Napa · Napa Valley
Visit Vinum Cellars with a Private Chauffeur
Two UC Davis friends' winery, making small-lot wines from vineyards across California since 1997. Vinum Cellars 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
Richard Bruno and Chris Condos met as students at UC Davis and founded Vinum Cellars in 1997, financing the dream on credit cards. Their first vintage was 1,000 cases of a Chenin Blanc blend. Nearly three decades on, the two first-generation winemakers still own and run it, and Chris also co-owns Horse & Plow Winery in Sonoma County.
Vinum is a Napa winery with a statewide reach. It makes about 20,000 cases a year from vineyards across California: Chenin Blanc and Petite Sirah from Clarksburg, The Scrapper Cabernet Franc from El Dorado, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Monterey, and Napa Valley Cabernet under the Typesetter and Printmaker names. The wines are made at Napa Wine Company in Oakville.
The partners work only with sustainable growers and use lightweight domestic glass and water-based inks. Vinum left its tasting space at the historic Greenwood Mansion in late 2024 and is not open to the public; the wines are sold online and through the wine club. The day below takes you to three Napa estates that do host.
Tasting Fees
Vinum Cellars 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
Napa Valley
Visiting
Vinum Cellars is private and not open to the public; it does not offer tours or tastings.
Known For
The Scrapper Cabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc and Napa Valley Cabernet
Founded
1997
Good to Know
Buy online at vinumcellars.com or join the wine club; phone 707-254-8313.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Westin Verasa Napa or Andaz Napa.
10:00 · Pickup at Westin Verasa Napa or Andaz Napa
Since Vinum Cellars does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. Westin Verasa Napa and Andaz Napa, both in downtown Napa, are each about 15 minutes from the first stop in Carneros. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Brandlin Estate
About 15 minutes away. A Mount Veeder estate whose ridgetop vineyard was first planted in 1926, poured at sister winery Cuvaison in Carneros as a seated tasting of five estate wines with pairings by chef Aaron LeRoi. By reservation daily for 2 to 8 guests; tasting fees to be verified upon reservation. We allow about 75 minutes.
11:50 · Hillwalker Vineyards
About 20 minutes away. A boutique vineyard at 1,000 feet on Mount Veeder that proprietor Kevin Morrison brought back to life, farmed organically and dry-farmed. By appointment or private request; the fee is confirmed when we book. We allow about an hour.
1:10 · Lunch at Grace's Table
About 20 minutes away. Lunch at Grace's Table on Second Street in downtown Napa, a sit-down local favorite open daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:30 · Black Cat Vineyard
About 10 minutes away. Tracey Reichow's Coombsville estate, founded in 1999, where the Syrah and Cabernet vines share the land with the family home and private tastings are few, with club members first. The format and any fee are confirmed when the request is accepted. We allow about an hour.
3:30 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 3:45 p.m., well within six hours.
Brandlin Estate, Hillwalker Vineyards and Black Cat Vineyard do not publish tasting fees; each is confirmed when the visit is booked and paid directly to the winery.
Hillwalker and Black Cat host by private request, so we send the requests early and confirm times before your day. Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting.
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 Vinum Cellars?
No. Vinum Cellars is private and not open to the public, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at nearby estates that do host.
How can I buy Vinum Cellars wine?
Online at vinumcellars.com or through the wine club.
Who owns Vinum Cellars?
Founders Richard Bruno and Chris Condos, who met at UC Davis and started the winery in 1997.
Where is Vinum Cellars?
The company is based in Napa, and its wines are made at Napa Wine Company in Oakville from vineyards across California.
What is Vinum Cellars known for?
The Scrapper Cabernet Franc from El Dorado, Chenin Blanc and Petite Sirah from Clarksburg, and Napa Valley Cabernet under the Typesetter and Printmaker names.
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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