Petaluma Gap · Sonoma County
Visit Brutal Hill with a Private Chauffeur
A private UTV ride to a hilltop with 360-degree views over the Petaluma Gap, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Lorraine and Michael Barber started Barber Cellars in 2007 with no family money behind them. Their first wines were made from Dry Creek Valley fruit at a co-op winery in Suisun City and sold on their lunch breaks from day jobs in San Francisco. Over the years they took over the farming of all their vineyards, and in 2026 they renamed the winery Brutal Hill to reflect that work.
The Barbers now farm about 10 acres of small, remote vineyards around Petaluma, organically, dry farmed and picked and sorted by hand. The winery takes its name from the Brutal Hill vineyard, planted in 1975 just under 2,000 feet up Sonoma Mountain, with Cabernet Sauvignon and an old Zinfandel field blend. In the Petaluma Gap they grow Pinot Noir and Chardonnay at Denman Ranch, and Pinot Gris at Asombrosa, a one-acre vineyard in the western dairy country.
The visit to book is the Private Vineyard Experience at Asombrosa Ranch, for 2 to 6 guests. The winemaker and vineyard manager drive you by UTV to the highest point of the property for white wine with 360-degree views of southern Sonoma County, then down to the vineyard and gardens for the rest of the wines with cheese and charcuterie. The downtown tasting room shares the Taste Petaluma space with the Barber Lee Spirits distillery.
Tasting Fees
The Private Vineyard Experience is prepaid when booked and includes all tastings, food and one bottle per person to take home; the price is shown at booking. $25 to taste current releases in the downtown tasting room, with one fee waived per two-bottle purchase.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
120 Washington Street, Petaluma
AVA
Petaluma Gap
Visiting
The Private Vineyard Experience at Asombrosa Ranch, 3365 I Street Extension, is prepaid and booked at least 2 weeks ahead, May to November, weather permitting. The downtown tasting room at 120 Washington Street is open Wednesday and Thursday 3 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 3 to 11 p.m., and Sunday 3 to 8 p.m.; walk-ins welcome.
Known For
Organic, dry-farmed Zinfandel, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, and the hilltop vineyard tour by UTV
Founded
2007 (as Barber Cellars; renamed Brutal Hill in 2026)
Good to Know
The vineyard experience is outdoors for 2 to 6 guests and takes 1 to 1.5 hours; reservation times are strict, and cancellations need a week's notice. Kids and dogs are welcome in the downtown tasting room; parties of 6 or more call ahead.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a Petaluma hotel such as Hotel Petaluma or the Sheraton Sonoma Wine Country Petaluma.
10:00 · Pickup at Hotel Petaluma or Sheraton Sonoma Wine Country Petaluma
Hotel Petaluma, a restored 1923 hotel downtown, is about 15 minutes from Asombrosa Ranch, Brutal Hill's vineyard in the hills southwest of town, and the Sheraton Sonoma Wine Country Petaluma, overlooking the Petaluma River marina, about 20. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Brutal Hill at Asombrosa Ranch
The Private Vineyard Experience: a UTV ride to the top of the ranch for white wine with 360-degree views, then the rest of the wines with cheese and charcuterie in the vineyard and gardens, 1 to 1.5 hours (prepaid at booking).
12:00 · Lunch at Della Fattoria
About 15 minutes away. A bakery café in downtown Petaluma, known for its bread and pastry, with a café menu for lunch. Open Thursday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
1:15 · McEvoy Ranch
About 15 minutes away. Nan McEvoy's organic olive ranch, founded in 1990 on a former dairy in the hills west of Petaluma, with its own olive mill and sculpture from the family's collection along the orchard paths. The 75-minute cart tour of the ranch is $95, and wine flights on the stone patio over the pond are $30 to $48. Tours need a reservation 48 hours ahead; open daily, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
2:50 · Brooks Note Winery
About 20 minutes away. Garry and Joanne Brooks's small family winery in downtown Petaluma; Garry was on the team behind Kosta Browne's 2009 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, Wine Spectator's Wine of the Year in 2011. The Pinot Flight of five Pinot Noirs is $50, and the Current Releases Tasting with cheese $35. Reservations appreciated, walk-ins welcome; open daily 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., last tasting at 4:30.
3:50 · Back to your hotel
Back in Petaluma by 3:55 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. The Asombrosa Ranch experience runs May to November, and Della Fattoria is open Thursday to Sunday, so this day works Thursday to Sunday in those months.
About $130 to $145 per person in tasting fees for McEvoy Ranch and Brooks Note, plus the Brutal Hill vineyard experience, prepaid at booking, each 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 for the Brutal Hill vineyard experience?
Yes. The Private Vineyard Experience is prepaid and must be booked at least 2 weeks ahead, for 2 to 6 guests. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Brutal Hill?
$25 per person in the downtown tasting room, as of September 2026. The Private Vineyard Experience is prepaid at booking and includes all tastings, food and one bottle per person.
Is Brutal Hill the same winery as Barber Cellars?
Yes. Lorraine and Michael Barber founded Barber Cellars in 2007 and renamed it Brutal Hill in 2026, after their Sonoma Mountain vineyard.
When is the Brutal Hill vineyard experience offered?
May to November, weather permitting. It is outdoors, so dress for the weather.
Can children visit Brutal Hill?
Kids and dogs are always welcome in the downtown tasting room. For the vineyard experience, ask when booking.
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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