Fountaingrove District · Sonoma County
Visit Mila Family Vineyards with a Private Chauffeur
Biodynamic Grenache from a family wine farm, poured at private tastings above Santa Rosa, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Michael Oravecz and Loretta DiChiro developed commercial real estate together in Ohio for two decades while dreaming of growing grapes. A bottle of Alvaro Palacios' L'Ermita from Priorat set them on a quest for great Grenache, and in 2003 they bought a ranch between Geyserville and Healdsburg. They spent 12 years preparing and tending the vineyard before bottling their first vintage, and with Amish master carpenters they moved two historic barns from Ohio to the farm, one dating to 1860.
The 54-acre farm sits in Alexander Valley, nine miles northeast of Healdsburg, and is farmed biodynamically. Before planting, Dr. Susan Hubbard of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory mapped its soils with soil pits, radar and other tools, which guided the division of the vineyard into 15 blocks, and biodynamic consultant Alan York matched each rootstock to its site. They grow Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon, with the Grenache and Carignan head-pruned in the Old World style. Michael prunes and harvests himself, Steve Beckmen advises on vineyard and winery, and Kian Tavakoli, formerly of Opus One and Clos Du Val, is consulting winemaker.
The family's published address for private tastings is on Thomas Lake Harris Drive in the Fountaingrove hills above Santa Rosa, a few minutes from downtown. Tastings are by appointment only, so we arrange them with the family on your behalf. It is a chance to taste Grenache made with real obsession, from a small winery whose wines are rarely on store shelves.
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
4543 Thomas Lake Harris Drive, Santa Rosa
AVA
Fountaingrove District
Visiting
Private tastings by appointment only. We arrange the visit on your behalf and confirm times when booking.
Known For
Biodynamic estate Grenache, along with Syrah, Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon
Founded
2003 (ranch purchased)
Good to Know
Visits are private and arranged in advance. Group size, children and pets are confirmed with the winery when we book. Club members receive complimentary tastings for up to 6 guests once or twice a year, depending on membership.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 9:45 a.m. from a Santa Rosa hotel such as Vinarosa or Hotel La Rose.
9:45 · Pickup at Vinarosa or Hotel La Rose
Vinarosa Resort & Spa, set among 92 acres of vineyards in Santa Rosa, and Hotel La Rose, a 1907 hotel in Santa Rosa's historic Railroad Square, are each about 15 minutes from Mila's tasting address on Thomas Lake Harris Drive. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:00 · Mila Family Vineyards
A private tasting by appointment; we arrange it with the family and confirm the fee when we book.
11:30 · Chalk Hill Estate
About 30 minutes away. Founded in 1972, with more than two-thirds of the estate left wild and 23 Chardonnay clones in the vineyard; tastings are poured in an elevated tasting room and on a patio that looks out over the vines. The Vineyard Overlook Tasting is $50 and the Taste of Estate Flight of four reserve wines $75, each about 90 minutes; the two-hour Estate & Garden Hummer Tour is $150, Wednesday to Sunday. Open daily 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; reservations encouraged.
1:25 · Lunch at Bravas Bar de Tapas
About 25 minutes away. James Beard finalists Mark and Terri Stark's tapas bar on Center Street, steps from the Healdsburg plaza, with paella, Spanish wines and tables indoors or outside. Open daily from 11:30 a.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:50 · Aperture Cellars
About 10 minutes away. Jesse Katz's estate winery, opened in 2020, where gallery rooms built around the photography of his father, Andy Katz, look out over vines first planted in 1912; Katz was the first winemaker named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. The seated Soil Series tasting of Bordeaux-style blends is $50 and the Site Series $75, each about 90 minutes. Reservations required, 21 and over.
4:20 · Back to your hotel
Back in Santa Rosa by 4:45 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. Mila's tastings are private and by appointment, so we confirm the day and time with the family when we book.
About $100 to $150 per person in tasting fees for Chalk Hill Estate and Aperture, paid directly to each winery; Mila's tasting 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
Do I need an appointment at Mila Family Vineyards?
Yes. Tastings are private and by appointment only. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Mila Family Vineyards?
Tasting fees are to be verified upon reservation; the winery does not publish a fee. Club members receive complimentary tastings.
Where is the Mila vineyard?
The 54-acre biodynamic farm is in Alexander Valley, between Geyserville and Healdsburg. Private tastings are at the family's address on Thomas Lake Harris Drive in Santa Rosa's Fountaingrove District.
What is Mila known for?
Grenache. The owners were inspired by Priorat's L'Ermita, planted Grenache as their signature grape, and also grow Syrah, Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Who owns Mila Family Vineyards?
Michael Oravecz and Loretta DiChiro, who bought the ranch in 2003 after two decades in commercial real estate in Ohio.
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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