Oakville · Napa Valley
Visit Saddleback with a Private Chauffeur
Nils Venge's small, dog-friendly winery on a quiet lane off the Oakville Cross Road, with picnic tables under the sycamores, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Nils Venge and his father-in-law bought this property in 1976, and Saddleback Cellars released its first wine in 1983. Venge is one of Napa Valley's pioneers: as winemaker at Groth he made the 1985 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, which earned Robert Parker's first perfect 100-point score for an American wine. He left Groth in 1993 to focus on Saddleback.
The winery sits on a quiet lane just off the Oakville Cross Road, among neighbors like Silver Oak, Opus One, Groth and PlumpJack, yet it feels like a small country farm. The flight changes often and can include rare varieties alongside whites, blends and always a Cabernet, so there is usually something new to try.
It is a relaxed, friendly stop. Tastings come with access to the picnic tables under shady sycamores beside the Pinot Blanc vines, the patio is dog-friendly, and Chloe, the winery dog who appears in Winery Dogs of Napa Valley, is usually around to greet you. Guests who want a break from formal salons love it here.
Tasting Fees
$40 per person for the tasting, an ever-changing flight of whites, blends and reds (always a Cabernet), with access to the vineyard picnic tables.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
7802 Money Road, Oakville
AVA
Oakville
Visiting
Tastings daily, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., by appointment only, on the half hour. Book on Tock or CellarPass, by email or by phone (707-944-1305); call for same-day visits or groups larger than 6.
Known For
Cabernet Sauvignon and small lots of rare varieties, made at a family winery founded by Nils Venge
Founded
1976 (first release 1983)
Good to Know
Dogs are welcome, and the winery's own dog is often on the patio. Picnic tables in the vineyard come with the tasting. Groups larger than 6 and same-day requests are booked by phone.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:15 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Bardessono or Hotel Yountville.
10:15 · Pickup at Bardessono or Hotel Yountville
Saddleback books tastings on the half hour, so we pick up at 10:15 for a 10:30 start. Bardessono, a garden hotel in Yountville, and Hotel Yountville, a boutique hotel in Yountville, are each about 10 minutes away. This day runs a little over six hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:30 · Saddleback Cellars
The Saddleback tasting ($40), with time at the picnic tables under the sycamores; we plan about an hour.
11:50 · Bell Wine Cellars
About 12 minutes away. A working winery just outside downtown Yountville, devoted to single-clone Cabernet Sauvignon, where the Grape to Glass Tour & Tasting shows you how the wine is made. $60 for the tour and $95 for the All Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting, each about 90 minutes. Open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. by appointment.
1:40 · Lunch at Rutherford Grill
About 15 minutes away. Lunch at Rutherford Grill on Rutherford Road, a sit-down local favorite open daily for lunch. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:55 · B Cellars
About 10 minutes away. An Oakville winery built around food, where the Oakville Trek tours the gardens and cave and ends with five wines paired with chef-made B Bites from the open-hearth kitchen. $150 for 90 minutes, Thursday to Monday; on Tuesday and Wednesday the Vineyard Flight with local cheeses is $100 for an hour. Book at least 24 hours ahead; tastings run until 3 p.m.
4:25 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:40 p.m., a little under six and a half hours after pickup.
About $200 to $285 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
B Cellars pours the Oakville Trek Thursday to Monday and the Vineyard Flight on Tuesday and Wednesday. The day runs about six and a half hours; we can shorten it by dropping the last stop.
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 Saddleback?
Yes. Tastings are by appointment only, on the half hour between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., booked on Tock, CellarPass, by email or by phone. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Saddleback?
$40 per person, including access to the vineyard picnic tables, as of September 2026.
Can I bring my dog to Saddleback?
Yes. The winery is dog-friendly, and its own dog, Chloe, often greets guests on the patio.
Who founded Saddleback Cellars?
Nils Venge, who bought the property in 1976. As Groth's winemaker he made the first American wine to earn a perfect 100 points from Robert Parker, the 1985 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.
Can we picnic at Saddleback?
Yes. The tasting includes access to picnic tables under the sycamores beside the Pinot Blanc vines.
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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