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

Enjoy Failla's cool climate wines in a charming 1930's farmhouse located on the eleven acre estate. The spacious wine cave is decorated to resemble a luxerious living room.

Winery Phone Number
707-963-0530
Winery Address
3530 Silverado Trail N. St. Helena, CA 94574
Winery Website Address
Winery Description

Discover your dream Napa Valley experience through a private winery tour and tasting with Fantesca. Upon arrival guests are greeted by their personal estate host to explore stunning views of Spring Mountain, the heady sights and smells of the wine cave, and the warm hospitality a private wine tasting salon.

Winery Phone Number
707-968-9229
Winery Address
2920 Spring Mountain Rd, St. Helena, CA 94574
Winery Website Address
Winery Description

The legacy dates back to the 1800's and the historical stone winery is one of Napa Valley's "ghost wineries". Founded as Flora Springs in 1978 by Jerry and Flora Komes, the family still manages the estates vineyards and oversees all winemaking.

Winery Phone Number
707-967-6723
Winery Address
1978 West Zinfandel Ln, St. Helena, CA 94574
Winery Website Address
Winery Name
Winery Description

Grapes are gently handled from harvest through fermentation. Small stainless steel fermentors for red wines and new Burgundy barrels for white seem fitting for the need to pay close attention to detail during the winemaking process.
Deep caves have been constructed which maintain a cool dark and humid environment in which to age red wine in new French oak barrels. The wines literally age in the soils from which they grew. The integration of the small stone cellar settled in the hillside surrounded by a courtyard and in touch with the deep caves below sets a mood which would recall that of a tiny European estate.

Winery Phone Number
707-963-3900
Winery Address
1501 Big Rock Rd., St. Helena, CA 94574
Winery Website Address
Winery Description

Freemark Abbey is the quintessential Napa Valley winery. From the first female Napa winery owner on record in 1886, to their landmark recognition leading up to “The Judgment of Paris” in 1976 and beyond — their story is full of firsts.

Winery Phone Number
800-963-9698
Winery Address
3022 St Helena Hwy N, St. Helena, CA 94574
Winery Website Address