Bennett Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Matanzas Creek with a Private Chauffeur
Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and three acres of lavender in Bennett Valley, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Sandra MacIver founded Matanzas Creek in 1977, naming it for the creek that runs past the estate, and hired Merry Edwards as its first winemaker. The first Matanzas Creek Sauvignon Blanc came from the 1980 vintage, David Ramey became winemaker in 1989, and Wine Spectator named MacIver one of the 20 most influential people in the modern wine industry in 1996. Jess Jackson and Barbara Banke bought the winery in 2000.
In 1984 the winery planted its Jackson Park Vineyard to 90 acres of the Pétrus clone of Merlot, suited to the cool, coastal influence of Bennett Valley. Matanzas Creek led the effort that made Bennett Valley an AVA in 2003. Marcia Torres Forno has been winemaker since 2011, picking blocks at different moments and using varied fermentation vessels to keep the wines aromatic.
The estate is known for its lavender: three acres of gardens that bloom from mid-May through the end of July, hand-cut and dried in the lavender barn and sold in the Lavender Market in the tasting room. Tastings are seated, with views of old oaks and the lavender fields, and range from a five-wine estate flight to older vintages from the cellar.
Tasting Fees
$35 for the Estate Tasting of five estate wines. $55 for the Cellar Selection Tasting of older vintages. Picnic and bottle service tables are $50, or $25 on weekdays, with wine bought by the 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
6097 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa
AVA
Bennett Valley
Visiting
Open daily by reservation only: Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Known For
Sauvignon Blanc, Bennett Valley Merlot and its lavender gardens
Founded
1977
Good to Know
Reservations are required for tastings. Picnic and bottle service tables take parties of 1 to 12, and dogs and children are allowed with them. The Lavender Market gift shop is open daily without a reservation. No outside alcohol.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a Santa Rosa hotel such as Flamingo Resort or Hotel La Rose.
10:00 · Pickup at Flamingo Resort or Hotel La Rose
Flamingo Resort, a resort with a pool and spa on Santa Rosa's east side, and Hotel La Rose, a 1907 hotel in Santa Rosa's historic Railroad Square, are each about 20 minutes from Matanzas Creek, out through Bennett Valley. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:20 · Matanzas Creek
The Estate Tasting of five wines ($35), then a walk through the lavender gardens.
11:55 · Benziger
About 30 minutes away. The Benziger family's Biodynamic ranch on Sonoma Mountain since 1980, with sheep and Scottish Highland cattle among the vines. The Reserve Seated Tasting of five small-production wines is $35, for guests 21 and over. Walk-ins welcome at the main bar; open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
1:00 · Lunch at Glen Ellen Village Market
About 5 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.
2:25 · St. Francis Winery
About 15 minutes away. Founded by Joe Martin, who planted the first 60 acres of Merlot in Sonoma Valley in 1971, with a mission-style bell tower at the tasting room. The Artisan Flight of five wines is about 75 minutes ($45). Reservations required; open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
3:40 · Back to your hotel
Back in Santa Rosa by 4:00 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
Optional: Chateau St. Jean
Adds about an hour. Chateau St. Jean is about 5 minutes from St. Francis. Walk-ins are welcome for the Classic Bar Tasting of three wines ($30, about 60 minutes); open daily until 5 p.m.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. This day works Friday to Sunday, when Matanzas Creek opens at 10 a.m.; Monday to Thursday it opens at 11 a.m., and we adjust the day to match.
About $115 to $135 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 Matanzas Creek?
Yes. Tastings are by reservation only, seven days a week. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Matanzas Creek?
$35 per person for the Estate Tasting and $55 for the Cellar Selection Tasting, as of September 2026.
When is the lavender in bloom at Matanzas Creek?
From mid-May through the end of July. The Lavender Market in the tasting room is open daily and sells lavender products made at the estate.
Who owns Matanzas Creek?
Jess Jackson and Barbara Banke bought the winery in 2000. Sandra MacIver founded it in 1977.
Where is Matanzas Creek?
On Bennett Valley Road, about six miles from downtown Santa Rosa.
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.
Reserve Your Tour{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Winery","name":"Matanzas Creek Winery","url":"https://www.matanzascreek.com/","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"6097 Bennett Valley Road","addressLocality":"Santa Rosa","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95404","addressCountry":"US"},"foundingDate":"1977"},{"@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Do I need a reservation at Matanzas Creek?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. Tastings are by reservation only, seven days a week. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How much is a tasting at Matanzas Creek?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"$35 per person for the Estate Tasting and $55 for the Cellar Selection Tasting, as of September 2026."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"When is the lavender in bloom at Matanzas Creek?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"From mid-May through the end of July. The Lavender Market in the tasting room is open daily and sells lavender products made at the estate."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Who owns Matanzas Creek?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Jess Jackson and Barbara Banke bought the winery in 2000. Sandra MacIver founded it in 1977."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Where is Matanzas Creek?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"On Bennett Valley Road, about six miles from downtown Santa Rosa."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How does booking a tour with Bien Chauffeured work?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"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."}}]}]}