Russian River Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Eric Kent Wine Cellars with a Private Chauffeur
Single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah from Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley sites, each bottle wearing a label by an emerging artist. Eric Kent 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
Eric Kent Wine Cellars is the label of proprietor and winemaker Kent Humphrey, who left a career in advertising to make wine; the name is his first and middle names reversed. His wife Colleen, an artist, helps with blending decisions. The first vintage was 2003, and the winery's archive of releases runs from then to the present, and production has been reported at close to 2,000 cases a year.
The wines are Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc from named vineyards, among them Stiling Vineyard in the Russian River Valley, Sangiacomo Green Acres Hill, Roberts Road, Grand Vent, Cleary Ranch, Michael Valentine, Las Madres and Atoosa's. Bottlings include the Stiling Vineyard Pinot Noir, the Sascha Marie and Small Town Pinot Noirs, The Barrel Climber series, Kalen's Big Blend Syrah, Cuvée Renee Sauvignon Blanc and a Sonoma Coast Rosé. Every front label carries artwork by an emerging artist, and The Pianist and Barrel Climber series have their own label galleries.
There is no tasting room, and the website publishes no visiting program. Direct sales go to the EK Allocation List, with releases in spring and fall, a 10 percent member discount and allocations of up to 12 bottles of each wine; reorders go through the EK Special Order store while wine remains. The day below stays near Santa Rosa, in the Russian River Valley where Stiling and other Eric Kent vineyards grow.
Tasting Fees
Eric Kent does not offer tastings.
On the day below, Balletto's seated Estate Wine Tasting is $30, DeLoach's courtyard tasting is $45, and Inman's Estate Tasting is $30.
Tasting fees as of October 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
Santa Rosa
AVA
Russian River Valley
Visiting
Eric Kent has no tasting room and publishes no tours or tastings; its wines are sold through the EK Allocation List.
Known For
Single-vineyard Sonoma County Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah with artist-designed labels
Founded
First vintage 2003
Good to Know
Join the EK Allocation List at erickentwines.com; releases ship in spring and fall, and wines often sell out at release. For reorders, the site lists John Gillis at john@erickentwines.com or 415-244-9453.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a Santa Rosa hotel such as Hotel E or Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country.
10:00 · Pickup at Hotel E or Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country
Since Eric Kent does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. Both hotels are in downtown Santa Rosa, 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 · Balletto Vineyards
About 20 minutes away. A family farm turned estate winery on Occidental Road, with tram tours and a baseball field among the vines. The seated Estate Wine Tasting of five vineyard-designate wines is $30, about an hour. Open daily; walk-ins welcome.
11:35 · DeLoach Vineyards
About 15 minutes away. Early Russian River Valley Pinot Noir from a Biodynamic estate on the Olivet Bench. The courtyard tasting is $45; we plan about an hour. Open Thursday to Monday.
12:55 · Lunch at Bird & The Bottle
About 20 minutes away. Mark and Terri Stark's modern tavern just east of downtown Santa Rosa, with shared plates from a wood-fired grill. We confirm hours and reserve a table 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.
2:20 · Inman Family Wines
About 15 minutes away. Owner and winemaker Kathleen Inman's regeneratively farmed Pinot Noir estate on the Santa Rosa Plains. The Estate Tasting is $30, usually at least five wines, refunded with a $150 purchase. Thursday to Monday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
3:20 · Back to your hotel
Back in Santa Rosa by about 3:40 p.m., about five and a half hours after pickup.
DeLoach and Inman are closed Tuesday and Wednesday, so plan this day for Thursday to Monday. Three wineries is the right pace for a relaxed day of Pinot Noir.
About $105 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 Eric Kent Wine Cellars?
No. Eric Kent has no tasting room and its website lists no tours or tastings, as of October 2026. We can plan a day at nearby wineries that do.
How can I buy Eric Kent wine?
Join the EK Allocation List at erickentwines.com. Releases ship in spring and fall, members save 10 percent, and remaining wine can be reordered through the EK Special Order store.
Who makes Eric Kent wines?
Proprietor and winemaker Kent Humphrey, with his wife Colleen, an artist, helping with blending. The name is his first and middle names reversed.
Where do Eric Kent's grapes come from?
Named Sonoma County vineyards such as Stiling Vineyard in the Russian River Valley, Sangiacomo Green Acres Hill, Roberts Road, Grand Vent, Cleary Ranch and Las Madres.
Why are Eric Kent labels different every year?
Each front label carries artwork by an emerging artist, and the winery keeps galleries of its label artists by vintage and series.
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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