms four estate vineyards in Oakville and Calistoga, including the pre-Prohibition Fortuna Vineyard. The Gallery Tasting of four current releases is $65 and self-paced. Reservations are recommended and walk-ins are welcome; open until 4 p.m.
3:25 · Back to your hotel
Back by 4:00 p.m., six hours after pickup.
Optional: Alpha Omega
Adds about an hour and a half. A Rutherford estate about 6 minutes north of Turnbull, whose terrace looks across its fountains, a local landmark, to the Mayacamas Mountains. Walk-ins are welcome when space allows; tastings are $75 to $125 and about 90 minutes, and you choose your flight on arrival. Open daily, last seating at 4:30 p.m.
About $205 to $245 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 Rutherford Ranch?
Plan on one. The winery takes reservations online, by phone or by email for parties of up to 8, and asks you to contact it directly for a visit within the next 24 hours. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Rutherford Ranch?
$55 per person for the Reserve Tasting, $75 for the Guided Tour and Reserve Tasting and $95 for the Torcia Experience and Vineyard Tour, as of September 2026.
What is Rutherford Ranch known for?
Cabernet Sauvignon from the Rutherford AVA, Reserve wines sold only at the winery, and the Torcia line of single-appellation Napa Valley Cabernets.
Who owns Rutherford Ranch?
The Zaninovich family. Marko and Theo Zaninovich bought the winery in 2000 when founders Ernie and Virginia Van Asperen retired.
Can a larger group visit Rutherford Ranch?
Yes. Online reservations cover parties of up to 8, and groups of 9 or more arrange their visit directly with the winery. Our Jet Sprinter and Executive Luxury Van carry up to 9 guests.
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":"Rutherford Ranch Winery","url":"https://rutherfordranch.com","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"1680 Silverado Trail South","addressLocality":"St. Helena","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"94574","addressCountry":"US"},"foundingDate":"1978","containedInPlace":{"@type":"Place","name":"Rutherford AVA"}},{"@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Do I need a reservation at Rutherford Ranch?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Plan on one. The winery takes reservations online, by phone or by email for parties of up to 8, and asks you to contact it directly for a visit within the next 24 hours. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How much is a tasting at Rutherford Ranch?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"$55 per person for the Reserve Tasting, $75 for the Guided Tour and Reserve Tasting and $95 for the Torcia Experience and Vineyard Tour, as of September 2026."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is Rutherford Ranch known for?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Cabernet Sauvignon from the Rutherford AVA, Reserve wines sold only at the winery, and the Torcia line of single-appellation Napa Valley Cabernets."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Who owns Rutherford Ranch?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The Zaninovich family. Marko and Theo Zaninovich bought the winery in 2000 when founders Ernie and Virginia Van Asperen retired."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Can a larger group visit Rutherford Ranch?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. Online reservations cover parties of up to 8, and groups of 9 or more arrange their visit directly with the winery. Our Jet Sprinter and Executive Luxury Van carry up to 9 guests."}},{"@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."}}]}]}