Sonoma Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Schermeister Winery with a Private Chauffeur
Native-fermented, unfiltered wines poured by the husband-and-wife owners in a creekside studio at Jack London Village, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Robert Schermeister learned native fermentation making wine for Mark Aubert and Jayson Pahlmeyer, and in 2012, a year he knew was perfect for Pinot Noir, he made 125 cases of Napa Valley Pinot Noir under his own name. In 2014 he hired a graphic designer, Laura Erickson, to build the winery's website; their second meeting lasted six hours, and they married at their home on Mount Veeder in 2017.
Rob and Laura are the sole owners and run everything themselves, from winemaking and label design to pouring in the tasting room. The wines are made in small lots from sustainably farmed vineyards: hand harvested and sorted, fermented only with native yeasts, fermented dry, unfined and unfiltered, aged in French oak and vegan-friendly. They often sell out, and the tasting room closes until new releases are ready.
The tasting room is a studio on the creek side of Jack London Village, the oldest building in Glen Ellen, with indoor and outdoor seating and heaters on the patio. Rob guides the tastings himself and tells the story of each wine, which is what guests remember. Dogs and well-behaved children are welcome, and tours of the winery in Kenwood can be arranged by special request.
Tasting Fees
$45 for the Wild by Nature tasting of four wines, led by winemaker Rob. $45 for the Red Wine + Cake Pairing, plus a $50 chocolate cake for 4 to 6, booked at least a week ahead. Buying three bottles waives one tasting fee, and members taste free.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
14301 Arnold Drive, Studio 28, Glen Ellen
AVA
Sonoma Valley
Visiting
Open Thursday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; last seating at 4:30. Reservations recommended; walk-ins welcome based on availability.
Known For
Native-fermented, unfined and unfiltered small-lot wines, including Pinot Noir
Founded
2012
Good to Know
Parties of up to 8. Dogs are welcome on the patio and well-behaved children are welcome. The patio is heated but not fully covered and closes in rain. The tasting room is wheelchair accessible. Winery tours in Kenwood are limited and by special request.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:15 a.m. from a Glen Ellen or Kenwood hotel such as Olea Hotel or Kenwood Inn & Spa.
10:15 · Pickup at Olea Hotel or Kenwood Inn & Spa
Olea Hotel, a small hotel on Warm Springs Road in Glen Ellen, and Kenwood Inn & Spa, on the Sonoma Highway in Kenwood, are each about 30 minutes from Coursey Graves, the first stop, high on Bennett Mountain. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:45 · Coursey Graves
About 30 minutes away. John and Denise Graves's estate about 1,500 feet up Bennett Mountain, where architect Charles Stinson set three buildings into the hillside above gardens and a pond. The Semi-Private Tasting is $75, about 60 minutes; the Private Vista Experience, with a charcuterie board and a dedicated host, is $110 for up to 6. By appointment only, seven days a week; 21 and over.
12:15 · Schermeister Winery
About 30 minutes away. The Wild by Nature tasting of four wines with winemaker Rob ($45).
1:30 · Lunch at Salt+Stone
About 15 minutes away. A steakhouse, seafood grill and oyster bar among the vineyards on the Sonoma Highway in Kenwood, with craft cocktails and tables overlooking a koi pond. Lunch is served Thursday to Tuesday. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:30 · Muscardini Cellars
About 5 minutes away. Michael Muscardini's Italian-style winery, pouring Sangiovese, Barbera and Super Tuscan-style blends inside a historic schoolhouse on the Sonoma Highway. All Things Italian is a tour, tasting and pairing that runs from aperitivo to house grappa, with the winery's own wine-infused salami, cheeses and olive oil ($75). By appointment, daily at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
4:00 · Back to your hotel
Back in Glen Ellen by 4:15 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. Schermeister is open Thursday to Sunday, so this day works Thursday to Sunday. Coursey Graves and Muscardini are by appointment, and we book both; lunch is kept to about an hour so you make Muscardini's 2:30 tour.
About $195 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 Schermeister Winery?
Reservations are recommended, and walk-ins are welcome when there is room. Parties are limited to 8. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Schermeister?
$45 per person for the Wild by Nature tasting of four wines, as of September 2026. Members taste free, and buying three bottles waives one tasting fee.
Can I bring my dog or children to Schermeister?
Yes. Dogs are welcome, with fresh water provided, and well-behaved children are welcome.
Who owns Schermeister Winery?
Winemaker Robert Schermeister and his wife, designer Laura Schermeister, who own and run it themselves.
Where is Schermeister's tasting room?
In Studio 28 on the creek side of Jack London Village, 14301 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen, at the opposite end of the building from Yeti Restaurant.
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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