Green Valley of Russian River Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Radio-Coteau with a Private Chauffeur
Eric Sussman's west county Pinot Noir, Syrah and old-vine Zinfandel from a ridgetop ranch planted in 1892. Radio-Coteau does not receive visitors; here is what to know, and a day at sought-after estates nearby that do host.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Eric Sussman grew up in New York State and studied agriculture at Cornell, then worked in Washington's Yakima Valley and spent the 1995 vintage at Baron Philippe de Rothschild in Pauillac and 1996 in Burgundy with Domaine Comte Armand and Domaine Jacques Prieur. After a year at Bonny Doon he settled in western Sonoma County and spent four years as associate winemaker at Dehlinger before founding Radio-Coteau in 2002. The name is a French expression for word of mouth, literally broadcasting from the hillside.
The wines come from cool north coast vineyards in western Sonoma County and Anderson Valley: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Riesling and Zinfandel, plus brandy. In 2012 Radio-Coteau bought a historic 42-acre ranch on a ridgetop above Occidental, the old Joseph Morelli & Sons winery, later Lemorel, first planted in 1892, at 800 feet on Gold Ridge soil. Eric had made a Zinfandel from its dry-farmed old vines back in 2002; today the ranch grows Zinfandel planted in 1946 and 1981, Syrah, and newer Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling, with gardens, goats and chickens farmed alongside.
Radio-Coteau sells its wines directly through its mailing list, with an online account for ordering, and it does not publish a tasting room or a visiting program; questions go to its client services team. For a day in the same west county hills, we take guests to small estates nearby that do open their doors.
Tasting Fees
Radio-Coteau 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
2040 Barlow Lane, Sebastopol
AVA
Green Valley of Russian River Valley
Visiting
Radio-Coteau does not publish a tasting room or visiting program; its wines "are available direct through our mailing list."
Known For
West Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, Syrah and old-vine Zinfandel, and estate wines from the Lemorel ranch above Occidental
Founded
2002
Good to Know
Create an online account on the winery's site to join the mailing list and order. Questions go to client services by phone or email.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:05 a.m. from a hotel such as The Sebastopol Inn or Farmhouse Inn.
10:05 · Pickup at The Sebastopol Inn or Farmhouse Inn
The Sebastopol Inn, in downtown Sebastopol, is about 10 minutes from Paul Hobbs, and Farmhouse Inn, a 25-room country inn among the vineyards and redwoods of Forestville, about 15. Since Radio-Coteau 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.
10:15 · Paul Hobbs Winery
The first stop. Paul Hobbs's Katherine Lindsay Estate, with a winery designed by architect Howard Backen; Hobbs was on the founding team at Opus One before starting his own label in 1991. The seated Signature Tasting of four wines with house-made dips, flatbreads and vegetables from the estate garden is $95, about 75 minutes, for up to 8 guests. Reservations required; 21 and over.
11:40 · Scherrer Winery
About 10 minutes away. Fred Scherrer's small winery in a former apple packing shed off Ross Road, where he makes about 3,000 cases a year, half of it Pinot Noir, largely by himself. There is no tasting room or staff; tastings are by advance appointment, and we arrange the time on your behalf and confirm the fee when we book.
12:50 · Lunch at Underwood Bar and Bistro
About 10 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.
2:25 · Black Kite Cellars
About 25 minutes away. Tom Birdsall and Rebecca Green Birdsall's Pinot Noir and Chardonnay house pours at Jasper House, the only tasting room in the historic coastal village of Freestone, with three tasting salons. Tastings of six wines take about 90 minutes; the fee is confirmed when we book. By appointment only.
3:55 · Back to your hotel
Back in Sebastopol by 4:15 p.m.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. This day works Wednesday to Sunday, when Underwood serves lunch. Scherrer and Black Kite are by appointment, and Paul Hobbs does not publish its days, so we confirm all three when we book.
About $95 per person at Paul Hobbs; tasting fees at Scherrer and Black Kite 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 Radio-Coteau?
Radio-Coteau does not publish a tasting room or visiting program and sells through its mailing list, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at small estates nearby that do host.
How can I buy Radio-Coteau wine?
Through the mailing list: create an online account on the winery's website to order available wines and hear about releases.
Who owns Radio-Coteau?
Winegrower and proprietor Eric Sussman, who founded it in 2002 after working in Bordeaux, Burgundy and at Dehlinger.
What does Radio-Coteau mean?
It is a French colloquial expression for word of mouth; literally, broadcasting from the hillside.
Where is the Radio-Coteau estate?
On a ridgetop above the town of Occidental, a 42-acre ranch first planted in 1892 that Radio-Coteau bought in 2012.
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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