Napa · Napa Valley
Visit Salexis with a Private Chauffeur
A family label from John Gibson, associate winemaker at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars for the 1983 to 1993 vintages, and his wife Ann. Salexis 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
John Gibson came to Napa Valley in 1981 from UC Davis and worked at Chappellet before joining Stag's Leap Wine Cellars in 1983. Under Warren Winiarski he rose to associate winemaker, responsible for the 1983 to 1993 vintages, including SLV, Fay and Cask 23. He then made the wine and designed the winery at Vine Cliff before turning to consulting for small family vineyards.
In 1998 John and his wife Ann, who had met at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, started Salexis, named by blending the first and middle names of their daughter, Sarah Alexis. The first wine was a 1998 Snowden Vineyard Merlot, followed by Chardonnay from Beckstoffer's Carneros Lake Vineyard and, from 2005, Cabernet. Today they hand-craft Carneros Chardonnay and Merlot and Cabernet from small Napa Valley vineyards.
John still makes wine for a few other families, and he writes a harvest report each year; the 2025 season, he says, was the coolest since 1991. Salexis sells through its online store, with gift packs, magnums and library releases held back in the cellar until they are ready. It publishes no tasting room or visiting program, so it does not receive visitors. The day below goes to nearby estates that do.
Tasting Fees
Salexis 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
Salexis does not receive visitors; it publishes no tasting room or visiting program and sells through its online store.
Known For
Napa Valley Cabernet, Carneros Chardonnay and Merlot, made by John Gibson
Founded
1998
Good to Know
Buy current wines, gift packs and library releases in the online store on salexiswines.com, or sign up for the newsletter. The Gibsons can be reached at 707-256-3435.
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 Salexis does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do, in Coombsville, at the foot of Atlas Peak and in south Napa. Silverado Resort and Milliken Creek Inn are about 15 minutes from the first stop. The day fits about six hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Porter Family Vineyards
About 15 minutes away. A family winery built 50 feet underground inside a hill in Coombsville, hosting one group at a time in its 17,000-square-foot cave. Fees to be verified upon reservation; by appointment or private request, and we allow about an hour.
11:30 · Whetstone Wine Cellars
About 12 minutes away. A family winery pouring single-vineyard wines in a restored 19th-century French-style chateau at the base of Atlas Peak Road. The Classic Tasting of four wines is $65, 60 to 90 minutes; we plan 75. Open Thursday to Monday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., last seating at 3 p.m.; 21 and over.
1:00 · Lunch at Kitchen Door
About 10 minutes away. Lunch at Kitchen Door in downtown Napa, a sit-down restaurant on First Street. Lunch runs from 11:30 a.m. on weekdays and from 12:30 p.m. on weekends. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:20 · Blackbird Vineyards
About 10 minutes away. Pomerol-inspired blends of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, poured at the Blackbird Lab, a modern, intimate tasting room in south Napa. The Blackbird Flight is $75, about an hour. Reservations at least 24 hours ahead, Monday to Saturday; last tasting at 3:30 p.m.
3:20 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 3:40 p.m., under six hours after pickup.
About $140 per person in published tasting fees (Whetstone and Blackbird), paid directly to each winery; Porter confirms its fee when we book.
Whetstone is open Thursday to Monday and Blackbird Monday to Saturday, so plan this day for a Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Monday. Porter confirms its time when it accepts the request. 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 Salexis Wines?
No. Salexis publishes no tasting room or visiting program and sells through its online store, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at nearby estates that do host.
How can I buy Salexis wine?
Through the online store on salexiswines.com, which offers current wines, gift packs, magnums and library releases.
Who owns Salexis?
John and Ann Gibson, who started it in 1998 and named it for their daughter, Sarah Alexis.
Who is John Gibson?
A Napa winemaker since 1981, associate winemaker at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars for the 1983 to 1993 vintages and later winemaker at Vine Cliff.
What does Salexis make?
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from small vineyards, plus Chardonnay and Merlot from Carneros.
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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