Green Valley of Russian River Valley · Sonoma County
Visit O'Connell Vineyards with a Private Chauffeur
Single-clone estate Pinot Noir from a Sebastopol apple-growing family on Vine Hill Road. O'Connell Vineyards does not receive visitors for tastings; here is what to know, and a day at estates nearby that do host.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
The O'Connell family has grown apples in Sebastopol since 1913. In 2002 Jan and Dan O'Connell planted Pinot Noir in the Gold Ridge soil of their ranch on Vine Hill Road, in the Vine Hill corner of the Russian River Valley, and in 2006 they harvested their first vintage, 300 cases of Pinot Noir and a small lot of dry rosé.
Both estate Pinot Noirs are 100% Pommard clone, from opposite sides of the property: J-Elise, on the north side in Sebastopol sandy loam with pebbly clay, about 70 cases, and Lily Clare, on the south side in Gold Ridge sandy loam, about 170 cases. The grapes are hand-picked and hand-sorted, cold soaked and aged about 11 months in 30% new French oak. The lineup also includes a Russian River Valley Chardonnay from the Pratt Vineyard and a rosé of Pinot Noir.
The O'Connells have also run Vine Hill House, an event center known for wine country weddings, since 2003. The wines are offered only at the vineyard, on the website and at Vine Hill House events, and the winery does not publish a tasting room or visiting program. For a day nearby, we take guests to family estates in the area that do open their doors.
Tasting Fees
O'Connell Vineyards does not offer tastings.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
3601 Vine Hill Road, Sebastopol
AVA
Green Valley of Russian River Valley
Visiting
O'Connell Vineyards does not publish a tasting room or visiting program; its wines "are offered exclusively at our vineyards or from our website and at Vine Hill House special events."
Known For
Estate-grown Pommard-clone Pinot Noir from the J-Elise and Lily Clare vineyards
Founded
2006 (first vintage; vineyard planted 2002)
Good to Know
Join the mailing list or wine club on the winery's website to reserve wines; Vine Hill House events and weddings are booked separately.
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. Since O'Connell Vineyards does not host visitors, this day takes you to three estates nearby that do. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:20 · McIlroy Cellars
The first stop. Will and Merry McIlroy's family winery, founded in 1990; Will was once winemaker at Davis Bynum, and the estate Chardonnay comes from Aquarius Ranch in the Russian River flood plain. The ranch is a working vineyard and not open to drop-ins, but the family hosts private tastings by arrangement; we set it up and confirm the fee when we book.
11:50 · Senses Wines
About 30 minutes away. The Occidental label of three childhood friends, among them actor Max Thieriot, made by Thomas Rivers Brown from family vineyards first planted around 1989 near the coast. Visits are by inquiry, ideally three weeks ahead, and availability is limited; we arrange it, the address comes with the booking, and the fee is confirmed then.
1:25 · Lunch at Underwood Bar and Bistro
About 20 minutes away. A bistro in the village of Graton with red vinyl banquettes, a nickel-topped bar and an open-air patio. Lunch is served Wednesday to Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:45 · DRNK Wines
About 10 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.
3:45 · Back to your hotel
Back in Forestville or Sebastopol by 4:00 p.m.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. DRNK hosts Friday to Sunday, so this day works on those days. McIlroy and Senses are both by private arrangement, and we confirm times with each when we book.
About $75 per person for DRNK's Private Cave Tasting; tasting fees at McIlroy and Senses are 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 you visit O'Connell Vineyards?
O'Connell Vineyards does not publish a tasting room or visiting program, as of September 2026; its wines are sold at the vineyard, online and at Vine Hill House events. We can plan a day at estates nearby that do host.
How can I buy O'Connell Vineyards wine?
From the winery's website, at the vineyard, or at Vine Hill House events. The mailing list and wine club reserve wines ahead.
Who owns O'Connell Vineyards?
Jan and Dan O'Connell, whose family has grown apples in Sebastopol since 1913.
What is O'Connell known for?
Single-clone estate Pinot Noir, all Pommard clone, from the J-Elise and Lily Clare vineyards on Vine Hill Road.
What is Vine Hill House?
The O'Connells' event center on the same ranch, hosting weddings and special events since 2003.
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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