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.
Darms Lane Winery
Darms Lane is a family owned and operated boutique vineyard in Napa Valley. We are committed to delivering quality wines from our family to yours. Our estate grown wines hail from our vineyard located in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley. We also make a wine that is sourced fruit from the Dutton Ranch in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County.
David Arthur Vineyards
The David Arthur Estate is located high a top Pritchard Hill, on the eastern side of the Napa Valley. The hillside vineyards offer a breathtaking view of the valley floor 1200 feet below. The rough mountain terrain and rocky red soils provide ideal growing conditions for wine grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon.
Davies Vineyards
The winemaking team of Davies Vineyards strives to find the depth and character in every wine they craft, producing an unmatched level of quality and style in each bottling. Following the vision of Jamie Davies, who spirited the first bottling of the first J. Davies Estate Cabernet Sauvignon in 2001, each year Davies Vineyards sets out to craft wines that are supple enough to be enjoyed upon release, while being robust and structured enough to age gracefully over time.
Davis Estates Napa
In 2011, the Davis family purchased the century-old estate winery and began their ambitious restoration project to create a distinguished modern winery. Davis Estates is the culmination of a life long dream. Here the vision is carved from this historic site as an estate winery focused on wines of the highest pedigree. Enjoy sweeping panoramic views of the Northern Napa valley from the terrace.
Deerfield Ranch Winery
Family-owned and operated for over 37 years, Deerfield Ranch is a unique underground “cave” winery with a warm ambiance and a wide range of wines. Customizable flights of Rose, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Zinfandel, and even a sparkling wine create a personalized experience. Deerfield is known for its “clean wine” with low histamines and sulfites and its ecological practices. Taste in the underground cave, learn about the barrels stored in their 20,000sqft underground facility, and see all of the production Crush Pad as you walk into your tasting.
Del Dotto – Piazza
Piazza Del Dotto begins with an Italian-inspired barchessa, or barn, surrounded by 8.5 acres of cabernet sauvignon, al fresco tasting cabanas, vegetable gardens, 17th century fountains and an outdoor barn with turkeys, peacocks, and pheasants, resembling a Venetian village.
Del Dotto -St. Helena
Opened in 2007, this winery pays homage to the Del Dotto familys Venetian heritage dating back to 1150. The cathedral-like structure, sits on the original Rutherford vineyard purchased by Dave and Yolanda in 1988 and includes a large underground cave for aging wines.
Del Dotto-Napa
This historic property was one of Napa Valleys first wineries dating back to 1885, and is where our barrel tasting experience and cave aging practice was born. These cave-aged wines proved to be more voluptuous and opulent than those aged in modern facilities, and so the Del Dotto family continues to age wines in these historic caves to this day.
Delectus Winery
Delectus is a small family-owned winery that handcrafts luxury red wines from select vineyards throughout Napa Valley and Knights Valley. They produce 4500 cases annually of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Sirah and Syrah, most of which is sold directly through the winery. Delectus wines have received high scores and praise from wine critics and consumers alike. The consistency and quality of the wines is attributed to Gerhard and his legacy as an eighth generation winemaker. Delectus not only delivers exceptional wines but unique experiences as well. A visit to the unique tasting room in Napa includes barrel tastings in a welcoming and educational environment
Deloach Vineyards
A new and improved tasting room features an elegant yet distinctly Sonoma country feel. The estate vineyards are in transition to being biodynamically farmed, tailored specifically for Pinot Noir – Chardonnay and Zinfandel. You’ll find a visit here is a relaxed day of wine tasting among friends. Guests are encouraged to picnic in the beautiful lawn area adjacent to the vineyards.
Domaine Carneros
Founded by the noble family behind Champagne Taittinger, Claude Taittinger’s search for a worthy U.S. counterpart began in the late 1970s. In 1987 he selected a 138-acre parcel in the heart of Carneros, Napa Valley. Wisely choosing Eileen Crane to oversee the development of the Taittinger style in Carneros. Often referred to as America’s Doyenne of Sparkling Wine, Eileen has spent roughly 40 years in the wine industry, which makes her the most experienced sparkling winemaker in the United States.
Domaine Chandon
Relax inside the Lounge or outside on its Patio while you explore the sparkling and still wines in our portfolio. A menu of light fare is offered to pair with our wines.
