Oakville · Napa Valley
Visit Tusk with a Private Chauffeur
Hillside Cabernet from Oakville and Pritchard Hill, made by founding partner Philippe Melka and sold by invitation. Tusk 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
Tusk Estates is a partnership of Michael Uytengsu, who brings a background in finance and brand building, Timothy Martin, with long experience in hospitality and Napa Valley, and winemaker Philippe Melka. Maayan Koschitzky joined the winemaking team in 2014. The partners describe Tusk as five years in development and three lifetimes in the making.
The wines come in tiny volumes from steep hillside sites in Oakville and on Pritchard Hill. The flagship is Tusk Cabernet Sauvignon, joined by Tusk L'Orange, a proprietors' blend of Bordeaux varieties, and large-format bottles. Melka, one of Napa Valley's best-known winemakers and a founding partner, makes the wines.
Tusk calls itself the signature of restraint, remembered rather than promoted. Access is by invitation, with wine allocated directly to a small circle, and bottles rarely appear in stores or restaurants. The estate states that it has no public tasting room, so it does not receive visitors. The day below takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do.
Tasting Fees
Tusk Estates 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
Oakville
AVA
Napa Valley
Visiting
Tusk Estates has no public tasting room and does not receive visitors; its wine is allocated by invitation.
Known For
Invitation-only hillside Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville and Pritchard Hill, made by Philippe Melka
Founded
Partnership of Michael Uytengsu, Timothy Martin and Philippe Melka
Good to Know
Access is by invitation; members sign in or join through the account page on tuskestates.com. Bottles rarely appear at retail.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Meadowood or Alila Napa Valley.
10:00 · Pickup at Meadowood or Alila Napa Valley
Since Tusk does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do, starting on Pritchard Hill, where some of Tusk's fruit is grown. Meadowood, the resort east of St. Helena at the foot of Howell Mountain, and Alila Napa Valley, a Hyatt resort in downtown St. Helena, are each about 25 minutes from the first stop. The day runs about six and a half hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:25 · OVID Napa Valley
About 25 minutes away. An organically farmed estate atop Pritchard Hill with a Howard Backen winery and porch views across the hills. The private OVID Napa Valley Experience, a 90-minute look at the vineyard, winery, cellar and wines, is $200 to $300. Prepaid on Tock for 2 to 8 guests.
12:20 · Lunch at Rutherford Grill
About 25 minutes away. Lunch at Rutherford Grill at the Rutherford crossroads, a sit-down grill open daily. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
1:40 · Annulus Cellars
About 8 minutes away. A family label of heritage-vineyard Napa Cabernet from former Araujo winemaker Nigel Kinsman, poured with artisan cheese at green-certified Wheeler Farms on Zinfandel Lane. The Tasting Experience of four wines is $150, about 90 minutes. By appointment; the team confirms the day and time when it accepts the request.
3:25 · Zakin Estate
About 12 minutes away. Howell Mountain Cabernet by Philippe Melka from a 150-acre estate, poured with charcuterie at Brasswood north of St. Helena. Tastings are $150 per person with a three-bottle-per-person purchase; we allow about an hour. By appointment with Jan Zakin by phone, text or email.
4:25 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:35 p.m., about six and a half hours after pickup.
About $500 to $600 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
The Pritchard Hill drive comes first, so lunch is at midday between the first and second estates. The day runs about six and a half hours, back by about 4:35 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 Tusk Estates?
No. Tusk has no public tasting room and does not receive visitors, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at nearby estates that do host.
How can I buy Tusk wine?
By invitation: Tusk allocates its wine directly to a small circle of members, and bottles rarely appear at retail.
Who owns Tusk Estates?
Founding partners Michael Uytengsu, Timothy Martin and winemaker Philippe Melka.
Where do the Tusk grapes come from?
Steep hillside sites in Oakville and on Pritchard Hill in Napa Valley.
What is Tusk known for?
Tusk Cabernet Sauvignon and Tusk L'Orange, a proprietors' blend of Bordeaux varieties, made in tiny volumes by Philippe Melka.
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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