Green Valley of Russian River Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Red Car with a Private Chauffeur
Pinot Noir, Syrah and Chardonnay from vineyards near the Pacific, poured to walk-ins daily, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Red Car began in Los Angeles, when Mark Estrin proposed starting a winery with his friend Carroll Kemp. Their first vintage, in 2000, was 50 cases of Syrah made in a Culver City garage, and they named the winery for the Red Car trolleys of the Pacific Electric Railway. Estrin died in 2005, and the Cuvée 22 is named in his memory. The winery lists Richard and Alison Crowell among its founders.
In 2003 the partners bought 128 acres at Cazadero overlooking the Pacific, and in 2005 they planted the estate vineyard, now in the Fort Ross-Seaview appellation. Red Car moved its production to Sebastopol in 2010. It makes Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay and an old-vine Cabernet from six vineyards, all within 10 miles of the ocean, and its rosé is its best seller. Tanner Scheer is the winemaker.
The tasting room on Graton Road is open every day, and walk-ins are welcome for the Coastal Reserve Tasting of limited single-vineyard wines. Groups of 8 or more can reserve the Wine Lounge, with a cheese and charcuterie board.
Tasting Fees
$35 for the Coastal Reserve Tasting of single-vineyard wines, about 1 hour, waived with a two-bottle purchase. $65 for the Wine Lounge Experience with a cheese and charcuterie board, for groups of 8 or more. $150 for Forest Bathing at the Vineyard, a 3-hour guided experience followed by a tasting, by advance reservation.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
8400 Graton Road, Sebastopol
AVA
Green Valley of Russian River Valley
Visiting
Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last tasting at 4 p.m. Walk-ins welcome.
Known For
Coastal Pinot Noir, Syrah and Chardonnay, and rosé
Founded
2000 (first vintage)
Good to Know
Groups of 7 or more should contact the winery ahead. The Wine Lounge Experience is for groups of at least 8, by reservation, at 11 a.m. or 1 p.m.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a Russian River Valley hotel such as Farmhouse Inn in Forestville or Vinarosa Resort & Spa in Santa Rosa.
10:00 · Pickup at Farmhouse Inn or Vinarosa Resort & Spa
Farmhouse Inn, a 25-room inn on River Road in Forestville, is about 15 minutes from Red Car, and Vinarosa Resort & Spa, set among 92 acres of vineyards in Santa Rosa, about 25. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:25 · Red Car
The Coastal Reserve Tasting of single-vineyard wines, about 1 hour ($35).
11:40 · Hartford Family Winery
About 15 minutes away. A family winery founded in 1994 by Don and Jennifer Hartford, Jess Jackson's daughter, known for single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and old-vine Zinfandel. The seated Vineyard Exploration of five wines on the patio is $60. Open daily by appointment, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the last appointment at 3:30; walk-ins when not fully booked.
12:55 · Lunch at Willow Wood Market Cafe
About 15 minutes away. A café, soda fountain and general store at the center of Graton since 1995, serving down-home comfort food. 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.
2:15 · Freeman
About 15 minutes away. Ken and Akiko Freeman's Pinot Noir and Chardonnay winery, founded in 2001, with tastings in a wine cave beside their Gloria Vineyard. The Estate Cave Tasting is $50 Friday to Sunday, and the Fall Escape cave tasting is $30 Monday to Thursday, each about 60 minutes for up to 6 guests. By appointment only.
3:15 · Back to your hotel
Back in Forestville or Santa Rosa by 3:55 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. Hartford and Freeman are by appointment, so we confirm both tasting times when we book.
About $125 to $145 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 Red Car?
No. Walk-ins are welcome for the Coastal Reserve Tasting, and groups of 7 or more should contact the winery ahead. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Red Car?
$35 per person for the Coastal Reserve Tasting, waived with a two-bottle purchase, as of September 2026. The Wine Lounge Experience for groups of 8 or more is $65.
Why is it called Red Car?
For the Red Car trolleys of the Pacific Electric Railway in Los Angeles, where the winery began with its 2000 vintage.
Where are Red Car's vineyards?
All within 10 miles of the Pacific, including the estate vineyard at Cazadero in the Fort Ross-Seaview appellation, planted in 2005.
When is Red Car open?
Every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last tasting at 4 p.m.
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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