Green Valley of Russian River Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Small Vines Wines with a Private Chauffeur
Paul and Kathryn Sloan's organically farmed, high-density estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, poured at private tastings in a historic barn in Sebastopol, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Small Vines is the family winery of Paul and Kathryn Sloan, who farm and make the wines themselves. Paul worked as an assistant wine buyer at John Ash & Co. in the mid-1990s, where a taste of a rare Burgundy set him on his path, then earned a viticulture degree while working for grower Warren Dutton. In 1998, with Dutton's encouragement, the Sloans started planting vineyards their own way.
That way is in the name: tightly spaced, European-style plantings of small vines that each give a little fruit, farmed organically. The wines are 100% estate grown Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and a Rosé of Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley and the Sonoma Coast. The first small batch was made in 2005, and the Sloans bought their own property in 2007, where they live and work with their family.
Every visit is private and one on one, hosted by the people who make the wine, in a tasting room in the renovated historic barn on the former Barlow family homestead. Expect five to seven very limited wines over about an hour and a half, with views of the vineyard. We confirm current details when we book.
Tasting Fees
$125 per person for the private Vintner tasting of five to seven limited wines, about an hour and a half. $150 per person for groups larger than six, by inquiry. The county tourism listing notes the fee is waived with a purchase of at least three bottles per person. We confirm the current price when we book.
Tasting fees as of October 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
1600 Barlow Lane, Sebastopol
AVA
Green Valley of Russian River Valley
Visiting
Private visits only, by advance appointment. Guests register on the winery's website (joining the mailing list) to book. Small Vines does not offer shared tastings. Days and hours are not published, so we confirm them when we book.
Known For
Organically farmed, high-density estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, plus a Rosé of Pinot Noir
Founded
1998 (first wine made in 2005)
Good to Know
Booking requires registering on the winery's mailing list, which we handle with you. The winery is happy to host a designated driver. Parties larger than six should inquire, and the fee for large groups is $150 per person. The county tourism listing notes the tasting is complimentary with a purchase of at least three bottles per person.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as The Sebastopol Inn or Fairfield Inn & Suites Sebastopol. Small Vines is about 10 minutes from downtown Sebastopol.
10:00 · Pickup at The Sebastopol Inn or Fairfield Inn & Suites Sebastopol
Small Vines is about 10 minutes from The Sebastopol Inn, next to the plaza in downtown Sebastopol, and from Fairfield Inn & Suites on Gravenstein Highway South. Every stop today is within about 10 minutes of the next. Extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Small Vines Wines
A private tasting of five to seven estate Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays and Rosé hosted privately in the barn tasting room, about an hour and a half ($125 per person). By advance appointment only.
11:55 · Lunch at Handline
About 10 minutes away. Lunch at Handline on the south side of Sebastopol, a casual spot for seasonal food from Sonoma County and the Sonoma Coast, listed as open daily from 11 a.m. 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.
1:20 · Merry Edwards Winery
About 10 minutes away. Single-vineyard Pinot Noir from one of the pioneers of the Russian River Valley. The Appellation Tasting is $45, by appointment; plan on about an hour.
2:35 · Dutton-Goldfield Winery
About 2 minutes away. A grower and a winemaker's partnership in cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The Farmer's Flight of five wines is $35; plan on about an hour.
3:45 · Back to your hotel
Back by 4:00 p.m., six hours after pickup.
Small Vines does not publish its tasting days or hours, so we confirm the appointment first and adjust the order of the day around it. Merry Edwards is open daily 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Dutton-Goldfield daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Dutton-Goldfield is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
About $205 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 Small Vines?
Yes. All visits are private and by advance appointment, and guests register on the winery's mailing list to book. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Small Vines?
$125 per person for the private tasting of five to seven wines, about an hour and a half, or $150 per person for groups larger than six. The county tourism listing notes it is complimentary with a purchase of at least three bottles per person. We confirm the current price when we reserve, as of October 2026.
Where do guests taste at Small Vines?
In the tasting room in the renovated historic barn at the winery, 1600 Barlow Lane, Sebastopol, on the former Barlow family homestead.
Who owns Small Vines?
Paul and Kathryn Sloan, who farm the vineyards and make the wines. They started planting their own vineyards in 1998 and made their first wine in 2005.
What does the name Small Vines mean?
It describes how the Sloans farm: tightly spaced, European-style plantings of small vines, each carrying a small crop, farmed organically.
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.
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