Oak Knoll District · Napa Valley
Visit Smith Devereux with a Private Chauffeur
A friendship winery from a wine writer, a grower and a music-industry insider, where the founder himself walks you through the Oak Knoll vineyard, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Smith Devereux calls its founders an unlikely trio: travel and wine writer Ian Devereux White, who wrote for Lonely Planet, Wine Enthusiast and San Francisco Magazine; grower John Anthony Truchard, whose parents planted their first Carneros vines in 1974; and Steve Smith, who spent 19 years in the music business with artists such as John Mayer and Train. They met backstage at Berkeley's Greek Theatre.
Their first vintage was 2012. The single-vineyard Merlot comes from the family's Ibex Vineyard in the Oak Knoll District, sustainably farmed and hand-harvested, and the list adds Cabernet Sauvignon, a Sauvignon Blanc and a red blend, plus wines made with musician friends such as Cedric the Entertainer and Amy Hānaiali'i. Rudy Zuidema has been winemaker since 2023.
Visits are small and personal. Ian hosts private tastings and vineyard tours for up to six people, and the winery plans each one around the group. The meeting place is shared when you book, since the address online is only the business office. For guests who like to hear the story from the person who lived it, this is a good morning.
Tasting Fees
Smith Devereux does not publish its tasting fee (club members taste free). Tasting fees to be verified upon reservation.
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
Oak Knoll District
Visiting
By appointment only, for groups of up to 6, hosted by founder Ian Devereux. Book by email (ian@smithdevereux.com) or phone (707-227-5226); the meeting place is given when you book.
Known For
Single-vineyard Oak Knoll Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and wines made with musician friends
Founded
2012 (first vintage)
Good to Know
Groups of up to 6. Wine club members taste free and the tasting fee is waived for guests who join. The address listed online is the business office, not the vineyard. Private dinners and corporate events are also offered.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Milliken Creek Inn or Andaz Napa.
10:00 · Pickup at Milliken Creek Inn or Andaz Napa
Both hotels are on the Napa side of the Oak Knoll District, about 10 to 15 minutes from the vineyard. The day below fits about a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Smith Devereux
A private vineyard tour and tasting with Ian Devereux. The winery does not publish a length; we allow about 90 minutes.
12:05 · Clos du Val
About 15 minutes away. A Stags Leap District estate where tastings are poured in Hirondelle House, from shaded cabanas and a sunny patio to the cool cellar. The Hirondelle House Tasting is $75 for 60 minutes, with a seasonal dip and fresh sourdough. Reservations encouraged; open Thursday to Monday, 21 and over.
1:20 · Lunch at R+D Kitchen
About 10 minutes away. Lunch at R+D Kitchen on Washington Street in Yountville, which serves lunch 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.
2:45 · Burgess Cellars
About 14 minutes away. Winemaker Meghan Zobeck's wines from the historic Burgess hillside vineyard in Deer Park, poured at the Burgess home on the Silverado Trail. The Estate Experience of four current releases is $75; we allow about 75 minutes. By appointment, booked and prepaid through Tock.
4:00 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:10 p.m., about six hours after pickup.
About $150 per person in published tasting fees for Clos du Val and Burgess Cellars, plus Smith Devereux's fee, which is confirmed when the appointment is booked; paid directly to each winery.
Clos du Val is open Thursday to Monday, so this day works on those days. Smith Devereux sets each visit with the group, so we confirm its time first.
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 Smith Devereux?
Yes. Visits are by appointment only, for groups of up to 6, arranged with Ian Devereux by email or phone. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Smith Devereux?
Smith Devereux does not publish a tasting fee; club members taste free. Tasting fees to be verified upon reservation, as of September 2026.
Who founded Smith Devereux?
Wine writer Ian Devereux White, grower John Anthony Truchard and music-industry veteran Steve Smith. Their first vintage was 2012.
Where is the Smith Devereux vineyard?
In the Oak Knoll District near the city of Napa. The meeting place is shared when you book, since the public address is the business office.
What is Smith Devereux known for?
Single-vineyard Merlot from its Ibex Vineyard in Oak Knoll, Cabernet Sauvignon, and collaboration wines with musicians and friends.
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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