St. Helena · Napa Valley
Visit Switchback Ridge with a Private Chauffeur
A Peterson family label from century-old farmland at the mouth of Dutch Henry Canyon, with a dry-farmed Petite Sirah block more than seventy years old, now poured at the Royal We collective in downtown St. Helena, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
In 1914 Eliza and Mads Peterson, from Ireland and Denmark, bought 100 acres on the valley floor at the mouth of Dutch Henry Canyon, off the Silverado Trail between St. Helena and Calistoga. Through Prohibition the family raised plums and nine children. Later generations replanted to vines, and in 1999 great-granddaughter Kelly Peterson released the first Switchback Ridge vintage, made with family friend Bob Foley.
Every bottle comes from the Peterson Family Vineyard in the Calistoga AVA: 21 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Sirah, including a dry-farmed Petite Sirah block more than seventy years old that great-aunt Carrie insisted be left alone when the vineyard was replanted. Thomas Rivers Brown now makes the wines, Matt Hardin farms the vineyard, and Kelly's daughter Ashley, the fifth generation, is a partner.
The family's tasting room has moved to St. Helena. Switchback Ridge now pours at Royal We Wines on Main Street, a collective of Thomas Rivers Brown labels that also includes Caterwaul, Matthew Wallace, Aston Estate, RIV and Maybach. A Switchback Ridge portfolio tasting is scheduled by phone or email with the winery, and we set it up for you, then head for the hills.
Tasting Fees
Tasting fees to be verified upon reservation. Switchback Ridge does not publish a fee for its portfolio 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
929 Main Street, St. Helena
AVA
St. Helena
Visiting
Switchback Ridge portfolio tastings are by appointment at Royal We Wines, 929 Main Street, St. Helena, scheduled by phone or email with the winery; we arrange it on your behalf. Royal We is open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Known For
Estate Petite Sirah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from the Peterson Family Vineyard
Founded
1999 (family farm since 1914)
Good to Know
Ages, group size and pet policy for the portfolio tasting are not published; we confirm them when booking. Current and library wines are sold online, and the mailing list gets first access.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Harvest Inn or Alila Napa Valley.
10:00 · Pickup at Harvest Inn or Alila Napa Valley
Both are at the south end of St. Helena, about 5 minutes from Royal We on Main Street. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Switchback Ridge
A Switchback Ridge portfolio tasting at Royal We Wines. The length is not published; we allow about an hour.
11:35 · Pride Mountain Vineyards
About 20 minutes away. A family estate at the top of Spring Mountain that straddles the Napa and Sonoma county line, with a walk through the caves as part of every visit. The Reserve Experience adds a seated tasting of limited wines to the cave walk; $75 and about 90 minutes. By appointment, Wednesday to Monday (closed Tuesday); up to 6 guests.
1:25 · Lunch at The Charter Oak
About 20 minutes away. Lunch at The Charter Oak at the south end of St. Helena, Christopher and Martina Kostow's family-style New American restaurant, 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.
2:35 · Ballentine Vineyards
About 8 minutes away. A family winery on Highway 29 north of St. Helena, pouring estate wines from a family with more than 120 years in the valley. The Napa Estate Tasting is $60 and the Napa Valley Cabernet Experience is $90, each about 60 to 90 minutes. Reservations recommended.
3:45 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:00 p.m., six hours after pickup.
About $135 to $165 per person in tasting fees for Pride Mountain and Ballentine, plus the Switchback Ridge tasting fee, which is confirmed when booked. Fees are paid directly to each winery.
Pride Mountain is closed on Tuesdays; on a Tuesday we swap in another Spring Mountain 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 Switchback Ridge?
Yes. Portfolio tastings at Royal We Wines are scheduled ahead by phone or email with the winery. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Switchback Ridge?
Switchback Ridge does not publish a fee for its portfolio tasting; it is to be verified upon reservation, as of September 2026.
Where is the Switchback Ridge tasting room?
At Royal We Wines, 929 Main Street in downtown St. Helena. The vineyard is on the Silverado Trail near Calistoga and is not open for visits.
Who owns Switchback Ridge?
The Peterson family. Kelly Peterson founded it in 1999; her parents John and Joyce own the vineyard, and her daughter Ashley is a partner.
What is Switchback Ridge known for?
Petite Sirah, including wine from a dry-farmed block more than seventy years old, along with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, all from the family vineyard.
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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