Russian River Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Hook & Ladder with a Private Chauffeur
A rustic tasting barn full of fire station memorabilia on historic Olivet Road, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
In 1970 San Francisco firefighter Cecil DeLoach and his wife, Christine, bought the Barbieri Ranch on Olivet Road, planted in 1905, and learned to grow grapes while Cecil kept his day job. In 1973 they became the first to plant Pinot Noir on Olivet Road, and DeLoach Vineyards, which opened in 1975, was among the first wineries to put Russian River Valley on its labels. Christine helped petition for the appellation, granted in 1983.
After selling DeLoach Vineyards to Boisset in 2003, the family launched Hook & Ladder the same year, just down the road, named for Cecil's 17 years as a firefighter; neighbor Clint Severson, whose family once sold grapes to the DeLoaches, is a co-owner. Grandson Jason DeLoach has been winemaker since 2006, making small lots of Pinot Noir, Old Vine Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer and Bordeaux-style reds from the family's Russian River Valley and Chalk Hill vineyards.
The tasting barn is relaxed and unpretentious: T-shirts and patches left by visiting firefighters cover the walls, Sebastopol artist Dom Chi painted a mural inside, and an outdoor stage hosts live music. Walk-ins are welcome every day for the Cadet Tasting, and Friday to Sunday the Captain Flight is a guided, tableside tasting of five small-production wines.
Tasting Fees
$15 for the Cadet Tasting of estate wines, walk-ins welcome daily. $25 for the Captain Flight, a guided tableside tasting of five small-production wines, Friday to Sunday by reservation. Tasting fees do not apply to wine purchases; club members taste free with up to three guests.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
2134 Olivet Road, Santa Rosa
AVA
Russian River Valley
Visiting
Open daily, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last tasting at 4 p.m. Walk-ins welcome seven days a week; reservations Friday to Sunday.
Known For
Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and Old Vine Zinfandel
Founded
2003
Good to Know
Let the winery know ahead if children or non-tasting guests will join your party. Picnics are welcome; please take your trash with you. Dress in layers and bring sunscreen. Reservations need 24 hours' notice to cancel.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 9:35 a.m. from a Santa Rosa hotel such as Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country or Hotel La Rose.
9:35 · Pickup at Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country or Hotel La Rose
Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country and Hotel La Rose, both at Railroad Square in Santa Rosa, are each about 25 minutes from Lynmar Estate, which seats its first tasting at 10 a.m. Hook & Ladder opens at 11, so it comes second. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:00 · Lynmar Estate
About 25 minutes away. Lynn and Anisya Fritz's estate on Quail Hill, with gardens that supply Chef David Frakes's kitchen, 10,000 square feet of caves and a solar-powered, gravity-flow winery. The seated Wine Flight of estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is $60; allow 90 minutes. By reservation, Wednesday to Monday, at 10 a.m., 12:30 and 3 p.m.
11:45 · Hook & Ladder Winery
About 15 minutes away. The Captain Flight ($25, Friday to Sunday) or the Cadet Tasting ($15), about an hour in the tasting barn.
1:10 · Lunch at Bird & The Bottle
About 25 minutes away. Chef Mark Stark's modern tavern in an old house on Fourth Street in Santa Rosa, with plates to share from a wood-fired grill and two patios. Open daily from 11:30 a.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:25 · Bob Cabral Wines
About 10 minutes away. Bob Cabral led Williams Selyem for almost 17 years, and his 2007 Litton Estate Pinot Noir was the first North American Pinot Noir to earn a perfect 100 points from Wine Enthusiast. His Backstage Lounge, next to the LOVE sculpture on the Paradise Ridge property, is lined with concert posters and signed guitars; private tastings are $75. By appointment, Monday to Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
3:25 · Back to your hotel
Back in Santa Rosa by 3:35 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. Lynmar seats tastings Wednesday to Monday and Bob Cabral hosts Monday to Saturday, so this day works Wednesday to Saturday and on Monday.
About $150 to $160 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 Hook & Ladder?
No. Walk-ins are welcome every day for the Cadet Tasting. The Captain Flight, Friday to Sunday, is by reservation. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Hook & Ladder?
$15 per person for the Cadet Tasting and $25 for the Captain Flight, as of September 2026. Tasting fees do not apply to wine purchases.
Why is it called Hook & Ladder?
For founder Cecil DeLoach's 17-year career as a San Francisco firefighter. Fire station memorabilia, including T-shirts and patches left by visiting firefighters, fills the tasting room.
Is Hook & Ladder related to DeLoach Vineyards?
Yes, through the family. Cecil and Christine DeLoach founded DeLoach Vineyards, sold it to Boisset in 2003 and started Hook & Ladder the same year, just down Olivet Road.
Can children come to Hook & Ladder?
Yes, but let the winery know ahead if children or non-tasting guests will be in your party.
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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