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.
Prager Port Works
Prager has become a destination for lovers of world class fortified wines. Now the second generation of Pragers is carrying on the family tradition of warm hospitality and unique wines.
Pride Mountain
Located a twisting 20 minute ride from St. Helena, the stunning views and mountain fruit make the effort worthwhile. One unique feature is the brick inlay that bisects the crushpad: part of the winery is in Napa County, part of it is in Sonoma County!
Priest Ranch Wines
The team at Priest Ranch strives to provide you with cultivated and unexpected wine country experiences – whether in their tasting room, in person or in the bottle.
Prime Solum Tasting Barn
William “Bill” Hill believes the vineyard is the primary determinant of wine quality. Prime Solum showcases his Grand-Cru Napa vineyards, the best place for growing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon!
Promontory Winery
In the early 1980s while hiking along Oakville’s southwestern ridge, H. William Harlan discovered an isolated territory. The hidden expanse — ancient and untamed — moved him deeply, but remained elusive until the Harlan family finally captured it in 2008. As the second generation explored and worked with the land, they began to make discoveries of their own. At the core of this wild terrain they found a powerful geologic convergence, which had shaped its steep, rugged topography, and created the conditions for an altogether exotic winegrowing environment. Over time they found that the dramatic landscape — just beyond the edge of the known — would slowly change them, and ultimately inspire a new endeavor: Promontory.
Provenance Vineyards
Their goal is to highlight the individuality of Napa Valley’s best vineyards and growing regions. They select top vineyards and gently guide the grapes into wine, striving to bring out the personality, complexity and uniqueness of each vineyard and vintage.
Quintessa
In 1989 Augustin and Valeria Huneeus found a 280 acre property that had never been planted before. By farming organically and biodynamically, they have preserved this unique land that provides them with world class wines.
Raymond
Acknowledged as one of the most unique wineries in the Napa Valley, Raymond offers a multitude of options for guests, including Winemaker For A Day and a stroll through the Theatre of Nature.
Regusci Winery
Regusci Winery is a historic Napa Valley winery located in the Stags Leap District. Established in 1878, we are now home to 289 acres of premium vineyards. For five generations, the family has farmed the scenic ranch with a commitment to quality and sustainability. Guests may tour the estate gardens and one of Californias last Ghost Winery buildings.
Reverie II
The 26 acre hillside estate is located at the base of Howell Mountain, boasts sweeping views of vineyards and the Mayacamas Mountains
Robinson Family Vineyards
Nestled amidst the rugged terrain of Napa Valleys famed Stags Leap Palisades lies the piece of heaven that is Robinson Family Vineyards. This boutique winery and rolling vineyards are set within a lush, private valley. All of Robinson Family Vineyards small production wines are crafted with passion, care and precision that comes from family ownership.
Roche Winery
Continuing the legacy of Genevieve and Joseph, the family and staff at Roche take pride in providing a warm, genuine, and down-to-earth experience for everyone who comes to the tasting room.
