Howell Mountain · Napa Valley
Visit Sylvan Lake with a Private Chauffeur
A spring-fed ranch on the eastern slopes of Howell Mountain above Pope Valley, where a mountain guide and Celia Welch make a tiny Cabernet. Sylvan Lake 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
Sylvan Lake was part of the Yount Rancho land grant in the 1840s. After Prohibition George von Garden bought the 1,000-acre property and named it Sylvan Lake for its coastal redwoods and small pond. John and Luisa Fisher bought it in the early 1980s, and in 2014 John and his son Armin replaced an old orchard with Cabernet Sauvignon. Armin, a mountain and ski guide in the Alps for decades, is the vintner.
The vineyard is on the eastern slopes of Howell Mountain at about 1,600 to 1,700 feet, overlooking Pope Valley, with natural springs and a mix of loam and volcanic soils. Celia Welch, Food & Wine's Winemaker of the Year in 2008, makes the wine. The first commercial release, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, was 125 cases, and the 2023 followed.
There is no 2025 wine: smoke from the Picket Fire in August 2025 damaged the crop, and the family chose not to make one, saying it looks forward to 2026. Wine is offered by allocation to the mailing list when available. Sylvan Lake publishes no tours or tastings, so the day below visits three estates nearby that do host.
Tasting Fees
Sylvan Lake 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
Angwin
AVA
Howell Mountain
Visiting
Sylvan Lake publishes no tours or tastings; wine is offered by allocation to its mailing list when available.
Known For
Small-production Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon made by Celia Welch
Founded
2014 (vines planted; first commercial release was the 2022 Cabernet)
Good to Know
Join the mailing list on sylvanlakevineyards.com for a chance at an allocation. There is no 2025 vintage because of smoke from the Picket Fire.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 9:30 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Meadowood or Alila Napa Valley.
9:30 · Pickup at Meadowood or Alila Napa Valley
Since Sylvan Lake does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. We pick up at 9:30 to make Bravante's 10 a.m. seating, about 20 minutes up Howell Mountain from either hotel. The day runs about seven and a quarter hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:00 · Bravante Vineyards
About 20 minutes up the mountain. A small family estate on Howell Mountain with a private tasting cave and a patio. The private Estate Tour and Tasting is $75, about 90 minutes, for up to 8 guests. By appointment, with seatings at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
12:00 · Spence Vineyards
About 15 minutes away. A small family estate at 1,900 feet on Howell Mountain, with a new tasting room and seated tastings on a knoll above a canyon. The fee is paid at check-in and confirmed when we book; we allow about an hour. By reservation, with seatings at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. on most days.
1:25 · Lunch at Gott's Roadside
About 25 minutes down the mountain. Classic American fare at picnic tables on Main Street in St. Helena, open daily from 11 a.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:50 · Somerston Estate
About 25 minutes east. A remote ranch of more than 1,600 acres in the hills past Lake Hennessey, with vines climbing past 2,000 feet; the quiet drive out on Sage Canyon Road is part of the visit. The Somerston Estate Experience is $150, 90 minutes, for 2 to 4 guests. Prepaid reservations, daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
4:20 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:45 p.m., about seven and a quarter hours after pickup.
About $225 per person in tasting fees for Bravante and Somerston, plus Spence's fee, which is paid at check-in and confirmed when we book; each is paid directly to the winery.
Bravante seats at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., and Spence at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. on most days, so we book both before the day. The day runs about seven and a quarter hours.
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 Sylvan Lake Vineyards?
No. Sylvan Lake publishes no tours or tastings, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at nearby estates that do host.
How can I buy Sylvan Lake wine?
Join the mailing list on sylvanlakevineyards.com for the chance at an allocation when wine is available.
Who owns Sylvan Lake Vineyards?
The Fisher family; Armin Fisher is the vintner, and he planted the vineyard with his father John in 2014.
Where is Sylvan Lake Vineyards?
On the eastern slopes of Howell Mountain at about 1,600 to 1,700 feet, overlooking Pope Valley.
Who makes Sylvan Lake wine?
Celia Welch, Food & Wine's 2008 Winemaker of the Year.
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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