Dry Creek Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Hidden Lake Vineyard with a Private Chauffeur
A century-old vineyard on the eastern slope of Dry Creek Valley, bought by the Malecha family in 2020, now bottling small lots of Zinfandel, Vermentino and rosé. Hidden Lake Vineyard 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
Fran and Lisa Malecha bought a 72-acre vineyard property in Sonoma County in March 2020 and named it for the two-acre lake that sits above the 22-acre vineyard and supplies its irrigation. Their children Michael and Allison are part of the venture. Fran comes from farming and Lisa from landscape and horticulture, and the family set out first as grape growers for Sonoma and Napa wineries.
The vineyard sits on the eastern slope of Dry Creek Valley and has grown vines for a century. Zinfandel covers more than 11 acres, in blocks from 4 to 120 years old, alongside Petite Sirah, Grenache planted in 2022, Barbera, Mourvèdre and Vermentino. With guidance from vineyard managers Joe and Travis Ramazzotti, the family bottled its first estate wines in 2024: a 2023 Mourvèdre Rosé, a 2023 Vermentino and a 2022 Old Vine Zinfandel. Wine is made only from grapes left after contracts are filled, so the lineup changes by year, and profits go to the Malecha Family Foundation.
There is no tasting room. The wines are sold through the online store and wine club, and the store links to partner wineries that make wine from Hidden Lake grapes. The day below stays in Dry Creek Valley, at three family wineries that do host.
Tasting Fees
Hidden Lake Vineyard does not offer tastings.
On the day below, Unti's tasting is $25, Papapietro Perry's Signature Tasting is $35, and Quivira's Estate Tasting is $35.
Tasting fees as of October 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
Cloverdale
AVA
Dry Creek Valley
Visiting
Hidden Lake Vineyard does not offer tours or tastings; its wines are sold online and through its wine club.
Known For
Small lots of estate Old Vine Zinfandel, Vermentino and Mourvèdre rosé from Dry Creek Valley
Founded
Property purchased 2020; first estate wines bottled 2024
Good to Know
Buy at hiddenlakevineyard.com or join the wine club; the site also links to partner wineries using its grapes. Contact info@hiddenlakevineyard.com.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a Healdsburg hotel such as Hotel Healdsburg or h2hotel.
10:00 · Pickup at Hotel Healdsburg or h2hotel
Since Hidden Lake Vineyard does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. Both hotels are on the Healdsburg Plaza, about 10 minutes from the first stop in Dry Creek Valley. The day runs about five and a half hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Unti Vineyards
About 10 minutes away. A family estate for Italian and Rhône varieties, farmed organically since 2003, many of the same grapes Hidden Lake grows. A tasting of six wines of your choice is $25, waived with a bottle purchase. Daily by reservation.
11:25 · Papapietro Perry Winery
About 5 minutes away. Pinot Noir and Zinfandel from two friends who started in a San Francisco garage. The Signature Tasting is $35, a 75-minute seated tasting of five current releases. Open daily 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
12:50 · Lunch at Dry Creek General Store
About 5 minutes away. Deli sandwiches at the valley's general store, open since 1881, with a front porch and back gardens for eating outside. 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.
1:55 · Quivira Vineyards & Winery
About 5 minutes away. An organic farm and winery on Wine Creek, with gardens, olive trees and a restored salmon stream. The Estate Tasting of five current releases is $35, at your own pace; we plan about an hour. Open daily 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
3:00 · Back to your hotel
Back in Healdsburg by about 3:15 p.m. For a longer day, we can add a fourth stop and return by about 4:30 p.m.
All three wineries are open daily, so this day works any day of the week. Three wineries keeps the pace relaxed; extra hours can be added.
About $95 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 Hidden Lake Vineyard?
No. Hidden Lake Vineyard does not offer tours or tastings, as of October 2026. We can plan a day at nearby Dry Creek Valley wineries that do.
How can I buy Hidden Lake Vineyard wine?
Through the online store at hiddenlakevineyard.com or its wine club. The store also links to partner wineries that make wine from Hidden Lake grapes.
Who owns Hidden Lake Vineyard?
Fran and Lisa Malecha, with their children Michael and Allison. They bought the property in March 2020.
What wines does Hidden Lake Vineyard make?
The first estate wines, bottled in 2024, were a 2023 Mourvèdre Rosé, a 2023 Vermentino and a 2022 Old Vine Zinfandel. The lineup changes with the grapes left after contracts are filled.
Where is Hidden Lake Vineyard?
On the eastern slope of Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma County, with Zinfandel blocks up to 120 years old and a two-acre lake above the vines.
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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