Alexander Valley · Sonoma County
Visit J. Rickards Winery with a Private Chauffeur
A family winery at the quiet north end of Alexander Valley with Zinfandel vines planted in 1908 and outdoor seating over the vineyard, and a suggested six-hour day around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Jim and Eliza Rickards own and run J. Rickards, a family farm and winery at the northern end of Alexander Valley. They planted most of the vineyard over the past 40 years around its original Zinfandel vines from 1908, and made small lots of wine for friends from 1991 until those friends talked them into starting a winery in 2005. The first release was about 150 cases from the 2004 and 2005 vintages.
The 60-acre ranch grows Zinfandel, from the old vines and from new plantings of old clones, along with Petite Sirah, Malbec and the five Bordeaux varieties in a blend called Five Sisters, all estate grown. Most of the harvest still goes to well-known neighbors: the Cabernet Sauvignon goes to Silver Oak for its Alexander Valley wine, and hillside Zinfandel and Petite Sirah to other local producers.
This is a relaxed, down-to-earth stop at the end of Chianti Road, with covered and open-air seating that looks out over the vineyard. Guests can call ahead or drop in from Monday to Saturday, a reservation can include a walk in the vineyard, and with two days' notice the winery will have box lunches waiting from Big John's Market in Healdsburg and save a shady spot for a picnic. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome.
Tasting Fees
$20 for the Wine Flight tasting for non-club guests, waived with a two-bottle purchase or club signup.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
24505 Chianti Road, Cloverdale
AVA
Alexander Valley
Visiting
Tastings Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (final seating). Call ahead or drop in; groups of 6 or more should reserve.
Known For
Old-vine Zinfandel from 1908 vines, Petite Sirah and the Five Sisters Bordeaux blend
Founded
2005 (winery); vineyard Zinfandel planted 1908
Good to Know
Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome. A reservation can include a vineyard tour. Box lunches can be pre-ordered with 48 hours' notice. Please arrive on time or call if delayed.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:35 a.m. from a Healdsburg hotel such as Hotel Trio or Hotel Healdsburg.
10:35 · Pickup at Hotel Trio or Hotel Healdsburg
Hotel Trio, on Dry Creek Road on the north side of Healdsburg, is about 20 minutes from Robert Young and Hotel Healdsburg, on the town plaza, about 25. J. Rickards seats its last tasting at 3, so we start with Robert Young's 11 o'clock seating and drive up to J. Rickards after lunch. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
11:00 · Robert Young
About 25 minutes away. Peter Young bought this ranch in 1858, and in 1963 his grandson Robert planted what the family counts as the first Cabernet Sauvignon in Alexander Valley. The Scion Experience of single-block reserve wines with light local bites is $85, 90 minutes, on the hillside terrace with views over the vineyards and the valley. By appointment, Wednesday to Monday, with seatings at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m.
12:40 · Lunch at Diavola
About 10 minutes away. Chef Dino Bugica's restaurant in a historic building on Geyserville Avenue, with Neapolitan-style pizza from a wood-burning oven, handmade pasta and house-cured salumi. Lunch is served daily from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
1:50 · J. Rickards Winery
About 10 minutes away. The Wine Flight ($20) at an outdoor table over the vineyard, with a vineyard walk if you would like one.
3:10 · Lampson Family Wines
About 20 minutes away. Sisters Catie Kuckuk and Erin Kuh make their wines entirely from Stone Ranch, the vineyard their family has owned since 1941 and their brother Andy farms. Visits are a relaxing one-mile loop walk through the vines, with views across Alexander Valley to Mount St. Helena and Geyser Peak, ending with a tasting. By appointment; the fee is confirmed when we book.
4:10 · Back to your hotel
Back in Healdsburg by 4:25 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. J. Rickards pours Monday to Saturday and Robert Young is closed Tuesday, so this day works Monday and Wednesday to Saturday. Lampson is by appointment, so we confirm it when we book.
About $105 per person in tasting fees for Robert Young and J. Rickards, plus Lampson's fee, to be verified upon reservation, each paid directly to the 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 J. Rickards?
Not for small groups; you can call ahead or drop in Monday to Saturday. Groups of 6 or more should reserve. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at J. Rickards?
$20 per person for the Wine Flight, waived with a two-bottle purchase or club signup, as of September 2026.
How old are the vines at J. Rickards?
The original Zinfandel vines were planted in 1908. The rest of the 60-acre vineyard was planted over the past 40 years.
Can we picnic at J. Rickards?
Yes. With 48 hours' notice the winery orders box lunches from Big John's Market in Healdsburg, has them waiting and reserves a shady spot for your picnic.
Where is J. Rickards Winery?
On Chianti Road at the northern end of Alexander Valley, between Geyserville and Cloverdale, about 25 minutes from Healdsburg.
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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