Petaluma Gap · Sonoma County
Visit Clouds Rest with a Private Chauffeur
Long-aged Pinot Noir from volcanic ground on Sonoma Mountain above Petaluma, made by a winemaker who studied with André Tchelistcheff. Clouds Rest 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
John Saemann founded Clouds Rest in 1999, fulfilling a lifelong dream of growing great Pinot Noir. He began on the volcanic ground of Sonoma Mountain above Petaluma, picking the ancient volcanic rocks from the hillside by hand to plant the vineyard. Scott Schuette, who joined in 2003 as general manager, designed the Clouds Rest look; his handwriting is the lettering on the labels.
Winemaker Anthony Austin has made every Clouds Rest wine since the first. A UC Davis enology graduate who studied with the legendary André Tchelistcheff, he directed the first crush at Firestone in Santa Barbara in 1976 and ran his own Austin Cellars from 1981 to 1992. The house makes Pinot Noir above all, including the estate-grown Femme Fatale, along with Chardonnay and Cabernet, and its only advertising has always been word of mouth.
Clouds Rest publishes no tasting room or visitor program. The wines are sold through the winery's online store, with case savings, and by phone, where John takes orders personally. For a day nearby, we take guests to small estates in the southern and western Sonoma County hills that do open their doors.
Tasting Fees
Clouds Rest 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
Sonoma Mountain Road, Petaluma
AVA
Petaluma Gap
Visiting
Clouds Rest's website lists no tasting room, tours or tastings; the winery takes orders and questions by phone.
Known For
Estate Pinot Noir from Sonoma Mountain, including Femme Fatale, plus Chardonnay and Cabernet
Founded
1999
Good to Know
The wines are sold online, with 15% off a case and 20% off two cases, and by phone at (707) 481-4304.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:05 a.m. from Hotel Petaluma or Sheraton Sonoma Wine Country Petaluma.
10:05 · Pickup at Hotel Petaluma or Sheraton Sonoma Wine Country Petaluma
Hotel Petaluma, a restored 1923 hotel downtown, and Sheraton Sonoma Wine Country Petaluma, by the Petaluma Marina, are each about 25 minutes from Cattleya, in Rohnert Park. Since Clouds Rest does not host visitors, this day takes you to three small estates nearby that do. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:30 · Cattleya Wines
The first stop. Bibiana González Rave, the San Francisco Chronicle's Winemaker of the Year in 2015, hosts only two groups a day: a tour of the winery, then five wines at a seated tasting ($75, applied to any wine purchase), 60 to 90 minutes. By appointment only.
12:15 · Reichwage Winery
About 30 minutes away. Max Reichwage's family winery on Pleasant Hill Road, where guests sit down to five wines in a new farmhouse tasting room with views over West Sonoma County. The seated tasting is $40, waived with a four-bottle purchase, and cheese and charcuterie boards are $30. Appointments from noon, the last at 4 p.m.; walk-ins when space permits.
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.
3:00 · Caleb Leisure Wines
About 20 minutes away. Caleb Leisure's one-person natural wine project, made with no additions of any kind, from fruit he partly farms himself under organic and permaculture principles, and known for fermenting in Georgian qvevri. Tastings are $60, waived with a six-bottle purchase. By appointment only, and often unavailable during harvest, late August to mid-October.
4:00 · Back to your hotel
Back in Petaluma by 4:50 p.m. The drive back from the Green Valley is about 50 minutes.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. All three are by appointment: Cattleya hosts two groups a day and Reichwage's appointments start at noon, so we build the day around both. Caleb often can't host during harvest, late August to mid-October.
About $175 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery, less any fees waived with purchases.
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 Clouds Rest?
Clouds Rest's website lists no tasting room or visitor program, so it is not open to visitors, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at small estates nearby that do host.
How can I buy Clouds Rest wine?
Through the winery's online store, with savings on one and two cases, or by phone at (707) 481-4304.
Who owns Clouds Rest?
John Saemann, who founded it in 1999. Scott Schuette is general manager and Anthony Austin is winemaker.
Where is Clouds Rest?
On Sonoma Mountain above Petaluma, in the Petaluma Gap of southern Sonoma County.
What is Clouds Rest known for?
Pinot Noir from the volcanic soils of Sonoma Mountain, including the estate-grown Femme Fatale.
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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