Russian River Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Rancho Coyote Vineyard & Winery with a Private Chauffeur
Estate Pinot Noir in four styles from a 70-acre Russian River Valley ranch owned by the founders of San Diego's Café Coyote. Rancho Coyote 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
Rancho Coyote is the second act of Ritch and Lehn, who founded Café Coyote in Old Town San Diego in 1989 and built it into a local landmark. Regular trips to wine country deepened their love of food and wine, and in July 2013 they bought 70 acres in the Russian River Valley to plant a vineyard of their own.
The seven-acre vineyard has five blocks, each with its own soil, exposure and elevation, planted to different Pinot Noir clones and farmed by hand without chemical fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides. The vines are even serenaded with classical music and jazz. The winemaker is Sébastien Pochan, from the Languedoc, who was winemaker at Unti Vineyards in Dry Creek Valley for 14 years. From the estate Pinot Noir he makes four wines: a white, a rosé, a red and a sparkling wine.
There is no tasting room, and the website gives only an email contact. Wines are ordered through Café Coyote in San Diego and poured at restaurants mostly in Southern California. The day below stays around Healdsburg, with two Russian River Valley Pinot Noir houses and a stop at Unti, where Rancho Coyote's winemaker spent 14 years.
Tasting Fees
Rancho Coyote does not offer tastings. On the day below, fees run $55 at Gary Farrell, $40 at Thomas George and $25 at Unti, paid 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
Russian River Valley, near Healdsburg
AVA
Russian River Valley
Visiting
Rancho Coyote has no tasting room and does not host visits; wines are ordered through Café Coyote in San Diego.
Known For
Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir made as a white, a rosé, a red and a sparkling wine
Founded
Founding year not published; the ranch was bought in 2013
Good to Know
To order, contact Kristin at Café Coyote, (858) 354-2827 or Kristin@CafeCoyote.net, or buy at Café Coyote in Old Town San Diego. General questions go to info@ranchocoyotevineyard.com.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a Healdsburg hotel such as h2hotel or The Madrona.
10:00 · Pickup at h2hotel or The Madrona
Since Rancho Coyote does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. Both hotels are in Healdsburg, about 15 to 20 minutes from the first stop on Westside Road. The day runs about six hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:30 · Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery
About 20 minutes away. Single-vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from a hilltop winery on Westside Road. The Discovery Tasting is $55, about 90 minutes, outdoors. Open daily from 10:30 a.m.
12:10 · Thomas George Estates
About 5 minutes away. Single-vineyard wines and tastings in hillside caves on the historic Davis Bynum site. The Estate Tasting of five wines with estate-made arancini is $40. Open Thursday to Monday.
1:30 · Lunch at Willi's Seafood & Raw Bar
About 15 minutes away. Lunch at Willi's Seafood & Raw Bar on Healdsburg Avenue, with small plates and a raw bar. We confirm lunch 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.
3:00 · Unti Vineyards
About 15 minutes away. A family estate in Dry Creek Valley for Italian and Rhône varieties, farmed organically, where Rancho Coyote winemaker Sébastien Pochan made wine for 14 years. A tasting of six wines is $25. By reservation, with tastings on the hour until 4 p.m.
4:00 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:15 p.m.
Thomas George is open Thursday to Monday, so plan this day for one of those days. Unti's tastings start on the hour.
About $120 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 Rancho Coyote?
No. Rancho Coyote has no tasting room and does not host visits, as of October 2026. We can plan a day at nearby wineries that do.
How can I buy Rancho Coyote wine?
Contact Kristin at Café Coyote, (858) 354-2827, or buy at Café Coyote in Old Town San Diego. The wines are also poured at restaurants mostly in Southern California.
Who makes Rancho Coyote wine?
Winemaker Sébastien Pochan, formerly winemaker at Unti Vineyards for 14 years. The ranch is owned by Ritch and Lehn, founders of Café Coyote.
Where is the vineyard?
On a 70-acre ranch in the Russian River Valley, with a seven-acre vineyard in five Pinot Noir blocks.
What wines does Rancho Coyote make?
Four wines from its estate Pinot Noir: a white, a rosé, a red and a sparkling wine.
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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