Howell Mountain · Napa Valley
Visit Summit Lake with a Private Chauffeur
A Brakesman family estate near the top of Howell Mountain, known for old-vine Zinfandel since the 1970s, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Bob and Sue Brakesman founded Summit Lake on November 12, 1971, and restored the estate's pre-Prohibition Zinfandel vineyard. Their 1978 Zinfandel won a double gold medal at the California State Fair, and the winery was bonded in 1985. Bob was one of the growers who gathered around a kitchen table in 1983 to map the Howell Mountain AVA.
The estate is still family owned and run. Brian Brakesman has been the winemaker since 2009, and Heather Brakesman has worked full time at the winery since 2003. Summit Lake makes Howell Mountain Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah, along with a rosé and a Zinfandel port, all from the mountain.
Visits are private vineyard tours and tastings, by advance appointment Monday through Saturday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Appointments are limited, and the winery asks that you call to schedule, so we arrange it on your behalf. It is a small family property near the top of the mountain, and the visit is personal.
Tasting Fees
Private vineyard tours and tastings are by appointment. Summit Lake does not publish a tasting fee online; it is confirmed when the visit is scheduled.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
2000 Summit Lake Drive, Angwin
AVA
Howell Mountain
Visiting
Private vineyard tours and tastings by advance appointment, Monday through Saturday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Appointments are scheduled by phone.
Known For
Howell Mountain Zinfandel from a restored pre-Prohibition vineyard, plus Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Zinfandel port
Founded
1971
Good to Know
Appointments are limited and booked by phone. Wine club members get complimentary tastings. The winery is family run, near the top of Howell Mountain on rural roads.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Meadowood or Alila Napa Valley. The estate is near the top of Howell Mountain, about 25 minutes up, so the visit is set for 10:30.
10:00 · Pickup at Meadowood or Alila Napa Valley
Meadowood, at the foot of Howell Mountain, is about 25 minutes from the estate, and Alila Napa Valley at the north end of St. Helena is about 30 minutes away. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:30 · Summit Lake Vineyards & Winery
A private vineyard tour and tasting with the Brakesman family. We plan about 75 minutes; the fee is confirmed when we book.
12:05 · Failla Wines
About 20 minutes away. A winery on the Silverado Trail known for single-vineyard, cool-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. The seated Lodge Tasting is $65, about an hour, by reservation; open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
1:20 · Lunch at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch
About 15 minutes away. Lunch at Farmstead, Long Meadow Ranch's farm-to-table restaurant at the south end of St. Helena, 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.
2:40 · Stony Hill Vineyard
About 12 minutes away. A Spring Mountain estate making Chardonnay since the 1950s, reached by a short climb from Highway 29. Taste of Stony Hill is $75, up to an hour, by reservation Thursday through Monday; 21 and over.
3:40 · Back to your hotel
Back by 4:00 p.m., six hours after pickup.
About $140 per person in tasting fees for Failla and Stony Hill, paid directly to each winery, plus Summit Lake's fee, which the winery confirms when you book.
Summit Lake hosts Monday through Saturday, and Stony Hill is open Thursday through Monday. On a Tuesday or Wednesday we swap in another St. Helena estate of the same standing.
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 Summit Lake?
Yes. Visits are private tours and tastings by advance appointment, Monday through Saturday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., scheduled by phone. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Summit Lake?
Summit Lake does not publish a tasting fee online; it is confirmed when the appointment is made, as of September 2026.
What is Summit Lake known for?
Howell Mountain Zinfandel from a restored pre-Prohibition vineyard. Its 1978 Zinfandel won a double gold medal at the California State Fair.
Who owns Summit Lake?
The Brakesman family, who founded it in 1971. Brian Brakesman has been the winemaker since 2009.
Did Summit Lake help create the Howell Mountain AVA?
Yes. Bob Brakesman was one of the growers who met in 1983 to map the appellation, along with Randy Dunn, Bill Smith of La Jota, Bob Lamborn and Mike Beatty.
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":"Summit Lake Vineyards & Winery","url":"https://www.summitlakevineyards.com","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2000 Summit Lake Drive","addressLocality":"Angwin","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"94508","addressCountry":"US"},"foundingDate":"1971","containedInPlace":{"@type":"Place","name":"Howell Mountain AVA"}},{"@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Do I need a reservation at Summit Lake?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. Visits are private tours and tastings by advance appointment, Monday through Saturday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., scheduled by phone. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How much is a tasting at Summit Lake?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Summit Lake does not publish a tasting fee online; it is confirmed when the appointment is made, as of September 2026."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is Summit Lake known for?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Howell Mountain Zinfandel from a restored pre-Prohibition vineyard. Its 1978 Zinfandel won a double gold medal at the California State Fair."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Who owns Summit Lake?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The Brakesman family, who founded it in 1971. Brian Brakesman has been the winemaker since 2009."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Did Summit Lake help create the Howell Mountain AVA?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. Bob Brakesman was one of the growers who met in 1983 to map the appellation, along with Randy Dunn, Bill Smith of La Jota, Bob Lamborn and Mike Beatty."}},{"@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."}}]}]}