Green Valley of Russian River Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Taft Street Winery with a Private Chauffeur
A family winery that began in an Oakland garage in 1979, pouring Russian River Valley wines in an old apple barn outside Sebastopol, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Taft Street Winery began in 1979, when two brothers and a friend started making wine in a garage in Oakland. The name comes from Taft Avenue, where founders Mike and Mike threw neighborhood block parties, cooking, brewing and fermenting for everyone on the street. The winery is still family owned and operated, and 2021 was its 40th harvest.
Today the winery works out of an old apple processing barn on Barlow Lane, about 10 minutes from downtown Sebastopol, making small-production Russian River Valley wines from Sonoma County fruit, Pinot Noir among them. The winery describes its style as exceptional wines with an unconventional spirit.
It is one of the more relaxed stops in west county. Guests taste at the indoor bar or out on the shaded patio and sunny deck, and the winery welcomes picnics, bocce and cornhole. Weekends are walk-in, and the tasting fee is among the lowest in the area. We confirm current details when we book.
Tasting Fees
$15 per person for a tasting, waived with the purchase of three bottles. Complimentary for wine club members and up to four guests. 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
2030 Barlow Lane, Sebastopol
AVA
Green Valley of Russian River Valley
Visiting
Open Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; walk-ins are always welcome, or visits can be reserved. Weekday tastings, Monday to Friday, are by appointment based on the team's availability. Larger groups should contact the winery in advance.
Known For
Small-production Russian River Valley wines, including Pinot Noir and a rosé of Pinot Noir
Founded
1979
Good to Know
The winery invites guests to bring a picnic and play bocce or cornhole on the patio. Wine club members taste free with up to four guests. The tasting fee is waived with the purchase of three bottles.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:45 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as The Sebastopol Inn or Farmhouse Inn. Taft Street is about 5 to 10 minutes away.
10:45 · Pickup at The Sebastopol Inn or Farmhouse Inn
Taft Street Winery is about 5 minutes from The Sebastopol Inn, next to the plaza in downtown Sebastopol, and about 10 minutes from Farmhouse Inn in Forestville. Pickup is timed for the 11 a.m. weekend opening. Extra time can be added by the hour.
11:00 · Taft Street Winery
A tasting at the indoor bar or on the patio ($15 per person, waived with a three-bottle purchase). Walk-ins are welcome on weekends; plan on about an hour.
12:15 · Lunch at Handline
About 10 minutes away. Lunch at Handline on the south side of Sebastopol, a casual spot for seasonal dishes made with ingredients from Sonoma County and the Sonoma Coast. We confirm hours when we book. Prefer a picnic? Taft Street welcomes picnics on its patio, or we can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
1:40 · Merry Edwards Winery
About 10 minutes away. Single-vineyard Pinot Noir from one of the pioneers of the Russian River Valley. The Appellation Tasting of Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast and Anderson Valley wines is $45, by appointment; we allow about an hour.
2:55 · Emeritus Vineyards
About 5 minutes away. Dry-farmed estate Pinot Noir from Hallberg Ranch in the Green Valley. The Estate Tasting of five single-vineyard wines is $40, 60 to 90 minutes, waived with a 4-bottle purchase.
4:25 · Back to your hotel
Back by 4:45 p.m., six hours after pickup.
Taft Street's tasting room is open to walk-ins on Saturday and Sunday, so the day above suits a weekend. On a weekday we request an appointment with the winery first and build the day around the time it offers. Merry Edwards is open daily 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. by appointment, and Emeritus is open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
About $100 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 Taft Street Winery?
Not on weekends. The tasting room is open Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and walk-ins are always welcome, though visits can be reserved. Weekday tastings, Monday to Friday, are by appointment based on the team's availability. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the arrangements.
How much is a tasting at Taft Street Winery?
$15 per person, waived with the purchase of three bottles. Wine club members taste free with up to four guests. We confirm the current price when we reserve, as of October 2026.
Where do guests taste at Taft Street Winery?
At the winery at 2030 Barlow Lane in Sebastopol, about 10 minutes from downtown, at an indoor tasting bar or outside on the shaded patio and deck, with bocce and cornhole.
How did Taft Street Winery start?
Two brothers and a friend started making wine in a garage in Oakland in 1979; the founders, Mike and Mike, threw block parties on Taft Avenue. The winery now works out of an old apple processing barn in Sebastopol, and 2021 was its 40th harvest.
What is Taft Street Winery known for?
Small-production Russian River Valley wines, including Pinot Noir and a rosé of Pinot Noir, made from Sonoma County fruit.
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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