Sonoma Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Loxton Cellars with a Private Chauffeur
Syrah from an Australian-born winemaker who walks the vines with guests each morning, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Chris Loxton's family vineyard is in the Riverland of South Australia, on land first planted in the 1890s. He spent years as a research scientist, including eight at the University of Illinois Materials Research Lab, then studied enology at UC Davis and worked harvests at Quivira, St. Hallett in Australia and Sonoma-Cutrer. A winemaking job at Wellington Vineyards in 1995 led to the first Loxton Cellars wine in 1996, made after hours as a side project.
Loxton became his full-time work in 2000, and the winemaking moved to its current home in Glen Ellen in 2004. Five acres of estate vineyard, planted from 2000 mainly to Syrah with Grenache, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel and Viognier, supply about 40 percent of the wine. The rest comes from growers under long-term agreements, among them the Rossi Ranch in Kenwood, planted in 1910 and farmed organically. Loxton makes about 3,000 cases a year, as naturally as possible.
This is a working winery, set up so visitors can see every step from grape to glass. Flights are poured indoors and out, and every morning Chris leads the Vineyard Walkabout, a walk and tasting among the vines. Loxton is known for Syrah and Shiraz, along with Zinfandel, Grenache, Chardonnay and an award-winning Port.
Tasting Fees
$20 per person for a tasting flight, indoors or outdoors. $40 for the Vineyard Walkabout with Chris Loxton, a walk and tasting among the vines, daily at 10:30 a.m.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
11466 Dunbar Road, Glen Ellen
AVA
Sonoma Valley
Visiting
Open daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last seating at 4 p.m. Reservations encouraged but not required for tastings; required for the Vineyard Walkabout, daily at 10:30 a.m.
Known For
Syrah and Shiraz, Zinfandel and Port
Founded
1996 (in Glen Ellen since 2004)
Good to Know
Guests may bring a picnic to enjoy among the vines, with a tasting for each adult guest. No outside alcohol.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a Sonoma hotel such as Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa or MacArthur Place.
10:00 · Pickup at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa or MacArthur Place
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, a historic resort with its own geothermal mineral waters, is about 15 minutes from Loxton Cellars, and MacArthur Place, a hotel and spa set in six acres of gardens in Sonoma, about 25. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:30 · Loxton Cellars
The Vineyard Walkabout with Chris Loxton, a walk and tasting among the vines ($40, by reservation), or a tasting flight from 11 a.m. ($20).
11:50 · VJB Cellars
About 5 minutes away. The Belmonte family's Tuscan-style villa in Kenwood, pouring Italian varieties since 2003, with a deli, wood-fired pizza and gelato on the piazza. The Piazza Tasting of current releases and limited wines is $40, by appointment. Open daily from 10 a.m.
1:05 · Lunch at Glen Ellen Village Market
About 15 minutes away. The village grocery on Arnold Drive in Glen Ellen, with sandwiches made to order for lunch on the go. Open daily from 6 a.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:30 · Three Sticks
About 25 minutes away. Estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, poured a block off the Sonoma Plaza in the Vallejo-Casteñada Adobe, built in 1842 by Salvador Vallejo. The Taste of Three Sticks is $85. By reservation only, for up to 6 guests 21 and over; last reservation at 4 p.m.
3:30 · Back to your hotel
Back in Sonoma by 3:40 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. Three Sticks is for guests 21 and over only.
About $145 to $165 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 Loxton Cellars?
Reservations are encouraged but not required for tastings, and walk-ins are welcome. The Vineyard Walkabout requires a reservation. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Loxton Cellars?
$20 per person for a tasting and $40 for the Vineyard Walkabout, as of September 2026.
What is the Loxton Vineyard Walkabout?
A behind-the-scenes walk and tasting among the vines with owner and winemaker Chris Loxton, every day at 10:30 a.m., by reservation.
Can we bring a picnic to Loxton Cellars?
Yes. Guests may picnic among the vines with a tasting for each adult guest. Outside alcohol is not allowed.
Who makes the wine at Loxton Cellars?
Owner and winemaker Chris Loxton, a fourth-generation grape grower from South Australia, who made the first Loxton Cellars wine in 1996.
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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