Dry Creek Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Cormorant Cellars with a Private Chauffeur
Unfined, unfiltered Dry Creek Valley Sauvignon Blanc and Rhône whites from winemaker Charlie Gilmore. Cormorant 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
Cormorant Cellars is the Healdsburg label of winemaker Charlie Gilmore, who says two decades in winemaking taught him that simplicity makes the best wines. He started Cormorant in 2018 with a Sauvignon Blanc aged on its lees, added Chardonnay, Grenache Blanc and Marsanne in 2021, and bottled his first red in 2023. He works only with growers going through organic certification, uses mostly seven-year-old French barrels and stainless drums, and does not fine or filter.
The Sauvignon Blanc comes from Martorana Family Vineyards in Dry Creek Valley, and the Grenache Blanc and Marsanne from Preston Family Vineyards at the far end of the valley. The red is a Merlot-based blend from Black Ridge Vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Decanter scored the 2021 Santa Cruz Mountains red 93 points, and Wine Enthusiast gave the 2021 Grenache Blanc and Marsanne 93.
There is no tasting room or visiting program; Cormorant lists only Healdsburg and an email address. The wines are sold through distributors in California, Texas, Arkansas and Quebec. The day below starts at Preston, which grows Cormorant's Grenache Blanc and Marsanne, and stays in Dry Creek Valley.
Tasting Fees
Cormorant does not offer tastings. On the day below, the tasting fees are $35 at Preston, $30 at Dry Creek Vineyard and $35 at Bella, about $100 per person in all, paid directly to each winery.
Tasting fees as of October 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
Healdsburg
AVA
Dry Creek Valley
Visiting
Cormorant has no tasting room and does not offer tours or tastings.
Known For
Unfiltered Dry Creek Valley Sauvignon Blanc and a Grenache Blanc and Marsanne blend
Founded
2018
Good to Know
Contact cormorantcellars@gmail.com. In California the wines are distributed by Merchants of Thirst.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a Healdsburg hotel such as Hotel Healdsburg or h2hotel.
10:00 · Pickup at Hotel Healdsburg or h2hotel
Since Cormorant does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. Hotel Healdsburg and h2hotel are both on the Healdsburg Plaza, about 20 minutes from the first stop at the top of Dry Creek Valley. The day runs about six hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:20 · Preston Farm & Winery
About 20 minutes away. An organic family farm at the top of Dry Creek Valley, with estate wines, olive oil and bread. A private tasting of 5 to 6 organically grown estate wines is $35 per person, non-refundable, 60 to 75 minutes, by appointment. Preston grows the Grenache Blanc and Marsanne in Cormorant's white blend.
11:50 · Lunch at Diavola
About 15 minutes away. Lunch in downtown Geyserville at Diavola, known for wood-fired pizza, handmade pasta and house-cured salumi. We confirm hours when we book. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
1:20 · Dry Creek Vineyard
About 20 minutes away. The winery that restarted Dry Creek Valley after Prohibition, still family owned. Guided tastings are $30 to $50; we allow about an hour. Open daily 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and reservations are strongly encouraged.
2:35 · Bella Vineyards and Wine Caves
About 15 minutes away. Old-vine Zinfandel poured in hillside wine caves at the quiet top of Dry Creek Valley. The Seated Wine Tasting in the caves or on the lawn is $35; we allow about an hour. Open daily 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
3:35 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 3:55 p.m., about six hours after pickup.
All three wineries are open daily, so this day works any day of the week. Preston's tasting is by appointment and non-refundable, which we book.
About $100 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
Can you visit Cormorant Cellars?
No. Cormorant has no tasting room and offers no tours or tastings, as of October 2026. We can plan a day at nearby wineries that do.
How can I buy Cormorant wine?
Through retailers supplied by its distributors, including Merchants of Thirst in California, or by emailing cormorantcellars@gmail.com.
Who makes Cormorant wine?
Charlie Gilmore, who founded Cormorant in Healdsburg in 2018 after two decades in winemaking.
Where do Cormorant grapes come from?
Sauvignon Blanc from Martorana Family Vineyards and Grenache Blanc and Marsanne from Preston, both in Dry Creek Valley, and a red from Black Ridge Vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
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 833-915-2436.
Reserve Your Tour{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Winery","name":"Cormorant Cellars","url":"https://www.cormorantcellars.com","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Healdsburg","addressRegion":"CA","addressCountry":"US"},"containedInPlace":{"@type":"Place","name":"Dry Creek Valley AVA"}},{"@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Can you visit Cormorant Cellars?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No. Cormorant has no tasting room and offers no tours or tastings, as of October 2026. We can plan a day at nearby wineries that do."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How can I buy Cormorant wine?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Through retailers supplied by its distributors, including Merchants of Thirst in California, or by emailing cormorantcellars@gmail.com."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Who makes Cormorant wine?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Charlie Gilmore, who founded Cormorant in Healdsburg in 2018 after two decades in winemaking."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Where do Cormorant grapes come from?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Sauvignon Blanc from Martorana Family Vineyards and Grenache Blanc and Marsanne from Preston, both in Dry Creek Valley, and a red from Black Ridge Vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How does booking a tour with Bien Chauffeured work?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"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."}}]}]}