Chalk Hill · Sonoma County
Visit Desforges Vineyards with a Private Chauffeur
Estate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from a six-acre organic vineyard planted in 2015 on virgin land in the Chalk Hill and Russian River Valley appellations. Desforges 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
Desforges Vineyards is owned by Peter and Suzanne Desforges. French-American Peter planted the vineyard in 2015 on virgin land, hoping to pass it to his son Luke; when Luke was diagnosed with myotonic dystrophy, the genetic disease that also affects Suzanne, the family kept going, and the website says half of all sales go to the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation. The name means of the forges.
The CCOF certified organic estate covers six acres in four blocks across the Chalk Hill AVA and the greater Russian River Valley: Suzanne's Block, Wente clone Chardonnay in volcanic tuff; Chandler's Block, Pommard clone Pinot Noir; Luke's Block, Chardonnay replanted in 2024 with a first release planned for spring 2027; and Peter's Hill, a south-facing slope of Cabernet Sauvignon clone 7 with a first release planned for fall 2026. The wines are made with lower sulfites, and recent releases, an Estate Chardonnay, Estate Pinot Noir and the Pink Rhino Rosé, were winners at the 2025 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
Desforges says plainly that it does not have a public tasting room, though it is happy to connect by email or phone. Wines are sold online and through three membership tiers, which include harvest dinners and member events. The day below stays in Chalk Hill, Windsor and the Russian River Valley, at three estates that do host.
Tasting Fees
Desforges Vineyards does not offer public tastings.
On the day below, tastings are $50 at Chalk Hill Estate, $50 at Martinelli and $35 at Kendall-Jackson, 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
Chalk Hill
AVA
Chalk Hill
Visiting
Desforges Vineyards has no public tasting room and does not receive visitors; members are invited to occasional events.
Known For
Organic estate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Chalk Hill and the Russian River Valley
Founded
Vineyard planted 2015
Good to Know
Shop at desforgesvineyards.com or join a membership tier for early releases and events. Contact info@desforgesvineyards.com or 949-212-1010.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Hotel Healdsburg or Hampton Inn Windsor.
10:00 · Pickup at Hotel Healdsburg or Hampton Inn & Suites Windsor
Since Desforges does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. Both hotels are about 20 minutes from the first stop on Chalk Hill Road. The day runs about six and a quarter hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:30 · Chalk Hill Estate
About 20 minutes away. A 1,300-acre estate in the Chalk Hill appellation known for Chardonnay, with views from an elevated tasting room. The Vineyard Overlook Tasting of four small-lot wines is $50, about 90 minutes. Open daily 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
12:20 · Lunch at Russian River Brewing Company
About 20 minutes away. Lunch at Russian River Brewing's Windsor brewery, with pizza, sandwiches and its well-known beers. 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.
1:45 · Martinelli Winery
About 10 minutes away. A family farming the Russian River Valley since the 1880s, home of Jackass Hill Zinfandel. The Vineyard Terrace Tasting of estate Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Zinfandel is $50; we allow about an hour. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
3:00 · Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens
About 10 minutes away. The Sonoma County home of Kendall-Jackson, with four acres of gardens. The guided Estate Wine Tasting is $35, about an hour; seatings run to 3:30 p.m., and reservations are strongly recommended.
4:00 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:20 p.m. in Windsor or Healdsburg, about six and a quarter hours after pickup.
All three wineries are open daily. Kendall-Jackson's last seating is at 3:30 p.m., so it stays at the end of the day only with a booked time.
About $135 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 I visit Desforges Vineyards?
No. Desforges has no public tasting room and does not receive visitors, as of October 2026, though members are invited to occasional events. We can plan a day at nearby wineries that do.
How can I buy Desforges wine?
Through the shop at desforgesvineyards.com, or by joining one of its three membership tiers.
Who owns Desforges Vineyards?
Peter and Suzanne Desforges. The website says half of all sales go to the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation.
Where is the vineyard?
A six-acre, CCOF certified organic estate that sits in both the Chalk Hill AVA and the greater Russian River Valley AVA, planted in 2015.
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.
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