Fountaingrove District · Sonoma County
Visit Paradise Ridge with a Private Chauffeur
A family winery with a sculpture grove in the hills above Santa Rosa, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Walter Byck proposed to Marijke Hoenselaars in a sculpture garden in the Netherlands in 1960. In 1978 they bought 155 acres in the hills above Santa Rosa, planted vineyards, and opened Paradise Ridge Winery in 1994; Walter retired from medicine in 1997 to work at the winery full time. The 2017 Tubbs fire destroyed the winery, the family rebuilt it and reopened in December 2018, and the couple's five children run it today.
The family farms 15 of its 155 acres, in four blocks named Nagasawa, Walters, Syrah and Grandview, planted to Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Syrah and other varieties, and leaves the rest to wildlife. The vineyards were certified sustainable in 2016, and sheep have grazed the property since 2018. The estate wines carry the Russian River Valley name, and the reds in the Explorer tasting come mostly from Rockpile.
A visit pairs a tasting with views over the vineyards and a walk through Marijke's Grove, a sculpture garden among old oaks that has shown the work of more than 120 sculptors, including Laura Kimpton's 12-foot LOVE sculpture, first shown at Burning Man. The tasting lounge also holds an exhibit on Kanaye Nagasawa, the samurai's son who ran the historic Fountaingrove Winery.
Tasting Fees
$35 for the Estate Tasting of four estate wines, including Grandview Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. $45 for the Explorer tasting of four reds, mostly from Rockpile. Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Splash of Paradise pours three wines at no charge (reservations preferred; not on holidays). Cheese and charcuterie can be added.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
4555 Thomas Lake Harris Drive, Santa Rosa
AVA
Fountaingrove District
Visiting
Open daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with tasting appointments from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Reservations recommended; call for same-day visits. Hours can change from May to October for private events.
Known For
Marijke's Grove sculpture garden, the LOVE sculpture, and estate Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir
Founded
1994 (estate bought in 1978)
Good to Know
Groups of more than 6 should call the winery, and groups of 7 or more have their own five-wine tasting. No outside food or drink. The sculpture grove is free and open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Paradise Ridge is Accessibility Verified through Wheel the World.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:25 a.m. from a Healdsburg hotel such as Hotel Healdsburg or Harmon Guest House.
10:25 · Pickup at Hotel Healdsburg or Harmon Guest House
Hotel Healdsburg, on the town plaza, and Harmon Guest House, a boutique hotel just off the plaza, are each about 35 minutes from Paradise Ridge, which opens at 11 a.m. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
11:00 · Paradise Ridge
The Estate Tasting ($35), about an hour, with time to walk the sculpture grove.
12:20 · Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate
About 20 minutes away. The home estate of Kendall-Jackson, founded by Jess Jackson in 1982, with gardens and bocce around the tasting room. The guided Estate Wine Tasting is $35, or $20 for the casual Taste of K-J. Reservations highly encouraged; open daily from 10 a.m.
1:30 · Lunch at Russian River Brewing
About 10 minutes away. The Windsor brewery and pub of Russian River Brewing, which first brewed Pliny the Elder in 1999, with a full pub menu and a beer garden. Open daily from 11 a.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:40 · Rodney Strong Vineyards
About 10 minutes away. Founded in 1959 by Rod Strong, a former Broadway dancer, who planted some of the first Pinot Noir in the Russian River Valley; the Klein family has run it for more than 30 years. Tasting flights are $25 to $50. Walk-ins welcome before 3 p.m. when space allows; open Thursday to Sunday from 10:30 a.m.
3:40 · Back to your hotel
Back in Healdsburg by 3:50 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. Paradise Ridge opens at 11 a.m., so pickup is at 10:25, and the day works Thursday to Sunday, when Rodney Strong is open. Paradise Ridge sometimes changes its hours from May to October for private events, so we confirm the day when we book.
About $80 to $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 Paradise Ridge?
Reservations are recommended. Same-day visits and groups of more than 6 should call the winery. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Paradise Ridge?
$35 per person for the Estate Tasting and $45 for the Explorer tasting, as of September 2026. Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Splash of Paradise pours three wines at no charge.
Can we see the sculptures without a tasting?
Yes. Marijke's Grove is free and open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Who owns Paradise Ridge?
The Byck family. Walter Byck and Marijke Hoenselaars opened the winery in 1994, and their five children run it today.
Is there another tasting room at Paradise Ridge?
Yes. Winemaker Bob Cabral's Backstage Lounge is on the property, next to the LOVE sculpture, and is open by appointment.
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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