St. Helena · Napa Valley
Visit Trahan with a Private Chauffeur
A tiny family winery run by a former engineer turned winemaker, with intimate tastings among the barrels by request, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Chuck Custodio, a Cal Poly San Luis Obispo graduate, left the corporate world in the early 2000s to learn winemaking from some of Napa's best boutique winemakers, working at Vincent Arroyo, Storybook Mountain and Pena. He named the winery for his mother's side, the Trahans, who grew grapes and made wine in France centuries ago; his father's family were migrant farmworkers.
Trahan is a small family winery that buys from hand-farmed vineyards and keeps an easygoing, wine-should-be-fun approach. Over the years Chuck has bottled Charbono from Calistoga's historic Cooke Ranch, Carneros Pinot Noir, Syrah, Rutherford Cabernet and a port-style wine, and Sadie's Red is named for the original winery dog. His next harvest will be his 23rd.
The old downtown Napa tasting room has closed, and Trahan now offers only small, intimate tastings at its winemaking facility, by appointment through the website. Chuck likes the winemaker leaning in to tell the story of the harvest, with the scent of oak barrels in a tucked-away cellar. We send the request and confirm the place and time; the winery sits in the St. Helena AVA.
Tasting Fees
Tasting fees to be verified upon reservation. Trahan does not publish a tasting fee.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
St. Helena
AVA
St. Helena
Visiting
By appointment only, at the winery's winemaking facility; request a time through the website form, email or phone. We arrange it on your behalf and confirm the location when the appointment is set.
Known For
Small-lot Cabernet Sauvignon, Charbono, Syrah, Pinot Noir and Sadie's Red
Founded
Early 2000s (founder Chuck Custodio)
Good to Know
Tastings are for small groups; the request form asks how many are in your party. Ages and pet policy are not published. Pagani, the winery dog, may say hello.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Harvest Inn or Rancho Caymus Inn. Trahan sets visit times on request, so the start may move once the winery confirms.
10:00 · Pickup at Harvest Inn or Rancho Caymus Inn
Both hotels are about 10 minutes from the winery. If Trahan offers a different time, we build the day around it. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Trahan Winery
An intimate tasting at the winemaking facility, by request. No length or fee is published, so we allow about an hour.
11:30 · Salvestrin Winery
About 10 minutes away. A family estate on part of Dr. George Belden Crane's 1859 vineyard at the south end of St. Helena, where the Salvestrins have farmed since 1932. The Estate Tasting is $75: Sauvignon Blanc on arrival, a walk of the estate and winery, and a seated tasting of four current releases. By reservation.
1:00 · Lunch at Auberge du Soleil
About 15 minutes away. Lunch high on Rutherford Hill with the whole valley below. The Bar serves all day from 11:30 a.m., and The Restaurant on the terrace offers a two- or three-course prix fixe 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 · Elyse Winery
About 20 minutes away. A small Hoffman Lane winery making vineyard-designate Zinfandel and Cabernet since 1985, poured in a casual, intimate room south of Yountville. Tastings are $75 and up; we plan about an hour. By appointment.
3:40 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:00 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
From about $150 per person in tasting fees for Salvestrin and Elyse, plus Trahan's fee, which is confirmed with the appointment. Fees are paid directly to each winery.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. The fourth stop is there if the day allows.
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 Trahan?
Yes. Visits and tastings are by appointment only, requested through the winery's website, email or phone. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Trahan?
Trahan does not publish a tasting fee; it is to be verified upon reservation, as of September 2026.
Who owns Trahan Winery?
Founder and winemaker Chuck Custodio, with help from his son Jake.
What wines does Trahan make?
Small lots of Cabernet Sauvignon, Charbono, Syrah, Pinot Noir and blends such as Sadie's Red, sold mostly direct and through the wine club.
Where did the name Trahan come from?
Chuck's mother's family, the Trahans, who grew grapes and made wine in France centuries ago.
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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