Historic Wineries
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.
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.
Etude Wines
Established in 1982, Etude was founded on the philosophy that winemaking begins in the vineyard, long before harvest, and that superior grape growing allows our winemakers to craft wines of exceptional varietal expression and finesse. This ethos remains unwavering as the winery continues to build upon its established legacy of exemplary Pinot Noir.
Euclid Wines
Euclid Wines is a true father-son venture. Their goal is to create a wine of elegance with fruit intensity, fine tannins, silky texture using our experience in the vineyard, knowledge of fermentation, blending and barrel aging.
Failla
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.
Fairwinds
Offering elegant wines from four of the finest wineries in Calistoga, all in one tasting experience. Food and wine pairing available in our 22,000 square foot wine cave.
Fantesca Estate & Winery
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.
Far Niente
Originally founded in 1885 and restored in 1979, Far Niente is recognized as one of the great wine estates, producing world class Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. The stunning estate is surrounded by 13 acres of beautiful landscaped gardens.
Farella Vineyards
Farella is a family owned vineyard and winery based out of the new Coombsville appellation in Napa Valley. Founded in 1977, the first wines produced in 1985. Having planted the first Cabernet Sauvignon vines in the Coombsville-Napa valley AVA, it is also the home of the first Cabernet wine produced in the AVA. “We strive to create ageworthy wines that reflect the nuance and character of our AVA, while emphasizing balance to ensure their place at the dinner table.”
Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery
Since 1985, Ferrari-Carano has been a leading producer of world class, nationally acclaimed wines including full bodied Chardonnay and rich classic reds.
Fleury Estate Winery
Brian Fleury is a self-taught winemaker who studied with the right mentors. His 4,000 yearly case production sells out, and is only found at the winery. Guests are hosted in a private salon setting among the barrels.
Flora Springs Estate
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.
Foley Johnson Winery
For years, Bill Foley and his wife, Carol Johnson Foley, had dreamt of opening a winery bearing their name in Napa Valley. They both enjoyed the grandeur of Napa’s scenery and the rhythm of its lifestyle, and, more importantly, the couple loved the opulence and complexity of Napa’s wines. With the launch of Foley Johnson in 2012, the Foleys have created a world-class winery with premier vineyards and a historic tasting room right in the heart of America’s preeminent winegrowing region.
Fontanella Family Winery
Fontanella Family Winery is a small, family-run, premium winery leading the new generation of exceptional winemaking in the Napa Valley.
