Oakville · Napa Valley
Visit The Vineyard House with a Private Chauffeur
Jeremy Nickel's estate in western Oakville's Halter Valley, once farmed by H.W. Crabb, with the historic Baldrige House and wines by Atelier Melka, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
The Vineyard House sits in Halter Valley on the west side of Oakville, land first farmed by the pioneering vintner H.W. Crabb, between the Mayacamas and neighbors such as Harlan Estate and Promontory. Jeremy Nickel is proprietor and vintner, carrying on his father Gil Nickel's commitment to the property, and he and Asha Nickel run the estate together.
The wines are made with Atelier Melka, Philippe Melka and Maayan Koschitzky. Their method is micro-fermentation: single vineyard rows are picked at their peak and fermented separately in small lots before blending. The estate makes Cabernet Sauvignon, including a Block 8 bottling, and a Chardonnay, all from its own single vineyard, farmed sustainably with minimal intervention in the cellar.
The estate, up the Oakville Grade above the valley floor, includes the historic Baldrige House. Members receive complimentary tasting appointments at the winery, along with access to library and large-format wines; other guests ask the estate about a visit through its contact form. It is a small, personal estate, so we book ahead and confirm the time and fee for you.
Tasting Fees
Tasting fees to be verified upon reservation. Tastings are complimentary for members.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
1581 Oakville Grade Road, Oakville
AVA
Oakville
Visiting
By appointment. Members receive complimentary tasting appointments; others request a visit through the estate's contact form or by phone (707-944-0392). We arrange it on your behalf.
Known For
Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay from Halter Valley in western Oakville, made with Atelier Melka
Founded
Estate in historic Halter Valley; proprietor Jeremy Nickel
Good to Know
Members get complimentary tastings and access to library and large-format wines. Days, hours, ages and group size are not published; we confirm them when we book. The estate is up the Oakville Grade, a winding road.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Bardessono or Rancho Caymus Inn.
10:00 · Pickup at Bardessono or Rancho Caymus Inn
Bardessono in Yountville and Rancho Caymus Inn, at the Rutherford crossroads, are each about 12 minutes from the foot of the Oakville Grade. The day runs about six and three-quarter hours because of the drives between estates, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · The Vineyard House
Visits are arranged directly with the estate: members get complimentary tasting appointments, and other guests ask through the contact form about planning a visit. Length and fees are not published, so we allow about 75 minutes and confirm the details when we book.
11:45 · J.H. Wheeler
About 12 minutes away. Single-vineyard Cabernet poured at Wheeler Farms, a historic St. Helena estate with organic culinary gardens and an olive grove. The Culinary Garden Walk and Tasting is $125, about 90 minutes. Open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. by reservation.
1:35 · Lunch at Lucy Restaurant and Bar
About 18 minutes away. Lunch at Lucy, the restaurant at Bardessono on Yount Street in Yountville, with a seasonal menu drawn from the hotel's organic garden. Lunch is served daily until 2 p.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
3:00 · Simon Family Estate
About 15 minutes away. A private tasting salon upstairs in a historic downtown Napa building, pouring Beckstoffer and other pedigreed-vineyard Cabernets among the barrels. Into the Cellar, a seated tasting with food pairings for up to 8 guests, is $150; we allow about 90 minutes. By reservation; hours are set when you book.
4:30 · 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 J.H. Wheeler and Simon Family Estate, paid directly to each winery, plus The Vineyard House's fee, to be verified upon reservation (complimentary for members).
The Vineyard House does not publish its hours, so we confirm the morning appointment first and set the rest of the day around it. The day 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
Do I need a reservation at The Vineyard House?
Yes. Visits are by appointment: members book complimentary tastings, and other guests request a visit through the estate. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at The Vineyard House?
Tasting fees are not published and are to be verified upon reservation; tastings are complimentary for members, as of September 2026.
Who owns The Vineyard House?
Jeremy and Asha Nickel. Jeremy carries on the commitment of his father, Gil Nickel, to the property.
Who makes The Vineyard House wines?
Atelier Melka, with Philippe Melka and Maayan Koschitzky, using small-lot micro-fermentation of individual rows.
Where is The Vineyard House?
At 1581 Oakville Grade Road in Halter Valley, on the west side of Oakville in the Oakville AVA, home of the historic Baldrige House.
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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