Napa · Napa Valley
The Charles Car Service & Private Wine Tours
Private chauffeur service from Santa Rosa Airport, SFO or Oakland to The Charles in Napa, and a six-hour wine tour that starts at the inn.
Book Your Ride or Wine Tour
About the Property
The Charles is an adults-only inn in a house built in 1906 by master craftsman E.W. Doughty, on Jefferson Street at the north edge of downtown Napa. It opened as one of Napa's first bed and breakfasts in the 1970s, formerly the Old World Inn, and has seven rooms in the main house plus a private cottage.
Rooms were designed by Charles Gruwell, and some have fireplaces, clawfoot tubs or spa tubs. A continental breakfast is included each morning, with a wine and cheese nosh at 4:30 p.m., and the courtyard has fountains and fire pits. Pets are allowed in designated rooms for $45 per night per pet.
It is also an easy place to start a wine tour. Trefethen Family Vineyards, Darioush and Saintsbury are all within about 15 minutes, and Yountville is about 20 minutes north. We are based in Calistoga, at the north end of the valley.
Getting Here From the Airport
Oakland (OAK): about 53 miles, 1 hour 10 minutes. The closest airport to The Charles, and often quieter than SFO.
Sonoma County Airport (STS): about 45 miles, 1 hour 15 minutes. Often the easiest arrival: a small airport in Santa Rosa with no Bay Area traffic on the drive. Direct flights come in from Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, Portland, Phoenix, Denver, Dallas and more.
San Francisco International (SFO): about 60 miles, 1 hour 20 minutes, and longer at busy times. The most flights, with a drive across the Bay Area.
Sacramento (SMF): about 66 miles, 1 hour 25 minutes. Skips Bay Area traffic entirely, though it is the longest drive of the four.
Flying private? We also meet guests at the FBOs at STS and Napa County Airport (APC). See our Sonoma County Airport car service page for more on flying into STS.
At a Glance
Location
1301 Jefferson Street, Napa
Style
Historic adults-only inn, 8 rooms
Closest Airport
Oakland (OAK), about 70 minutes
Good to Know
Check-in 3 p.m., check-out 11 a.m. Adults only, 18 and over. Pets in designated rooms for a fee.
A Six-Hour Wine Tour From Your Hotel
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. at the front of the inn on Jefferson Street.
10:00 · Pickup at The Charles
Your chauffeur meets you at the front of the inn on Jefferson Street. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:25 · PEJU Winery
About 25 minutes away. The Peju family's Rutherford estate since 1983, known for its 50-foot stone tower and a 1906 stained glass window. The Taster's Trio is $40 and the Classic Seated Tasting is $65. Reservations recommended, and walk-ins are welcome.
11:40 · Lunch at Oakville Grocery
About 5 minutes away. Sandwiches, salads and cheeses from the historic Oakville Grocery, open since 1881, eaten at the picnic tables out back. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
12:55 · Fisher Vineyards
About 25 minutes away. The Coach Insignia Cabernet Sauvignon, first made in 1984, at the family's estate on the Silverado Trail. The private hosted estate tasting is $95. By appointment.
2:25 · The Prisoner Wine Company
About 20 minutes away. The Prisoner red blend, first made in 2000, and its bold siblings, in Rutherford. Tastings start at $42 plus an 18% hospitality fee.
4:00 · Back to The Charles
About 25 minutes away. Back by 4:00 p.m., six hours after pickup.
Optional: Darioush
Adds about an hour. Cabernet at a winery modeled on the ancient Persian city of Persepolis. The Signature Tasting is $80, and the Estate Bar takes walk-ins at $60.
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.
Wineries Near the Hotel
- Trefethen Family Vineyards, about 15 minutes. An Oak Knoll family estate and its 1886 winery.
- Darioush, about 15 minutes. Cabernet at a winery inspired by Persepolis.
- Saintsbury, about 15 minutes. Carneros Pinot Noir and Chardonnay since 1981.
- Signorello Estate, about 15 minutes. Rebuilt Silverado Trail estate with deep caves.
- Robert Biale Vineyards, about 15 minutes. Heritage Zinfandel and Petite Sirah.
- Domaine Carneros, about 15 minutes. Taittinger-founded sparkling wine in Carneros.
- Etude Wines, about 20 minutes. Carneros Pinot Noir and single-vineyard Cabernet.
- Clos du Val, about 20 minutes. A Stags Leap pioneer, founded in 1972.
See every winery in the area on our Napa, Coombsville and Carneros wineries page.
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.
Airport transfers are priced by distance when you book, with gratuity included. Larger groups travel in more than one vehicle. Tasting fees are separate and paid directly to each winery.
Questions
Which airport is closest to The Charles?
Oakland (OAK), about 53 miles or roughly 1 hour 10 minutes by car. Sonoma County Airport (STS) is next, at about 1 hour 15 minutes.
How far is The Charles from Santa Rosa Airport (STS)?
About 45 miles, or roughly 1 hour 15 minutes by car. STS is a small, easy airport, and the drive avoids Bay Area traffic.
Is The Charles within walking distance of downtown Napa?
Yes. It is on Jefferson Street at the north edge of downtown, within walking distance of restaurants and tasting rooms.
How much is a car service from the airport to The Charles?
Airport transfers are priced by distance when you book online, and gratuity is included, so you see the full fare before you pay.
What happens if my flight is late?
Your chauffeur tracks your flight and texts you before departure and again on landing to confirm the pickup spot. Up to 60 minutes of waiting is included. Meet and greet at baggage claim is available for $50.
Can you pick us up at The Charles for a wine tour?
Yes. Six-hour private wine tours start at the inn, from $750 plus 20% gratuity in an Elite Luxury SUV for up to 6 guests, or from $1,350 plus gratuity in a Jet Sprinter for up to 9. Tasting fees are paid directly to each winery.
How does booking a tour with Bien Chauffeured work?
Reserve 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.
Book Your Airport Ride or Wine Tour
Reserve online in minutes. For an airport pickup, add your flight and your chauffeur will track it and text you on landing. For a wine tour, your plans don't need to be final: your chauffeur will email you first, then build the itinerary and make the winery appointments. Prefer to talk? Call our concierge at 888-291-2328.
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