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

Established in 1995, Lokoya is a collection of four distinct Cabernet Sauvignons from four of Napa Valley’s most celebrated mountain appellations: Mount Veeder, Howell Mountain, Spring Mountain and Diamond Mountain. These limited-production wines are 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, fermented with native yeast, and bottled unfined and unfiltered, resulting in the purest expression of place.

Winery Phone Number
707-948-1968
Winery Address
3787 Spring Mountain Rd., St. Helena, CA 94574
Winery Tags
Winery Website Address
Winery Name
Winery Description

A tour of the 650 acre ranch, a tasting of LMR wines paired with house prepared culinary treats with a visit to the wine cave is available at the Mayacamas estate home of Tim and Laddie Hall. In the town of St. Helena, visit the LMR restaurant, Farmstead, that showcases the wines, beef, produce and olive oils that the ranch produces.

Winery Phone Number
707-963-4555
Winery Address
738 Main Street, St. Helena, CA 94574
Winery Website Address
Winery Name
Winery Description

One of the first five wineries to be built after the repeal of prohibition in 1933, by Charles Krug. Visit the newly remodeled tasting room for an experience combining history and contemporary design.

Winery Phone Number
707-968-3362
Winery Address
254 St. Helena Hwy S. St. Helena, CA 94574
Winery Website Address