Russian River Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Joseph Swan Vineyards with a Private Chauffeur
Complimentary weekend tastings among the barrels at a pioneering Russian River Valley winery, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Joe Swan grew up in North Dakota farm country and flew for Western Airlines until he retired in 1974, but his real goal was a small vineyard and winery of his own. In 1967 he bought a farm on Laguna Road near Forestville with 13 acres of old Zinfandel vines and a nearly 100-year-old house that once held the post office and general store of the village of Trenton, and in 1968 he made his first wine from those vines.
At the urging of his friend and mentor André Tchelistcheff, Swan replanted with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, chose low-yielding clones and kept crops very small, taking France as his model. He became a mentor to a generation of winemakers; Joel Peterson made his first Ravenswood wines here in 1976. Swan's last vintage was 1987, and his son-in-law Rod Berglund, who began making wine in 1979 with Swan's encouragement, now owns the winery with his wife, Lynn.
This is old-school Russian River Valley and one of the most personal visits in the area. Weekend tastings are complimentary for you and up to three guests, poured outside over the estate vineyard in good weather or inside the 1974 winery among the barrels, where it can be chilly, so bring a layer. The driveway is on Trenton Road rather than Laguna Road, so it helps to arrive with someone who knows the way in.
Tasting Fees
Tastings are complimentary for you and 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
2916 Laguna Road, Forestville
AVA
Russian River Valley
Visiting
Winery and tasting room open Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Known For
Old vine Zinfandel, and Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Founded
1967 (first vintage 1968)
Good to Know
All guests must be 21 or older. Tastings are outside overlooking the estate vineyard or inside among the barrels, depending on the weather, and the winery can be chilly. The legal address is on Laguna Road, but the driveway is on Trenton Road, just past the green farmhouse.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 9:35 a.m. from a hotel such as Vinarosa or Farmhouse Inn.
9:35 · Pickup at Vinarosa or Farmhouse Inn
Vinarosa, a resort on Barnes Road north of Santa Rosa, is about 25 minutes from Lynmar Estate, and Farmhouse Inn, on River Road in Forestville, about 15, so pickup there is at 9:45. Joseph Swan opens at 11 a.m. on weekends, so the day starts at Lynmar's first seating. 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 · Joseph Swan Vineyards
About 15 minutes away. A complimentary tasting outside over the estate vineyard or among the barrels, about an hour.
1:00 · Lunch at Underwood Bar and Bistro
About 15 minutes away. A bistro in the village of Graton with red vinyl banquettes, a nickel-topped bar and an open-air patio. Lunch is served Wednesday to Sunday from 11:30 a.m., and walk-ins are welcome. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:20 · Inman Family Wines
About 15 minutes away. Kathleen Inman's solar-powered winery, built in 2010 largely from recycled materials beside her Olivet Grange Pinot Noir vineyard. Meet the Maker, a private seated tasting with Kathleen, is $100, and the seasonal Sip and Stroll walks the vineyard and garden with her ($95, 90 minutes). Tastings Thursday to Monday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; book ahead.
3:20 · Back to your hotel
Back at your hotel by 3:35 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. Joseph Swan opens only on Saturday and Sunday, so this is a weekend day.
About $155 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
When can we visit Joseph Swan Vineyards?
On Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Joseph Swan Vineyards?
Tastings are complimentary for you and up to three guests, as of September 2026.
Who was Joe Swan?
A North Dakota-raised airline pilot who bought the Laguna Road farm in 1967, made his first wine in 1968 and became a mentor to a generation of winemakers, including Joel Peterson of Ravenswood. His last vintage was 1987.
Where is the Joseph Swan entrance?
The legal address is 2916 Laguna Road, but the driveway is on Trenton Road: stay left on Trenton rather than veering onto Laguna, and the driveway is just past the green farmhouse.
Who owns Joseph Swan Vineyards today?
Rod and Lynn Berglund. Rod, Joe Swan's son-in-law, has made wine since 1979.
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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