Russian River Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Desmond Estate Vineyards with a Private Chauffeur
Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir from a small Starr Road vineyard, made in lots of about 200 cases. Desmond welcomes wine club members by arrangement with the owners; here is how to visit, and a day at sought-after estates nearby.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Desmond Estate Vineyards is the project of Bill and Danette Robbins. Early in 2000 Bill sold his Harley, bought a forklift and planted a vineyard on Starr Road in the Russian River Valley, meaning to sell the grapes, then crushed the first crop to make a barrel at home. They became a bonded winery in 2007 and have made the wine ever since at Vinify, a custom crush cellar in Santa Rosa.
The vineyard is planted to Dijon clones 115, 667 and 828 for estate Pinot Noir. The first vintage was 3 barrels, about 80 cases; the 2009 reached just under 350 cases, and production is now kept to about 200 cases a year, with family and friends at the sorting table. Current wines include the 2022 Desmond Estate Pinot Noir at $58 and a 2023 Chardonnay from Hopkins River Ranch at $42, and past bottlings have included Russian River Valley Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley Malbec and Calistoga Cabernet.
There is no tasting room, so visits are through the wine club. The club ships four bottles in April and November at 25% off, and the Robbinses welcome club members to visit when in the Russian River Valley. The day below adds three Russian River Valley estates.
Tasting Fees
Desmond has no public tastings; wine club members visit by arrangement with the owners. On the day below, the tasting fees are $35 at La Crema, $50 at Martinelli and $35 at J Vineyards, about $120 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
Starr Road, Russian River Valley
AVA
Russian River Valley
Visiting
Desmond has no tasting room and is not open to the public; wine club members are welcome to visit by arrangement with the owners.
Known For
Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir from Dijon clones on Starr Road
Founded
Bonded winery since 2007
Good to Know
Order with the form at desmondwines.com or email desmondwines@aol.com; Bill Robbins lists (707) 481-9201. The club has no fee to join, takes 25% off, and asks for a 12-month commitment.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a Healdsburg hotel such as h2hotel or Hotel Trio.
10:00 · Pickup at h2hotel or Hotel Trio
Alongside a visit to Desmond, which we arrange with the owners through its wine club, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby. h2hotel, off the Healdsburg Plaza, and Hotel Trio, at the north end of town, are both about 20 minutes from the first stop. The day runs about five and a half hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:20 · La Crema Estate at Saralee's Vineyard
About 20 minutes away. Seated tastings of cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in a 1900 hop barn. The seated Estate Tasting of six wines is $35; we allow about an hour. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
11:35 · Martinelli Winery
About 15 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.
12:50 · Lunch at Russian River Brewing Company
About 10 minutes away. Lunch at the brewery and pub on Mitchell Lane in Windsor, with a pub menu. 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.
2:10 · J Vineyards & Winery
About 15 minutes away. Traditional-method sparkling wine and Pinot Noir from Judy Jordan's winery. The standing Signature Tasting of five wines is $35, about an hour. Open Thursday to Monday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
3:10 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 3:25 p.m., about five and a half hours after pickup.
J Vineyards is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so plan this day for Thursday to Monday. La Crema and Martinelli are open daily.
About $120 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 Desmond Estate Vineyards?
Yes, as a wine club member. Desmond has no tasting room, as of October 2026; wine club members are welcome to visit by arrangement with the owners.
How can I buy Desmond wine?
With the order form at desmondwines.com, or through the wine club, which ships four bottles in April and November at 25% off.
Who owns Desmond Estate Vineyards?
Bill and Danette Robbins, who planted the Starr Road vineyard after 2000 and bonded the winery in 2007.
Where is the Desmond vineyard?
On Starr Road in the Russian River Valley. The wines are made at Vinify, a custom crush cellar in Santa Rosa.
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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