Howell Mountain · Napa Valley
Visit WaterMark with a Private Chauffeur
The personal label of Phil Steinschriber, Diamond Creek's winemaker for nearly 30 years, now grown on his own Corilan Vineyard at 2,200 feet. WaterMark 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
Phil Steinschriber was the winemaker at Diamond Creek Vineyards from 1991 to 2020. Before that he earned a master's degree in agricultural chemistry at Fresno State and spent two years making kosher wines in the Golan Heights of Israel, where he met Diamond Creek's founders, Al and Boots Brounstein. WaterMark is his personal label, run with his wife Diane, and the first vintage was 2004.
For years WaterMark was known for Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon; the Wine Advocate gave the 2014 94 points, and Antonio Galloni called it long on class and Mt. Veeder personality. In 2022 the first harvest came in from WaterMark's own Corilan Vineyard on Howell Mountain, about three acres at 2,200 feet planted in 2020 to Cabernet with a little Malbec.
Phil's approach is gentle: let the wine evolve with as little intervention as possible, so that Mother Nature tells her story through earth, water and climate. The wines are sold mostly online, direct to consumers, and at a few Napa Valley wine shops. WaterMark is not open to the public, so the day below visits three estates nearby that do host.
Tasting Fees
WaterMark 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
1976 Summit Lake Drive, Angwin
AVA
Howell Mountain
Visiting
WaterMark Wine is not open to the public; the wines are sold mostly online and by phone (707-942-1734), and at a few wine shops in Napa Valley.
Known For
Cabernet Sauvignon from Mount Veeder and the estate Corilan Vineyard on Howell Mountain
Founded
2004 (first vintage; estate vineyard planted in 2020)
Good to Know
Order through the online shop on watermarkwine.com or by phone or email; the site also lists wine shops in Napa, Yountville and St. Helena that carry it.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 9:30 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Meadowood or Alila Napa Valley.
9:30 · Pickup at Meadowood or Alila Napa Valley
Since WaterMark does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. We pick up at 9:30 for Bravante's 10 a.m. seating, about 20 minutes up Howell Mountain. The day runs about seven hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:00 · Bravante Vineyards
About 20 minutes up the mountain. A small family estate on Howell Mountain with a private tasting cave and a patio. The private Estate Tour and Tasting is $75, about 90 minutes, for up to 8 guests. By appointment, with seatings at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
11:45 · O'Shaughnessy Estate Winery
About 10 minutes away. A family estate on Howell Mountain where the Cave Tour and Tasting walks you through the cave and winery before a seated flight at the table, $75 and about 90 minutes. By reservation; times vary by day and often book several weeks out.
1:45 · Lunch at Auberge du Soleil
About 30 minutes down the mountain. Lunch high on Rutherford Hill with the whole valley below. The Bar serves all day from 11:30 a.m., and The Restaurant on the terrace offers a two- or three-course prix fixe lunch. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
3:15 · Zakin Estate
About 15 minutes away. Howell Mountain Cabernet made by Philippe Melka from a 150-acre estate Helen Turley once called 'Cabernet Heaven', tasted with charcuterie at Brasswood north of St. Helena; Jan Zakin books each visit herself. $150 per person with a three-bottle-per-person purchase; we allow about an hour. By appointment.
4:15 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:30 p.m., about seven hours after pickup.
About $300 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries (Zakin asks for a three-bottle purchase per person), paid directly to each winery.
Bravante seats at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., and O'Shaughnessy's times vary by day and often book several weeks out, so we book both well ahead. Jan Zakin arranges Zakin's tastings herself. The day runs about seven hours.
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 WaterMark Wine?
No. WaterMark Wine is not open to the public, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at nearby estates that do host.
How can I buy WaterMark wine?
Online at watermarkwine.com, by phone at 707-942-1734, or at a few Napa Valley wine shops listed on its website.
Who owns WaterMark Wine?
Winemaker Phil Steinschriber and his wife Diane.
Where is WaterMark Wine?
On Howell Mountain, at 1976 Summit Lake Drive in Angwin; the Corilan Vineyard sits at about 2,200 feet.
Who is Phil Steinschriber?
The winemaker at Diamond Creek Vineyards from 1991 to 2020, who makes WaterMark as his personal 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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