Los Carneros · Napa Valley
Visit Virgil's Vineyard with a Private Chauffeur
Micro-production estate Pinot Noir from the Kipper Family Vineyard in Carneros, and a red blend named for a Prohibition-era family winemaker. Virgil's Vineyard 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
Virgil's Vineyard is a micro-production winery run by Matthew Kipper, owner and winemaker, and Jennifer Kipper, owner and co-winemaker. It is named for Matthew's father, Virgil Kipper, who waited tables at his uncle's Detroit chop house during Prohibition, smuggled liquor across the river from Canada by night, and made wine at home all his life. Matthew and his twin brother helped make wine in the family basement as boys.
The estate wines come from the Kipper Family Vineyard in the Los Carneros region of Napa Valley. The 2022 Estate Pinot Noir was aged 12 months in French oak, a six-barrel production of about 150 cases, and The Smuggler's Daughter Rose of Pinot Noir, named for Virgil's daughters Patricia and Margaret, was about 50 cases. The flagship, The Smuggler's Son, is a California red blend that scored 91 points at the California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition. Two sparkling wines use Mendocino County grapes, and a Napa Cabernet is planned.
Virgil's Vineyard has no public tasting room or published visiting hours, so it does not receive visitors; the wines are ordered through its website with flat-rate shipping, and it lists retail and restaurant partners. The day below stays in Carneros, where the family's Pinot Noir grows.
Tasting Fees
Virgil's Vineyard does not offer tastings.
The day below visits Saintsbury ($65), Cuvaison ($60) and Domaine Carneros (from $45), about $170 per person in tasting fees.
Tasting fees as of October 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
Napa
AVA
Los Carneros
Visiting
Virgil's Vineyard has no public tasting room; its wines are sold through its website.
Known For
Estate Pinot Noir from the Kipper Family Vineyard in Carneros, and The Smuggler's Son red blend
Founded
Founding year not published
Good to Know
Order at virgilsvineyard.com, where shipping is a flat $25 in the continental U.S. Contact virgilsvineyard@me.com or 248-719-2808.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Carneros Resort and Spa or Stanly Ranch.
10:00 · Pickup at Carneros Resort and Spa or Stanly Ranch
Since Virgil's Vineyard does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. Carneros Resort and Spa and Stanly Ranch are both in Carneros, about 5 to 10 minutes from the first stop. The day runs about six hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:10 · Saintsbury
About 10 minutes away. A Carneros Pinot Noir pioneer since 1981. The Garden Tasting of four current releases and a Cellarbook Pinot Noir is $65, about 75 minutes; by appointment only.
11:45 · Lunch at Angèle
About 15 minutes away. Lunch at Angèle, a French brasserie on the Napa River in downtown Napa. We confirm lunch hours when we book. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
1:15 · Cuvaison
About 15 minutes away. Cool-climate Carneros Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from a Swiss family estate. The Estate Tasting is $60, about an hour; every tasting is by reservation.
2:25 · Domaine Carneros
About 5 minutes away, on the same road. Sparkling wine on the terrace of a French-style chateau. The daily tasting of four wines is from $45, about an hour; open daily by reservation.
3:30 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 3:45 p.m.
About $170 per person in tasting fees at Saintsbury, Cuvaison and Domaine Carneros, paid directly to each winery.
All three wineries are open daily, and each tasting is by reservation, so we book the times together. Three Pinot Noir and sparkling houses make a relaxed Carneros day.
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 Virgil's Vineyard?
No. Virgil's Vineyard has no public tasting room or visiting hours, as of October 2026. We can plan a day at nearby Carneros wineries that host.
How can I buy Virgil's Vineyard wine?
Order through virgilsvineyard.com, with flat-rate $25 shipping in the continental U.S. The winery also lists retail and restaurant partners.
Who makes Virgil's Vineyard?
Matthew Kipper, owner and winemaker, and Jennifer Kipper, owner and co-winemaker.
Who was Virgil?
Virgil Kipper, Matthew's father, a family winemaker who smuggled liquor from Canada into Detroit during Prohibition. The Smuggler's Son red blend is a tribute to him.
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 833-915-2436.
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