Oakville · Napa Valley
Visit Vine Hill Ranch with a Private Chauffeur
A family ranch farmed since 1884 in the western foothills of Oakville, now making its own estate Cabernet. Vine Hill Ranch 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
The land at Vine Hill Ranch has been farmed since 1884, first by the Hopper, Whitton, Hahn and Taddei families, who grew grapes, plums and pears. Bruce Kelham bought it in the late 1950s and turned it to winegrapes, and the next generation, Alex and Bob Phillips, moved to Napa Valley in 1978. In 2011 the family became the first family named Napa Valley Grower of the Year.
For decades the ranch sold grapes to Napa Valley vintners. Its seven blocks sit on the west side of Oakville in the foothills of the Mayacamas, from gravelly upper blocks to deep loamy benchland, and Michael Wolf has managed them since 1998. The third generation now makes an estate Cabernet Sauvignon; the 2023 vintage, from five blocks, was bottled in June 2025, 1,165 cases.
VHR wine is sold through a registry list, with members ordering through the ranch's own site, and the label is laid out like an old farm ledger in honor of the ranch's records. The ranch gives a post office box in Oakville and publishes no visiting program, so it does not receive visitors. The day below takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do.
Tasting Fees
Vine Hill Ranch 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
Oakville
Visiting
Vine Hill Ranch does not receive visitors; it publishes no tasting program and lists only a post office box in Oakville.
Known For
Estate Cabernet Sauvignon from seven blocks on the west side of Oakville
Founded
Farmed since 1884; Phillips family since 1959
Good to Know
Sign up for the VHR registry list on vinehillranch.com to be offered wine. Inquiries go to VHR@vinehillranch.com or 707-944-8130.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Bardessono or Hotel Yountville.
10:00 · Pickup at Bardessono or Hotel Yountville
Since Vine Hill Ranch does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. Bardessono and Hotel Yountville, a stone-walled inn at the edge of town, are both in Yountville, about 20 minutes from the first stop north of St. Helena. The day fits about six hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:20 · Myriad Cellars
About 20 minutes away. Winemaker Mike Smith's own label of Cabernet from Beckstoffer Dr. Crane, To Kalon and Georges III, poured at Brasswood north of St. Helena. Tastings are $125, about 90 minutes, usually four to six wines. By appointment, with priority for mailing list members; we arrange it on your behalf.
12:00 · Crocker & Starr
About 8 minutes away. Charlie Crocker and Pam Starr's estate around an 1870s stone winery, where the private visit starts with sparkling wine out in the vineyard. The Estate Vineyard Experience is $95, about 75 minutes, for up to 6 guests. By reservation; times are set when booking.
1:35 · Lunch at Brix
About 18 minutes away. Lunch at Brix on Highway 29 near Yountville, a sit-down restaurant beside its own gardens. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:55 · Zeitgeist Cellars
About 10 minutes away. A husband-and-wife label from a former Spottswoode winemaker, poured privately in a vineyard setting at Arrow&Branch in the Oak Knoll District. The Zeitgeist Tasting Experience is $85; we allow about an hour. By reservation for parties of 1 to 10.
3:55 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:10 p.m., about six hours after pickup.
About $305 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, 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
Can you visit Vine Hill Ranch?
No. Vine Hill Ranch has no tasting room and publishes no visiting program, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at nearby estates that do host.
How can I buy Vine Hill Ranch wine?
Sign up for the registry list on vinehillranch.com; members order through the ranch's own site.
Who owns Vine Hill Ranch?
The Phillips family. Bruce Kelham bought the ranch in the late 1950s, Alex and Bob Phillips carried it on, and the third generation now makes the wine.
Where is Vine Hill Ranch?
On the west side of Oakville in the foothills of the Mayacamas, in the Oakville AVA.
What is Vine Hill Ranch known for?
Generations of grape growing, a 2011 Napa Valley Grower of the Year award, and an estate Cabernet Sauvignon made from its own seven blocks.
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.
Reserve Your Tour{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Winery","name":"Vine Hill Ranch","url":"https://www.vinehillranch.com","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Oakville","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"94562","addressCountry":"US"},"foundingDate":"1959","containedInPlace":{"@type":"Place","name":"Oakville AVA"}},{"@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Can you visit Vine Hill Ranch?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No. Vine Hill Ranch has no tasting room and publishes no visiting program, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at nearby estates that do host."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How can I buy Vine Hill Ranch wine?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Sign up for the registry list on vinehillranch.com; members order through the ranch's own site."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Who owns Vine Hill Ranch?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The Phillips family. Bruce Kelham bought the ranch in the late 1950s, Alex and Bob Phillips carried it on, and the third generation now makes the wine."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Where is Vine Hill Ranch?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"On the west side of Oakville in the foothills of the Mayacamas, in the Oakville AVA."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is Vine Hill Ranch known for?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Generations of grape growing, a 2011 Napa Valley Grower of the Year award, and an estate Cabernet Sauvignon made from its own seven blocks."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How does booking a tour with Bien Chauffeured work?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"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."}}]}]}