Russian River Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Donelan with a Private Chauffeur
Critically acclaimed Syrah, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay poured among the barrels of a working winery in a Santa Rosa warehouse, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Joe Donelan's interest in wine began in the 1980s, guided by a sommelier at Toppers restaurant on Nantucket, and it led him to California, where he built the business now called Donelan Family Wines. It is still family run: his son Tripp is director of sales, and Joe personally calls new customers and hand-writes thank-you notes for every order. David Milner has been winemaker since 2018.
Donelan makes Syrah, Grenache, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Roussanne and Viognier from sites in Sonoma and Mendocino counties. The estate Obsidian Vineyard sits on a steep perch above Franz Valley in Knights Valley, named for the black volcanic glass in its bedrock. Other wines come from Perli Vineyard, 1,700 feet up in the redwoods of Mendocino Ridge, and from Richards Family Vineyard near Annadel State Park. Critics have been generous: Robert Parker wrote that one Syrah "should be a modern-day legend in California," and Antonio Galloni wrote, "This is about as good as it gets."
The tasting room is inside the winery, a warehouse on Coffey Lane where the wine is made, so the Signature Tasting starts with a walk through production before five wines. Collectors can book the 98+ Point Tasting, a flight of five wines that scored 98 points or more. It is about as far from a formal tasting room as fine wine gets, which is the charm of it.
Tasting Fees
$65 for the Signature Wine Tasting with a tour of the winery, five wines, 75 minutes. $105 for the 98+ Point Wine Tasting of five wines, 90 minutes. $25 for Introduction to Wine, for guests 21 to 35.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
3352-D Coffey Lane, Santa Rosa
AVA
Russian River Valley
Visiting
Reservation only, at the working winery on Coffey Lane in Santa Rosa. We confirm days and times when we book.
Known For
Syrah, especially from the estate Obsidian Vineyard, plus Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Founded
Family-owned; founded by Joe Donelan
Good to Know
The Introduction to Wine tasting is for guests 21 to 35, up to 6 guests, 60 minutes ($25, with 30% off wine bought that day). After the Signature Tasting, guests can buy some of the winery's allocated wines.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a Santa Rosa hotel such as Hotel E or Vinarosa Resort & Spa.
10:00 · Pickup at Hotel E or Vinarosa
Hotel E, a restored 1906 Beaux-Arts landmark on the square in downtown Santa Rosa, and Vinarosa Resort & Spa, set among 92 acres of vineyards in Santa Rosa, are each about 10 minutes from Donelan. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:10 · Donelan Family Wines
The Signature Wine Tasting with a tour of the winery, 75 minutes ($65), or the 98+ Point Wine Tasting, 90 minutes ($105).
11:40 · Benovia Winery
About 15 minutes away. A family-owned Pinot Noir and Chardonnay house whose Ranch House tasting room looks over the Martaella Estate Vineyard; the San Francisco Chronicle named it one of Sonoma County's top 20 tasting rooms. The privately hosted, seated Estate & Single Vineyard Tasting of 5 or 6 wines is $45. Reservations required; open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., last tasting at 3.
1:05 · Lunch at Bird & The Bottle
About 25 minutes away. Chef Mark Stark's modern tavern on Fourth Street in Santa Rosa, with plates to share from the American South, Asia and Jewish comfort food, and two patios; we reserve the table for you. Open daily from 11:30 a.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:25 · Walter Hansel Winery
About 15 minutes away. Stephen Hansel's family estate at the southern end of the Russian River Valley, 80 acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay planted around more than 20 old oak trees, with wines Vinous called some of the most fairly priced anywhere. The Full Cellar Experience runs about an hour; the fee is confirmed when we book. By request, Monday to Friday.
3:25 · Back to your hotel
Back in Santa Rosa by 3:45 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. This day works Monday to Friday, when Walter Hansel hosts; with the 98+ Point Tasting, it ends about 15 minutes later.
About $110 to $150 per person in tasting fees for Donelan and Benovia, paid directly to each winery; Walter Hansel's tasting fee is to be verified upon reservation.
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 Donelan?
Yes. Every tasting is by reservation only. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Donelan?
$65 per person for the Signature Wine Tasting and $105 for the 98+ Point Wine Tasting, as of September 2026. Introduction to Wine, for guests 21 to 35, is $25.
What is Donelan known for?
Syrah above all, including Cuvée Christine and the estate Obsidian Vineyard Syrah from Knights Valley, along with Two Brothers Pinot Noir and Nancie Chardonnay.
Who owns Donelan Family Wines?
The Donelan family. Joe Donelan founded the winery, his son Tripp is director of sales, and David Milner is winemaker.
Where is the Donelan tasting room?
Inside the working winery on Coffey Lane in north Santa Rosa, about 10 minutes from downtown.
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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