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.

Winery Name
Winery Description

From carefully selected vineyards, produced in very small quantities and artfully crafted to reflect a sense of place, Dakota Shy wines are a testament to Napa Valley's reputation for producing the greatest Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines in the world.

Winery Phone Number
707-224-1184
Winery Address
771 Sage Canyon Rd, St Helena, CA 94574
Winery Website Address
Winery Description

The David Arthur Estate is located high a top Pritchard Hill, on the eastern side of the Napa Valley. The hillside vineyards offer a breathtaking view of the valley floor 1200 feet below. The rough mountain terrain and rocky red soils provide ideal growing conditions for wine grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon.

Winery Phone Number
707-963-5190
Winery Address
210 Long ranch Rd., St. Helena, CA 94574
Winery Website Address
Winery Name
Winery Description

The winemaking team of Davies Vineyards strives to find the depth and character in every wine they craft, producing an unmatched level of quality and style in each bottling. Following the vision of Jamie Davies, who spirited the first bottling of the first J. Davies Estate Cabernet Sauvignon in 2001, each year Davies Vineyards sets out to craft wines that are supple enough to be enjoyed upon release, while being robust and structured enough to age gracefully over time.

Winery Phone Number
707-963-5555
Winery Address
1210 Grayson Ave., St. Helena, CA 94574
Winery Website Address
Winery Description

Opened in 2007, this winery pays homage to the Del Dotto family’s Venetian heritage dating back to 1150. The cathedral-like structure, sits on the original Rutherford vineyard purchased by Dave and Yolanda in 1988 and includes a large underground cave for aging wines.

Winery Phone Number
707-963-2134
Winery Address
1445 St. Helena Hwy. S. St. Helena, CA 94574
Winery Website Address
Winery Name
Winery Description

Delectus is a small family-owned winery that handcrafts luxury red wines from select vineyards throughout Napa Valley and Knights Valley. They produce 4500 cases annually of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Sirah and Syrah, most of which is sold directly through the winery. Delectus wines have received high scores and praise from wine critics and consumers alike. The consistency and quality of the wines is attributed to Gerhard and his legacy as an eighth generation winemaker. Delectus not only delivers exceptional wines but unique experiences as well. A visit to the unique tasting room in Napa includes barrel tastings in a welcoming and educational environment

Winery Phone Number
707-244-5080
Winery Address
1091 St Helena Hwy, St. Helena, CA 94574
Winery Website Address
Winery Name
Winery Description

For more than 40 years Duckhorn Vineyards has been considered an icon in the Napa Valley. As the first winery in America to produce Merlot, Duckhorn played a key role in establishing Merlot as one of North America's great varietals.

Winery Phone Number
707-963-7108
Winery Address
1000 Lodi Ln, St. Helena, CA 94574
Winery Website Address