Los Carneros · Napa Valley
Visit Venter Family Estate with a Private Chauffeur
A South African family's Carneros estate and its SUSARA Pinot Noir, named for the family matriarch and a protea flower. Venter Family Estate has no tasting room; 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
Barend and Sarie Venter left South Africa in 2005 and, after a stop in Grapevine, Texas, settled in Napa that August. Barend, an engineer, started a solar construction company in 2008 that worked with wineries. In 2012 the family planted Cabernet and Merlot in their backyard, and three generations picked, crushed, bottled and corked together. They restored their historic estate house in 2016, adding solar power and bees.
The estate sits among the vines of Los Carneros, and its wine is SUSARA, a 100% Carneros Pinot Noir. The name is Afrikaans for princess and belongs to the family matriarch, and the label shows the Susara protea, a South African flower. The 2023 vintage, 44 barrels, was made with partial whole clusters and native fermentation by consulting winemaker Dr. Marinda Kruger. James Suckling praised the first release.
There is no tasting room or regular tasting schedule. The family pours SUSARA at pop-up tastings and gatherings posted on its Experiences calendar, sells it through an online shop and club, and hosts private events and dinners at the estate, with South African dishes from family recipes. For a day of tasting now, the route below visits three estates nearby that welcome guests.
Tasting Fees
Venter Family Estate 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
Napa
AVA
Los Carneros
Visiting
Venter Family Estate has no tasting room and lists no regular tastings. SUSARA is poured at pop-up tastings and gatherings on the family's Experiences calendar, and the estate hosts private events.
Known For
SUSARA Pinot Noir from Los Carneros
Founded
2012 (first vines planted); SUSARA first released with the 2023 vintage
Good to Know
SUSARA is sold through the online shop and wine club. For pop-up tastings and events, see the Experiences page or contact wine@venterestate.com or 707-200-1046.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Stanly Ranch or Carneros Resort and Spa.
10:00 · Pickup at Stanly Ranch or Carneros Resort and Spa
Since Venter Family Estate does not host regular tastings, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. Both resorts are in Carneros, about 13 to 18 minutes from the first stop in Oak Knoll. The day runs about six and a quarter hours.
10:20 · Keplinger Wines
About 18 minutes away. Winemaker Helen Keplinger's Grenache, Syrah and Oakville Cabernet, poured in a private vineyard setting at Arrow&Branch in the Oak Knoll District. The Rhone Tasting is $85; we plan about 75 minutes. By appointment, waived with a minimum purchase.
11:45 · Simon Family Estate
About 10 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 artisanal food pairings, is $150; we allow about 90 minutes. By reservation.
1:25 · Lunch at Boon Fly Café
About 8 minutes away. Lunch at Boon Fly Café in Carneros, which serves its daytime menu every day until 4 p.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:45 · Kubani Wines
About 8 minutes away. A young family winery in Napa's Crusher District, where each party gets its own private tasting area. The Private Tasting is $65, waived with a purchase of three bottles; we plan about an hour. By reservation request, seven days a week.
3:45 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:00 p.m., six hours after pickup.
About $300 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Keplinger, Simon Family Estate and Kubani each confirm their times when the reservations are made, so we book all three first and adjust the day around them.
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 Venter Family Estate?
Not for a regular tasting. There is no tasting room; the family pours SUSARA at pop-up tastings and hosts private events, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at nearby estates that do host.
How can I buy SUSARA Pinot Noir?
Through the online shop and wine club at venterestate.com, or at the family's pop-up tastings.
Who owns Venter Family Estate?
The Venter family, led by Barend and Sarie Venter, who moved from South Africa to Napa in 2005.
Where is Venter Family Estate?
Among the vineyards of Los Carneros in southern Napa Valley.
What does SUSARA mean?
It is Afrikaans for princess, the name of the family's matriarch, and also the name of a South African protea shown on the label.
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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