Russian River Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Raft Wines with a Private Chauffeur
Light, lively wines from lesser-known grapes such as Counoise and Picpoul, made by a winemaker from a family in the food business since 1901. Raft Wines 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
Raft Wines started in 2016. It is the label of Jennifer Reichardt, whose family has been in the food business since 1901; she also works with her father at Liberty Ducks, a purveyor of premium duck.
Jennifer is drawn to relatively obscure grapes from good vineyards, such as Counoise, Viognier and Picpoul, alongside a few familiar ones, and buys fruit from growers in Sonoma, Mendocino, El Dorado and other California counties. Recent releases include a Fleur Blanc from Preston Farms, a Mourvèdre from Prie Vineyard and a Fleur pour ma Mère from Weed Farms. Production is small: about 1,000 cases a year at last report.
Raft has no tasting room or visiting program. The wines are sold through its online shop and wine club, and through restaurants and distributors. For a day of small, hands-on producers working outside the mainstream, we take guests to wineries nearby that do host.
Tasting Fees
Raft Wines 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
1160 Hopper Avenue, Santa Rosa
AVA
Russian River Valley
Visiting
Raft Wines has no tasting room and does not publish a visiting program. Wines are sold online, through the Raft wine club and at restaurants and shops.
Known For
Light reds and whites from lesser-known grapes such as Counoise, Picpoul and Mourvèdre
Founded
2016
Good to Know
Buy from the online shop or join the Raft wine club; restaurants and distributors can contact the winery through its website.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a Santa Rosa hotel such as Hotel E or Hotel La Rose.
10:00 · Pickup at Hotel E or Hotel La Rose
Hotel E, a restored 1906 Beaux-Arts landmark on the square in downtown Santa Rosa, and Hotel La Rose, a 1907 hotel in Santa Rosa's historic Railroad Square, are each about 5 minutes from Hobo Wine Company. Since Raft Wines does not host visitors, this day takes you to three hands-on wineries nearby that do. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:05 · Hobo Wine Company
About 5 minutes away. Kenny Likitprakong's Hobo Wine Company, maker of the Folk Machine and Ghostwriter labels from mostly organically farmed vineyards, starts with a walk through the working winery and barrel room, then a tasting ($20, waived with a three-bottle purchase per taster), about 1 to 1.5 hours. By appointment.
11:35 · Old World Winery
About 15 minutes away. Darek Trowbridge's natural-wine winery on River Road in Fulton, in an up-cycled building of reclaimed redwood and 100-year-old brick on a working farm, pouring field blends from vines his great-grandfather Giuseppe Martinelli planted in 1890 and rare grapes such as Abouriou. Thursday to Saturday, by appointment; we confirm the fee when we book.
1:00 · Lunch at Willow Wood Market Cafe
About 25 minutes away. A café, soda fountain and general store at the center of Graton since 1995, serving down-home comfort food on a remodeled patio or inside. Lunch from 11:30 a.m., with brunch on Sundays. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:20 · Russian River Vineyards
About 10 minutes away. A historic Forestville winery property with roots in the 1890s, reclaimed in 2008 by fourth-generation farmer and winemaker Gio Balistreri, and one of the few wineries with its own kitchen, so a tasting can come with small bites on a shaded, heated patio. The Wine Tasting Flight is $20 to $30, and the Library Tasting of red wines from the library is $75 for 2 to 6 guests. Open daily from 11:30 a.m.; reservations recommended.
3:20 · Back to your hotel
Back in Santa Rosa by 3:50 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. Old World Winery is open Thursday to Saturday by appointment, so this day works Thursday to Saturday.
About $40 to $50 per person in tasting fees for Hobo and Russian River Vineyards, paid directly to each winery; Old World's 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
Can you visit Raft Wines?
No. Raft Wines has no tasting room and does not publish a visiting program, as of September 2026.
How can I buy Raft wine?
From the online shop or the Raft wine club, or at restaurants and natural-wine shops that carry it.
Who makes Raft Wines?
Jennifer Reichardt, who started the label in 2016 and also works with her family's company, Liberty Ducks.
What grapes does Raft use?
Mostly lesser-known varieties such as Counoise, Picpoul, Viognier and Mourvèdre, from growers across California.
Where is Raft based?
In Santa Rosa, in Sonoma County's Russian River Valley.
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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