Alexander Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Starlite Vineyards with a Private Chauffeur
A six-acre hilltop vineyard planted unusually densely for European-style wines poured in top restaurants, with a restored 1912 farmhouse, and a suggested six-hour day around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Starlite Vineyards began with the purchase of this Alexander Valley property in 2001, and the first wine, in 2003, was a Claret-style Zinfandel. The idea from the start was European style, with wines modeled on Bordeaux, Condrieu and Ribera del Duero.
The six acres of vineyard sit on a hilltop to make the most of the sun. Zinfandel went in first, in 1998, Cabernet Sauvignon in 2002 and Viognier in 2008, all planted 6 feet between rows and 2.5 feet between vines, which the winery says makes them among the most densely planted vineyards in California and gives the wines their depth of color and flavor. The lineup runs from a Bordeaux-style Cabernet, released in lots of about 175 cases, to a Condrieu-style Viognier and Española, a Tempranillo in the manner of Ribera del Duero, and the wines have been poured at restaurants such as Gary Danko, Michael Mina and The Restaurant at Meadowood.
This is a small, quiet estate on Highway 128, the kind of place most visitors drive past, and the hilltop vineyard is the setting. Starlite also rents out its restored 1912 farmhouse, surrounded by vineyard and gardens, for guests who want to stay in the middle of the valley. The winery does not publish tasting hours, so we arrange the visit with the tasting room.
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
5511 Highway 128, Geyserville
AVA
Alexander Valley
Visiting
Tasting hours are not published; visits are arranged with the tasting room by phone. We confirm times when booking.
Known For
European-style Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier and Zinfandel from a densely planted hilltop vineyard
Founded
2003 (first wine); property acquired 2001
Good to Know
A small estate with limited production, so visits are arranged ahead. The restored 1912 farmhouse on the property can be booked for stays.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 9:35 a.m. from a Healdsburg hotel such as Hotel Trio or Hotel Healdsburg.
9:35 · Pickup at Hotel Trio or Hotel Healdsburg
Hotel Trio, on Dry Creek Road on the north side of Healdsburg, is about 15 minutes from Starlite, and Hotel Healdsburg, on the town plaza, about 20, so we leave at 9:35 to reach Robert Young for its 11 o'clock seating after Starlite. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
9:55 · Starlite Vineyards
A tasting of the estate's European-style wines, with the hilltop vineyard just outside.
11:00 · Robert Young
About 5 minutes away. Peter Young bought this ranch in 1858, and in 1963 his grandson Robert planted what the family counts as the first Cabernet Sauvignon in Alexander Valley. The Scion Experience of single-block reserve wines with light local bites is $85, 90 minutes, on the hillside terrace with views over the vineyards and the valley. By appointment, Wednesday to Monday, with seatings at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m.
12:40 · Lunch at Diavola
About 10 minutes away. Chef Dino Bugica's restaurant in a historic building on Geyserville Avenue, with Neapolitan-style pizza from a wood-burning oven, handmade pasta and house-cured salumi. Lunch is served daily from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
1:55 · Lampson Family Wines
About 10 minutes away. Sisters Catie Kuckuk and Erin Kuh make their wines entirely from Stone Ranch, the vineyard their family has owned since 1941 and their brother Andy farms. Visits are a relaxing one-mile loop walk through the vines, with views across Alexander Valley to Mount St. Helena and Geyser Peak, ending with a tasting. By appointment; the fee is confirmed when we book.
2:55 · Back to your hotel
Back in Healdsburg by 3:10 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. Robert Young is closed on Tuesday, so this day works Wednesday to Monday; Starlite and Lampson are by appointment, so we confirm both when we book.
About $85 per person for Robert Young; the Starlite and Lampson fees are to be verified upon reservation, each 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 a reservation at Starlite Vineyards?
Yes. Starlite does not publish tasting hours, so visits are arranged with the tasting room ahead of time. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Starlite?
Tasting fees are to be verified upon reservation; the winery does not publish them.
What makes the Starlite vineyard unusual?
Its six hilltop acres are planted 6 feet between rows and 2.5 feet between vines, which the winery says makes them among the most densely planted vineyards in California.
Can you stay at Starlite Vineyards?
Yes. The estate rents out a restored 1912 farmhouse surrounded by vineyards and gardens.
Where is Starlite Vineyards?
On Highway 128 in the middle of Alexander Valley, about 15 to 20 minutes from Healdsburg.
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.
Reserve Your Tour{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Winery","name":"Starlite Vineyards","url":"https://www.starlitevineyards.com/","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"5511 Highway 128","addressLocality":"Geyserville","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95441","addressCountry":"US"},"foundingDate":"2003"},{"@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Do I need a reservation at Starlite Vineyards?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. Starlite does not publish tasting hours, so visits are arranged with the tasting room ahead of time. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How much is a tasting at Starlite?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Tasting fees are to be verified upon reservation; the winery does not publish them."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What makes the Starlite vineyard unusual?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Its six hilltop acres are planted 6 feet between rows and 2.5 feet between vines, which the winery says makes them among the most densely planted vineyards in California."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Can you stay at Starlite Vineyards?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. The estate rents out a restored 1912 farmhouse surrounded by vineyards and gardens."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Where is Starlite Vineyards?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"On Highway 128 in the middle of Alexander Valley, about 15 to 20 minutes from Healdsburg."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How does booking a tour with Bien Chauffeured work?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"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."}}]}]}