Tamber Bey Vineyards was founded in 1999 by vintner Barry Waitte, who saw an opportunity to turn his love of wine into a full-time venture. His first step was purchasing a 60-acre vineyard in the Yountville Appellation, a region known for producing high-quality wine grapes. He then acquired an 11-acre property in the prestigious Oakville Appellation, planting three acres of Cabernet Sauvignon that would eventually be dubbed the Oakville Estate Vineyard.
With a strong foundation in place, Waitte set out to assemble a team that could bring his vision for Tamber Bey wines to life. He brought on Thomas Brown as the company’s founding winemaker, and in 2003, Tamber Bey celebrated its inaugural release: the 2001 Two Rivers Vineyard Chardonnay, Merlot, and a Cabernet-based red wine. The Two Rivers Vineyard was named in honor of the “two personalities” of the Napa River, which borders the property. Later, the vineyard was renamed the Deux Chevaux Vineyard as a tribute to Waitte’s first two Arabian horses, Tamborina and Bayamo.
In 2012, Waitte expanded Tamber Bey’s operations by purchasing the 22-acre Sundance Ranch in Calistoga. Here, he received approval to convert a 15,000-square-foot covered riding arena into a state-of-the-art winemaking facility. The facility, designed by Thomas Rivers Brown with 36 closed and open-top fermentation tanks, was up and running for the 2013 harvest. Tamber Bey also maintains two 5,000-square-foot barrel rooms at different climate zones to ensure optimal aging for its wines.
Today, Tamber Bey’s portfolio of wines is crafted under the guidance of winemaker Derek Flegal. The wines are made from Waitte’s estate-grown fruit in Napa Valley’s Yountville and Oakville AVAs, as well as grapes carefully sourced from select vineyards in Napa, Sonoma, and Lake counties. In addition to its own wine production, Tamber Bey also provides custom crush services for 20 clients.
But Tamber Bey is more than just a winery – it’s a true wine country experience. The property is home to over 20 horses, including performance Arabians, retirees, rescue horses, and miniatures. Visitors can taste Tamber Bey’s wines in the original barn clubhouse, which was designed by Napa Valley architect Howard Backen. The tasting room is surrounded by a 16-stall barn, where guests can mingle with the horses and enjoy the stunning views of Mount St. Helena and the Palisades. It’s a unique opportunity to experience the beauty of Napa Valley and its world-class wines all in one place.
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Natalie
6 months agoLanded here after a while of no luck searching for a pet friendly establishment on a last minute road trip to wine country. Arriving without reservations and just in time for a last tasting, we were welcome with open arms and it was such a relief to a dog mom of a 70+lb Goldendoodle. We enjoyed our tasting and were just so happy to have somewhere beautiful and welcoming to stretch out our legs, doodle included. Beautiful grounds with a gorgeous view of Mt. St. Helena. The tasting area is spacious enough for the seating areas to be spread out comfortably throughout terrace/garden and along the stables. Amazing hospitality, delicious wine and intriguing property history. We cannot wait to go back!
Jennifer Rogers
4 months agoWe loved our visit to Tamber Bey! It’s dog friendly, has a cute tasting room or you can taste in their courtyard, lots of choices for tastings, and beautiful horses! It was a wonderful afternoon for our first day in Calistoga.
ayush kalani
5 months agoTamber Bey Vineyards, with its name a charming combination honoring the winery founders' first Arabian horses, offers a unique experience that goes beyond just delicious wines. Their philosophy of equating the art of winemaking with the pursuit of horsemanship - both requiring skill, refinement, and an appreciation for nature's beauty - was evident in every aspect of our visit. My friend and I recently bought the Covet Wine Pass. Tamber Bey is one of the 13 wineries in the Napa/Sonoma area that accepts this pass. While their courtyard wine tasting experiences typically range from $50-$75 per person and include 5-6 tastings, our pass provided us with a complimentary tasting. The moment we stepped onto the property, we were enchanted. The beautiful courtyard, surrounded by stables, exuded a true horse ranch vibe. The horseshoe used as a paperweight for the tasting sheet was a delightful touch. And while we were there, we were lucky enough to see some of the gorgeous horses up close - they were incredibly gentle and well-behaved! Our sommelier, Richard, was exceptional. He was incredibly knowledgeable about the winery's history and provided a fascinating tour of the wine production facility (upon request). He even went above and beyond our complimentary tasting, offering us additional pours of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon (we ended up loving the Cab so much we bought a bottle!). The tasting itself was a delightful journey through Tamber Bey's offerings. We started with the crisp and refreshing 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, followed by the Chardonnay 2023, a stainless steel fermented wine with a playful personality and hints of orange blossom and candied pear. The 2023 Rosé from Lake County was another winner, bursting with fresh strawberry and watermelon rind flavors. Next, we moved on to the 2022 Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley. This one showcased bright flavors of tart cherry and candied pomegranate, rhubard, and fresh anise. The Rabicano 2021, a Bordeaux blend, was a complex and powerful wine, while the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from their estate's Deux Chevaux Vineyard, was a truly memorable experience. The atmosphere at Tamber Bey was peaceful and uncrowded, especially for a Saturday morning. There were just a few groups, allowing us to fully enjoy the ambiance and Richard's expertise. If you're looking for a winery that offers more than just a tasting, Tamber Bey Vineyards is a must-visit. The combination of delicious wines, a beautiful horse ranch setting, and an incredibly knowledgeable staff creates an unforgettable experience.
Megan Renee
3 weeks agoI absolutely loved the cookie pairing option with the wine—it was such a fun and unique touch! The horses out back were a delightful surprise and made for an unforgettable experience after the wine tasting. Plus, there’s a small geyser next door that’s worth checking out, adding even more to the adventure. The staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming, which made the visit even more enjoyable. To top it off, there was a sweet cat that I got to pet, which was such a charming addition. This is definitely a 5/5 daytime activity in my book, and I can’t wait to visit again!
twinkle sharma
11 months agoAmazing experience at the Tamber Bey Vineyards! The wines were delicious and the place gives very cozy vibes. Very dog friendly. You can sip wine and say hi to their beautiful horses too.