Rutherford · Napa Valley
Visit Scarecrow with a Private Chauffeur
Rutherford Cabernet from vines planted in 1945 on the ranch of a Wizard of Oz producer. Scarecrow 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
Scarecrow grows on the J.J. Cohn Ranch in Rutherford. Joseph Judson Cohn, MGM's chief of production, who worked on Ben-Hur, Gigi and The Wizard of Oz, bought the land as a family summer retreat, and in 1945 his neighbor John Daniel Jr. of Inglenook persuaded him to plant Cabernet Sauvignon. In 2002 his grandson Bret Lopez, a photographer, and Mimi DeBlasio kept the buildings and 25 acres of vines and made the first Scarecrow from the 2003 vintage.
Some of the original 1945 vines, on St. George rootstock, survived phylloxera; the estate calls them the "Old Men," and they still supply Scarecrow's fruit. For decades the ranch sold its grapes to Inglenook and later to Opus One, Joseph Phelps, Robert Mondavi and Beaulieu. The label is a tribute to the Scarecrow of The Wizard of Oz, production is a few hundred cases in most years, and a second wine is bottled as Monsieur Étain.
Scarecrow is sold through the mailing list on the winery's website, and bottles also turn up at auction. The estate is clear that it does not host: "our vineyard property is not open to the public," though it is happy to hear from people by email. The day below takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do welcome guests.
Tasting Fees
Scarecrow 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
Rutherford
AVA
Rutherford
Visiting
Scarecrow does not offer tours or tastings. In the estate's words, "our vineyard property is not open to the public."
Known For
Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon from vines planted in 1945
Founded
2003 first vintage (vineyard planted in 1945)
Good to Know
Wine is offered through the mailing list on scarecrowwine.com. Questions go to info@scarecrowwine.com.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Alila Napa Valley or Harvest Inn.
10:00 · Pickup at Alila Napa Valley or Harvest Inn
Since Scarecrow does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. Alila Napa Valley, a Hyatt resort in downtown St. Helena, is about 7 minutes from the first stop, and Harvest Inn, a garden hotel at the south end of town, about 10 minutes. The day runs about six and three-quarter hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Morlet Family Vineyards
About 7 minutes away. Winemaker Luc Morlet's family winery in an 1880 stone building north of St. Helena. The private seated tasting with a brief tour is $200, about 90 minutes, waived with six bottles per person. By appointment, Monday to Saturday, with times from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
12:00 · Melka Estates
About 8 minutes away. Philippe and Cherie Melka's small estate off the Silverado Trail, with a tasting salon in a 1982 farm barn that holds a library of about 3,000 bottles. The Signature Selection Tasting in the salon is $150 for 90 minutes, waived with a wine purchase. By appointment, requested by phone or email.
1:40 · Lunch at The Charter Oak
About 8 minutes away. Lunch at The Charter Oak in St. Helena, Christopher and Martina Kostow's family-style New American restaurant, open daily from 11:30 a.m. (11 a.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.
3:00 · Quintessa
About 12 minutes away. A Biodynamic estate on the east side of Rutherford, where a hosted walk through the estate's natural surroundings and sweeping Rutherford views comes before a seated tasting of current and library vintages. The private Estate Experience is $175, about 90 minutes (the Communal Estate Experience, shared with one other party, is $125). By appointment, Thursday to Monday, with the last visits at 3:30 p.m.
4:30 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:45 p.m., about six and three-quarter hours after pickup.
About $475 to $525 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Morlet hosts Monday to Saturday and Quintessa Thursday to Monday, so this day works Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Monday. It runs about six and three-quarter hours, back by about 4:45 p.m.
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 Scarecrow?
No. Scarecrow says its vineyard property is not open to the public, and it offers no tours or tastings, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at nearby estates that do host.
How can I buy Scarecrow wine?
Through the mailing list on scarecrowwine.com. Bottles also come up at auction and with fine wine merchants.
Who owns Scarecrow?
Bret Lopez, the grandson of J.J. Cohn, who founded Scarecrow with Mimi DeBlasio after they kept the ranch buildings and 25 acres of vines in 2002.
Where is Scarecrow?
On the J.J. Cohn Ranch in the Rutherford AVA of Napa Valley. The winery lists only a post office box in Rutherford.
Why is it called Scarecrow?
The label honors the Scarecrow of The Wizard of Oz, one of the films J.J. Cohn worked on as MGM's chief of production. The wine comes partly from vines he planted in 1945.
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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