Russian River Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Kanzler Vineyards with a Private Chauffeur
A family Pinot Noir estate in the Sebastopol Hills, eight miles from the Pacific, where every tasting starts with a walk to the vines, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
The Kanzlers moved to an old apple orchard eight miles from the Pacific in 1994 to raise their family in the country. Many growers thought the Sebastopol Hills too cold and windy for grapes, but their neighbor Perry Kozlowski told them premium wine grapes grow in about three places in the world and they were living in one. With no farming experience, Steve Kanzler studied viticulture, took classes at UC Davis and Santa Rosa Junior College, and planted the vineyard in the spring of 1996, among the first in the Sebastopol Hills.
The first harvest came in 2000, and the grapes went to Kosta Browne, Landmark, Flowers, Gary Farrell and others. Kosta Browne has made a Kanzler vineyard-designate wine every year since 2002, and Wine Spectator gave its 2004 bottling 98 points. The family's own label began almost by accident: daughter Melissa served the homemade Pinot at her 2004 wedding, the guests drank eight cases, and that fall the Kanzlers made their first 250 cases. Son Alex grew up in the vines, became winemaker in 2011 and has worked only for the family since 2014.
The estate is 20 acres of Pinot Noir around the old family residence and tasting room. Each visit starts with a pour of the Estate Chardonnay and a short guided walk to the edge of the vines, then a seated flight of Pinot Noirs from specific blocks and clones. The family limits the number of appointments each day, so the visit is quiet and unhurried.
Tasting Fees
$75 for the private, seated tasting with a vineyard walk, the Estate Chardonnay and a flight of Pinot Noirs, about 90 minutes.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
2109 Sanders Road, Sebastopol
AVA
Russian River Valley
Visiting
By appointment; the family limits the number of tastings each day. We confirm times when we book.
Known For
Estate Pinot Noir from the Sebastopol Hills
Founded
1996 (first Kanzler wine 2004)
Good to Know
Standard seating is for parties of up to 8; larger groups by arrangement. Allow about 90 minutes. The family also rents an Estate Vineyard Residence for overnight stays.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from The Sebastopol Inn, or 9:45 from Farmhouse Inn in Forestville.
10:00 · Pickup at The Sebastopol Inn or Farmhouse Inn
The Sebastopol Inn, in downtown Sebastopol, is about 15 minutes from Kanzler Vineyards, and Farmhouse Inn, a 25-room country inn among the vineyards and redwoods of Forestville, about 30, so from Forestville we leave at 9:45. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Kanzler Vineyards
The private tasting with a vineyard walk, about 90 minutes ($75).
12:00 · Littorai
About 15 minutes away. Ted and Heidi Lemon's farm winery on Gold Ridge Road; Ted was the first American hired as winemaker at a Burgundy estate, Domaine Guy Roulot in Meursault. The private Single Vineyard Tasting of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, in the cellar or on covered patios, is $70, and the Gold Ridge Estate Tour & Tasting walks the farm first ($90). By appointment only, Monday to Saturday, for 6 guests or fewer.
1:15 · Lunch at Handline
About 15 minutes away. A casual Sebastopol spot, open since 2016, with seasonal food from local farmers and fishermen, served mostly outdoors. Open daily from 11 a.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:35 · Paul Hobbs Winery
About 15 minutes away. Paul Hobbs's Katherine Lindsay Estate, with a winery designed by architect Howard Backen; Hobbs was on the founding team at Opus One before starting his own label in 1991. The seated Signature Tasting of four wines with house-made dips, flatbreads and vegetables from the estate garden is $95, about 75 minutes, for up to 8 guests. Reservations required; 21 and over.
3:50 · Back to your hotel
Back in Sebastopol by 4:00 p.m., within six hours of pickup, or Forestville by 4:05.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. This day works Monday to Saturday, when Littorai hosts.
About $240 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 an appointment at Kanzler Vineyards?
Yes. Tastings are by appointment, and the family keeps the number each day small. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Kanzler Vineyards?
$75 per person for the private tasting with a vineyard walk, as of September 2026.
How long is a tasting at Kanzler?
About 90 minutes, including the walk to the vines and the seated Pinot Noir flight.
Which wineries have made Kanzler vineyard wines?
Kosta Browne has made a Kanzler vineyard-designate Pinot Noir every year since 2002, and the vineyard has also been bottled by Rivers-Marie and Lynmar Estate.
Where is Kanzler Vineyards?
On Sanders Road in the Sebastopol Hills, south of Sebastopol and about eight miles from the Pacific.
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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