Sonoma Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Bennett Valley Cellars with a Private Chauffeur
The Zanin family's estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, poured daily in a small tasting room steps from the Sonoma Plaza, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Bennett Valley Cellars is the Zanin family's winery. The family's wine story goes back five generations to Pietro Zanin, who bought a vineyard in the Soave area of Italy. His son Emilio later came to the United States, bought the Marina's Estate Pinot Noir vineyard in Sonoma County in 2006, and started the winery with his son Luca. The first release, a 2008 Pinot Noir, came out in 2010.
The wines are limited-production Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the family's estates, made by winemaker Toni Stockhausen with Emilio and Luca. Luca's estate in Bennett Valley is now called Simpatico Ranch, and its 2010 Chardonnay was the winery's first limited release. Current wines include the Estate Pinot, the BIN 6410 Pinot Noir, an Estate Chardonnay, an unoaked BIN 5757 Chardonnay and Cuvée Marina sparkling wine.
The tasting room is on East Napa Street, a short walk from the Sonoma Plaza, and is open every afternoon without an appointment. That makes it an easy stop between plaza lunches and appointment tastings in town. We confirm current details when we book.
Tasting Fees
The winery does not publish its tasting fee. We confirm the current price when we book.
Tasting fees as of October 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
127 East Napa Street, Sonoma
AVA
Sonoma Valley
Visiting
Open daily, noon to 6 p.m. Walk-ins welcome. Private tastings at Simpatico Ranch in Bennett Valley are arranged by phone at (707) 975-6766.
Known For
Limited-production estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, plus Cuvée Marina sparkling wine
Founded
First vintage 2008 (Marina's Estate vineyard bought in 2006)
Good to Know
The tasting room opens at noon, so we plan the day around a late-morning start. Winemaker Toni Stockhausen hosts private tastings at Simpatico Ranch with Luca and Elizabeth Zanin; ask us if you would like one added.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 11:45 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as The Sonoma Hotel or MacArthur Place. The tasting room is a few minutes away and opens at noon.
11:45 · Pickup at The Sonoma Hotel or MacArthur Place
Bennett Valley Cellars is about 2 minutes from The Sonoma Hotel on the plaza and about 5 minutes from MacArthur Place, a garden hotel a few blocks south. Pickup is set for a noon start, when the tasting room opens, and every stop today is within about 5 minutes of the next. Extra time can be added by the hour.
12:00 · Bennett Valley Cellars
Estate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cuvée Marina sparkling wine at the family's tasting room off the plaza. Walk-ins are welcome; plan on about an hour. The tasting fee is not published, so we confirm it when we book.
1:10 · Lunch at the girl & the fig
About 3 minutes away. Lunch across the plaza at the girl & the fig, 110 West Spain Street, known for seasonal country food with a French accent. We confirm hours when we book. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:30 · Bedrock Wine Co.
About 3 minutes away. Old-vine wines poured by appointment in General Joseph Hooker's 1850s house, a block off the plaza. The Bedrock Heritage Tasting is $45, waived with a three-bottle purchase per taster; the last appointment is at 3:30 p.m.
3:55 · Walt Wines
About 5 minutes away. Single-vineyard Pinot Noir from Oregon to Santa Barbara, poured on First Street West, off the plaza. The Current Release Tasting is $40; the last tasting is at 4:30 p.m.
5:20 · Back to your hotel
Back by 5:45 p.m., six hours after pickup.
Bennett Valley Cellars opens at noon daily, so the day starts late and ends late. Bedrock takes its last appointment at 3:30 p.m. and Walt its last tasting at 4:30 p.m.; Walt is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day and closes at 2 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
About $85 per person in tasting fees for Bedrock and Walt, plus the Bennett Valley Cellars fee, which we confirm when we book. Fees are paid directly to each winery.
Every tour is custom. This day is a starting point: your chauffeur will shape it around what matters to you, and we plan multi-day tours for guests who want to see more of wine country.
Your Vehicle & Six-Hour Tour Rates
Up to 6 guests
Elite Luxury SUV
Lincoln Navigator or Cadillac Escalade
From $750
Six-hour wine tour, plus 20% gratuity. Additional hours $125 each.
Up to 9 guests
Jet Sprinter or Executive Luxury Van
Captain's chairs and room to spread out
From $1,350
Six-hour wine tour, plus 20% gratuity. Additional hours $225 each.
Larger groups travel in more than one vehicle, and we plan the winery appointments around your group, since many wineries limit groups to 6 to 8 guests. Tasting fees are separate and paid directly to each winery. Every tour starts with six hours; add time by the hour when you book.
Questions
Do I need a reservation at Bennett Valley Cellars?
No. The tasting room just off the Sonoma Plaza is open daily from noon to 6 p.m. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur still calls ahead so your visit fits the day.
How much is a tasting at Bennett Valley Cellars?
The winery does not publish its tasting fee, so we confirm the current price when we book, as of October 2026.
Where do guests taste at Bennett Valley Cellars?
At the tasting room at 127 East Napa Street in Sonoma, a few steps from the Sonoma Plaza. Private tastings at the family's Simpatico Ranch in Bennett Valley are arranged by phone.
Who owns Bennett Valley Cellars?
The Zanin family: Emilio Zanin, his son Luca and Elizabeth Zanin. Toni Stockhausen is the winemaker.
What is Bennett Valley Cellars known for?
Limited-production estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Sonoma County, along with Cuvée Marina sparkling wine.
How does booking a tour with Bien Chauffeured work?
Reserve a six-hour tour online, even if your plans are still taking shape. Your chauffeur will email you first to learn what matters to you, then build your itinerary and make the winery appointments. Extra hours can be added.
Reserve Your Tour Now, Plan the Details Later
Your plans don't need to be final to book. Reserve your six-hour tour online, and your chauffeur will email you first to learn what matters to you, then build your itinerary and make the winery appointments. Prefer to talk? Call our concierge at 833-915-2436.
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