Sonoma Valley · Sonoma County
Visit La Rochelle Wines with a Private Chauffeur
Single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from a Glen Ellen producer that brings tastings to your home instead of keeping a tasting room. La Rochelle does not receive visitors; here is what to know, and a day at sought-after estates nearby that do host.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
La Rochelle Wines is based in Glen Ellen and focuses on single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, made in close partnership with growers around California. Its range includes 17 single-vineyard Pinot Noirs and five Chardonnays. The most complex and age-worthy wine is Polyphony, described as an expression of California Pinot Noir.
The wines are offered in tiers: current releases are open to everyone, while the Pinot Noir Experience and the Recherché Reserve Selections are for members. Club membership is by application, and members are invited to club and winery events.
There is no tasting room. Instead, La Rochelle offers private tastings at your home or at a wine country rental, arranged through its Create an Experience service. The day below stays in the Sonoma Valley around Kenwood and Glen Ellen, with a single-vineyard Pinot Noir specialist to close the day.
Tasting Fees
La Rochelle does not have a tasting room. On the day below, fees run $50 at MacLaren, $60 at Lasseter and $45 at Talisman, paid 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
Glen Ellen
AVA
Sonoma Valley
Visiting
La Rochelle has no tasting room; it offers private tastings at guests' homes or rentals and sells online and through its club.
Known For
Single-vineyard California Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, including the Polyphony Pinot Noir
Founded
Founding year not published
Good to Know
Shop current releases or apply to the club at lrwine.com. To book an at-home tasting, call (707) 302-8000 or write to info@lrwine.com.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Kenwood Inn & Spa or Gaige House.
10:00 · Pickup at Kenwood Inn & Spa or Gaige House
Since La Rochelle does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. Kenwood Inn & Spa is about 5 minutes from the first stop and Gaige House about 10. The day runs about six hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · MacLaren Wines
About 5 minutes away. Cool-climate Syrah poured by winemaker Steve Law in a small cottage on Adobe Canyon Road in Kenwood. The Signature Tasting Experience is $50; we plan about an hour. By appointment only.
11:35 · Lasseter Family Winery
About 15 minutes away. Organic estate wines on a historic Glen Ellen estate. The Patio Tasting of five estate wines is $60; we plan about an hour. By reservation only.
12:50 · Lunch at Glen Ellen Star
About 5 minutes away. Lunch at Glen Ellen Star, a small wood-oven restaurant in the village of Glen Ellen. We confirm lunch 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.
2:05 · Talisman Wine
A few minutes away. Single-vineyard Pinot Noir, including foot-trodden Méthode Ancienne bottlings, poured in the oldest commercial building in Glen Ellen. The Pinot Noir Terroir Tasting of six vineyard sites is $45, about 90 minutes. Open daily; walk-ins welcome.
3:35 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 3:55 p.m.
MacLaren is by appointment only, so we set its time first and build the day around it. All three wineries are open daily.
About $155 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
Can I visit La Rochelle Wines?
Not at a tasting room. La Rochelle has none, as of October 2026; instead it brings private tastings to your home or wine country rental. We can plan a day at nearby wineries that host.
How can I buy La Rochelle wine?
Current releases are sold online at lrwine.com; member-only wines are available by applying to the club.
What does La Rochelle make?
Single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from partner vineyards around California, including 17 single-vineyard Pinot Noirs and five Chardonnays.
What is Polyphony?
La Rochelle's most complex and age-worthy wine, described as an expression of California Pinot Noir.
Can La Rochelle host a tasting where I am staying?
Yes. Its Create an Experience service arranges private tastings at your home or a wine country retreat; call (707) 302-8000.
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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