Napa · Napa Valley
Visit Sawyer Cellars with a Private Chauffeur
A small family winery where the winemaker of three decades often pulls barrel samples himself, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Charlie Sawyer met winemaker Brad Warner at a Napa Valley event in 1984. In 1994 he bought the Yaeger family estate in Rutherford, and the Sawyer Cellars tasting room opened in 1999. Charlie's mission was simple: to show more people how good a great wine can taste without spending a whole paycheck. His daughter Charlene now runs sales and the brand.
Brad Warner, who spent more than 30 years at Robert Mondavi, has been Sawyer's winemaker since the start, and he picks by taste over chemistry. The winery makes a little under 500 cases a year; its Merlot has been a standout, with the 2018 named Best of Napa County.
Today the family pours in the Sawyer Room in south Napa's business district, a short drive from downtown. Tastings are small and unhurried, about an hour, and often include barrel samples pulled by Brad himself, which is a treat for guests who want to meet the person who made the wine.
Tasting Fees
$50 per person for the standard tasting, about an hour, waived with a purchase of $50 or more. Club members taste free in the barrel room.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
761 Technology Way, Napa
AVA
Napa Valley
Visiting
By reservation Monday through Thursday, at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Book at least 24 hours ahead.
Known For
Small-lot Napa Valley Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon made by Brad Warner
Founded
1994 (Rutherford estate bought; tasting room opened 1999)
Good to Know
Reservations need 24 hours' notice. The barrel room tasting is for wine club members (up to four guests). Ages and pet policy are not published, so we confirm them when booking.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 9:45 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as The Meritage Resort or Archer Hotel Napa, so you arrive for the 10:00 tasting, the first of the day.
9:45 · Pickup at The Meritage Resort or Archer Hotel Napa
The Meritage Resort is about 5 minutes from Sawyer Cellars, and Archer Hotel Napa, in downtown Napa, is about 12 minutes away. We start at 9:45 so you are seated for the 10:00 tasting. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:00 · Sawyer Cellars
The standard tasting ($50), about an hour, often with barrel samples.
11:25 · Modus Operandi Cellars
About 22 minutes away. A small winery up Soda Canyon founded by Jason Moore, who started out as a waiter in Dallas, with tastings held in a cave at The Caves at Soda Canyon. The Classic Tasting of four to five current releases is $100 per person; we allow about an hour and 15 minutes. By appointment only, for parties of 2 to 10.
12:55 · Lunch at Grace's Table
About 15 minutes away. Lunch at Grace's Table on Second Street in downtown Napa, a sit-down local favorite open daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:05 · Robert Biale Vineyards
About 10 minutes away. A fourth-generation family winery on Big Ranch Road, acclaimed for old-vine Zinfandel and Petite Sirah from historic Napa Valley vineyards. The Valley Vista Experience is a seated tasting on the Back Porch with a view across the valley ($50), offered daily 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; we allow about 75 minutes. By appointment.
3:20 · Back to your hotel
Back by 3:40 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
About $200 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Sawyer Cellars hosts Monday through Thursday only, so plan this day for early in the week.
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 Sawyer Cellars?
Yes. Tastings are by reservation, Monday through Thursday, with at least 24 hours' notice. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Sawyer Cellars?
$50 per person, about an hour, waived with a purchase of $50 or more, as of September 2026.
Who makes the wine at Sawyer Cellars?
Brad Warner, who has been the winemaker since the start and spent more than 30 years at Robert Mondavi.
Who owns Sawyer Cellars?
The Sawyer family. Charlie Sawyer founded the winery, and his daughter Charlene runs sales and the brand.
What is Sawyer Cellars known for?
Small-lot Napa Valley wines, especially Merlot; the 2018 Merlot was named Best of Napa County.
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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