Russian River Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Marine Layer with a Private Chauffeur
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from fog-bound vineyards, poured in a small tasting room off the Healdsburg plaza, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Marine Layer is the long-held dream of Baron Ziegler, a collector who bought his first wines at 15 and took a job in a Boston wine shop at 18. He and winemaker Rob Fischer worked together for years at Banshee Wines before building this Sonoma Coast-focused brand, sourced only from what they consider the region's best vineyards. Rob, a Napa native, started more than 20 years ago in the Domaine Carneros tasting room and has made wine from Santa Barbara to New Zealand.
The name honors the blanket of Pacific fog that pours over the Sonoma Coast; the long, cool hang time gives the wines bright acidity and balance. The fruit comes from celebrated sites such as Charles Heintz Vineyard near Occidental, Gap's Crown in the Petaluma Gap and Jentoft, and from Marine Layer's own six-acre vineyard on a southwest-facing slope in the Sebastopol Hills, planted to Wente-clone Chardonnay and Calera, Mount Eden, 667 and 115 clones of Pinot Noir. The approach: sustainable farming, heritage clones and hand harvesting.
The tasting room is a small, comfortable space on Center Street, a block off the plaza. There are two flights, each of five wines: a Single Vineyard Exploration of Sonoma Coast Pinot Noirs from three of its sub-appellations, and an Appellation Exploration that ranges more widely. You choose when you arrive, which makes it an easy, unhurried first stop.
Tasting Fees
$40 per person for the Single Vineyard Exploration of five Sonoma Coast Pinot Noirs. $40 per person for the Appellation Exploration of five limited-production wines.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
308 B Center Street, Healdsburg
AVA
Russian River Valley
Visiting
Reservations are encouraged, and walk-ins are welcome when space allows. The winery does not publish its hours on its visit page; we confirm times when booking.
Known For
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from cool, fog-influenced vineyards
Founded
Not published by the winery
Good to Know
Pets are not allowed because the space is small. The room can be booked for private events of up to 70 guests, and the winery also pours off-site for groups of 12 or more.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:50 a.m. from a Healdsburg hotel such as Hotel Healdsburg or The Madrona.
10:50 · Pickup at Hotel Healdsburg or The Madrona
Hotel Healdsburg, on the town plaza, and The Madrona, a 24-room hotel on a historic estate on Westside Road, are each about 5 minutes from Marine Layer. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
11:00 · Marine Layer Wines
The first stop. The Single Vineyard Exploration of five Sonoma Coast Pinot Noirs ($40); we confirm the opening time when we book.
12:10 · Viszlay Vineyards
About 10 minutes away. A family-owned boutique winery atop a vineyard-covered hill on Limerick Lane, pouring small-lot wines from its 10-acre estate that are sold only at the winery and through its club. The Reserve and Library Tasting is $40 and the Daily Tasting $20, each about an hour; a seasonal Vineyard Walk Tasting goes out at 11:30 a.m. ($30, 75 minutes). Open daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; reservations recommended.
1:20 · Lunch at Costeaux French Bakery
About 10 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.
3:00 · Robert Young Estate Winery
About 25 minutes away. Six generations of the Young family have farmed this Alexander Valley ranch since 1858; Robert Young was the first to plant Cabernet Sauvignon in the valley, and his son Fred founded the estate winery in 1997. Tastings are hosted at the Scion House, mostly outside on the back terrace with views over the valley: the signature tasting is $50 and the reserve flight of single-block wines with light bites $85, each 90 minutes, at 11 a.m., 1 or 3 p.m. Reservations required, Wednesday to Monday.
4:30 · Back to your hotel
Back in Healdsburg by 4:55 p.m.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. Robert Young hosts Wednesday to Monday at set times, so this day works Wednesday to Monday, with lunch a little after 1 and the 3 p.m. Robert Young tasting. It ends around 4:55.
About $110 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 Marine Layer?
Reservations are encouraged, and walk-ins are welcome when space allows. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Marine Layer?
Both flights, the Single Vineyard Exploration and the Appellation Exploration, are $40 per person, as of September 2026.
Who founded Marine Layer?
Baron Ziegler, with winemaker Rob Fischer, who worked together at Banshee Wines before starting Marine Layer.
Where are Marine Layer's vineyards?
On the Sonoma Coast, including its own six-acre vineyard in the Sebastopol Hills and sites such as Charles Heintz and Gap's Crown. The tasting room is at 308 B Center Street in Healdsburg.
Can I bring my dog to Marine Layer?
No. Because the tasting room is small, pets are not allowed.
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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