Platypus Wine Tours
Historic winery directory
Historic wineries of the sonoma valley
The beautiful and historic Sonoma Valley is the birthplace of California’s wine industry. In this unique tour, an expert local historian will accompany your group as we taste delicious wine at two or three Historic Wineries. We will also tour the Historic Sonoma Plaza, the San Francisco Solano Mission and the Sonoma Barracks. Your local historian guide will provide a comprehensive overview of local history, and tell amazing stories of wine families and viticulture, along with tales of General Vallejo and the Mission era.
Lunch included; tasting/touring fees and gratuitites extra.
Buena Vista Winery
Founded by Count Agosthon Haraszthy in 1857, Buena Vista is the oldest premium winery in California. The original stone winery is now a California Historic Landmark, and home to the Tasting Room and Visitor’s Center. You will hear the amazing story of Count Haraszthy, the first Hungarian to emigrate to the United States. In 1861 the Count journeyed to Europe and returned to California with over 100,000 cuttings of fine European varietals. Buena Vista now uses exclusively Carneros district fruit, and is the largest vineyard owner in this chosen “cool-climate” region; perfect for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. Extraordinary wine.
Gundlach-Bundschu Winery
2008 marks the Gundlach Bundschu Sesquicentennial – the 150th Anniversary of the oldest family-owned winery in California. The founder: Jacob Gundlach, was a well-known author and poet, whose letters about the Great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire are regarded as the finest original accounts of this disaster. You will hear his story, and taste delicious estate grown wine in a glorious winery setting, nestled up against the Mayacamas Mountains.
Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery
The history of Sebastiani Vineyards extends all the way back to 1825, when its Mission Vineyard was founded by Franciscan fathers of the nearby San Francisco Solano Mission. It is the oldest vineyard north of San Francisco. Still family owned and operated today, Sebastiani Winery was founded by Samuele Sebastiani in 1904. We will visit the original stone winery building, taste wonderful wine, and view the largest redwood barrel in the world!
Bartholemew Park Winery
Currently owned by Gundlach-Bundschu, Bartholemew Park was part of Count Haraszthy’s wine empire. We will tour the comprehensive history museum, taste delicious vineyard-specific wine, and enjoy the extensive gardens surrounding the tasting room.
Sonoma Plaza and San Francisco Solano Mission
No history tour would be complete without a stop at the beautiful and historic Sonoma Plaza, and a tour of the 21st Mission. Many original adobe buildings still line the Plaza, the largest in California. Renowned as the “Bear Flag City,” you will hear the true story of the Bear Flag Revolt. We will also tour Sonoma State Historic Park, which includes the San Francisco Solano Mission and Sonoma Barracks.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
More information about our custom tours can be found on our Private Wine Tours FAQ page.
Platypus Tours also offers Hispanic Winery Tours.
13th Vineyard by Cade
CADE at 13th Vineyard is the newest property in the PlumpJack portfolio, but is one of the historically oldest properties in all of the Napa Valley. Its name is derived from its place in history as the 13th bonded winery in the Napa Valley, originally established in 1886! On the grounds of this extraordinary Estate, you will enjoy library selections of wines pulled from deep within the CADE cellars, and gain access to vintages that have not seen the light of day in some time. This experience is ideal for the connoisseur, or visitors looking to add some vintage wines to their collection.
Ackerman Family Vineyards at the Aviary
At the Ackerman Heritage House, you are invited to travel back in time to Napa’s historic Victorian Era. A time when stately homes and elegant furnishings beckoned you to relax, converse and share life’s most memorable moments. Take in the luxuriously appointed ambiance while sipping on world class wines and indulging in a curated culinary affair.
Acorn Winery
The Nachbauer’s founded their hidden gem of a winery in 1990 which is located at the Northern end of the Russian River. This quaint winery sits in the cool Russian River Valley climate making it the perfect place to accommodate over 60 planted varieties of Italian and French grapes. With a production of under 3000 cases annually, Acorn is known for their field blend red wines which are inter-planted, harvested, and fermented together creating balanced food-friendly wines. The owners host you personally which creates a relaxed down-to-earth feel without crowds. A tasting and vineyard walk will educate you on their Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, Dolcetto, Sangiovese, and Syrah blocks of grapes which are blended the day they are picked.
ADAMVS Wine
To respect the diversity of the land, and to achieve its full potential to create wines of unparalleled sophistication, ADAMVS is cultivated and certified both organic and biodynamic.
Adastra Vineyards
A small, family-owned enterprise making limited-production wines from their certified organic vineyard in the Napa Carneros.
Adrian Fog Winery
Adrian Fog was born from the idea that Pinot Noir should have a sense of place and that the vineyard is the birthplace of great wine. All of their vineyards are selected for their individuality. By hand selecting cool climate fruit from small vineyards, Adrian Fog is able to maintain the unique signature and personality of the vineyard.
Allora Vineyards
Allora Vineyards was established in 1997 by Terry and Nancy Klein along with their three children, Kelly, Cortney, and Christopher. The winery is known for small-production luxury wines. Allora is located on an exceptional 15-acre estate on the valley floor in St. Helena. The genesis of the winery was the desire to create a family-owned and operated business, a genuine passion and appreciation for fine wine, and a deep respect for this unique and outstanding wine-growing region.
Alpha Omega
Handcrafted wines that blend old world with new world winemaking techniques. Tranquil setting overlooks the vineyards and the landmark fountains and pond.
Amapola Creek Vineyards
Iconic winemaker Richard Arrowood, whom has made acclaimed Sonoma County wines for 50+ years, founded Amapola Creek in 2010. Nestled in the Myacamas Mountains, guests are privately hosted at the rustic, barn-styled winery on the Arrowood family estate. The focus is on ultra-premium, small batch wine including Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Syrah, Monte Rosso Vineyard Zinfandel, and Russian River Chardonnay. The tastings are private and personal and have a laid back feel at the home property of the winemaker.
Amici Cellars
Our family-owned winery is nestled in the foothills of the Palisades, just outside Calistoga, Napa Valley, where we are dedicated to producing true-to-varietal wines from exceptional vineyard sources. Working alongside our talented winemaking team led by Tony Biagi and Jesse Fox, together we bring decades of relationships with outstanding growers that, combined with their craftsmanship, result in elegant, balanced, expressive wines made to be enjoyed among friends.
Amizetta
The Amizetta’s founded a secluded hillside estate in 1984 in the eastern hills of St. Helena on Howell Mountain. A winding road with breathtaking views of Lake Hennessy, Pritchet Hill, and the San Pablo Bay, Amizetta beckons your senses as you reach your destination. The steep hillside boasts the perfect terrain for their 2,200 square foot barrel cave with extreme golf carting the hilly vineyards. Known for world class Cabernet’s and Bordeaux varieties this picturesque winery parallels many of the world’s top hillside wineries in Europe. A truly unique tasting experience awaits you either in their picnic areas or by relaxed seating on a multi-tier patio gazing at the incredible views.
Anaba winery
Anaba Wines, was the first Sonoma Valley winery to be wind-powered, and their name originates from cool, upward-flowing anabatic winds that soar and swirl through their sustainably-farmed vineyards. With two generations involved, Anaba is family operated winery nestled at the base of stunning rolling hills in the Carneros Region. Strong, cooling breezes blow in from the Pacific Ocean and make the varietals of The Rhone and Burgundy regions right at home with Viognier, Grenache Blanc, and Chardonnay offered for whites and elegant Syrah, Pinot Noir, Rhone Blends, and Petite Syrah for reds.
