Russian River Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Inizi Wines with a Private Chauffeur
Small-production Napa and Sonoma wines from two couples who set out to make the hard to find, neglected and underrated. Inizi has no tasting room, but tastings can be requested through its contact form; here is how, and a day at sought-after estates nearby.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Inizi, Italian for beginnings, was founded in 2012 by two couples, A.J. and Jen Filipelli and John and Kirsti Harley. A.J. and John became friends at Fresno State University, where A.J. studied viticulture and John studied enology; John is a Sonoma winemaker. The name comes from their belief that a bottle of wine begins in the vineyard.
The partners describe themselves as producers of the hard to find, neglected and underrated, and the label makes small lots of Napa and Sonoma County wines. Club shipments go out twice a year, in March and November, with spring releases focused on rosé and whites and fall releases on reds.
Inizi once poured at a shared tasting room in Guerneville, but its website now gives no tasting room address; visits are by inquiry, and the contact form lets you ask about attending a tasting. The day below follows the Russian River from Guerneville to the Green Valley, at three more estates.
Tasting Fees
Inizi does not publish a tasting fee or a tasting room.
On the day below, the Korbel cellar tour is free, and tastings are $60 at Hartford Family Winery and $35 at Marimar Estate, paid directly to each winery.
Tasting fees as of October 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
Healdsburg
AVA
Russian River Valley
Visiting
Inizi lists no tasting room address. Tastings are by inquiry: the contact form lets you ask about attending one. Wines are sold online and through its club.
Known For
Small lots of lesser-known Napa and Sonoma wines from two founding couples
Founded
2012
Good to Know
Buy through the shop at iniziwines.com or join the club, which ships in March and November. Contact 801-898-6880 or iniziwines@gmail.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
Alongside a tasting at Inizi, which we request through its contact form, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby. Both hotels are in downtown Healdsburg, about 25 minutes from the first stop. The day runs about six hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:30 · Korbel Champagne Cellars
About 25 minutes away. A historic California champagne house on the Russian River near Guerneville. The one-hour tour of the museum and cellar at 10:30 a.m. is free, with a taste of champagne; a flight of four at the bar is $15. Open daily, no reservation needed for tours.
11:50 · Hartford Family Winery
About 15 minutes away. A family estate in the redwoods near Forestville making single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and old-vine Zinfandel. The Vineyard Exploration of five single-vineyard wines on the patio is $60; we allow about an hour. Open daily by appointment, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
1:15 · Lunch at Willow Wood Market Cafe
About 10 minutes away. Lunch at Willow Wood Market Cafe, a casual cafe and market in the village of Graton. 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.
2:40 · Marimar Estate
About 5 minutes away. A Green Valley estate built by Marimar Torres of the Spanish Torres wine family. The seated Estate Tasting is $35, 45 minutes to an hour. Open daily, weekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and weekends to 5.
3:40 · Back to your hotel
Back in Healdsburg by about 4:05 p.m., about six hours after pickup.
All three wineries are open daily. The Korbel tour runs at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., which sets the start of the day.
About $95 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries (the Korbel tour is free), 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 Inizi Wines?
Yes, by inquiry. As of October 2026 Inizi's website lists no tasting room address; you can ask about attending a tasting through its contact form.
How can I buy Inizi wine?
Through the shop at iniziwines.com, or by joining the club, which ships three, six or twelve bottles in March and November.
Who owns Inizi?
Two couples, A.J. and Jen Filipelli and John and Kirsti Harley, who founded it in 2012. John is a Sonoma winemaker.
What does Inizi mean?
Beginnings, in Italian, from the founders' belief that a bottle of wine begins in the vineyard.
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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