Russian River Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Martin Ray with a Private Chauffeur
A historic California wine name at one of the state's oldest continually working wineries, with a terrace wine bar on Laguna Ridge, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Martin Ray made single-varietal, region-specific wines in Saratoga, in the Santa Cruz Mountains, from 1943 to 1972. Mentored by Paul Masson, he took a Burgundian approach and built what became the historic Mount Eden property. Nearly twenty years later Courtney Benham came across 1,500 cases of Martin Ray wine in a San Jose warehouse, bought the brand, and has made wine under the name since 1990.
In 2003 Martin Ray moved to the Russian River Valley, on the edge of Green Valley, at one of the oldest continually working wineries in California. The estate has 12 acres of Pinot Noir clones, and the team, led by director of winemaking Leslie Mead Renaud, also makes old-vine Chardonnay from Green Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley mountain sites, including Diamond Mountain, and the Santa Cruz Mountains. The winery also makes the Synthesis and Angeline wines.
The visit centers on the Appellation Tasting, which moves across those regions in one sitting, and a terrace wine bar that pours by the taste, glass or bottle on Laguna Ridge. It suits a group with mixed tastes, since there is Pinot Noir and Cabernet on the same table.
Tasting Fees
$45 for The Appellation Tasting. The Winebar on the Terrace pours by the taste, glass or bottle.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
2191 Laguna Road, Santa Rosa
AVA
Russian River Valley
Visiting
Open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Prepaid reservations for the Appellation Tasting; the terrace wine bar takes reservations too.
Known For
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley and the Santa Cruz Mountains
Founded
1943 (owned by Courtney Benham since 1990; in the Russian River Valley since 2003)
Good to Know
Reservations take 1 to 6 guests. The property cannot accommodate outside food.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at about 10:35 a.m. from Vinarosa Resort & Spa in Santa Rosa or 10:45 from Farmhouse Inn in Forestville.
10:35 · Pickup at Vinarosa or Farmhouse Inn
Vinarosa Resort & Spa, set among 92 acres of vineyards in Santa Rosa, is about 25 minutes from Martin Ray, and Farmhouse Inn, a 25-room country inn among the vineyards and redwoods of Forestville, about 10. Martin Ray opens at 11, so we pick up at about 10:35 in Santa Rosa and 10:45 in Forestville. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
11:00 · Martin Ray
The Appellation Tasting ($45), with time on the terrace.
12:15 · Lunch at Underwood Bar and Bistro
About 15 minutes away. A bistro in the village of Graton with red vinyl banquettes, a nickel-topped bar and an open-air patio. Lunch is served Wednesday to Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
1:35 · Pellegrini-Olivet Lane
About 20 minutes away. The Pellegrini family's Olivet Lane Vineyard, planted in 1975 and home to what the family calls the Russian River Valley's oldest still-producing Pinot Noir vines; its grapes have gone to Williams Selyem, Merry Edwards and Gary Farrell. The Classic Wine Tasting of five wines, in the tasting room, the garden or the olive grove, is $30 and 60 minutes. Open Thursday to Monday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
2:50 · Paul Hobbs Winery
About 15 minutes away. Paul Hobbs's Katherine Lindsay Estate, with a winery designed by architect Howard Backen; Hobbs was on the founding team at Opus One before starting his own label in 1991. The seated Signature Tasting of four wines with house-made dips, flatbreads and vegetables from the estate garden is $95, about 75 minutes, for up to 8 guests. Reservations required; 21 and over.
4:05 · Back to your hotel
Back in Forestville by 4:20 p.m., or Santa Rosa by 4:35, within six hours of pickup.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. Martin Ray opens at 11, so this day starts later, and it works Thursday to Sunday, when Pellegrini-Olivet Lane is open and Underwood serves lunch.
About $170 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 Martin Ray?
Yes. The Appellation Tasting is a prepaid reservation for 1 to 6 guests. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Martin Ray?
$45 per person for The Appellation Tasting, as of September 2026.
Who was Martin Ray?
A Santa Cruz Mountains winemaker who made single-varietal wines in Saratoga from 1943 to 1972, mentored by Paul Masson. Courtney Benham has owned the brand since 1990.
Can I bring a picnic to Martin Ray?
No. The property cannot accommodate outside food, but the terrace wine bar pours by the glass and bottle.
Where is Martin Ray?
On Laguna Road in the Russian River Valley, west of Santa Rosa, on the edge of Green 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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