Alexander Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Medlock Ames with a Private Chauffeur
Organically farmed Bell Mountain wines poured on a garden patio in Alexander Valley, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
College best friends Chris Medlock James and Ames Morison founded Medlock Ames in 1998. As roommates in New York City they shared the Bordeaux wines they loved and decided to make that kind of wine from California grapes. After looking at more than 100 properties, they chose Bell Mountain Ranch, off Chalk Hill Road, where a few dozen acres of neglected Merlot grew below Bell Mountain.
The ranch covers 338 acres at the southern tip of Alexander Valley, where it overlaps the Russian River Valley, and only 44 acres are planted to vines, on hillsides suited to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc. The rest holds 650 olive trees, an orchard, a market garden and wild land, with a wildlife corridor running through the vineyards to the neighboring Pepperwood Preserve. Seven solar arrays on the ranch help power the winery and offices, and every wine is made from grapes grown at Bell Mountain.
Tastings are at the winery's Historic Healdsburg Tasting Room, at the corner of Highway 128 and Alexander Valley Road. The Signature Tasting pours red and white estate wines on an outdoor patio overlooking the gardens, and a seated Cabernet Sauvignon tasting pours from magnums.
Tasting Fees
$45 for the one-hour Signature Tasting on the patio. $45 for the seated Cabernet Sauvignon Magnum Tasting, one hour. Both are complimentary for members.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
3487 Alexander Valley Road, Healdsburg
AVA
Alexander Valley
Visiting
Open daily 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Reservations recommended, and required for the Cabernet Sauvignon Magnum Tasting and for parties of 6 or more.
Known For
Organically farmed Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc from Bell Mountain Vineyard
Founded
1998
Good to Know
Leashed dogs are welcome at the Signature Tasting. Parties of 6 or more must reserve ahead by phone, and group tasting rates apply.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a Healdsburg hotel such as Montage Healdsburg or Hotel Healdsburg.
10:00 · Pickup at Montage Healdsburg or Hotel Healdsburg
Montage Healdsburg, a resort of 130 bungalow-style rooms and suites among the vineyards on the north side of town, and Hotel Healdsburg, on the town plaza, are each about 20 minutes from Medlock Ames. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:20 · Medlock Ames
The Signature Tasting on the garden patio, one hour ($45).
11:40 · Rockpile Vineyards
About 20 minutes away. The tasting lounge in downtown Healdsburg for Rockpile Vineyards, whose ranch sits high on the ridge above Lake Sonoma. The seated Heritage flight of four wines is $25 and the six-wine Summit flight is $40. Appointments recommended; open daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., last seating at 4.
12:45 · Lunch at Costeaux French Bakery
About 5 minutes away. There has been a bakery on this stretch of Healdsburg Avenue since 1923, and the Seppi family has run it as Costeaux since 1981. The café serves hearty seasonal dishes indoors or on the patio. Open daily from 7:30 a.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:00 · Mauritson
About 15 minutes away. The Mauritson family has grown grapes in Dry Creek Valley since 1868 and farms vineyards in the Rockpile hills. The seated Signature Tasting of new releases is about 90 minutes ($30). By reservation only.
3:30 · Back to your hotel
Back in Healdsburg by 3:45 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting, with lunch in Healdsburg in the middle. This day works Wednesday to Monday; Mauritson seats tastings by reservation only, so we confirm its time when we book.
About $100 to $115 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 Medlock Ames?
Reservations are recommended for the Signature Tasting and required for the Cabernet Sauvignon Magnum Tasting and for parties of 6 or more. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Medlock Ames?
$45 per person for either the Signature Tasting or the Cabernet Sauvignon Magnum Tasting, as of September 2026. Both are complimentary for members.
Are Medlock Ames wines organic?
The winery farms its Bell Mountain Vineyard organically and makes its wines only from grapes it grows there. Most of the 338-acre ranch is left in its natural state.
Can I bring my dog to Medlock Ames?
Yes. Leashed dogs are welcome at the Signature Tasting.
Where is Medlock Ames?
The tasting room is at the corner of Highway 128 and Alexander Valley Road in Alexander Valley, about 20 minutes from the Healdsburg plaza. The winery and vineyards are at Bell Mountain Ranch on Chalk Hill Road.
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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