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.
The Terraces
A visit to The Terraces can include a tour of the ranch on one of the “mules”, a 4-wheeler that stops at the ghost winery build in 1885 and the “acetaia” where you can barrel taste 17 year old balsamic vinegar.
Trattore Farms
Trattore Farms welcomes visitors to its location in the heart of Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma County. Known for providing exceptional wine tasting experiences, the farm offers a delightful journey through the lush vineyards of one of California’s top wine regions. Guests can immerse themselves in the tranquil beauty of Dry Creek Valley while enjoying meticulously crafted Rh™ne wines. At Trattore Farms, each glass tells a tale of tradition, excellence, and the lively essence of Dry Creek Valley’s winemaking heritage.
Trefethen Family Vineyards
Trefethen Family Vineyards is a family-owned estate winery. The family is passionate about crafting world-class wines that truly reflect their origins in the vineyard. The cool climate in their location, coupled with a thoughtful approach to farming and winemaking, results in acclaimed wines known for a brightness on the palate. Their historic wooden winery building, built in 1886, stands sentinel over the beautiful vineyards that provide all the fruit for their estate-grown wines.
Tres Sabores | Platypus Wine Tours
More often than not, there are more dogs at Tres Sabores than people! Owner Julie Johnson’s own three dogs are always happy to accompany you on a vineyard tour. Other employees dogs fill out the roster of six. And what a great place to be a dog: acres of vineyards, a culinary garden and even a wine cave!
Truchard Vineyards
After selling their grapes to premier wineries for 15 years, the Truchards began producing their own wines in 1989 to great acclaim. To accommodate the winerys increased production, in 1998, they added an 11,000-square-foot wine cave to the premises.
Tudal
One of Napa Valley’s quirkiest wineries – in the very best sense of the word! Everywhere you look there is something to make you laugh or that captures your imagination. Hint: even a Joe Dimaggio connection!
Turnbull Wine Cellars
Turnbull has been rooted in the culture and history of the Napa Valley for more than 35 years. Operating a small, family business from the original estate winery in Oakville, they stand for exceptional quality and a true Napa Valley wine experience, as it should be.
Twomey
Owned by the family who established and owns the esteemed Cabernet Sauvignon winery, Silver Oak; at Twomey the family expands their expertise into Pinot Noir, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc, sourced from vineyards in close proximity to the Pacific Ocean.
Ty Caton
At Ty Caton Vineyards, excellence starts in the Caton Vineyard, where winemaker Ty Caton practices sustainable farming on the hillside grapes used in his Moon Mountain District wine. Being one of the few exclusively estate producers in Sonoma Valley, Ty oversees the entire process from soil to glass, allowing him to create exceptional wines that truly reflect the vineyard’s character.
V. Sattui
Drop in to taste the wine, stay for a deli lunch and enjoy the beautiful picnic gardens! Named “Winery of the Year” in 2015.
Varozza Vineyards
Nestled in the renowned St. Helena area is Varozza Vineyards, a historic gem. Covering 38 beautiful acres tended by the family, it’s home to Napa Valley’s most prized grape varieties.
Viader
Founder of this iconic winery, Delia Viader is the “Wine Mother”: mother of the vines, mother of the wine, and mother of the winemaker. The stunning views through the wine cave make this a favorite spot for marriage proposals!
