Russian River Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Rootdown Wine Cellars with a Private Chauffeur
Earth-driven single-vineyard wines from Healdsburg winemaker Mike Lucia, now leaning toward Jura-inspired styles from Cole Ranch, America's smallest AVA. Rootdown is taking a break from hosting; 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
Mike Lucia arrived in Healdsburg as a teenager in 1992 and got to know local winemakers through after-school restaurant jobs. He worked harvest at DeLoach in the Russian River Valley, then at wineries including Ridge, and in 2007 joined Goldeneye in Anderson Valley before finishing the enology program at Fresno State. After three years there he became associate winemaker at Copain Wines, back near his Russian River roots.
Lucia started Rootdown in 2014 as a side project. The name refers to the influence of the soil on wine, and the wines are varietal, single-vineyard bottlings that lead with earth and texture rather than fruit alone. In 2018 he added Es Okay, a value label of white, rosé and red blends from organically grown fruit. In 2019 he became a partner in a vineyard in Cole Ranch, the smallest AVA in the country, in Mendocino County, and created a Cole Ranch label from its 1970s plantings of Riesling, Merlot and Cabernet. Since then Rootdown has shifted toward Jura-inspired wines.
The winery says it is taking a break from hosting and asks visitors to join its mailing list to hear when tastings return. The wines are sold online and through its club. The day below goes to three Healdsburg wineries that host.
Tasting Fees
Rootdown is not offering tastings at present.
On the day below, DaVero's A Guided Taste is $35, Viszlay's Daily Tasting is $20 and the Longboard Tasting is $20.
Tasting fees as of October 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
Healdsburg
AVA
Russian River Valley
Visiting
Rootdown is not hosting tastings at present; the winery asks guests to join its mailing list to hear when it reopens.
Known For
Single-vineyard wines that lead with earth and texture, the Es Okay blends and wines from Cole Ranch, America's smallest AVA
Founded
2014
Good to Know
Buy through the shop and club at rootdownwine.com, and join the mailing list to hear when hosting resumes. Contact hello@rootdownwinecellars.com or (707) 489-1700.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:45 a.m. from a Healdsburg hotel such as Hotel Healdsburg or Harmon Guest House.
10:45 · Pickup at Hotel Healdsburg or Harmon Guest House
Since Rootdown is not hosting visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. Both hotels are in downtown Healdsburg, about 10 minutes from the first stop. The day runs about five hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
11:00 · DaVero Farms & Winery
About 10 minutes away. A certified organic and Biodynamic working farm a mile from the Healdsburg plaza, with Tuscan olive groves, Italian grapes and gardens. A Guided Taste of five Italian-varietal wines is $35, 60 minutes. Open daily; reservations through the winery's website.
12:15 · Viszlay Vineyards
About 10 minutes away. A family hilltop winery on Limerick Lane with vineyard views and small-lot wines sold only at the winery. The Daily Tasting is $20, about 60 minutes, waived with a three-bottle purchase. Open daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
1:30 · Lunch at Healdsburg Bar & Grill
About 10 minutes away. Lunch at Healdsburg Bar & Grill, a casual downtown spot known for its fried chicken and applewood-pit barbecue. We confirm 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.
2:45 · Longboard Vineyards
About 5 minutes away. A surfer winemaker's urban winery by the Healdsburg railroad tracks, with an estate Merlot and a barrel-fermented Brut. The Longboard Tasting of four current releases is $20, waived with a two-bottle purchase. Open daily 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; walk-ins welcome.
3:45 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 3:55 p.m.
All three wineries are open daily; DaVero opens at 11 a.m. Tuesday to Thursday, which is why this day starts a little later.
About $75 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 Rootdown Wine Cellars?
Not at the moment. Rootdown says it is taking a break from hosting, as of October 2026, and asks guests to join its mailing list for updates.
How can I buy Rootdown wine?
Through the online shop and club at rootdownwine.com.
Who makes Rootdown wine?
Mike Lucia, a Healdsburg winemaker who worked at DeLoach, Ridge, Goldeneye and Copain before starting Rootdown in 2014.
What is Cole Ranch?
The smallest AVA in the country, in Mendocino County. Lucia became a partner in a vineyard there in 2019 and makes a Cole Ranch label from its 1970s plantings.
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.
Reserve Your Tour{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Winery","name":"Rootdown Wine Cellars","url":"https://rootdownwine.com/","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Healdsburg","addressRegion":"CA","addressCountry":"US"},"containedInPlace":{"@type":"Place","name":"Russian River Valley AVA"}},{"@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Can I visit Rootdown Wine Cellars?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Not at the moment. Rootdown says it is taking a break from hosting, as of October 2026, and asks guests to join its mailing list for updates."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How can I buy Rootdown wine?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Through the online shop and club at rootdownwine.com."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Who makes Rootdown wine?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Mike Lucia, a Healdsburg winemaker who worked at DeLoach, Ridge, Goldeneye and Copain before starting Rootdown in 2014."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is Cole Ranch?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The smallest AVA in the country, in Mendocino County. Lucia became a partner in a vineyard there in 2019 and makes a Cole Ranch label from its 1970s plantings."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How does booking a tour with Bien Chauffeured work?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"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."}}]}]}