Alexander Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Lancaster Estate with a Private Chauffeur
Bordeaux-variety wines from 53 hillside acres and caves at the southern tip of Alexander Valley, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Ted Simpkins founded Lancaster Estate in the eastern hills of Alexander Valley in the 1990s and released his first wine in 1995. Foley Family Wines, led by Bill Foley, bought a majority interest in 2012, with Simpkins staying on as a minority owner. Winemaker David Drake started at Lancaster as a harvest intern in 2000 and worked his way up to winemaker.
The estate's 53 acres of vineyards lie at the southern tip of Alexander Valley, where it meets the Chalk Hill and Knights Valley appellations. About 83 percent is Cabernet Sauvignon, with Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. The wines ferment with native yeasts and age 18 to 26 months in French oak in the estate's caves, and the reds are bottled unfiltered. The 2014 Lancaster Estate Cabernet Sauvignon made the Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2017.
Every visit is seated and by reservation. The Estate Tasting pours four current wines, indoors or outdoors overlooking the hillside vineyards, and the Reserve Cave Tasting pours five reserve reds in the cave, among the barrels of the current vintages.
Tasting Fees
$60 for the Estate Tasting of four current wines, 60 minutes. $100 for the Reserve Cave Tasting of five reserve reds, 90 minutes. Club members receive complimentary tastings.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
15001 Chalk Hill Road, Healdsburg
AVA
Alexander Valley
Visiting
Open Thursday to Monday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., by reservation only. Tastings start promptly at the appointment time.
Known For
Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-variety blends
Founded
1990s (first wine released in 1995)
Good to Know
All guests must be 16 or older, and reservations should count every guest, including non-tasters. Leashed dogs are welcome on the outdoor patios at Estate Tastings but not in the cave. Cancel at least two days ahead to avoid a full charge.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a Healdsburg hotel such as Hotel Healdsburg or Harmon Guest House.
10:00 · Pickup at Hotel Healdsburg or Harmon Guest House
Hotel Healdsburg, on the town plaza, and Harmon Guest House, a boutique hotel just off the plaza, are each about 25 minutes from Lancaster Estate, at the southern tip of Alexander Valley. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:30 · Lancaster Estate
The seated Estate Tasting of four current wines, 60 minutes ($60).
11:40 · Medlock Ames
About 10 minutes away. Founded in 1998 by college friends Chris Medlock James and Ames Morison, with organically farmed estate wines from Bell Mountain Vineyard. The seated Signature Tasting on the garden patio is one hour ($45). Reservations recommended; open daily 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
1:00 · Lunch at Costeaux French Bakery
About 20 minutes away. There has been a bakery on this stretch of Healdsburg Avenue since 1923, and the Seppi family has run it as Costeaux since 1981. The café serves hearty seasonal dishes indoors or on the patio. Open daily from 7:30 a.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:25 · Francis Ford Coppola Winery
About 15 minutes away. Built in 1973 as Chateau Souverain and bought by the Coppola family in 2006, with a movie museum, pool and Rustic restaurant. The seated Feature Presentation tasting is about 60 minutes ($50), and walk-in flights at the tasting bar are $25 or $40. Reservations recommended for seated tastings; open Thursday to Monday, last seated tasting at 3:30 p.m.
3:25 · Back to your hotel
Back in Healdsburg by 3:40 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. This day works Thursday to Monday, when Lancaster Estate and Francis Ford Coppola Winery are both open.
About $130 to $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
Do I need a reservation at Lancaster Estate?
Yes. Lancaster Estate is open by reservation only, and tastings start promptly at the appointment time. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Lancaster Estate?
$60 per person for the Estate Tasting and $100 for the Reserve Cave Tasting, as of September 2026.
Can children visit Lancaster Estate?
Guests must be 16 or older. Reservations should include every guest, whether tasting or not.
Who owns Lancaster Estate?
Foley Family Wines, which bought a majority interest in 2012. Ted Simpkins founded the winery and released its first wine in 1995.
Is Lancaster Estate in Alexander Valley or Chalk Hill?
Alexander Valley. The estate is on Chalk Hill Road at the southern tip of the valley, where the Alexander Valley, Chalk Hill and Knights Valley appellations meet.
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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