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.
Ancien Wines
The Bernards founded a small boutique winery in 1992 in Napa’s Coombsville sub appellation about 10 minutes from downtown Napa. Tucked away off the beaten path and boasting nothing flashy from the outside, the property and vineyards display a rich history. Ancien is known for its high quality Pinot noirs and Chardonnay’s where you can taste them in a relaxed setting under oak trees overlooking the vineyards. One of the smallest functioning winery caves in Napa is located here and a tour and tasting will include a lesson in soil vineyard sampling which has an important role in the character of their wines.
Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards
Gus Anderson founded Anderson Conn Valley in 1983 and today it remains family owned and operated. Conn Valley is located where Conn Creek flows out of Howell Mountain and is known for producing world class Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux blends. The tasting features a personal tour of their wine cave and property which is steeped in tranquility and natural beauty. The feeling is relaxed, unpretentious, and friendly.
Andretti
Modeled after a rambling Italian village, the winery conjures up the boyhood home of its namesake, Mario Andretti, the finest race car driver of all time.
Andrew Geoffrey Vineyard
Since visiting the Napa Valley in 1973, while attending college in southern California, Peter Thompson set his sights on getting into the wine business, specifically in the Napa Valley. In 1992, Peter began actively pursuing his goal of owning a vineyard in the prestigious Napa Valley. During a two and one-half year search for the ultimate vineyard property, Peter selected the Andrew Geoffrey Vineyards site atop Diamond Mountain. The property was undeveloped, but only needed the right combination of efforts to realize its incredible potential for creating a state-of-the-art vineyard to produce world class California Cabernet Sauvignon wine.
Anomaly Vineyards
Anomaly specializes in the production of the highest-quality Cabernet Sauvignon. The first vintage of Anomaly was harvested in 1997 and made by the “budding garagistes.” Buoyed by the praise of the 1997 vintage, they embarked on the journey of obtaining a permit to produce Cabernet Sauvignon by building a small winery adjacent to the small vineyard. They love their little winery and believe that it gives them the opportunity to make a wine that is the finest possible expression of their organic vineyard.
Antica Napa Valley
The Antinori’s are one of the world’s oldest family wine business’ originating from Italy and founded Antica in 1993, releasing its first wines in 2007. Located at the base of Atlas Peak and the Eastern hills of Napa Valley, Antica will provide lovely views of the surrounding Napa Valley and vineyards beyond. The Antinori family entertains your taste buds with an Old World/New World experience based on their history and knowledge from their own well-known vineyards in Italy. Visit their wine caves of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay and enjoy a tasting while hearing the extensive history of the family and purchase their designated limited production estate wines which are available only from the winery.
Aonair
Fittingly, Aonair is Gaelic for “one man” and reflects Grant Long Jr’s passion for handcrafted small-lot wines. These outstanding wines are only available at the winery. Grant Long Jr. founded Aonair Wines in 2008 after learning to make wine in a garage growing up and being mentored by great winemakers throughout his life. Located in the rugged, forested hills of St. Helena about 12-15 minutes from the valley floor and Silverado Trail, this small winery has the feeling of a luxury cabin lodge. Enjoy a roaring fire, wander outside on the deck with the fire-pit, and enjoy incredible views of the hillside and vineyards. Rich full-bodied red blends and Cabernet Sauvignon as well as a flagship white wine are produced in extremely limited barrel quantities.
Armida
While Armida makes seriously great wine, they are not afraid to have a good time. With that said – they produce PoiZin “The wine to die for” a zinfandel you’ll never forget. Please come by and try their incomparable wines while enjoying the expansive view of the Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys.
Arrow & Branch Vineyards
The Arrow&Branch name pays homage to the Contursi Family’s success in the rare coin business, U.S. coinage and Americana. Found on the reverse of most United States coinage is an eagle holding arrows and an olive branch in its talons. This design signifies the United States as a peace-loving nation and country’s ability to defend itself if that peace and freedom should be compromised. Arrow&Branch exists to showcase Napa Valley’s finest vineyard sites and the wines that come from them. We source our fruit from unique and exquisite vineyard sites, such as Vine Hill Ranch, Beckstoffer Dr. Crane, Arrow&Branch, Lewelling and Stagecoach. These vineyards are all noted for having exceptional Napa Valley terroir. We seek to make wines with precision, power and elegance, but most importantly, true to the vineyards they come from.
Arrowood Vineyards and Winery
Iconic winemaker Richard Arrowood, whom has made acclaimed Sonoma County wines for 50+ years, founded Amapola Creek in 2010. Nestled in the Myacamas Mountains, guests are privately hosted at the rustic, barn-styled winery on the Arrowood family estate. The focus is on ultra-premium, small batch wine including Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Syrah, Monte Rosso Vineyard Zinfandel, and Russian River Chardonnay. The tastings are private and personal and have a laid back feel at the home property of the winemaker.
Artesa
With a winemaking legacy that dates back to 1551 in Spain, the Raventos family knew that the Carneros region offered the best Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays and Cabernets for their sparkling and still wines. With breathtaking views that stretch all the way to San Francisco and stunning architecture, this is a “must see while in Napa” winery.
Ashes and Diamonds Winery
Ashes & Diamonds Winery is the ultimate convergence of modern and old-school flavor and design. Mid-century Modern architecture and European-inspired winemaking methods reminiscent of Napa wine style from 1960s make for high style and deep flavor. Enjoy house-made sourbread flatbread alongside Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé. A fresh new winery that harkens back to Napa’s historic wine roots, Ashes & Diamonds is a sensory feast with a pop of fun.
