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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Rachel Castorena
a week agoAmazing experience for any occasion! We booked this tasting for my sisters bachelorette; she is a fan of horses and wine and this beautiful winery did not disappoint! As soon as you drive on to the property you are surrounded by the winery owners endurance racing champion horses and a beautiful view of the surrounding hills. I cannot say enough good things about Robert! We were running 30 minutes late and he was so accommodating and very gracious. When we arrived he welcomed us with a glass of SB with our name on it which was a very nice touch. During the tasting Robert gave us so much knowledge about the wines, the winery and of course, the horses. If you’re a horse girly and love wine, ask for Robert, he is so fun and friendly! This experience did not feel like a regular tasting, it was so relaxing and fun! I will absolutely be coming back!
Leslie Henthorn
a week agoWe love Tampa Bay and Kevin was amazing! We’ve been club members for about five years and never miss the opportunity to go to the actual winery and visit! If you are in the area and want to try the best of the best in the most serene and beautiful environment surrounded by majestic horses- this is your spot! Thank you Kevin for allowing us to come with poor planning on our part.
Matt Smith
a month agoWine tasting in May 2025 - wonderful experience. Five different wines, and our host was very knowledgeable about the wines and the history of the winery. Sitting outside among the horse stalls was unique and enjoyable. We took a break half way through the tasting to say hello to the horses - such stunning animals. Tamber Bey is hard to find across the country, so it was worth the tasting and the purchase afterwards. Their branded merchandise is also very distinctive!
Deb Kasprzyk
3 weeks agoTanner Bey is a gem! Robert was fantastic in helping us pick out the wines we wanted for a picnic. We walked in telling him our mission and he turned it into a delightful experience! He made several suggestions and we tasted each one, while he explained about the wines and how each was made. He was right on target with his suggestions, as we wound up buying the first 2 he suggested! We walked around after making our choices, realizing this was a beautiful spot to plan for a wine tasting or picnic. There were several seating areas that felt like you were hanging out in a luxurious back yard, as well as picnic tables. The wines were delicious! I was very impressed by the oak- barreled Chardonnay that was very mellow without a strong oak taste. We purchased the Sauvignon Blanc and stainless barreled Chardonnay that were perfect for our picnic. Robert was very thoughtful and gave us chilled bottles that he uncorked for us, since we didn’t have a corkscrew! We are taking our Napa wine experience home with us through amazing wine scented candles! They were burning in the tasting room infusing it with fragrance that enhanced the flavors. Overall, we had a wonderful experience at Tamber Bey!
Natalia
3 weeks agoWe had a wonderful time visiting Tamber Bey Vineyards in Calistoga. The setting is truly special - a peaceful shaded patio. Next to horses and a charming little garden. Cherilyn was incredibly welcoming and kind, and her guided tasting of the Signature Collection wines was both engaging and informative. The charcuterie platter was a perfect complement, and the whole experience made for a perfect sunny summer afternoon