Sonoma Mountain · Sonoma County
Visit Sophie James with a Private Chauffeur
Organically farmed Pinot Noir, rosé and sparkling wine from five acres at the very top of Sonoma Mountain, sold only to members. Sophie James does not receive visitors; 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
Sophie James is a female-run, first-generation family wine company founded in 2017 by the husband-and-wife team of Sophie and James. They bought their Sonoma Mountain property in 2010, when Sophie was a stem cell scientist at UCSF, and found it came with Pinot Noir vines. For years they sold their organically farmed grapes to a family-owned winery before deciding to make wine under their own name.
The estate sits at the very top of Sonoma Mountain, above Petaluma and Glen Ellen, with five acres of Pinot Noir in volcanic and red loam clay soils at up to about 2,340 feet. Since the 2018 vintage the wines have been made by Scott and Jenny Schultz of Jolie-Laide, with Phil Coturri as vineyard manager. The lineup covers Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, plus a rosé of Pinot Noir, a Nouveau-style Pinot Noir and traditional-method sparkling wines, all from organically farmed grapes, and the winery says they contain zero grams of sugar.
The wines are allocated only to Sophie James members, who receive four shipments a year; membership is by invitation, first come, first served, with a waitlist when the club is full. Bottles run from $38 for the rosé to $78 for the sparkling Blanc de Noirs. There is no tasting room, and the only events are for members. The day below stays at the foot of Sonoma Mountain, in Glen Ellen, at three estates that do host.
Tasting Fees
Sophie James does not offer tastings. On the day below, expect about $150 per person across the three wineries: $45 at Benziger, $45 at Laurel Glen and $60 at Lasseter.
Tasting fees as of October 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
Sonoma Mountain, Sonoma
AVA
Sonoma Mountain
Visiting
Sophie James has no tasting room and does not receive visitors; its wines go only to club members, and its dinners and pop-ups are for members.
Known For
Organically farmed Sonoma Mountain Pinot Noir, rosé of Pinot Noir and traditional-method sparkling wine, sold only through its club
Founded
2017 (the family bought the Sonoma Mountain property in 2010)
Good to Know
Join the waitlist through sophiejameswine.com; club questions go to club@sophiejameswine.com. Clubs come in 4, 8 and 12-bottle shipments, four times a year.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Gaige House or Olea Hotel in Glen Ellen.
10:00 · Pickup at Gaige House or Olea Hotel
Since Sophie James does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. Gaige House and Olea Hotel are both in Glen Ellen, about 10 minutes from the first stop. The day runs about six hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Benziger Family Winery
About 10 minutes away. A Biodynamic ranch on the slopes of Sonoma Mountain, where the Biodynamic Tractor Tram Tour rolls through the vineyard and caves before a tasting of four wines. $45 for the tram tour; $25 for a tasting at the main bar. Tours need a reservation. We plan about 90 minutes.
12:00 · Lunch at Glen Ellen Star
About 5 minutes away. Lunch at Glen Ellen Star, a small restaurant in the village of Glen Ellen known for its wood-fired cooking. 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 · Laurel Glen Vineyard
About 2 minutes away. Organic Sonoma Mountain Cabernet from the vineyard's own clone, poured in a tasting room in the village. $45 for the Classic Tasting, or $55 for the Collector Tasting of four Cabernets; walk-ins welcome, open daily 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. We plan about an hour.
2:40 · Lasseter Family Winery
About 10 minutes away. A historic Glen Ellen estate farmed organically, with a Patio Tasting of five estate wines for $60, or a club-cart tour of century-old vines with cheese and charcuterie for $95. By reservation only. We plan about an hour.
3:50 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:00 p.m., about six hours after pickup.
Benziger's tram tour and Lasseter's tastings are booked ahead, so we reserve both when you book. Benziger and Laurel Glen are open daily, so this day works any day of the week.
About $150 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 Sophie James?
No. Sophie James has no tasting room and does not receive visitors, as of October 2026. Its dinners, pop-ups and pick-up events are for club members.
How can I buy Sophie James wine?
Only through the Sophie James club. Membership is by invitation, first come, first served; join the waitlist at sophiejameswine.com. Members can also restock through the online shop.
Who makes Sophie James wine?
Founders Sophie and James grow the grapes, and the wines have been made by Scott and Jenny Schultz of Jolie-Laide since the 2018 vintage, with Phil Coturri managing the vineyard.
Where is the Sophie James vineyard?
At the very top of Sonoma Mountain, above Petaluma and Glen Ellen: five acres of organically farmed Pinot Noir at up to about 2,340 feet.
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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