St. Helena · Napa Valley
Visit Strala with a Private Chauffeur
A husband-and-wife label from a leading vineyard manager and a barrel expert, poured with food and art at the Brasswood Estate north of St. Helena, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Jason and Laura Ray met at a Napa Valley restaurant through a winemaker friend and started Strala in 2013 and 2014 with 300 cases of red blends and Cabernet. Jason founded Napa Select Vineyard Services in 2005, now farming more than 1,500 acres in Napa and Sonoma. Laura won a wine tasting competition alongside Master Sommeliers in 2011, then worked in French cooperage.
That mix of vineyard knowledge and barrel expertise shapes the wines, made from select vineyard sites: sparkling wines, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Napa Valley reds, all in small lots. The name means 'to shine brightly, emit rays, radiate light'. Strala began pouring at the Brasswood cellar around 2018 and 2019, when it first sold directly to consumers.
Tastings take place at the Brasswood Estate on Highway 29 just north of St. Helena, in the St. Helena AVA. The Classic Tasting can be paired with bites from Brasswood Bar + Kitchen, and guests can browse the Gallery at Brasswood. The Lunch Pairing matches the wines with the kitchen's seasonal food, such as house-made mozzarella with Chardonnay. Book at least 48 hours ahead.
Tasting Fees
$75 for the Classic Tasting, with a curated cheese plate available for $25 more. $150 for the Lunch Pairing with Brasswood Bar + Kitchen, booked by email. Durations are not published; we allow about an hour for the Classic Tasting.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
3111 St. Helena Highway North, St. Helena
AVA
St. Helena
Visiting
By confirmed advance reservation only, at least 48 hours ahead, at the Brasswood Estate in St. Helena. Tastings daily at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. for 1 to 8 guests; larger groups contact the winery.
Known For
Small-lot sparkling wine, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Napa Valley Cabernet and red blends
Founded
2013 (first wines)
Good to Know
Groups of 1 to 8; larger groups by email. A curated cheese plate can be added for $25 per person. Wine club members have a members-only tasting space.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 9:45 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Meadowood or Harvest Inn, in time for the 10 a.m. tasting.
9:45 · Pickup at Meadowood or Harvest Inn
We start at 9:45 for Strala's 10 a.m. seating. Harvest Inn is about 8 minutes from Brasswood and Meadowood about 10. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:00 · Strala Vineyards
The Classic Tasting at the Brasswood Estate ($75). The winery does not publish a length, so we allow about an hour.
11:20 · Arkenstone Estate
About 20 minutes away. A family domaine on the western shoulder of Howell Mountain with its own underground winery. The Arkenstone Experience is $150, a winery and vineyard tour with a seated tasting, about 90 minutes, paid at booking. By private appointment, with very few visits each day.
1:15 · Lunch at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch
About 25 minutes away. Lunch at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch at the south end of St. Helena, a farm-to-table restaurant open daily for lunch from 11:30 a.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:30 · Raymond Vineyards
About 8 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.
3:35 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 3:50 p.m., about six hours after pickup.
About $320 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Raymond is closed Tuesday and Wednesday; on those days we swap in another estate. Arkenstone takes very few visits a day, so we book it first and set the rest around it.
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 Strala?
Yes. Tastings are by confirmed reservation at least 48 hours ahead, at 10 a.m., noon or 2 p.m. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Strala?
$75 per person for the Classic Tasting and $150 for the Lunch Pairing, as of September 2026.
Where do you taste Strala wines?
At the Brasswood Estate, 3111 St. Helena Highway North, just north of St. Helena.
Who owns Strala?
Jason and Laura Ray. Jason founded Napa Select Vineyard Services; Laura's background is in wine tasting and French oak barrels.
What does Strala mean?
To shine brightly, emit rays, radiate light.
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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