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.
Forman Vineyard
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.
Fortunati Vineyards
Derived from the Italian pronunciation of “Lucky” and the owner’s last name “Luchtel”, [say “For-too-not-ee”] you are warmly invited to share our good fortune!
Frank Family
Voted “Best Napa Winery” seven years in a row, our wines span from Sparkling Wine to Port and everything in between.
Freemark Abbey Winery
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.
Frias Family Vineyards
Frias Family Vineyard was founded with their first official vintage in 1991. With 100 acres purchased in 1977 and only 5 acres planted in 1985, they focused on producing the finest Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon along with a small production red blend, Sauvignon Blanc and Rose. The operation is small and family owned. Everyone helps carry out this labor of love by participating in nurturing the vines, blending, bottling and (of course) quality control!
Frisinger Family Vineyard
They’ve created a boutique winery that makes premium estate grown wine, and the wine press that appears on their label was on the land in 1981 when their family first purchased the property. It is a representation of the tradition they so greatly value. Paying homage to the rich land and culture of Napa Valley, visitors are invited to enjoy tasty and memorable experiences with their loved ones.
Frog’s Leap
“Time’s fun when you’re having flies!” Since 1988 they have been farming organically and believe that great and historic winese have been made from non-irrigated grapevines.
G&C Lurton Estates
Seeking outstanding terroir, the owners relocated from France to California with their children for three years. They found the ideal environment for Bordeaux grape varieties to thrive in the sunny Californian microclimate. The “Acaibo” project, spearheaded by Gonzague and Claire, aims to create exceptional Californian terroir wine. This involves mastering the unique components of the terroir, including the soil’s volcanic origin, comprised of clay loam atop compacted ashes, reminiscent of Mount St. Helena.
Gamble Family Vineyard
Founded by third-generation farmer Tom Gamble, Gamble Family Vineyards farms approximately 175 acres of prime estate vineyards from several of Napa Valley’s most respected AVAs. The Gamble family has been farming the Napa Valley since 1916, and every wine we produce is cultivated with their dedication to the land in mind.
Gargiulo Vineyards
The very first vintage of Gargiulo Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon was 2000, and since then Gargiulo Vineyards has quietly taken its place among the most highly regarded Cabernet Sauvignon producers in Napa Valley. Not ones to rest on their laurels, Jeff, Valerie, daughter, April and son in law, Mitch and the entire Gargiulo Vineyards’ team continue to strive to make Gargiulo wines the most pure and breathtaking expressions of their two esteemed Oakville vineyards.
Gemstone Vineyard
The Dornbusch family is honored to be the stewards of an incredible vineyard that prides itself on refining the wines that truly reflect the extremely special 25 year history of Gemstone.
Gentleman Farmer Wines
Gentleman Farmer, small production wines. Each wine tells an authentic story of the seasons and traditions that surround them. Food focused wine to enjoy with food and friends.
