Sonoma Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Hanzell Vineyards with a Private Chauffeur
Burgundy-inspired Chardonnay and Pinot Noir since 1953, by appointment on weekdays, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Ambassador James D. Zellerbach founded Hanzell in 1953 and named it after his wife, Hana. Inspired by Burgundy, he planted Chardonnay and Pinot Noir when North America had only a few hundred acres of each, hired Brad Webb as his first winemaker and made the first vintage in 1957. The de Brye family has owned Hanzell since 1975.
The estate sits at the southern toe of the Mayacamas Mountains, overlooking the southwest end of Sonoma Valley and San Pablo Bay, with 46 acres of vineyard. It was certified organic in 2021 and is run as a holistic farm, with cows, sheep, pigs and chickens grazing the vineyard and no tilling. Jason Jardine, president and director of winemaking since 2014, ferments every wine with native yeast.
Visits are small and private. The Heritage Tour walks through the caves, the production cellar and the original Heritage Winery, completed in 1956, before a tasting of four estate wines. Hanzell is known for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that age well, and also makes Cabernet Sauvignon.
Tasting Fees
$90 for the Hanzell Heritage Tour & Tasting, about 90 minutes, with four estate wines.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
18596 Lomita Avenue, Sonoma
AVA
Sonoma Valley
Visiting
By appointment only, Monday to Friday. Closed to visitors in August and early September for harvest.
Known For
Estate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
Founded
1953
Good to Know
All guests must be 21 or older, as Hanzell is a working farm and winery. Tours take up to 6 people; larger groups call the winery.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a Sonoma hotel such as Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa or MacArthur Place.
10:00 · Pickup at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa or MacArthur Place
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, a historic resort with its own geothermal mineral waters, is about 10 minutes from Hanzell, and MacArthur Place, a hotel and spa set in six acres of gardens in Sonoma, about 15. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Hanzell Vineyards
The Hanzell Heritage Tour & Tasting, about 90 minutes ($90): the caves, the winery and the 1956 Heritage Winery, then four estate wines.
12:05 · Buena Vista
About 20 minutes away. Agoston Haraszthy's winery of 1857, now a California Historical Landmark owned by Jean-Charles Boisset, with tastings in the 1862 Press House. The seated Current Release Tasting is $40 and the Private Reserve Tasting $60. Book online; open daily until 5 p.m.
1:20 · Lunch at the girl & the fig
About 15 minutes away. Country food with a French passion on the Sonoma Plaza, with a garden patio, cheese and charcuterie platters and a Rhône-focused wine list. Open for lunch daily from 11:30 a.m., and from 10 a.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 · Gundlach Bundschu
About 15 minutes away. Jacob Gundlach founded it in 1858 on the Rhinefarm estate, which the Bundschu family still owns and farms. The seated Rhinefarm Tasting of estate wines is $45. Reservations encouraged, especially Friday to Sunday; open daily from 11 a.m., last seating at 4 p.m.
3:35 · Back to your hotel
Back in Sonoma by 4:00 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. Hanzell welcomes visitors by appointment on weekdays, so this day works Monday to Friday, and we confirm the tasting time when we book.
About $175 to $195 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 an appointment at Hanzell?
Yes. Tastings are by appointment only, Monday to Friday. The winery closes to visitors in August and early September for harvest. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Hanzell?
$90 per person for the Hanzell Heritage Tour & Tasting, as of September 2026.
Can children visit Hanzell?
No. Hanzell is a working farm and winery, and all guests must be 21 or older.
Who founded Hanzell?
Ambassador James D. Zellerbach, in 1953. He named it after his wife, Hana. The de Brye family has owned Hanzell since 1975.
What is Hanzell known for?
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Zellerbach planted both in 1953, when North America had only a few hundred acres of each, and Hanzell still makes them from its certified organic estate, along with Cabernet Sauvignon.
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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