Russian River Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Merriam Vineyards with a Private Chauffeur
Organic estate vineyards and Bordeaux-style reds in the Eastern Hills just south of Healdsburg, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Peter and Diana Merriam, New Englanders who met there, first visited Sonoma County in 2000 and bought the estate on Los Amigos Road that year, helped by Peter's 20-year retail wine business. They keep a home in Maine and an office in Boston and split their time between coasts. Their son Evan moved to Healdsburg in 2017 and runs the estate day to day, and Will Weese is the winemaker.
Merriam sits in the Eastern Hills at the northeast corner of the Russian River Valley, warm enough in the afternoons for Bordeaux varieties that are rare in the valley. The 21-acre home estate, planted from 2009 to Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, is certified organic by California Certified Organic Farmers. Windacre Vineyard, just north, was first planted in the late 1800s and has grown only Bordeaux varieties since the 1980s; the Merriams bought it in 2000, and its Merlot is the flagship wine.
Visits are relaxed and seated, on the terrace or in the Merriam Estate House among the organic vines, with barn owl boxes and a water reclamation pond. The Single Vineyard Tasting pours five estate wines, the Elevated Tasting adds a charcuterie plate, and a two-hour tour walks the vineyards, winery and cellar with barrel tastings. Dogs are welcome.
Tasting Fees
$35 for the Single Vineyard Tasting of five estate wines, 1.5 hours, daily from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. $65 for the Elevated Tasting with charcuterie, 1.5 hours, and $85 for the two-hour Single Vineyard Tasting & Winery Tour, each Thursday to Sunday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Fees are waived for wine club 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
11650 Los Amigos Road, Healdsburg
AVA
Russian River Valley
Visiting
Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reservations recommended; walk-ins welcome as space allows. Parties of 7 or more call ahead.
Known For
Windacre Vineyard Merlot and organically farmed estate wines
Founded
2000
Good to Know
Children are welcome if supervised at all times. Leashed dogs are welcome. Parties of 7 or more need a reservation by phone or email. No picnics, but charcuterie boards are sold.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a Healdsburg hotel such as The Madrona or h2hotel.
10:00 · Pickup at The Madrona or h2hotel
The Madrona, a 24-room hotel on a historic estate on Westside Road, and h2hotel, a green-roofed hotel just off the Healdsburg plaza, are each about 10 minutes from Merriam Vineyards. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:10 · Merriam Vineyards
The seated Single Vineyard Tasting of five estate wines, 1.5 hours ($35).
12:00 · MacRostie Estate House
About 20 minutes away. A Chardonnay and Pinot Noir specialist whose Estate House on Westside Road looks out over the vineyards. The Signature Experience of five single-vineyard wines is $50, for up to 6 guests, and runs 1 to 2 hours depending on party size. Reservations required; open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
1:15 · Lunch at Costeaux French Bakery
About 15 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.
2:35 · Medlock Ames
About 20 minutes away. Founded in 1998 by college friends Chris Medlock James and Ames Morison, with organically farmed estate wines from Bell Mountain Vineyard. The seated Signature Tasting on the garden patio is one hour ($45). Reservations recommended; open daily 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
3:35 · Back to your hotel
Back in Healdsburg by 3:55 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. This day works any day of the week. The MacRostie tasting runs longer for bigger parties, so we set the timing when we book.
About $130 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 Merriam Vineyards?
Reservations are recommended, and walk-ins are welcome as space allows. Parties of 7 or more call ahead, and the Elevated Tasting and the tour need a reservation. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Merriam Vineyards?
$35 per person for the Single Vineyard Tasting, $65 for the Elevated Tasting and $85 for the tour and tasting, as of September 2026.
What is Merriam Vineyards known for?
Bordeaux-style wines, rare in the Russian River Valley, led by Windacre Vineyard Merlot, along with organically farmed estate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
Can I bring my dog or children to Merriam Vineyards?
Yes. Leashed dogs are welcome, and children are welcome if supervised at all times.
Who owns Merriam Vineyards?
Peter and Diana Merriam, who bought the estate in 2000. Their son Evan Merriam is estate manager.
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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