Green Valley of Russian River Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Bowman Cellars with a Private Chauffeur
A young family winery in the village of Graton, with guided tastings and a lunch hosted by the winemaker, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
The Bowmans, five and now six generations in Northern California, founded Bowman Cellars in 2013. Alex Bowman, the youngest in the family at the start, grew up making wine with his father, Doug, from the family's own vineyards. Alex now owns and runs the winery with his wife, Katie.
The wines come from family vineyards, a Sauvignon Blanc vineyard in west Santa Rosa and a Zinfandel vineyard in Mountain Ranch in the Sierra Foothills, and from local farmers who share the family's values. Bowman launched publicly in the spring of 2017 and opened its tasting room and event space in Graton in February 2018.
The tasting room is on Graton Road at the center of the village, a few steps from its cafés. The guided tasting walks through five current releases, and for a group of 4 or more, Lunch with the Winemaker pairs reserve and library wines with seasonal food, hosted by Alex. On summer Fridays and Saturdays the patio stays open into the evening for wine and shareable bites.
Tasting Fees
$35 for the Tasting Experience, a guided tasting of five current releases, about 45 minutes. $125 per person for Lunch with the Winemaker, 90 minutes, reserve and library wines with seasonal food (4-guest minimum).
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
9010 Graton Road, Graton
AVA
Green Valley of Russian River Valley
Visiting
Open Thursday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (formal tastings end at 4 on summer evenings). Reservations encouraged; groups larger than 6 book by email or phone.
Known For
Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel from family vineyards
Founded
2013 (tasting room opened February 2018)
Good to Know
Lunch with the Winemaker needs at least 4 guests and is booked by email. The winery also hosts private events and a monthly happy hour.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:45 a.m. from The Sebastopol Inn or Farmhouse Inn in Forestville.
10:45 · Pickup at The Sebastopol Inn or Farmhouse Inn
The Sebastopol Inn, in downtown Sebastopol, and Farmhouse Inn, a 25-room country inn among the vineyards and redwoods of Forestville, are each about 15 minutes from Bowman Cellars. Bowman opens at 11, so we time the pickup for the opening. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
11:00 · Bowman Cellars
The guided Tasting Experience of five current releases ($35), about 45 minutes.
11:55 · Ektimo Wines
About 10 minutes away. April Xie and her father, Dominic, bought this Green Valley estate in 2012; Ektimo takes its name from a Greek word meaning to appreciate. The Classic Tasting is seated and fully guided, for parties of up to 4 adults. By appointment, prepaid when booked; the fee is confirmed when we reserve.
1:20 · Lunch at Willow Wood Market Cafe
About 10 minutes away. A café and general store at the center of Graton since 1995, a longtime local gathering spot. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:55 · Square Peg Winery
About 20 minutes away. A family-owned estate between Sebastopol and Occidental that pours only its own dry-farmed Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Zinfandel. The private, seated tasting is a flight of six estate wines, and it can include a guided walk through the vines to see how dry farming works. By appointment; the fee is confirmed when we book.
3:55 · Back to your hotel
Back in Sebastopol or Forestville by 4:25 p.m.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. Bowman opens Thursday to Sunday, so this day works on those days; Ektimo and Square Peg are by appointment, and we book both when you reserve.
About $35 per person for Bowman Cellars; Ektimo's and Square Peg's fees are to be verified upon reservation. Each is paid directly to the 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 Bowman Cellars?
Reservations are encouraged. Groups larger than 6 should email or call the winery. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Bowman Cellars?
$35 per person for the Tasting Experience, and $125 for Lunch with the Winemaker, as of September 2026.
Who owns Bowman Cellars?
Alex Bowman and his wife, Katie. The Bowman family founded the winery in 2013.
What is Lunch with the Winemaker?
A 90-minute lunch with owner Alex Bowman, pairing reserve and library wines with seasonal food, for at least 4 guests ($125 per person), booked by email.
Where is Bowman Cellars?
At 9010 Graton Road in the village of Graton, in the Green Valley of the Russian River Valley, about 10 minutes from Sebastopol.
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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