Calistoga · Napa Valley
Visit The Wager with a Private Chauffeur
Steve and Tamara Kalin's small label, born from a garage wine and a bet over a stop sign, with a 60-acre Calistoga vineyard framed by Mount St. Helena. The Wager 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
Steve Kalin first saw Napa Valley on a day trip in 1986 and left wanting to be like Stan Anderson, who poured sparkling wine for visitors in his Yountville caves. In 2007 he and friends made a garage wine from five tons of St. Helena grapes, and in 2009 Chris Carpenter of Cardinale introduced him to winemaker Tim Milos. Their Cabernet comes from the same rows of Setty Vineyard fruit at the top of Atlas Peak every year since 2010.
Steve and Tamara married in 2012, a year after they met, and went looking for a vineyard of their own in Calistoga. The name comes from a bet: after a near miss on a run, the two argued over where a stop sign stood, the vineyard was the wager, and Steve admits he was wrong. Tamara's Vineyard covers 60 acres at the north end of the valley in the Calistoga AVA, framed by the Mayacamas and the Palisades with views of Mount St. Helena.
The Tubbs Fire of October 2017 destroyed the Kalins' home but stopped at the vines. Today the label offers The Wager Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, occasional Underdog wines and Tamara's Vineyard olive oil, sold through the winery's online shop, with a wine club listed as coming soon. There is no tasting room, and The Wager lists no visits, so we plan the day at estates nearby that do host.
Tasting Fees
The Wager 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 Wager has no tasting room and lists no tours or tastings. Its website offers an online shop, a contact form and a wine club sign-up that is coming soon.
Known For
Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon from Atlas Peak's Setty Vineyard, and Chardonnay, made by Tim Milos
Founded
2010 (first vintage with winemaker Tim Milos)
Good to Know
Wines and Tamara's Vineyard olive oil are sold at the-wager.com; the wine club is listed as coming soon, with an email sign-up for updates.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 9:45 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Four Seasons Napa Valley or Indian Springs.
9:45 · Pickup at Four Seasons Napa Valley or Indian Springs
Since The Wager does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. We pick up at 9:45 for the drive up Spring Mountain: Four Seasons Napa Valley and Indian Springs, both in Calistoga, are about 25 to 30 minutes from Pride Mountain. The day runs about six and a half hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Pride Mountain Vineyards
About 30 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.
12:05 · 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.
1:20 · Varozza Vineyards
About 8 minutes away. A small family vineyard on Pratt Avenue at the north edge of St. Helena, where owners Jack and Dianna Varozza host each tasting themselves. $50 for five wines or $75 for seven, about 90 minutes. Tuesday to Sunday, by appointment.
3:05 · Olabisi Wines
About 15 minutes away. Ted and Kim Osborne's small, unorthodox label, poured on Washington Street in downtown Calistoga; Ted was once associate winemaker at Storybook Mountain. The Private Winemaker-Guided Tasting is $75, by appointment when the winemaker is available; we allow about an hour. Open daily from 11 a.m.
4:05 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:15 p.m., about six and a half hours after pickup.
About $200 to $225 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Pride Mountain is closed on Tuesdays and Varozza hosts Tuesday to Sunday, so this day fits Wednesday to Sunday. The day runs about six and a half 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 The Wager?
No. The Wager has no tasting room and lists no tours or tastings, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at nearby estates that do host.
How can I buy The Wager wine?
Through the online shop at the-wager.com. A wine club is listed as coming soon, with an email sign-up for updates.
Who owns The Wager?
Steve and Tamara Kalin, who own Tamara's Vineyard in Calistoga.
Where is Tamara's Vineyard?
At the north end of Napa Valley in Calistoga, in the Calistoga AVA: 60 acres framed by the Mayacamas and the Palisades, with views of Mount St. Helena.
Where does the name The Wager come from?
From a bet between Steve and Tamara Kalin over the placement of a stop sign; the vineyard was the wager, and Steve says he lost.
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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