Fort Ross-Seaview · Sonoma County
Visit Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery with a Private Chauffeur
A coastal ridge-top estate above the Pacific, the only tasting room in the Fort Ross-Seaview appellation, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Fort Ross Vineyard is the work of founders Lester and Linda Schwartz, who began establishing a vineyard on the Sonoma coast in 1988 and planted the first blocks in 1994. They laid out a 51-acre site on the cool, foggy coastal ridges near the Pacific, convinced it could produce exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and sourced Pinotage bud wood from the original founding blocks in South Africa.
The winery says it has the only tasting room in the Fort Ross-Seaview viticultural area. Wines are bottled under the Fort Ross Vineyard and Sea Slopes labels, with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay at the core.
Visits are by reservation. The Estate Wine Tasting is the simplest way in; the Wine & Food Pairing adds food, and Trails & Tastings is a guided walk of about two and a half hours through the redwood forest with a local historian. The drive up Meyers Grade Road from Highway 1 is part of the experience. We confirm current details when we book.
Tasting Fees
$50 per person for the Estate Wine Tasting ($40 for members). $85 for the Wine & Food Pairing. $130 for Trails & Tastings, a guided redwood forest walk of about 2.5 hours. We confirm the current price when we book.
Tasting fees as of October 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
15725 Meyers Grade Road, Jenner
AVA
Fort Ross-Seaview
Visiting
Reservations required. Open Friday to Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (last seating); closed Wednesday and Thursday. Trails & Tastings runs Sunday to Tuesday and Friday at 10 or 10:30 a.m., by advance appointment.
Known For
Cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Sonoma coast, under the Fort Ross Vineyard and Sea Slopes labels
Founded
Vineyard begun in 1988; first blocks planted in 1994
Good to Know
The tasting room is dog-friendly, but dogs are not allowed on the trails; the winery asks to be told in advance if children or pets are coming. Outside food is not permitted. Outdoor seating depends on the weather, so bring a layer for the coast.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10 a.m. from a coastal hotel such as Jenner Inn or Timber Cove Resort. The winery is about 15 minutes from Jenner.
10:00 · Pickup at Jenner Inn or Timber Cove Resort
Fort Ross Vineyard is about 15 minutes from Jenner Inn, at the mouth of the Russian River, by way of Highway 1 and Meyers Grade Road. Timber Cove Resort sits on the cliffs a little farther up the coast. The afternoon follows the river inland to Guerneville. Extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery
The Estate Wine Tasting ($50 per person) in the only tasting room in the Fort Ross-Seaview appellation. Reservations required; plan on about an hour and a quarter, and we confirm the time and length when we book.
11:45 · Lunch at Cafe Aquatica
About 15 minutes away. Lunch in Jenner at Cafe Aquatica, a casual waterfront cafe with pastries made from scratch and coastal dishes, open seven days a week. 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.
1:25 · Korbel Champagne Cellars
About 25 minutes away. A historic California champagne house on the Russian River. A flight of four tastes at the bar is $15, walk-in only, and the one-hour cellar tour at 2:30 p.m. is free.
2:30 · Equality Vines
About 5 minutes away. The cause wine label co-founded by Jim Obergefell, with a pet-friendly tasting room on Main Street in Guerneville. A tasting of five wines from the current portfolio is $35; open Friday and Saturday 1 to 6 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.
3:55 · Back to your hotel
Back by 4:00 p.m., six hours after pickup.
Fort Ross Vineyard is closed Wednesday and Thursday, and Equality Vines is open Friday to Sunday from 1 p.m., so the day above suits a Friday, Saturday or Sunday. On a Monday or Tuesday we replace Equality Vines with Porter-Bass, by appointment, near Guerneville.
About $100 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
Do I need a reservation at Fort Ross Vineyard?
Yes. Reservations are required, and the tasting room is open Friday to Tuesday from 10 a.m., with the last seating at 3 p.m. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Fort Ross Vineyard?
$50 per person for the Estate Wine Tasting ($40 for members), $85 for the Wine & Food Pairing and $130 for Trails & Tastings. We confirm the current price when we reserve, as of October 2026.
Where do guests taste at Fort Ross Vineyard?
At the winery's tasting room at 15725 Meyers Grade Road, on the coastal ridge above Jenner. The winery says it is the only tasting room in the Fort Ross-Seaview appellation.
Who founded Fort Ross Vineyard?
Lester and Linda Schwartz, who began establishing the vineyard on the Sonoma coast in 1988 and planted the first blocks in 1994.
Can I bring my dog or a picnic to Fort Ross Vineyard?
The tasting room is dog-friendly, though dogs are not allowed on the trails, and the winery asks to know in advance about children or pets. Outside food is not permitted.
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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