Sonoma Mountain · Sonoma County
Visit Benziger with a Private Chauffeur
A Biodynamic ranch on Sonoma Mountain with a tractor tram tour and wine caves, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Mike and Mary Benziger moved west from New York in 1973, and in 1980 Mike and his father, Bruno, bought the historic Wegener Ranch on Sonoma Mountain above Glen Ellen. The rest of the family followed in 1982. The Wine Group bought the winery in 2015, and Chris Benziger still looks after the home ranch.
The 85-acre estate has 35 acres of vines on volcanic soils between 440 and 665 feet. The family began farming it Biodynamically in 1995, Demeter certified it in 2000, and Tribute, first made in 2001, was the first Demeter-certified Biodynamic wine from Sonoma County. Lisa Amaroli, at Benziger since 1999, leads the winemaking.
Sheep and Scottish Highland cattle work the vineyards, and an insectary garden of more than 250 plants draws beneficial insects. The Biodynamic Tractor Tram Tour rides through the estate, the Tribute tour stops in the wine cave, and walk-ins can taste at the main bar.
Tasting Fees
$25 for the Wine Tasting at the main bar. $35 for the Reserve Seated Tasting of five wines and $45 for Taste of the Estate. $45 for the Biodynamic Tractor Tram Tour with a tasting of four wines, and $85 for the Tribute Estate Tour & Tasting with cheese.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
1883 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen
AVA
Sonoma Mountain
Visiting
Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-ins welcome at the main bar for groups of 8 or fewer; tours, seated tastings and groups of 9 or more need a reservation.
Known For
Biodynamic farming, Tribute and its vineyard tours
Founded
1980
Good to Know
Children are welcome in the tasting room and on the tractor tram tour with an adult; seated tastings and Tribute tours are 21 and over. Leashed dogs are welcome in the main tasting room and outdoors, not on tours or indoor tastings.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a Glen Ellen or Kenwood hotel such as the Olea Hotel or Kenwood Inn & Spa.
10:00 · Pickup at Kenwood Inn & Spa or Olea Hotel
Kenwood Inn & Spa, a boutique hotel and spa in Kenwood, is about 15 minutes from Benziger, and the Olea Hotel, a boutique hotel on a Glen Ellen hillside, about 5. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Benziger
The Biodynamic Tractor Tram Tour, ending with a tasting of four wines ($45), or the Tribute Estate Tour & Tasting ($85).
12:00 · Gundlach Bundschu
About 35 minutes away. California's oldest family-owned winery, farmed by the Bundschu family on its Rhinefarm estate since 1858. The Rhinefarm Tasting of estate wines is $45. Reservations encouraged, especially on weekends; open daily from 11 a.m.
1:15 · Lunch at the girl & the fig
About 15 minutes away. Sondra Bernstein's restaurant on the Sonoma Plaza, serving "country food with a French passion" from a seasonal menu. Open daily from 11:30 a.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on weekends. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:50 · Laurel Glen
About 25 minutes away. The Glen Ellen tasting room of a Sonoma Mountain Cabernet vineyard first planted to Cabernet Sauvignon in 1968 and certified organic since 2014. The Classic Tasting is $45 and the Collector Tasting of four Cabernets $55. Walk-ins welcome, with a text ahead encouraged; open daily 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
3:50 · Back to your hotel
Back in Glen Ellen or Kenwood by 4:00 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. We book the Benziger tour for the first time slot of the morning.
About $135 to $175 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, 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 Benziger?
Not for the main bar, which takes walk-ins for groups of 8 or fewer. Tours, seated tastings and groups of 9 or more need a reservation. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Benziger?
$25 per person at the main bar, $35 for the Reserve Seated Tasting, $45 for the Tractor Tram Tour and $85 for the Tribute Estate Tour & Tasting, as of September 2026.
Can children visit Benziger?
Yes, in the tasting room and on the tractor tram tour with an adult. Seated tastings and Tribute tours are for guests 21 and over.
What is Biodynamic farming at Benziger?
The estate is farmed as one living ecosystem, with sheep, cattle, insect gardens and natural preparations in place of synthetic pesticides. It has been Demeter certified since 2000.
Who owns Benziger?
The Wine Group, since 2015. The Benziger family bought the ranch in 1980, and Chris Benziger still tends it.
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 888-291-2328.
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