Rutherford · Napa Valley
Visit ZD Wines with a Private Chauffeur
A third-generation family winery on the Rutherford bench, with a Vineyard View Room and deck looking across Napa Valley, and a suggested six-hour day around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
ZD Wines was founded in 1969 and is owned and run by the deLeuze family, now in its second and third generations. The letters are the founders' initials, and they also stand for "Zero Defects", a quality-control term from the rocket propulsion programs the founders worked on before they started making wine. Norman and Rosa Lee deLeuze are the founders.
The winery sits on the Silverado Trail along the eastern bench of Rutherford, next to its small 3.2-acre estate vineyard, and the family also farms Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Carneros. ZD farms organically. Its pinnacle wine, Abacus, is a solera-style blend of every vintage of ZD Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon made since 1992.
The view is the draw. Tastings are seated in the contemporary Vineyard View Room and on the deck, with panoramic views across the valley. The hosts walk you through ZD's history and its eco practices, and the ZD Experience and Abacus Experience add a private cellar tour, with a barrel sample on the Abacus tour. It is an easy, friendly start before heading up valley.
Tasting Fees
$50 for the Vineyard View Tasting, about 60 minutes, and $50 for the Fall Pinot Noir Lovers Tasting (September to November, 60 minutes). $125 for the ZD Experience Tour & Tasting, about 90 minutes with a cellar tour and cheese and charcuterie. $250 for the Abacus Experience Tour & Tasting, about 120 minutes. By-the-glass seating is also available.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
8383 Silverado Trail, Napa
AVA
Rutherford
Visiting
Open daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., by appointment. For the Vineyard View Tasting, reservations are recommended and walk-ins are taken as space allows.
Known For
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon, and Abacus, a solera-style blend of every ZD Reserve Cabernet since 1992
Founded
1969, by the deLeuze family
Good to Know
All visitors must be 21 or older, including infants and toddlers. Only licensed service animals are permitted. Parties of 7 or more book a group tasting. Cheese, charcuterie and chocolates can be added.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Auberge du Soleil or Meadowood.
10:00 · Pickup at Auberge du Soleil or Meadowood
Auberge du Soleil, the hillside resort above Rutherford, is about 5 minutes from ZD on the Silverado Trail, and Meadowood, at the foot of Howell Mountain, about 12 minutes. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · ZD Wines
The Vineyard View Tasting, about 60 minutes ($50). The ZD Experience Tour & Tasting ($125) runs 90 minutes and moves the rest of the day back 30 minutes.
11:30 · Crocker & Starr
About 12 minutes away. A small St. Helena estate where the visit starts with a glass of sparkling wine and a walk into the vineyard, then a seated tasting under the Garden Arbor. The Estate Vineyard Experience is $95 (or $125 with cheese and charcuterie, 48 hours' notice), about 75 minutes, for groups of up to 6.
12:55 · Lunch at Brasswood Bar + Kitchen
About 8 minutes away. Lunch at Brasswood Bar + Kitchen on Highway 29 north of St. Helena, with a patio and seasonal menus, open daily 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.
2:05 · Tres Sabores
About 10 minutes away. Julie Johnson's organic farm and winery at the western edge of the valley, with a private table next to the vineyard and a self-guided wander past the farm animals, hedgerows and kitchen garden. The Portfolio Wine Tasting Experience is $65 for about 90 minutes. By appointment, Wednesday to Monday; first tasting 10 a.m., last 3 p.m.
3:35 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 3:50 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
About $210 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Tres Sabores is open Wednesday to Monday, so plan this day for any day but Tuesday.
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
Do I need a reservation at ZD Wines?
Reservations are recommended, and required for the tours; walk-ins for the Vineyard View Tasting depend on space. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at ZD Wines?
$50 per person for the Vineyard View Tasting, $125 for the ZD Experience Tour & Tasting and $250 for the Abacus Experience, as of September 2026.
What does ZD stand for?
The founders' initials, and also "Zero Defects", a quality-control term from the rocket propulsion work the founders did before starting the winery.
What is Abacus?
ZD's solera-style blend of every vintage of Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon the winery has made since 1992.
Can children visit ZD Wines?
No. All visitors must be 21 or older, including infants and toddlers.
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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