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.
Seavey Vineyard
In 1979 Bill and Mary Seavey bought their estate vineyards where the steep rocky hillsides produce small, thick-skinned berries with outstanding tannins that they handle with the utmost care. The result is their small production of soulful wines that express the hillside vineyards and their unique sense of place.
Sebastiani
In the heart of Sonoma wine country, Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery stands out with its historic charm. Their barrel room showcases antique redwood tanks and original winemaking tools, offering tours, tastings, and a grand event space. Sebastiani has been a leading producer of Sonoma County wine for almost 120 years.
Shadybrook Estate Winery
A state of the art winery, Shadybrook Estate has not only phenomenal boutique wine and beautiful views of the rolling hills, but is also an elegant horse ranch. Shadybrook produces small batch Semillon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Pinot Noir from estate vineyards. Tastings are privately hosted and can include a cheese and charcuterie pairing or even a horseback ride! Truly unique, Shadybrook is a tucked away gem in a quiet corner of Napa Valley.
Silenus Winery
Silenus Winery prides itself on a long history of premium grape growing and award winning wine production. In their Tasting Room guests are able to enjoy views of their Oak Knoll vineyards, the winery and barrel chai, and relax in the garden grotto and enjoy a glass of wine during a game of Bocce Ball a perfect day in the Napa Valley.
Silver Oak
Anchored by their iconic water tower, Silver Oak was created to produce exceptional Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
Silverado Vineyards
Silverado’s winemaking is rooted in the vineyards and are dedicated to expressing the delicious quality and character of grapes grown on each of their six vineyards in the Napa Valley. Since its founding in 1981, the winery has grown to nearly 400 acres which is farmrd organically and sustainably.
Soda Rock Winery
After years of neglect, this local landmark had fallen into serious disrepair. Recognizing the property’s historic value Ken and Diane Wilson purchased the Soda Rock property in 2000. Today you see a decade of a carefully planned restoration using recycled and green materials whenever possible.
Spottswoode
Acknowledged as one of the first women to run a major Napa Valley wine growing estate, Mary Novak was instrumental in establishing Spottswood as one of the great family-owned wineries and first growth-caliber properties. Her daughters and grandaughters continue her legacy of elegance and strength.
Spring Mountain
Originally brought together as three properties, now 845 acres the property produces consistent, powerful and distinguish red wines..
St. Supery
St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery produces 100% estate grown, certified Napa Green wines, focusing on Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and additional red Bordeaux varietals. Located in the renowned Rutherford growing region at the heart of Napa Valley, the winery combines French château tradition with Napa Valley terroir producing the highest quality estate wines and providing exceptional experiences to all guests.
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars
Notably known for being the winery that won the Cabernet Sauvignon competition in the famous 1976 Judgment of Paris. Founded in 1970 and considered a Napa Valley first-growth estate. Stags’ Leap is a place of natural beauty, storied buildings and gardens, a lively history, and a reputation for elegant wines showing finesse and intensity.
Stag’s Leap Winery
On one of Californias earliest wine estates, a unique terroir and ideal microclimate support a classical standard of viticulture, land use, and winemaking that is as relevant today as it was over a century ago. Stags Leap is a place of natural beauty, storied buildings and gardens, a lively history, and a reputation for elegant wines showing finesse and intensity.
