Oakville · Napa Valley
Visit Screaming Eagle with a Private Chauffeur
The Oakville estate whose first Cabernet, the 1992, turned a small vineyard into one of the most sought-after names in California wine. Screaming Eagle 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
Jean Phillips bought a 57-acre vineyard in Oakville in 1986 and made the first Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon from the 1992 vintage, released in 1995, with Heidi Peterson Barrett as winemaker. Robert Parker gave that first wine 99 points. Stan Kroenke and Charles Banks bought the estate in 2006, and Kroenke has been the sole owner since 2009; his wine holdings also include The Hilt and Jonata in Santa Barbara County and Domaine Bonneau du Martray in Burgundy.
The vineyard covers about 48 acres in the Oakville AVA, much of it replanted in 2006, and production is tiny, roughly 600 to 700 cases a year. Alongside Cabernet Sauvignon the estate grows Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Sauvignon Blanc. In 2000 a bottle of the 1992 sold for $500,000 at a charity auction in Napa Valley, one of the highest prices ever paid for a single bottle of wine.
The wine goes to mailing list members. The list is full, so new names join a waiting list, and a place opens only when an active member drops off; otherwise bottles turn up at auction and with fine wine merchants. The estate is plain about visits: the property "cannot accommodate tours," and because so little wine is made, it does not offer tastings. The day below takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do host.
Tasting Fees
Screaming Eagle 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
Oakville
AVA
Oakville
Visiting
Screaming Eagle does not offer tours or tastings, and the property is not open to visitors. In the estate's words, the property "cannot accommodate tours."
Known For
Cabernet Sauvignon from a small Oakville vineyard, first made in 1992
Founded
1986 (first vintage 1992)
Good to Know
Wine is offered to mailing list members. The list is full, so new names join the waiting list on screamingeagle.com and are contacted only when a place opens. The estate does not ship to some states.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Auberge du Soleil or Rancho Caymus Inn.
10:00 · Pickup at Auberge du Soleil or Rancho Caymus Inn
Since Screaming Eagle does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. Auberge du Soleil, a hillside resort above Rutherford, and Rancho Caymus Inn, at the Rutherford crossroads, are each about 7 minutes from the first stop. The day runs a little over six hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Quintessa
About 7 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.
12:00 · Cardinale
About 10 minutes away. A renovated stone winery on Highway 29 in Oakville with one of the valley's great panoramic views from the terrace, where every tasting is seated and paired with food from the chef of La Saison Napa Valley. An Introduction to Cardinale, four current releases with seasonal bites, is $125; we plan about an hour and a quarter. By appointment, prepaid, with times from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
1:25 · Lunch at Mustards Grill
About 8 minutes away. Lunch at Mustards Grill on Highway 29 just north of Yountville, a Napa Valley favorite for more than 40 years, 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.
2:45 · Odette Estate Winery
About 12 minutes away. An organic Stags Leap District estate under the Palisades, with a LEED Gold winery designed to recall a flowing evening gown. The Odette Experience is $100, with a cheese plate for every two guests; we plan about 75 minutes. Open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. by reservation.
4:00 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:20 p.m., a little over six hours after pickup.
About $350 to $400 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Quintessa hosts Thursday to Monday, so this day works Thursday through Monday. It runs about six and a quarter 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
Can you visit Screaming Eagle?
No. Screaming Eagle says its property cannot accommodate tours and, because it makes so little wine, it does not offer tastings, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at nearby Oakville and Rutherford estates that do host.
How can I buy Screaming Eagle wine?
Through the mailing list. The list is full, so new buyers join the waiting list on the estate's website and are contacted only if a place opens. Older vintages also come up at auction and with fine wine merchants.
Who owns Screaming Eagle?
Stan Kroenke, who bought the estate with Charles Banks in 2006 and has been the sole owner since 2009. Jean Phillips founded it in 1986.
Where is Screaming Eagle?
In Oakville, in the Oakville AVA of Napa Valley. The estate lists only a post office box in Oakville, and the property is not open to visitors.
What is Screaming Eagle known for?
Its Cabernet Sauvignon, first made from the 1992 vintage with Heidi Peterson Barrett as winemaker. Robert Parker scored that first release 99 points, and a bottle of the 1992 sold for $500,000 at a charity auction in 2000.
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.
Reserve Your Tour{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Winery","name":"Screaming Eagle","url":"https://www.screamingeagle.com","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Oakville","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"94562","addressCountry":"US"},"foundingDate":"1986","containedInPlace":{"@type":"Place","name":"Oakville AVA"}},{"@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Can you visit Screaming Eagle?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No. Screaming Eagle says its property cannot accommodate tours and, because it makes so little wine, it does not offer tastings, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at nearby Oakville and Rutherford estates that do host."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How can I buy Screaming Eagle wine?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Through the mailing list. The list is full, so new buyers join the waiting list on the estate's website and are contacted only if a place opens. Older vintages also come up at auction and with fine wine merchants."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Who owns Screaming Eagle?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Stan Kroenke, who bought the estate with Charles Banks in 2006 and has been the sole owner since 2009. Jean Phillips founded it in 1986."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Where is Screaming Eagle?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"In Oakville, in the Oakville AVA of Napa Valley. The estate lists only a post office box in Oakville, and the property is not open to visitors."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is Screaming Eagle known for?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Its Cabernet Sauvignon, first made from the 1992 vintage with Heidi Peterson Barrett as winemaker. Robert Parker scored that first release 99 points, and a bottle of the 1992 sold for $500,000 at a charity auction in 2000."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How does booking a tour with Bien Chauffeured work?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"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."}}]}]}