Calistoga · Napa Valley
Visit THE GRADE with a Private Chauffeur
Calistoga Cabernet from a ranch on the old Lawley Toll Road, named for Robert Louis Stevenson's "grade." THE GRADE 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
Tom Thornton and Brenda Mixson met on a blind date and left careers in New York, his in architecture and hers in real estate, after buying their ranch north of Calistoga more than 25 years ago. They started with a pickup truck, studied viticulture, replanted the vineyard and crushed their first vintage in 2004. The name comes from Robert Louis Stevenson's The Silverado Squatters: "the grade" was the stagecoach toll road he traveled on his Mount St. Helena honeymoon.
The wines come from Winfield Vineyard, a 32-acre property in the Calistoga AVA, on the old Lawley Toll Road, with alluvial soils, pure groundwater and an upper-valley climate suited to Cabernet Sauvignon. Thomas Rivers Brown has made the wines since 2012, and in 2014 the Kingly Project received 99 points from Robert Parker, who called it "brilliant." A small Sauvignon Blanc, SEA-FOG, comes from Calistoga fruit.
THE GRADE's website now says it "is not currently open to visitors," and invites questions about future tastings by email. Wine is sold through the website (current releases, library wines and large formats) and a membership program, and the family hosts an annual Summer Solstice celebration. The day below takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do host, starting on the same old toll road.
Tasting Fees
THE GRADE 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
Calistoga
AVA
Calistoga
Visiting
THE GRADE "is not currently open to visitors," in the winery's words. Questions about future tasting opportunities go to tom@thegradecellars.com.
Known For
Single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Winfield Vineyard and SEA-FOG Sauvignon Blanc
Founded
2004 (first vintage)
Good to Know
Wines are sold on thegradecellars.com (current releases, library wines and large formats), and members get added benefits. Ask about future tastings at tom@thegradecellars.com.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Calistoga Motor Lodge or Indian Springs.
10:00 · Pickup at Calistoga Motor Lodge or Indian Springs
Since THE GRADE does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. Calistoga Motor Lodge, a spa hotel, and Indian Springs, a historic mineral-pool resort, are both in town, about 12 minutes from the first stop up the old toll road. The day runs about six and three-quarter hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Jericho Canyon Vineyard
About 12 minutes away. A family estate of steep hillside terraces in a remote canyon off the Old Lawley Toll Road above Calistoga. The Private Estate Tasting starts with an ATV ride through the terraces and a walk through the caves, about 75 minutes ($100, waived with three bottles of red wine per person). By appointment only.
11:50 · Chateau de Vie
About 12 minutes away. An estate winery and small inn on Highway 128 north of Calistoga, where every tasting is private. The tasting of estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc is $75, waived with three bottles per person; we allow about an hour. By advance appointment only.
1:05 · Lunch at Sam's Social Club
About 8 minutes away. Lunch at Sam's Social Club at Indian Springs in Calistoga, a sit-down restaurant named for town founder Samuel Brannan, serving lunch Monday through Friday and brunch on weekends. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:30 · Tom Eddy Winery
About 10 minutes away. A small family winery and cave on a hillside ranch above Calistoga, known for aged mountain Cabernet. The Current Release Tasting is an owner-led tour of the property, winery and cave with cheese and charcuterie, 1.5 to 2 hours ($100). By appointment, Monday through Saturday, at 10:30 a.m. or 2:30 p.m.
4:25 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:45 p.m., about six and three-quarter hours after pickup.
About $275 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Tom Eddy hosts Monday through Saturday, so this day works Monday to Saturday; on a Saturday, Sam's Social Club serves weekend brunch. It runs about six and three-quarter hours, back by about 4:45 p.m.
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 THE GRADE?
No. The winery says it is not currently open to visitors, as of September 2026. It welcomes email about future tastings, and we can plan a day at nearby estates that do host.
How can I buy THE GRADE wine?
On thegradecellars.com, which offers current releases, library wines and large formats, plus a membership program.
Who owns THE GRADE?
Tom Thornton and Brenda Mixson, who bought their ranch north of Calistoga more than 25 years ago and crushed their first vintage in 2004.
Where is THE GRADE?
Winfield Vineyard is north of Calistoga on the old Lawley Toll Road, in the Calistoga AVA. The winery lists a post office box in St. Helena.
Why is it called THE GRADE?
It honors Robert Louis Stevenson's The Silverado Squatters (1883), in which "the grade" is the stagecoach toll road he traveled on his honeymoon on Mount St. Helena.
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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