Soda Canyon · Napa Valley
Visit S.R. Tonella with a Private Chauffeur
Hand-farmed Rutherford Bench Cabernet from a family in the valley's wine business for more than a century, poured after a winery tour in the hillside caves at Soda Canyon, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Steve Tonella's great-uncle, Joseph Ponti, came from Italy to San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake and became the superintendent and first winemaker at Beaulieu Vineyard in Rutherford, where he stayed 43 years. His 1936 Beaulieu Cabernet won a gold medal at the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition. Steve's grandfather, Louis Tonella, joined him at 17 and later inherited the Ponti vineyard in Rutherford.
Steve, the fourth generation, released his first S.R. Tonella Cabernet from the 2010 vintage, after a career in tech that took him to Rome and Barcelona. The J.J. Ponti-Tonella Vineyard on the Rutherford Bench is farmed entirely by hand, with vines that stand on their own without a trellis. Steve runs the business with his wife, Ariadna, and is a past president of the Rutherford Dust Society.
Tastings are not at the vineyard but at The Caves at Soda Canyon, perched above the Stags Leap District with views down the valley. Each visit starts with a winery tour, then a private tasting in the cave or on the patio with an artisan cheese board. Guests like the cave setting and the chance to hear a century of Rutherford history from the family.
Tasting Fees
$95 for the Current Release Tasting, $150 for the Reserve Reds Tasting and $300 for the Cult Napa Cabernet Tasting, each a winery tour and private tasting with a cheese board, about 90 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
2275 Soda Canyon Road, Napa
AVA
Napa Valley
Visiting
Private tastings by appointment at The Caves at Soda Canyon, requested through the winery's booking form or email. Days and hours are not published; groups of six or more send a separate request.
Known For
Rutherford Bench Cabernet Sauvignon from a hand-farmed family vineyard
Founded
2010 (first release; family in the wine business since 1906)
Good to Know
Guests must be over 21. Arrive within 10 minutes of the appointment, and give at least 48 hours' notice for changes or cancellations. A winemaker lunch at The Charter Oak (from $250, all inclusive) is offered by invitation.
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
Silverado Resort, a golf and spa resort at the foot of Atlas Peak, is about 12 minutes from the caves, and Milliken Creek Inn, on the Silverado Trail just north of Napa, about 15 minutes. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · S.R. Tonella Cellars
Winery tour and the Current Release Tasting with a cheese board, about 90 minutes ($95). The Reserve Reds ($150) and Cult Napa Cabernet ($300) tastings take the same time.
12:05 · Altamura Vineyards & Winery
About 20 minutes away. A family ranch in quiet Wooden Valley, settled by Karen Altamura's family in 1855, with caves and a stone winery. The hosted tasting of four estate wines with a meat and cheese platter is $75. By appointment through the winery.
1:25 · Lunch at Angèle
About 20 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.
2:50 · Zeitgeist Cellars
About 15 minutes away. A husband-and-wife label from a former Spottswoode winemaker, pouring heritage whites and vineyard-designate Cabernet at Arrow&Branch in the Oak Knoll District. The Zeitgeist Tasting Experience is $85; we allow about an hour. Private tastings by reservation.
3:55 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:10 p.m., about six hours after pickup.
About $255 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
S.R. Tonella and Altamura confirm their appointment times when they accept the request, so we may adjust the order. The day fits about six hours.
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 S.R. Tonella?
Yes. Every tasting is a private appointment requested through the winery. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at S.R. Tonella?
$95 per person for the Current Release Tasting, $150 for Reserve Reds and $300 for the Cult Napa Cabernet Tasting, each with a winery tour, as of September 2026.
Where do you taste S.R. Tonella wines?
At The Caves at Soda Canyon, above the Stags Leap District east of Napa, not at the Rutherford vineyard.
Who owns S.R. Tonella Cellars?
Fourth-generation vintner Steve Tonella, who runs it with his wife, Ariadna.
Can children come to S.R. Tonella?
Guests taking part in the tastings must be over 21.
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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