West Sonoma Coast · Sonoma County
Visit Occidental with a Private Chauffeur
The Kistler family's single-vineyard Pinot Noir from the coastal headlands around Freestone and Occidental, now made by Catherine Kistler. Occidental hosts mailing list members with a purchasing history by appointment; here is how to visit, and a day at sought-after estates nearby.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Occidental is the Kistler family's Pinot Noir project, focused on unique sites on the uplifted marine terraces and ridges around the town of Bodega. Catherine Kistler's father planted the Occidental Vineyard in 1995, founded the small brand in 2011 and built a winery just east of Bodega overlooking the Pacific. Catherine joined him full time in 2017 and is now Winemaker and CEO; Occidental is wholly owned by her and her sister Elizabeth.
The family farms 85 acres of Pinot Noir in the Freestone-Occidental area, which it calls the extreme western edge of where Pinot Noir can be grown in California. The spring 2026 release is five 2023 single-vineyard wines: Bodega Headlands Vineyard Cuvée Elizabeth, Running Fence Vineyard Cuvée Catherine, SWK Vineyard, Bodega Ridge Vineyard and Occidental Station Vineyard. Antonio Galloni of Vinous scored the 2023 SWK Vineyard 100 points, and Decanter placed the 2022 Bodega Headlands Cuvée Elizabeth second on its Top 50 US Wines list for 2025.
Wines are sold by allocation to the mailing list. There is no public tasting room: only mailing list members with a purchasing history may request an appointment at the winery, and priority goes to active buyers. The day below stays in the Freestone and Green Valley country just inland, at three estates that host anyone who books.
Tasting Fees
Occidental does not offer public tastings; visits are a privilege of purchasing mailing list members.
On the day below, tastings are $40 at Black Kite, $35 at Red Car and $35 at Iron Horse, paid directly to each winery.
Tasting fees as of October 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
Bodega
AVA
West Sonoma Coast
Visiting
Occidental is not open to the public; mailing list members with a purchasing history may request a visit by appointment, with priority for active buyers.
Known For
Single-vineyard West Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir from the Freestone-Occidental area
Founded
2011 (Occidental Vineyard planted 1995)
Good to Know
Join the mailing list at occidentalwines.com to receive an allocation. Members with a purchase history can request a visit there. Contact 707-827-1655 or info@occidentalwines.com.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as the Inn at Occidental or Sonoma Coast Villa in Bodega.
10:00 · Pickup at The Inn at Occidental or Sonoma Coast Villa
Alongside a visit to Occidental, which we request by appointment through its mailing list, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby. The Inn at Occidental is about 10 minutes from the first stop, and Sonoma Coast Villa about 5. The day runs about six and a quarter hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Black Kite Cellars
About 5 to 10 minutes away. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay poured at Jasper House in the village of Freestone. The Jasper House Experience, a seated tasting of six wines, is $40; allow 90 minutes. By appointment only, with prepaid reservations.
12:05 · Lunch at Willow Wood Market Cafe
About 15 minutes away. Lunch at Willow Wood Market Cafe, a casual cafe and market in the village of Graton. We confirm hours when we book. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
1:25 · Red Car Wine
About 5 minutes away. Pinot Noir, Syrah and Chardonnay from vineyards near the Pacific, poured to walk-ins daily on Graton Road. The Coastal Reserve Tasting of single-vineyard wines is $35, about an hour. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., last tasting at 4.
3:00 · Iron Horse Vineyards
About 10 minutes away. Estate sparkling wine served at the White House since 1985, tasted outdoors on a Green Valley hilltop. The Tasting with a View is $35, about an hour. By appointment, with seatings on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
4:00 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:20 p.m., about six and a quarter hours after pickup.
All three wineries are open daily. Iron Horse seats on the hour and books up about two weeks ahead for weekends, so we reserve it first.
About $110 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
Can I visit Occidental?
Yes, as a mailing list member with a purchasing history. Occidental's website says these members may request a visit by appointment, with priority for active buyers, as of October 2026.
How can I buy Occidental wine?
Join the mailing list at occidentalwines.com to receive an allocation in future releases.
Who makes Occidental?
Catherine Kistler, Winemaker and CEO, who owns Occidental with her sister Elizabeth. Their father founded the brand in 2011.
Where do Occidental's grapes come from?
From 85 acres of family-farmed Pinot Noir in the Freestone-Occidental area, including the Bodega Headlands, Running Fence, SWK, Bodega Ridge and Occidental Station vineyards.
Has Occidental been highly rated?
Yes. Antonio Galloni of Vinous scored the 2023 SWK Vineyard 100 points, and Decanter ranked the 2022 Bodega Headlands Cuvée Elizabeth second on its Top 50 US Wines for 2025.
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 833-915-2436.
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