Russian River Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Kistler with a Private Chauffeur
Single-vineyard Chardonnay from one of California's most sought-after producers, by appointment, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Steve Kistler founded Kistler Vineyards in 1978 with Mark Bixler, and led the winemaking and vineyard work until 2017. In 2008 he sold a majority stake to Bill Price, owner of Durell Vineyard. Jason Kesner, who came from Hudson Vineyards in 2008 as assistant winemaker, took over production, farming and operations in 2017.
Since the mid-1980s Kistler has planted a single heritage clone across all of its Chardonnay vineyards, and two heritage selections inform all of its Pinot Noir. It farms seventeen vineyards across five appellations, from Carneros and Sonoma Valley to the Russian River Valley and the Sonoma Coast, and makes twelve single-vineyard Chardonnays and two single-vineyard Pinot Noirs. Fruit is picked at night, and every Chardonnay ferments with native yeasts in the winery's underground barrel rooms.
For years Kistler sold most of its wines only to its mailing list and a few restaurants, and it opened its first tasting space in 2014 at the Trenton Roadhouse, a restored farmhouse with a barn at the southern end of the Russian River Valley. A host guides each seated tasting of single-vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the library, and the winery limits the number of tastings each day.
Tasting Fees
$175 for the Five-Wine Tasting of four single-vineyard Chardonnays and one Pinot Noir, 60 to 75 minutes. $195 for the Seven-Wine Tasting or the Seven Single-Vineyard Chardonnay Tasting, 60 to 75 minutes. $150 for the Patio Tasting on the barn patio, Fridays and Saturdays. $250 for the 90-minute Private Reception Tasting for 12 to 40 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
7095 Trenton Healdsburg Road, Forestville
AVA
Russian River Valley
Visiting
By appointment only, Tuesday to Saturday, for guests 21 and older. Tastings start at 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. Closed some holidays.
Known For
Single-vineyard Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir
Founded
1978
Good to Know
All guests must be 21 or older. Seated tastings take parties of 1 to 12; the Patio Tasting takes up to 4, including non-drinking guests. Private receptions are for 12 to 40 guests.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a Russian River Valley hotel such as Farmhouse Inn in Forestville or Vinarosa Resort & Spa in Santa Rosa.
10:00 · Pickup at Farmhouse Inn or Vinarosa Resort & Spa
Farmhouse Inn, a 25-room inn on River Road in Forestville, is about 10 minutes from Kistler, and Vinarosa Resort & Spa, set among 92 acres of vineyards in Santa Rosa, is about 20 minutes away. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:30 · Kistler
The 10:30 a.m. Five-Wine Tasting ($175), 60 to 75 minutes.
12:05 · Dutton-Goldfield Winery
About 20 minutes away. A partnership since 1998 between grower Steve Dutton, of the Dutton Ranch farming family, and winemaker Dan Goldfield. Tastings of five wines are $35 to $50. Walk-ins welcome; open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
1:10 · Lunch at Willow Wood Market Cafe
About 5 minutes away. A café, soda fountain and general store at the center of Graton since 1995, serving down-home comfort food. Lunch from 11:30 a.m., with brunch on Sundays. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:20 · Marimar Estate
About 10 minutes away. Marimar Torres, of the Spanish Torres wine family, began planting this Green Valley estate in 1986. The seated Estate Tasting is $35, 45 minutes to an hour. Walk-ins welcome, reservations suggested; open daily from 10 a.m.
3:20 · Back to your hotel
Back in Forestville or Santa Rosa by 3:55 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. This day works Tuesday to Saturday, when Kistler receives visitors.
About $245 to $280 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 Kistler?
Yes. All visits are by appointment, Tuesday to Saturday, with tastings starting at 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Kistler?
$175 per person for the Five-Wine Tasting and $195 for the Seven-Wine or Seven Single-Vineyard Chardonnay Tasting, as of September 2026. The Patio Tasting is $150.
Can children visit Kistler?
No. All guests must be 21 or older.
What makes Kistler Chardonnay distinctive?
Since the mid-1980s Kistler has planted one heritage clone in all of its Chardonnay vineyards, so the differences between its twelve single-vineyard Chardonnays come from the sites themselves.
How can I buy Kistler wine?
Mostly through the Kistler allocation list, which you can ask to join on the winery's website.
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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