Green Valley of Russian River Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Russian River Vineyards with a Private Chauffeur
Library tastings and a kitchen of its own on a historic Forestville winery property, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Russian River Vineyards sits on a historic Forestville winemaking property with roots in the 1890s. Giovanni "Gio" Balistreri, a fourth-generation farmer, and his mentor, winemaker Anthony Austin, acquired it in 2008 to reclaim its history and its untapped potential.
Gio farmed for ten years before studying winery management and wine marketing at Fresno State, and he makes the wines. The approach is hands-on in every vineyard, owned or managed, and minimal in the cellar, with small runs of single-vineyard wines, and the winery's wines have won more than 300 medals since 2008.
The estate is spacious and shaded, with a heated outdoor tasting area, and unlike most wineries it has its own kitchen, so a tasting can come with lunch or small bites, and wine is poured by the glass or bottle as well. For something more serious, the Library Tasting pours red wines from the library collection, the winery's rarest and most collectible bottles, for 2 to 6 guests.
Tasting Fees
$20 to $30 for the Wine Tasting Flight, complimentary for members. $75 for the Library Tasting of red wines from the library collection, prepaid, for 2 to 6 guests.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
5700 Highway 116 North, Forestville
AVA
Green Valley of Russian River Valley
Visiting
Open Monday to Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last tasting at 4, and Friday to Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the last tasting at 5. Reservations recommended.
Known For
Small-production, single-vineyard wines
Founded
2008 (property's roots in the 1890s)
Good to Know
The Wine Tasting Flight takes parties of 1 to 12. Groups of 13 or more pay a deposit, and food orders for them are placed 48 hours ahead. Tasting passes cannot be used by groups of 8 or more. A lunch special is offered Monday to Friday.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a hotel such as Vinarosa or Farmhouse Inn.
10:00 · Pickup at Vinarosa or Farmhouse Inn
Vinarosa, a resort on Barnes Road north of Santa Rosa, is about 30 minutes from Gary Farrell, and Farmhouse Inn, on River Road in Forestville, about 10, so pickup there is at 10:20. Russian River Vineyards opens at 11:30 a.m., so the day starts on Gary Farrell's hilltop. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:30 · Gary Farrell
About 30 minutes away. Gary Farrell's hilltop winery above the Russian River; he made his first wines in 1982 from Rochioli and Allen vineyard Pinot Noir. The Discovery Tasting of single-vineyard wines is served outdoors with the view, about 90 minutes ($55). Open daily from 10:30 a.m.; reservations encouraged.
12:15 · Russian River Vineyards
About 15 minutes away. The Library Tasting of red wines from the library collection ($75, 2 to 6 guests) or the Wine Tasting Flight ($20 to $30), about an hour.
1:25 · Lunch at Underwood Bar and Bistro
About 10 minutes away. A bistro in the village of Graton with red vinyl banquettes, a nickel-topped bar and an open-air patio. Lunch is served Wednesday to Sunday from 11:30 a.m., and walk-ins are welcome. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:45 · Inman Family Wines
About 15 minutes away. Kathleen Inman's solar-powered winery, built in 2010 largely from recycled materials beside her Olivet Grange Pinot Noir vineyard. Meet the Maker, a private seated tasting with Kathleen, is $100, and the seasonal Sip and Stroll walks the vineyard and garden with her ($95, 90 minutes). Tastings Thursday to Monday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; book ahead.
3:45 · Back to your hotel
Back at your hotel by 4:00 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. Inman pours Thursday to Monday and Underwood serves lunch Wednesday to Sunday, so this day works Thursday to Sunday.
About $175 to $230 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 Russian River Vineyards?
Reservations are recommended, and the Library Tasting must be prepaid. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Russian River Vineyards?
$20 to $30 per person for the Wine Tasting Flight and $75 for the Library Tasting, as of September 2026.
Can we have lunch at Russian River Vineyards?
Yes. The winery has its own kitchen serving lunch and small bites, with a lunch special Monday to Friday. Large groups order food 48 hours ahead.
Who makes the wine at Russian River Vineyards?
Giovanni Balistreri, a fourth-generation farmer who studied at Fresno State and acquired the estate in 2008 with his mentor, winemaker Anthony Austin.
Is Russian River Vineyards in the Green Valley?
Yes. The winery on Highway 116 north of Forestville sits within the Green Valley of Russian River Valley appellation.
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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