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.
Rombauer
Koerner Rombauer’s great aunt Irma Rombauer wrote The Joy of Cooking cookbook that ignited his passion for the relationship between food and wine. Tasting options for visitors include wine and cheese pairing or just purchase and enjoy a single glass of wine on the porch enjoying the stunning views of the Napa Valley.
Roots Run Deep Winery
Roots Run Deep Winery was founded in 2005 with a single aim: to produce unparalleled wines from the Napa Valley. Grapes sourced from the best vineyards in Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena, Oak Knoll, Yountville, and Carneros go into making wines of superb quality and unmatched value. Since its founding, Roots Run Deep has expanded the wine portfolio into the Sonoma Coast, Lake County, and Lodi, searching the state for the best quality fruit in order to continue fulfilling our singular mission of delivering amazing wines at remarkable prices. It all started with an idea, a dream, and a single wine label.
Round Pond
Owned since the 1980’s by the MacDonnell family, the 468 acre estate is sustainably farmed with vineyards, olive trees and culinary gardens. Estate vineyards give the winemaker complete control over all aspects of the winemaking process, as evidenced by the spectacular wines produced here.
Ru Vango
Ru Vango, meaning “Road to Art,” is deeply rooted in its philosophy as it begins crafting wine right from its vineyards. With two sites in the Napa Valley Region, Spring Mountain and Carneros, they take pride in their land stewardship, allowing the terroir to shine through their wines. The owners, American entrepreneurs and philanthropists originally from Vietnam, infuse their passion into every aspect of the winery.
Rued Wines
The Rued Family has been farming and growing grapes in Sonoma County since 1882. Now, they’ve embarked on a new journey of winemaking. Visitors are invited to meet the family and sample their wines, conveniently located just northwest of the historic Dry Creek Store. Experience a tasting at the bar or enjoy a picnic on the patio, boasting stunning views of Dry Creek Valley.
Rutherford Hill
Owned by the Terlato family, a name synonomous with the luxery wine industry and with over 70 years of industry experience.
Rutherford Ranch
“It takes Rutherford dust to make great Cabernet” has often been quoted, and Rutherford Ranch is located in the middle of this storied AVA (American Viticultural Area). All vineyards are certified sustainably farmed.
Saddleback Winery
Saddleback Cellars, founded in 1978 by acclaimed winemaker Nils Venge—the first American to earn a 100-point score from Robert Parker—remains a quietly iconic Oakville winery. Tucked along dead-end Money Road, Saddleback focuses on estate Cabernet while crafting small-lot, handcrafted wines including Charbono, Vermentino, Tannat, Petit Verdot, and distinctive blends, all shared in a warm, family-style setting where guests leave as friends.
Saini Vineyards
Saintsbury
The winery’s namesake honors George Saintsbury, literary historian & oenophile, best known for his Notes on a Cellar Book. The winery established its reputation early on for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and has long been a champion of these varieties.
Schramsberg
Producing the finest and most complex Sparkling Wines, Schramsberg is comprised of 125 year old caves for aging bottles, a historical estate and barn and beautiful gardens.
Schweiger
Truly a family dedication beginning with clearing the forest from their mountain estate to plant the vineyards, to making the wine and visiting guests to their home estate. The Schweigers define the word hospitality.
