Alexander Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Garden Creek with a Private Chauffeur
A vineyard walk and a candlelit barrel-room tasting hosted by the vintners themselves, by request, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Justin Miller's father bought a bare ranch in Alexander Valley in 1963, grazed Angus cattle and in 1964 built a cattle and horse barn from redwood he milled himself. In 1969 he planted his first Cabernet Sauvignon, among the first serious Cabernet plantings in the valley, and he was one of the founding members who sought the Alexander Valley appellation, granted in 1984. Justin's wife, Karin, whose family came from Björsäter, Sweden, in 1974 and made their own wine north of Geyserville, grew up in the valley too. Justin and Karin began making wine at Garden Creek in 2001, in that old barn.
The family farms about 70 acres on the ranch, mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Merlot on thirteen soil types, and sells most of the fruit to local wineries. They keep the best for just two Garden Creek wines. The first, Tesserae, an equal blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, was made in 2001 and is now aged eight years before release, and half of every vintage is held back to be released later as a library wine. Justin and Karin also make WärneliusMiller Pinot Noir from their own vineyards in Anderson Valley.
A visit here is unlike anything else on our routes. Justin and Karin host it themselves: a walk through their 57-year-old estate Cabernet vineyards, talking soils and farming, then a tasting in the barrel room by candlelight. Because the current release is already about eight years old, everything you taste is mature. Visits are by request, with priority to the winery's mailing list, so we put in the request on your behalf and confirm the date.
Tasting Fees
$125 per person for the Private Winetasting & Tour, or $150 per person for groups of more than 6. $200 per person for the Library Vertical Winetasting.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
2335 Geysers Road, Geyserville
AVA
Alexander Valley
Visiting
By request only. Priority goes to purchasing members of the mailing list; new members are welcome to request a visit, pending availability. Visits generally begin at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday to Saturday. We arrange it on your behalf.
Known For
Tesserae, a long-aged Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend
Founded
1969 (first vineyard); wines since 2001
Good to Know
As a working winery and vineyard, Garden Creek cannot welcome children. Tasting appointments are limited and are confirmed by the winery.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:05 a.m. from a Healdsburg hotel such as Hotel Trio or Two Thirty-Five.
10:05 · Pickup at Hotel Trio or Two Thirty-Five
Hotel Trio, on Dry Creek Road on the north side of town, is about 20 minutes from Garden Creek, out Geysers Road on the east side of the valley, and Two Thirty-Five, a small suite hotel on Healdsburg Avenue, about 25. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:30 · Garden Creek
The Private Winetasting & Tour ($125): a walk through the estate Cabernet vineyards and a candlelit tasting in the barrel room, hosted by the vintners.
11:40 · Stonestreet
About 10 minutes away. Jess Jackson and Barbara Banke's mountain estate: 5,300 acres on the west side of the Mayacamas range with 170 micro-vineyards, tasted in a winery on the valley floor that looks straight up at the mountain. The Single-Vineyard Tasting of four wines with small bites is $85, 90 minutes. By reservation, daily from 10:30 a.m.
1:15 · Lunch at Jimtown and Then Sum
About 5 minutes away. A café on Highway 128 in the middle of Alexander Valley, serving breakfast, brunch and lunch, with tables inside and out. Open every day except Wednesday, until 4 p.m. on weekdays and 5 p.m. on weekends. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:35 · Acaibo
About 20 minutes away. The Healdsburg tasting room of Acaibo, the Chalk Hill estate that Claire and Gonzague Lurton, owners of Château Durfort-Vivens and Château Ferrière in Margaux, began in 2012; it is a rare chance to taste a Bordeaux family's California wine beside its Médoc châteaux. Journey to Sonoma, a welcome glass of Sauvignon Blanc and four Acaibo wines, is $35; Journey to Bordeaux, pouring the family's Médoc wines, is $45. Prepaid reservations required; open Thursday to Monday, noon to 5 p.m.
3:35 · Back to your hotel
Back in Healdsburg by 3:40 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. Garden Creek hosts Tuesday to Saturday, Jimtown is closed Wednesday and Acaibo opens Thursday to Monday, so this day works Thursday to Saturday.
About $245 to $255 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 anyone visit Garden Creek?
Visits are by request, with priority for purchasing members of the mailing list, and new members are welcome pending availability. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a visit to Garden Creek?
$125 per person for the Private Winetasting & Tour, $150 per person for groups of more than 6, and $200 for the Library Vertical Winetasting, as of September 2026.
Can children come to Garden Creek?
No. Garden Creek is a working winery and vineyard and cannot welcome children.
What is Tesserae?
Garden Creek's flagship, an equal blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot first made in 2001. It is aged eight years before release, and half of each vintage is held back as a library wine.
Who owns Garden Creek?
Justin and Karin Warnelius-Miller, who make the wines and farm the ranch Justin's father bought in 1963. Their children work alongside them.
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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