Green Valley of Russian River Valley · Sonoma County
Visit McIlroy Cellars with a Private Chauffeur
A family winery making estate Chardonnay since 1990, open for private tastings by arrangement, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Will McIlroy was born in England and came to the Bay Area as a boy. In 1972 his family bought a 52-acre farm on Westside Road in the Russian River Valley, Aquarius Ranch, and Will, then 17, went on to study viticulture and enology at UC Davis, where he met his wife, Merry, a food science graduate. They came back to the ranch to raise their children and work the vineyard with his parents, and in 1990 they founded McIlroy Cellars; the first crush was 290 cases of Chardonnay.
Will was also winemaker at Davis Bynum, and the family has farmed its 42 acres since the late 1970s without fertilizers or pesticides. Aquarius Ranch lies in the flood plain of the Russian River, where winter floods renew the deep soil and morning fog stretches the ripening season, which is why the estate is known for Chardonnay. The wines are made in a facility with a four-tier gravity-flow system and solar power, and the lineup now runs to Pinot Noir, rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. Their children, Nicholas, Julia and Katrina, have joined the business.
The ranch is a working vineyard, not a tasting room, and the family says plainly that it is hard to just drop in. But they love to entertain guests, and a private tasting arranged ahead is a chance to sit with a family that has made wine here for more than 35 years.
Tasting Fees
Tasting fees to be verified upon reservation.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
4950 Ross Road, Sebastopol
AVA
Green Valley of Russian River Valley
Visiting
Not open to the public; private tastings are scheduled by contacting the family. We make the request on your behalf.
Known For
Estate Aquarius Ranch Chardonnay and Russian River Valley Chardonnay
Founded
1990
Good to Know
Visits are private and arranged ahead with the family; group size, age and pet policies are not published, so we confirm them when we book. The wines are sold through the online shop and in some stores.
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. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:20 · McIlroy Cellars
A private tasting with the McIlroy family, arranged ahead; we plan about an hour and confirm the fee when we book.
11:35 · DRNK Wines
About 15 minutes away. Ryan Kunde, of the fifth generation of the Kunde winegrowing family, ages his wines in a hidden 300-foot cave atop Laguna Ridge, one of only four in the Russian River Valley. The Private Cave Tasting is $75, and the Cave Tour & Patio Tasting $35. Open Friday to Sunday, by appointment only; families and leashed dogs welcome.
12:55 · Lunch at Handline
About 20 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.
2:15 · Singer Wine, Baker Lane Estate
About 10 minutes away. Stephen Singer, once wine director at Chez Panisse, farms Syrah, Viognier and Tuscan olive trees on his Baker Lane Estate in the Sebastopol hills. The Home & Estate Visit is a private tableside tasting with Stephen, with light fare and the estate olive oil ($85, 60 to 90 minutes); the Studio Visit adds his art studio and a library wine ($100). By appointment, arranged by email; 2-guest minimum.
3:30 · Back to your hotel
Back in Sebastopol by 3:45 p.m., or Forestville by 4:05 p.m.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. This day works Friday to Sunday, when DRNK hosts. McIlroy and Singer are both by appointment, and we confirm times with each when we book.
About $160 per person at DRNK ($75) and Singer ($85); McIlroy's tasting 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 I visit McIlroy Cellars?
Yes, by private arrangement. Aquarius Ranch is a working vineyard and not open to drop-ins, but the family hosts private tastings booked ahead. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at McIlroy Cellars?
McIlroy does not publish a tasting fee; tasting fees are to be verified upon reservation.
What is McIlroy Cellars known for?
Chardonnay, especially the Reserve from its Aquarius Ranch estate vineyard in the Russian River flood plain, along with Pinot Noir, rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel.
Who owns McIlroy Cellars?
Will and Merry McIlroy, who founded it in 1990; Will is the winemaker, and their three grown children work in the business.
Where can I buy McIlroy wine?
Through the winery's online shop, or ask the family where to find it in stores.
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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