Sonoma Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Darling Wines with a Private Chauffeur
Minimal-intervention coastal Pinot Noir, Syrah and Chardonnay, poured in a small tasting room on the Sonoma Plaza, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Darling Wines began in 2017 with two barrels of Syrah. Tom had worked just one harvest when he and Ashley came across a listing for certified organic, cool-climate Syrah in the Petaluma Gap and decided to take a chance. That first wine, the 2017 McEvoy Ranch Syrah, sold out in months and went on the list at Thomas Keller's Bouchon Bistro in Napa Valley, and the couple dove in.
Darling owns no vineyards. It works with small, family-owned growers in western Sonoma County, Marin County, Anderson Valley and on Mendocino Ridge, all farmed by hand without harmful sprays, among them Azaya, one of the only vineyards in the hills of west Marin, and Grand Vent in west Petaluma, which Jon Bonné called perhaps the most challenging site in California. In the cellar the approach is light: whole-cluster pressing for Chardonnay in the manner of Chablis and Burgundy, a high share of whole clusters and some foot treading for the reds, little new oak, restrained sulfur and, in most cases, no fining or filtration.
The tasting room is downtown, a few steps from the plaza, and it is small and personal, built around a current-release tasting. It suits guests who like cool-climate wines with energy and purity, and it is an easy stop to pair with a cave tour and a long lunch in town.
Tasting Fees
Tasting fees to be verified upon reservation. Darling's Tock booking for the Current Release tasting takes a $45 per person deposit.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
27 East Napa Street, Sonoma
AVA
Sonoma Valley
Visiting
Open Thursday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., by appointment; walk-ins are accepted whenever possible. Reservations are made on Tock for parties of 1 to 10.
Known For
Cool-climate, minimal-intervention Pinot Noir, Syrah and Chardonnay from coastal family vineyards
Founded
2017, with two barrels of Syrah
Good to Know
Wine club members taste free at the downtown tasting room. Darling releases its wines seasonally, with a fall release each year.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:45 a.m. from a plaza hotel such as Ledson Hotel or El Dorado Hotel.
10:45 · Pickup at Ledson Hotel or El Dorado Hotel
Ledson Hotel, on the east side of the Sonoma Plaza, and El Dorado Hotel, on the west side of the Sonoma Plaza, are each about 5 minutes from Darling's tasting room. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
11:00 · Darling Wines
The Current Release tasting, booked with a $45 per person deposit (final fee confirmed when we book). We plan about an hour.
12:15 · Nicholson Ranch
About 15 minutes away. A 40-acre estate in the southern foothills of Sonoma Valley, where Napa and Sonoma meet, making only estate-grown Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Syrah. The Cave Tour and Tasting walks you through the vineyard, the winery and the underground cellars and finishes in the Great Room, with five Estate and Reserve wines ($75). By appointment, 2 to 8 guests; open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
1:30 · Lunch at the girl & the fig
About 15 minutes away. Sondra Bernstein's restaurant on the Sonoma Plaza, serving French country cooking from a seasonal menu, with cheese and charcuterie, a Rhône-focused wine list and a garden patio. Open from 11:30 a.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on weekends. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
3:10 · Hamilton Family Wines
About 30 minutes away. Greg and Lindsay Hamilton's family winery in Kenwood, built around Grenache and the other Rhône grapes, with tastings in an olive grove, cabanas or the tasting room. The Rhône Table pours their tiny-lot Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah side by side, then the GSM blend, with a cheese and charcuterie board, about 75 minutes ($75). Book 48 hours ahead; open daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., final hosted tasting at 4.
4:55 · Back to your hotel
Back in Sonoma by 5:00 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
Darling opens at 11 a.m., Thursday to Sunday, so this day starts a little later, works Thursday to Sunday and ends around 5. Lunch is at 1:30 after the cave tour.
About $150 per person in tasting fees for Nicholson Ranch and Hamilton Family Wines, plus Darling's tasting, which takes a $45 deposit; the final Darling fee is to be verified upon reservation. Fees are 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
Do I need a reservation at Darling Wines?
The tasting room is by appointment, Thursday to Sunday, and accepts walk-ins whenever possible. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Darling Wines?
Tasting fees are to be verified upon reservation. As of September 2026, the Current Release tasting is booked on Tock with a $45 per person deposit.
Where is Darling Wines?
The tasting room is at 27 East Napa Street in downtown Sonoma, a few steps from the plaza.
Does Darling Wines own vineyards?
No. Darling buys grapes from small, family-owned vineyards on the coast of Sonoma, Marin and Mendocino counties and in Anderson Valley, all farmed by hand.
What was Darling's first wine?
The 2017 McEvoy Ranch Syrah from the Petaluma Gap, which sold out in months and was poured at Bouchon Bistro in Napa Valley.
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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