Sonoma Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Ledson Winery with a Private Chauffeur
The castle on Highway 12, built by Steve Ledson among his Merlot vines, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Steve Ledson comes from five generations of Sonoma County farmers; his grandparents ranched in Kenwood from the 1920s. He built a construction and development business, Ledson Construction, while keeping up the family's farming, and in late 1989 he bought a 21-acre property on Highway 12, planted 17 acres of Merlot and began designing a house there.
His grapes went to Benziger, St. Francis and Sebastiani, and it was St. Francis winemaker Tom Mackey who urged him to make his own wine. Ledson released its first wine, the 1994 Estate Merlot, in 1997. Beyond the estate the family farms old-vine Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Barbera on Denmark Road in Sonoma and the Mountain Terraces Vineyard on the western slopes of the Mayacamas in the Moon Mountain District, and it sells its wines directly rather than through distributors.
The house became the winery. Passersby were climbing fences to see the turrets and slate roofs going up, so the family turned the planned home into a winery and tasting room, which opened in 1999. Known as the Castle, the 16,000-square-foot French Normandy building has sweeping staircases, marble fireplaces and more than five miles of wood inlays and mosaics cut and installed by Steve's son, Mike. Tastings are at bars and private suites named for Ledson family members.
Tasting Fees
$45 for the standing Classic Wine Tasting of five wines. $65 for the Seated Wine Tasting of five wines. $95 for a Private Wine Tasting of five reserve and limited wines in a private suite. $125 for the private Mountain Terraces tasting of five wines from the Moon Mountain District vineyard. $30 per person for a Reserved Table, plus one bottle for every two guests. All fees are plus tax.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
7335 Highway 12, Kenwood
AVA
Sonoma Valley
Visiting
Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reservations encouraged; walk-ins welcome, subject to availability.
Known For
The Castle, and Estate Merlot and small-lot reds
Founded
1989 (first wine released in 1997; opened to the public in 1999)
Good to Know
Tastings are hosted in tasting rooms and private suites inside the Castle. A cheese and charcuterie board can be added to a private tasting ($19 per person). Reservations cancelled within 72 hours are charged in full.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a Kenwood or Glen Ellen hotel such as Kenwood Inn & Spa or the Olea Hotel.
10:00 · Pickup at Kenwood Inn & Spa or Olea Hotel
Kenwood Inn & Spa, an Italian-inspired inn among the vineyards of Kenwood, is about 10 minutes from Ledson, and the Olea Hotel, a boutique hotel on a Glen Ellen hillside, about 20. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:20 · Ledson
The Seated Wine Tasting of five wines ($65), or a Private Wine Tasting in one of the Castle's suites ($95).
11:40 · Laurel Glen
About 20 minutes away. The Glen Ellen tasting room of a Sonoma Mountain Cabernet vineyard first planted to Cabernet Sauvignon in 1968 and certified organic since 2014. The Classic Tasting is $45 and the Collector Tasting of four Cabernets $55. Walk-ins welcome, with a text ahead encouraged; open daily 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
12:50 · Lunch at Salt+Stone
About 10 minutes away. Todd Lake's restaurant on the Sonoma Highway in Kenwood, with a steakhouse and seafood grill, an oyster bar and craft cocktails. Lunch Thursday to Tuesday 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.
2:10 · B.R. Cohn
About 15 minutes away. Founded in 1984 by Bruce Cohn, longtime manager of the Doobie Brothers, on his Olive Hill estate in Glen Ellen. The guided Wine Flight of four wines is about 90 minutes ($40). Reservations recommended; open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
3:40 · Back to your hotel
Back in Kenwood or Glen Ellen by 3:50 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. This day works any day but Wednesday, when Salt+Stone does not serve lunch.
About $150 to $210 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 Ledson Winery?
Reservations are encouraged, and walk-ins are welcome, subject to availability. Cancellations within 72 hours are charged in full. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Ledson Winery?
$45 per person for the Classic Wine Tasting, $65 for the Seated Wine Tasting, $95 for a Private Wine Tasting and $125 for the Mountain Terraces tasting, plus tax, as of September 2026.
Why is Ledson Winery called the Castle?
Steve Ledson designed the building as his family home in the early 1990s. So many people stopped to look at it that the family made it a winery instead, and it opened in 1999.
What wine is Ledson known for?
Merlot from the estate vineyard around the Castle. Ledson's first wine was the 1994 Estate Merlot, and the range now runs from Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay to Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Moon Mountain reds.
Where is Ledson Winery?
On Highway 12 between Kenwood and Santa Rosa, at the north end of Sonoma Valley.
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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