Green Valley of Russian River Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Matt Crutchfield Wines with a Private Chauffeur
Skin-contact Cortese, Chenin Blanc and Grenache from a young winemaker who came for one harvest and stayed. Matt Crutchfield Wines does not receive visitors; here is what to know, and a day at estates nearby that do host.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Matt Crutchfield's introduction to wine came in a small tasting room in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, and it turned into a calling in Charleston, South Carolina, where he worked in wine bars and shops for two years. He came to Sonoma County to work one harvest and planned to go back to hospitality, but within two weeks he knew he wanted to make wine. Seven harvests in Sonoma and one in New Zealand later, he started his own label.
The wines are small lots of grapes most people don't expect from Sonoma: Cortese, made both direct-press and with skin contact, Chenin Blanc, a white blend called I'm Mixed, a Mourvèdre and Chenin blend, and whole-cluster Grenache, mostly from the 2023 and 2024 vintages. Matt has said he wants to be a role model for winemakers who feel underrepresented in the industry, the figure he wished he had seen when he started.
There is no tasting room. The wines are sold through the winery's online store, a mailing list and a small club with two shipments a year. For a day in the same corner of Forestville and Green Valley, we take guests to family estates nearby that do open their doors.
Tasting Fees
Matt Crutchfield Wines does not offer tastings.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
No tasting room, Forestville
AVA
Green Valley of Russian River Valley
Visiting
Matt Crutchfield Wines has no tasting room and does not offer tastings; the wines are sold online and through the mailing list and club.
Known For
Cortese, Chenin Blanc and whole-cluster Grenache
Founded
Year not published
Good to Know
Join the mailing list or the 6- or 12-bottle club (two shipments a year, 10% off club orders) on the winery's website.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a west county hotel such as Farmhouse Inn or The Sebastopol Inn.
10:00 · Pickup at Farmhouse Inn or The Sebastopol Inn
Farmhouse Inn, a 25-room country inn among the vineyards and redwoods of Forestville, is about 15 minutes from McIlroy Cellars, and The Sebastopol Inn, in downtown Sebastopol, about 20. Since Matt Crutchfield Wines does not host visitors, this day takes you to three estates nearby that do. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:20 · McIlroy Cellars
The first stop. Will and Merry McIlroy's family winery, founded in 1990; Will was once winemaker at Davis Bynum, and the estate Chardonnay comes from Aquarius Ranch in the Russian River flood plain. The ranch is a working vineyard and not open to drop-ins, but the family hosts private tastings by arrangement; we set it up and confirm the fee when we book.
11:45 · Benovia Winery
About 25 minutes away. A family-owned Pinot Noir and Chardonnay house founded in 2005 by Mary Dewane, Joe Anderson and winemaker Mike Sullivan. The seated Estate & Single Vineyard Tasting of five or six wines is $45. Reservations required; open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the last tasting at 3 p.m.
1:10 · Lunch at Willow Wood Market Cafe
About 25 minutes away. A café, soda fountain and general store at the center of Graton since 1995, serving down-home comfort food. Lunch from 11:30 a.m., with brunch on Sundays. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:35 · Joseph Swan Vineyards
About 15 minutes away. Retired airline pilot Joe Swan made his first wine here in 1968 from old Zinfandel vines, then replanted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay at the urging of his friend and mentor André Tchelistcheff. Tastings are complimentary for you and up to three guests, among the barrels or outside over the estate vineyard. Open Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
3:35 · Back to your hotel
Back in Forestville by 3:45 p.m., or Sebastopol by 4:00 p.m.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. Joseph Swan opens only on weekends, so this day works Saturday and Sunday. McIlroy is by private arrangement, and we confirm the time when we book.
About $45 per person at Benovia, and Joseph Swan's tasting is complimentary for up to four; McIlroy's fee is to be verified upon reservation. Each is paid directly to the 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
Can you visit Matt Crutchfield Wines?
No. There is no tasting room, and the wines are sold online and through the mailing list and club, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at family estates nearby that do host.
How can I buy Matt Crutchfield wine?
Through the winery's online store, its mailing list, or the 6- or 12-bottle club, which ships twice a year.
Who makes Matt Crutchfield Wines?
Matt Crutchfield himself, after seven harvests in Sonoma County and one in New Zealand.
What wines does Matt Crutchfield make?
Small lots of Cortese, direct-press and skin-contact, Chenin Blanc, the I'm Mixed white blend, a Mourvèdre and Chenin blend, and whole-cluster Grenache.
Where is Matt Crutchfield Wines based?
In Forestville, in west Sonoma County's Green Valley; there is no tasting room to visit.
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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