Russian River Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Spell Estate with a Private Chauffeur
Single-vineyard Pinot Noir from Bennett Valley and the Yorkville Highlands, from Minnesota natives Bill and Tiki Spell. Spell Estate 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
Bill and Tiki Spell founded Spell Estate in 2006 and made their first vintage the next year. Natives of Minnesota and collectors of wine from around the world, they came west for California Pinot Noir and built the label around it, with each bottling meant to show its vineyard. The winemaker is Justin Harmon, a chemical engineer from the upper Midwest who worked the 2005 to 2007 Sonoma County harvests before moving to California and now has more than a decade of experience.
The vineyard-designate Pinot Noirs come from Frostwatch Vineyard in Bennett Valley and Weir Vineyard in the Yorkville Highlands of Mendocino County. Spell also makes a Chardonnay, a Vin Gris of Pinot Noir from Sonoma County and Nichole's Blend. Current single-vineyard Pinot Noirs are listed at $43 a bottle, with the Vin Gris from $23.
The wines are sold online and through a mailing list. Spell Estate's website shows no tasting room or appointments, so the day below goes to three wineries nearby in Santa Rosa that host, including a neighbor on Coffey Lane.
Tasting Fees
Spell Estate does not offer tastings.
On the day below, the Estate & Single Vineyard Tasting at Benovia is $45, Hook & Ladder's Cadet Tasting is $15 (the Captain Flight is $25, Friday to Sunday) and the reserve tasting at Carol Shelton is $20.
Tasting fees as of October 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
Santa Rosa
AVA
Russian River Valley
Visiting
Spell Estate does not receive visitors; its wines are sold online and through its mailing list.
Known For
Single-vineyard Pinot Noir from Frostwatch Vineyard in Bennett Valley and Weir Vineyard in the Yorkville Highlands
Founded
2006 (first vintage 2007)
Good to Know
Buy through the shop on spellestate.com, and join the mailing list for new releases.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a Santa Rosa hotel such as Hotel E or Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country.
10:00 · Pickup at Hotel E or Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country
Since Spell Estate does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. Both hotels are in downtown Santa Rosa, about 15 minutes from the first stop. The day runs about five and a half hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Benovia Winery
About 15 minutes away. Small-production Pinot Noir and Chardonnay poured in a ranch house among the vines on Hartman Road. The Estate & Single Vineyard Tasting of five or six wines is $45; we plan about an hour. Daily by appointment, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
11:30 · Hook & Ladder Winery
About 10 minutes away. A rustic tasting barn full of fire station memorabilia on historic Olivet Road. The Cadet Tasting of estate wines is $15, with walk-ins welcome daily; the guided Captain Flight is $25, Friday to Sunday by reservation. Open daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
12:40 · Lunch at Bird & The Bottle
About 15 minutes away. Lunch in Santa Rosa at Bird & The Bottle, a casual restaurant from the Stark family of restaurants. 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.
2:00 · Carol Shelton Wines
About 10 minutes away. Single-vineyard Zinfandel from a five-time Winemaker of the Year, in a homey tasting room on Coffey Lane, the same street where Spell Estate is licensed. The reserve tasting is $20, waived with the purchase of one bottle. Open daily 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
3:05 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 3:20 p.m.
All three wineries are open daily. Benovia is by appointment, and Hook & Ladder takes reservations Friday to Sunday, so we book ahead for weekends.
About $80 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 Spell Estate?
No. Spell Estate shows no tasting room or appointments, as of October 2026. We can plan a day at nearby Santa Rosa wineries that host.
How can I buy Spell Estate wine?
Online at spellestate.com, or through the mailing list. Current single-vineyard Pinot Noirs are listed at $43 a bottle.
Who owns Spell Estate?
Bill and Tiki Spell, Minnesota natives who founded it in 2006. Justin Harmon is the winemaker.
Where do Spell's grapes come from?
Frostwatch Vineyard in Bennett Valley and Weir Vineyard in the Yorkville Highlands, plus Sonoma County Pinot Noir for the Vin Gris.
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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