Pope Valley · Napa Valley
Visit Sosabe with a Private Chauffeur
The family label of Nuias DePina, Raymond Vineyards' cellar master for nearly 50 years, made in Pope Valley. Sosabe 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
Sosabe Cellars is the label of Nuias DePina, who was born in Cape Verde and came to Napa Valley as a teenager in 1975. He spent nearly 50 years as cellar master at Raymond Vineyards before retiring in 2024, and founded Sosabe in 2001. The name means "fun" in the Cape Verdean language, which DePina calls a very important part of the wine business.
The wines are made at Usibelli Winery in Pope Valley, a custom crush facility with a 6,000-square-foot cave tunneled in 1984. The lineup includes a Coombsville Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, the Kriola blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat, and Tabanka Red, a North Coast blend, about 700 to 2,000 cases a year. DePina also planted Tempranillo on a Lake County property in 2023.
Most Sosabe wine is sold direct through its website, with a few local outlets such as Sunshine Foods in St. Helena. There is no tasting room or public visiting program, so Sosabe does not receive visitors. The day below climbs Howell Mountain, drops into Chiles Valley near Pope Valley, and finishes in St. Helena.
Tasting Fees
Sosabe 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
Pope Valley
AVA
Napa Valley
Visiting
Sosabe does not receive visitors; it has no tasting room, and the wines are made at a custom crush winery in Pope Valley.
Known For
Coombsville Cabernet Sauvignon and the Kriola white blend
Founded
2001
Good to Know
Order through sosabecellars.com; the wines are also sold at Sunshine Foods in St. Helena.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Meadowood or Harvest Inn.
10:00 · Pickup at Meadowood or Harvest Inn
Since Sosabe does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do, from the top of Howell Mountain to Chiles Valley, near where Sosabe is made, and back to St. Helena. Meadowood, a resort at the foot of Howell Mountain, and Harvest Inn, at the south end of St. Helena, are about 25 to 30 minutes from the first stop. The day runs about six and a half hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:30 · Robert Foley Vineyards
About 25 minutes away. Acclaimed winemaker Bob Foley's small family winery near the top of Howell Mountain, where more than 1,000 barrels rest in a cave completed in 2008 and the permit allows only 10 guests a day. The tasting is $50, about an hour, with one fee refunded for every six bottles. By appointment, usually Thursday to Saturday at 10:30 a.m.
11:55 · Maxville Winery
About 25 minutes away. A 1,000-acre Chiles Valley estate with a private lake and vines planted in 1974, reached by a scenic drive into the eastern hills. The Estate Tasting with cheese and charcuterie is $75, about 90 minutes, with 24 hours' notice. By prepaid appointment, daily 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
1:50 · Lunch at The Charter Oak
About 25 minutes away. Lunch at The Charter Oak in St. Helena, a sit-down restaurant cooking over an open hearth, open daily from 11:30 a.m. (brunch from 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 · Chase Cellars
About 8 minutes away. A small family winery on the historic Hayne Vineyard in St. Helena, which the family bought in 1872 and farmed for decades before making its first wine in 1998. A private tasting and tour of the vineyard is $45 and runs about 75 minutes, waived with each 3-bottle purchase per person. By appointment Tuesday to Saturday, last start at 3 p.m.; all guests must be 21 or older.
4:15 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:30 p.m., about six and a half hours after pickup.
About $170 per person for Robert Foley ($50), Maxville's Estate Tasting ($75) and Chase Cellars ($45), paid directly to each winery.
Robert Foley usually hosts Thursday to Saturday at 10:30 a.m., and Chase Cellars is closed Sunday and Monday with its last tasting at 3 p.m., so plan this day for Thursday to Saturday. Maxville needs 24 hours' notice for the Estate Tasting. The day runs about six and a half hours; extra time is billed by the hour.
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 Sosabe?
No. Sosabe has no tasting room and does not host visitors, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at nearby wineries that do.
How can I buy Sosabe wine?
Through sosabecellars.com, or at Sunshine Foods in St. Helena.
Who owns Sosabe Cellars?
Founder Nuias DePina, Raymond Vineyards' longtime cellar master, who started Sosabe in 2001.
Where is Sosabe made?
At Usibelli Winery, a custom crush facility with a cave in Pope Valley.
What does Sosabe mean?
"Fun" in the Cape Verdean language.
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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