Russian River Valley · Sonoma County
Visit McCarter Cellars with a Private Chauffeur
Award-winning Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer and rosé from a winemaker who turned an award-winning hobby into a label. McCarter Cellars does not receive visitors; here is what to know, and a day at sought-after estates nearby that do host.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Dennis McCarter, owner and winemaker, had long dreamed of making extraordinary wines from Sonoma County, and he won many awards for his hobby wine before turning professional. McCarter Cellars was established in 2022, and its first wines, from the 2022 vintage, went on sale in March 2023. The label's tagline is "Blending Diversity, Pouring Love", and he seeks inclusivity in every part of the wine experience.
McCarter makes small lots from Sonoma County grapes, with a focus on the Russian River Valley: Pinot Noir, a dry Gewürztraminer, Rosé of Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel. The awards kept coming after he went pro: the 2022 Forchini Pinot Noir was Best of Class, Double Gold and 98 points at the Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge, the 2023 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir Best of Class and Double Gold at the Harvest Terroir Challenge, and the 2024 Rosé of Pinot Noir took gold at the 2026 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
There is no tasting room or published visiting program. The wines are sold online, delivered locally in Sonoma County and shipped to most of the country, sold at Bottle Barn in Santa Rosa and Penngrove Market, and poured at restaurants such as Grossman's Noshery & Bar and Jackson's Bar and Oven in Santa Rosa. The wine club ships three times a year, and every club is customizable. For a day of small-lot Russian River Valley wines from the people who make them, we take guests to wineries nearby that host.
Tasting Fees
McCarter Cellars 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
3358 Coffey Lane, Santa Rosa
AVA
Russian River Valley
Visiting
McCarter Cellars has no tasting room and does not publish a visiting program. Wines are sold online, through the wine club and at local stores and restaurants.
Known For
Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, dry Gewürztraminer and Rosé of Pinot Noir
Founded
2022 (first wines released in March 2023)
Good to Know
Buy online or at Bottle Barn in Santa Rosa and Penngrove Market. The wine club releases three times a year in 2-, 4-, 6- and 12-bottle tiers. Contact: info@mccartercellars.com or 707-324-9233.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a Santa Rosa hotel such as Hotel E or Hotel La Rose.
10:00 · Pickup at Hotel E or Hotel La Rose
Hotel E, a restored 1906 Beaux-Arts landmark on the square in downtown Santa Rosa, and Hotel La Rose, a 1907 hotel in Santa Rosa's historic Railroad Square, are each about 25 minutes from Perri Jaye's estate. Since McCarter Cellars does not host visitors, this day takes you to three small Russian River Valley wineries nearby that do. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:25 · Perri Jaye Vineyards
About 25 minutes away. Perri Jaye farms one hectare of Pinot Noir in the Russian River Valley herself, with honeybee hives and a pollinator garden among the vines, and hand-fills every bottle unfined and unfiltered; her 2021 Pinot Noir took her fourth Double Gold at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Tastings by appointment at the estate; we confirm the address and fee when we book.
11:40 · Furthermore Wines
About 15 minutes away. Bob Zeches and Chad Richard's Pinot Noir house on Gravenstein Highway, where Ross Cobb, formerly of Williams Selyem and Flowers, has made the wine since 2019; there is a courtyard bocce court in the shade of a giant sequoia. Tastings are $30, refunded with a two-bottle purchase. Open daily 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; we book ahead.
12:55 · Lunch at Handline
About 15 minutes away. A casual Sebastopol spot, open since 2016, with seasonal food from local farmers and fishermen, served mostly outdoors. Open daily from 11 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 · Black Kite Cellars
About 25 minutes away. Tom Birdsall and Rebecca Green Birdsall's Pinot Noir and Chardonnay house pours at Jasper House, opened in 2024 as the only tasting room in the historic village of Freestone, with a Living Room and a Dining Room for seated tastings. The Jasper House Experience of six wines is $40, about 90 minutes. By appointment only, with prepaid reservations, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
4:00 · Back to your hotel
Back in Santa Rosa by 4:35 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. Black Kite's seated tasting runs about 90 minutes in Freestone, so this day ends around 4:35.
About $70 per person in tasting fees for Furthermore and Black Kite, paid directly to each winery; Perri Jaye's fee is to be verified upon reservation.
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 McCarter Cellars?
No. McCarter Cellars has no tasting room and does not publish a visiting program, as of September 2026.
How can I buy McCarter Cellars wine?
Online, through the wine club, at Bottle Barn in Santa Rosa and Penngrove Market, or by the glass at restaurants such as Grossman's Noshery & Bar and Jackson's Bar and Oven.
Who makes McCarter Cellars wine?
Dennis McCarter, owner and winemaker, who founded the label in 2022.
Where is McCarter Cellars?
In Santa Rosa, in the Russian River Valley; the wines come from Sonoma County vineyards.
What is McCarter Cellars known for?
Award-winning Pinot Noir, including the 2022 Forchini Pinot Noir, Best of Class and 98 points at the North Coast Wine Challenge, and a dry Russian River Valley Gewürztraminer.
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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