Russian River Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Claire Hill Wines with a Private Chauffeur
Tiny lots of old-vine Chardonnay, Syrah and Mourvèdre from a winemaker who paints her own labels. Claire Hill does not receive visitors; here is what to know, and a day at sought-after estates nearby that do host.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Claire Hill started college studying microbiology, assisting in yeast genomics research, then switched to art history and, after graduating, found herself working in restaurants. A glass of Éric Texier's Saint-Julien-en-Saint-Alban Syrah in 2013 sealed her fate. She worked her first harvest in 2014 at Unti in Dry Creek Valley, the 2015 harvest at Rhys in the Santa Cruz Mountains, pruned at Mount Eden Vineyards, and went to France to work with Éric Texier in the Rhône. From 2016 to 2020, while launching her own winery, she worked for Farm Wine Imports, learning from winemakers in France, Spain, Italy, Germany and California.
She works only with sites she finds unique, historic or simply magical, and her winemaking is traditional, guided by close observation. The Lolonis Vineyard Chardonnay comes from a three-acre, dry-farmed block planted in the winter of 1946 to 1947, possibly the oldest Chardonnay planting still in the ground in the country; her 2024, a single barrel and 20 cases, is the last she will make. The Grist Syrah comes from a 1983 block 1,000 feet up Bradford Mountain above Dry Creek Valley, co-fermented with a little Viognier, and the Mourvèdre from the Del Barba family's ancient, own-rooted vines in the sand of the Delta near Oakley. She paints the labels herself.
Claire Hill Wines sells through its mailing list, online and through restaurants and shops in California, New York, Illinois and beyond. The website lists no tasting room or visiting program. For a day of small, personal producers, we take guests to wineries nearby that do open their doors.
Tasting Fees
Claire Hill Wines does not offer tastings.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
1160 Hopper Avenue, Santa Rosa
AVA
Russian River Valley
Visiting
Claire Hill Wines does not publish a visiting program, and its website lists no tasting room or hours. Questions go to Claire by email.
Known For
Old-vine Lolonis Vineyard Chardonnay, Grist Vineyard Syrah and Del Barba Mourvèdre
Founded
Not published by the winery
Good to Know
Join the mailing list on the winery's website. The wines are also poured at restaurants and sold at wine shops in several states.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a Santa Rosa hotel such as Vinarosa or Hotel E.
10:00 · Pickup at Vinarosa or Hotel E
Vinarosa, set among 92 acres of vineyards in Santa Rosa, and Hotel E, a restored 1906 Beaux-Arts landmark on the square in downtown Santa Rosa, are each about 10 minutes from Krutz Family Cellars. Since Claire Hill Wines does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after wineries nearby that do. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Krutz Family Cellars
About 10 minutes away. Three brothers from Jackson, Mississippi, make Napa Valley Cabernet from their own block of Beckstoffer Georges III, the old Beaulieu Vineyard No. 3, alongside Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir, in a Santa Rosa winery where the tasting room and the cellar share one roof; winemaker Cole Krutz is happy to host guests for a tasting and tour. The fee is confirmed when we book. By appointment only.
11:45 · Singer Wine
About 30 minutes away. Stephen Singer, once wine director at Chez Panisse, farms Syrah, Viognier and Tuscan olive trees on his Baker Lane Estate in the Sebastopol hills. The Home & Estate Visit is a private tableside tasting with Stephen, with light fare and the estate olive oil ($85, 60 to 90 minutes); the Studio Visit adds his art studio and a library wine ($100). By appointment, arranged by email; 2-guest minimum.
1:25 · Lunch at Handline
About 10 minutes away. A casual Sebastopol spot, open since 2016, with seasonal food from local farmers and fishermen, served mostly outdoors. Open daily from 11 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 · Porter-Bass
About 30 minutes away. Dirck and Sue Bass found this century-old vineyard at the top of Mays Canyon in 1980, nine miles from the ocean in a saddle between two redwood-lined ridges, and winemaker Luke Bass makes estate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Zinfandel from it. Seated tastings for no more than 10 guests, indoors and out; the fee is confirmed when we book. Reservations required.
3:55 · Back to your hotel
Back in Santa Rosa by 4:35 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. The day runs from Santa Rosa out to the Sebastopol hills and the redwoods near Guerneville, and ends back in Santa Rosa around 4:35.
About $85 per person at Singer Wine, paid directly to the winery; tasting fees at Krutz Family Cellars and Porter-Bass are to be verified upon reservation.
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
Can you visit Claire Hill Wines?
Claire Hill Wines does not publish a visiting program, and its website lists no tasting room or hours, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at wineries nearby that do host.
How can I buy Claire Hill wine?
Through the mailing list and online, and at restaurants and wine shops in California, New York, Illinois and other states.
Who makes Claire Hill Wines?
Claire Hill herself, who trained at Unti, Rhys and Mount Eden and with Éric Texier in the Rhône.
What is the Lolonis Chardonnay?
Chardonnay from a three-acre, dry-farmed block planted in 1946 to 1947 at the Lolonis Vineyard. The 2024, 20 cases from a single barrel, is Claire's last vintage of it.
Who paints the Claire Hill labels?
Claire does. She studied art history before turning to 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 888-291-2328.
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