Alexander Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Robert Young with a Private Chauffeur
Six generations on one Alexander Valley ranch, with tastings on a terrace above the valley's early Cabernet vines, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Peter Young came west from New York in the Gold Rush years and bought a ranch in Alexander Valley in 1858, and six generations of his family have farmed it since. His grandson Robert inherited the ranch, and its debt, at 16 in 1935, and in 1963 he planted Cabernet Sauvignon, which the family counts as the first in Alexander Valley. In 1997 Robert's son Fred Young founded Robert Young Estate Winery with his siblings JoAnn, Susan and Jim.
For decades the Youngs were growers. In 1975 Chateau St. Jean released a Robert Young Vineyard Chardonnay that brought the vineyard national attention, and Robert and Jim worked with UC Davis to propagate Chardonnay Clone 17, which became highly sought after by premium wineries. The vineyard grew to 317 planted acres, one of the largest family-owned in the valley. The estate winery released its first Scion Cabernet Sauvignon from the 1997 vintage and its first Chardonnay in 1999, and Matt Michael, of the sixth generation, is winemaker.
The Scion House, opened in 2018, looks out over Alexander Valley, and most tastings are seated on its back terrace. Flights run from four wines to the reserve Cabernets, and the Vineyard Tour & Lunch visits the production facility and caves before lunch under an old oak above the Cabernet vineyard Robert Young planted in 1963. In 2025 the Sonoma County Farm Bureau recognized the family for 167 years of continuous farming.
Tasting Fees
$25 for the Intro Flight of four wines, 45 minutes, waived with a one-bottle purchase. $50 for the Estate Flight, 90 minutes. $85 for the Scion Experience of single-block reserve wines with light bites, 90 minutes. $125 for the Ultimate Cabernet Experience of five reserve Cabernets. $175 for the two-hour Vineyard Tour & Lunch, booked 48 hours ahead.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
5102 Red Winery Road, Geyserville
AVA
Alexander Valley
Visiting
By appointment, Wednesday to Monday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Tuesday. Tastings are seated at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., outside on the back terrace unless it rains.
Known For
Scion Cabernet Sauvignon blend, reserve Cabernets and Chardonnay from Clone 17
Founded
1997 (family ranch since 1858)
Good to Know
All guests at seated tastings must be 21 or older, and outside food is not allowed on the back patio; for a glass, bottle or picnic on the front terrace, reserve ahead. Most tastings take 1 to 8 guests, and parties of 13 or more book as a group, 48 hours ahead.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:30 a.m. from a Healdsburg hotel such as Hotel Healdsburg or Harmon Guest House, in time for the 11 a.m. tasting.
10:30 · 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 25 minutes from Robert Young, so pickup is at 10:30 for the 11 a.m. tasting. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
11:00 · Robert Young
The Intro Flight of four wines on the terrace, 45 minutes ($25), waived with the purchase of a bottle.
11:55 · Soda Rock Winery
About 10 minutes away. A winery site since 1880, restored by Ken and Diane Wilson after they bought it in 2000, with tastings in the historic barn since the 2019 Kincade Fire. The Daily Flight of mostly Bordeaux-style wines is $25, waived with a two-bottle purchase. Walk-ins welcome, reservations recommended; open Thursday to Monday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
1:10 · Lunch at Diavola
About 15 minutes away. Chef Dino Bugica's restaurant in a historic building on Geyserville Avenue, with Neapolitan-style pizza from a wood-burning oven, handmade pasta and house-cured salumi. Open daily from 11:30 a.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:20 · Trione
About 5 minutes away. The Trione family's winery beside the 1908 stone Nervo winery, pouring estate wines from five Sonoma County ranches. Walk-ins are welcome for the Estate Wine Flight ($30), offered from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Open Thursday to Monday.
3:20 · Back to your hotel
Back in Healdsburg by 3:35 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. Robert Young seats tastings at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., so the day starts at 10:30. It works Thursday to Monday, when Soda Rock and Trione are open.
About $80 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery, and less when Robert Young and Soda Rock waive their fees with a bottle purchase.
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 Robert Young?
Yes. Tastings are by appointment, seated at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., Wednesday to Monday. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Robert Young?
$25 per person for the Intro Flight, $50 for the Estate Flight and $85 for the Scion Experience, as of September 2026. Each fee is waived with a set bottle purchase.
Can children visit Robert Young?
Guests at the seated tastings on the back patio must be 21 or older. Families can reserve a spot on the front terrace for a glass, bottle or picnic.
What is Scion?
The estate's flagship Cabernet Sauvignon blend, first made from the 1997 vintage. A scion is a family descendant, and also a young vine shoot used for grafting.
How long has the Young family farmed in Alexander Valley?
Since 1858, when Peter Young bought the ranch. Six generations have farmed it since.
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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