St. Helena · Napa Valley
The Ink House Car Service & Private Wine Tours
Private chauffeur service from Santa Rosa Airport, SFO or Oakland to The Ink House in St. Helena, and a six-hour wine tour that starts at the inn.
Book Your Ride or Wine Tour
About the Property
The Ink House is a two-story Italianate house built in 1885 by Theron H. Ink, one of Napa County's early settlers, on Highway 29 just south of St. Helena. Elvis Presley stayed here while filming Wild in the Country in 1960, and the property, once known as Helios Ranch, is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Today it is a four-room luxury inn, with rooms named Theron, Harriet, Helios and Elvis. Guest experiences include aperitifs with the Jean-Charles Boisset and Gina Gallo-Boisset family, tastings with the winemakers and private tours of the family's Napa wineries.
It is also an easy place to start a wine tour. Whitehall Lane Winery, Corison Winery and Flora Springs are all within about 5 minutes. We are based in Calistoga, about 15 minutes up the valley.
Getting Here From the Airport
Sonoma County Airport (STS): about 29 miles, 50 minutes. The closest airport to The Ink House, and 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.
Oakland (OAK): about 67 miles, 1 hour 35 minutes. Often a quieter airport than SFO.
San Francisco International (SFO): about 75 miles, 1 hour 45 minutes, and longer at busy times. The most flights, with a drive across the Bay Area.
Sacramento (SMF): about 80 miles, 1 hour 45 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
1575 St. Helena Highway, St. Helena
Style
Historic Italianate inn, 4 rooms
Closest Airport
Santa Rosa Airport (STS), about 50 minutes
Good to Know
Four guest rooms. Boisset family wine experiences for guests.
A Six-Hour Wine Tour From Your Hotel
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. at the front of the inn.
10:00 · Pickup at The Ink House
Your chauffeur meets you at the front of the inn. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:05 · Frog's Leap
About 5 minutes away. Organically farmed Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Zinfandel and Rutherford Cabernet. The garden tasting is $50. By appointment; closed Wednesdays.
11:50 · Lunch at Gott's Roadside
About 15 minutes away. Burgers, fish tacos and shakes at Gott's on Main Street in St. Helena, with picnic tables on the lawn. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
12:55 · Heitz Cellar
About 5 minutes away. Single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, including Martha's Vineyard, from a winery founded in 1961. The Napa Valley Legacy tasting at The Salon is $75. Reservations preferred; walk-ins when there is space.
2:30 · Corison Winery
About 5 minutes away. Age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon, including Kronos Vineyard, from a winery founded in 1987. The Discovery Tasting is $75, with a walk in the Kronos Vineyard. By appointment only.
3:55 · Back to The Ink House
About 5 minutes away. Back by 4:00 p.m., six hours after pickup.
Optional: Whitehall Lane Winery
Adds about an hour. Rutherford Cabernet, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc from eight estate vineyards, right next door. The Leo Trio at the bar is $40. Walk-ins welcome; reservations recommended.
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
- Whitehall Lane Winery, about 5 minutes. Rutherford Cabernet, right next door.
- Corison Winery, about 5 minutes. Age-worthy Cabernet, including Kronos Vineyard.
- Flora Springs, about 5 minutes. Trilogy and Soliloquy blends.
- HALL St. Helena, about 5 minutes. Cabernet, contemporary art and architecture.
- Heitz Cellar, about 5 minutes. Martha's Vineyard Cabernet since 1961.
- V. Sattui Winery, about 5 minutes. Winery-only wines, deli and picnic grounds.
- Grgich Hills Estate, about 5 minutes. Organically farmed Chardonnay and Cabernet.
- Frog's Leap, about 5 minutes. Organically farmed Rutherford wines.
See every Napa Valley winery by AVA on our Napa Valley wineries page, including nearby Rutherford, St. Helena and Oakville.
Your Vehicle & Six-Hour Tour Rates
Up to 6 guests
Elite Luxury SUV
Lincoln Navigator or Cadillac Escalade
$600
Six-hour private wine tour ($100 per hour), plus gratuity. Additional hours $100 each.
Up to 9 guests
Jet Sprinter
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. For groups of 10 or more, call 833-915-2436 for a quote. Tasting fees are separate and paid directly to each winery.
Questions
Which airport is closest to The Ink House?
Sonoma County Airport (STS), about 29 miles or roughly 50 minutes by car. Oakland (OAK) is next, at about 1 hour 35 minutes.
How far is The Ink House from Santa Rosa Airport (STS)?
About 29 miles, or roughly 50 minutes by car. STS is a small, easy airport, and the drive avoids Bay Area traffic.
Is The Ink House within walking distance of downtown St. Helena?
No. It is on Highway 29 about two miles south of downtown St. Helena, and we can drive you into town for dinner.
How much is a car service from the airport to The Ink House?
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 Ink House for a wine tour?
Yes. Six-hour private wine tours start at the inn and cost $600 ($100 per hour) plus gratuity in a luxury SUV for up to 6 guests, or from $1,350 plus 20% 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 833-915-2436.
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