Green Valley of Russian River Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Scherrer Winery with a Private Chauffeur
Fred Scherrer's one-man winery in an old apple packing shed, open by appointment and at three open houses a year, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Fred Scherrer made his first wine as a teenager in the 1970s from his family's vineyard in Alexander Valley, went on to a UC Davis degree, and worked at Greenwood Ridge in Anderson Valley and then for a decade at Dehlinger, where Tom Dehlinger helped him build the business plan for his own label. Scherrer's first vintage was 1991, made from his father's Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, and his parents let him pay for the grapes once the wine began to sell.
After the 1997 harvest Fred moved into a corner of an apple packing shed turned winery and eventually leased the whole building. He now makes about a dozen wines and some 3,000 cases a year, about half Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley and Sonoma County, along with Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Grenache and a dry rosé, and he still works the cellar mostly alone. Everything but the rosé is bottled without fining or filtration; his own summary is that he tries to make good tasting wine that will age well. His wife, Judi, has run administration and compliance since 2002.
There is no tasting room and no staff, so a visit means time with the family at the winery itself, which is not easy to find. That is the charm for people who love small producers: you taste where the wine is made, with the person who made it. Three open houses a year, in April, August and mid-November, need no appointment.
Tasting Fees
Tasting fees to be verified upon 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
4940 Ross Road, Sebastopol
AVA
Green Valley of Russian River Valley
Visiting
By advance appointment only; there is no tasting room or staff, so the winery asks that guests not drop in, especially during harvest. Open houses in April, August and mid-November need no appointment.
Known For
Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and Alexander Valley Zinfandel from the family's Scherrer Vineyard
Founded
1991 (first vintage)
Good to Know
Tastings are hosted by the family, so times depend on the cellar schedule; harvest is the hardest time to visit. The fall open house in 2026 is set for the weekend of November 20 to 22. Some Scherrer wines are also poured at Region Wine Bar at The Barlow in Sebastopol.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a west county hotel such as Farmhouse Inn or The Sebastopol Inn.
10:00 · Pickup at Farmhouse Inn or The Sebastopol Inn
Farmhouse Inn, a 25-room country inn among the vineyards and redwoods of Forestville, is about 15 minutes from Scherrer Winery, and The Sebastopol Inn, in downtown Sebastopol, about 20. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:20 · Scherrer Winery
A tasting with the family at the winery, by appointment; we plan about an hour and confirm the fee when we book.
11:40 · Inman Family Wines
About 20 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.
1:10 · Lunch at Underwood Bar and Bistro
About 15 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, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:40 · Square Peg Winery
About 20 minutes away. A family-owned estate on a ridge at about 800 feet between Sebastopol and Occidental, where the Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Zinfandel are dry-farmed in Gold Ridge soil and sold only at the winery. A private seated tasting of six estate wines, with an optional guided walk through the vines, by appointment; the fee is confirmed when we book.
3:40 · Back to your hotel
Back in Forestville or Sebastopol by 4:10 p.m.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. This day works Thursday to Sunday, when Inman pours and Underwood serves lunch. Scherrer and Square Peg are both by appointment, and we confirm times with each family when we book.
About $100 per person at Inman; tasting fees at Scherrer and Square Peg are to be verified upon reservation. Each is paid directly to the 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 an appointment at Scherrer Winery?
Yes. There is no tasting room, so tastings must be made in advance, and the winery asks guests not to drop in. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Scherrer Winery?
Scherrer does not publish a tasting fee; tasting fees are to be verified upon reservation.
When are the Scherrer open houses?
In April, August and mid-November, with no appointment needed. The fall open house in 2026 is the weekend of November 20 to 22.
Who makes the wine at Scherrer?
Fred Scherrer, who founded the winery and has made every vintage since 1991, mostly working alone.
Can I taste Scherrer wine without an appointment?
Yes, a few Scherrer wines are poured at Region Wine Bar at The Barlow in Sebastopol, open daily.
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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