Sage Canyon · Napa Valley
Visit Somerston with a Private Chauffeur
A remote ranch of more than 1,600 acres in the hills east of the valley, with vines climbing past 2,000 feet and private tastings of tiny-lot wines, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Somerston is a working ranch in the hills east of the Napa Valley floor, reached by a long gated drive off Sage Canyon Road. Allan and Kathleen Chapman bought the historic Priest Ranch in 2004, added the neighboring Elder Valley Ranch two years later and joined them as Somerston Ranch, more than 1,600 acres in all. The ranch's second label, Priest Ranch, is its sister brand.
Vines run from about 850 feet to above 2,000 feet, split into some 90 individual blocks, and an old barn on the property was converted into the winery where both labels are made. The Somerston bottlings are microproductions from single blocks. The ranch sits in the Napa Valley AVA, outside the named sub-appellations, in the area once called Soda Valley.
Visits are private and prepaid. The Somerston Estate Experience is a 90-minute showcase of the estate's small-lot wines for two to four guests, offered daily. Guests enjoy the drive out as much as the wine: Sage Canyon Road winds past Lake Hennessey into open ranch land with little traffic. The website says a new chapter is underway, so we confirm the format when we book.
Tasting Fees
$150 for the Somerston Estate Experience, 90 minutes, for 2 to 4 guests.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
3450 Sage Canyon Road, St. Helena
AVA
Napa Valley
Visiting
Open daily 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by prepaid reservation on Tock. The Somerston Estate Experience is offered 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for 2 to 4 guests; groups of 5 or more request a private event.
Known For
Small-lot, single-block wines from a mountain ranch east of the valley, with sister label Priest Ranch
Founded
2004 (ranch purchased)
Good to Know
Tastings are private and prepaid, for 2 to 4 guests; larger groups request a private event. Age and pet policies are not published; we confirm them when booking. The estate is about 25 minutes east of St. Helena on a winding road.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 9:30 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Meadowood or Alila Napa Valley. We start a little early because the ranch is a back-road drive east of the valley.
9:30 · Pickup at Meadowood or Alila Napa Valley
Somerston is out on Sage Canyon Road (Highway 128), past Lake Hennessey, so we leave a little early. Meadowood, off the Silverado Trail outside St. Helena, and Alila Napa Valley on Highway 29 are each about 25 minutes away. The day below runs closer to seven hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:00 · Somerston Estate
The Somerston Estate Experience, a private 90-minute showcase of the estate's small-lot wines ($150, 2 to 4 guests).
11:55 · Burgess Cellars
About 25 minutes away. A family winery since 1972 whose hillside vineyard was first planted in the 1870s; tastings are held at the Burgess home on the Silverado Trail. The Estate Experience of four current releases is $75; we allow about 75 minutes. By appointment, prepaid on Tock.
1:25 · Lunch at Auberge du Soleil
About 15 minutes away. Lunch high on Rutherford Hill with the whole valley below. The Bar serves all day from 11:30 a.m., and The Restaurant on the terrace offers a two- or three-course prix fixe lunch. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:50 · Raymond Vineyards
About 12 minutes away. A biodynamically farmed estate south of St. Helena whose main tasting salon looks out over the vines. The Red Room Tasting is $95; we allow about an hour. By reservation; open Thursday to Monday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
3:55 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:15 p.m.
About $320 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Somerston is about 25 minutes from the valley floor, so the day runs about six and three-quarter hours. Raymond is closed Tuesday and Wednesday; on those days we swap in another estate.
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 Somerston?
Yes. Visits are private and prepaid, booked on Tock for 2 to 4 guests. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Somerston?
$150 per person for the 90-minute Somerston Estate Experience, as of September 2026.
Where is Somerston Estate?
At 3450 Sage Canyon Road (Highway 128), in the hills east of the valley floor, about 25 minutes from St. Helena.
Who owns Somerston?
Allan and Kathleen Chapman, who bought Priest Ranch in 2004 and combined it with the neighboring Elder Valley Ranch.
What is Priest Ranch?
Somerston's sister brand, named for the historic ranch that is part of the estate. Both labels are made at the winery on the property.
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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