Russian River Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Walter Hansel Winery with a Private Chauffeur
A family estate of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay planted around old oak trees, where the vineyard crew also makes the wine, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Walter Hansel loved to grow things, and in 1975 he planted 256 Chardonnay vines on his land west of Santa Rosa to further his hobby as a weekend farmer. In the early 1990s he asked his son Stephen to help with the vines, and with a seasoned vintner as his mentor Stephen became passionate about growing great wine. They created the label in 1996 in Walter's honor and first offered the wines for sale in 1998, when they sold out right away. Stephen owns the winery today and runs it with Jesse Torres, the winery and vineyard manager, and his family.
The estate has grown to about 80 contiguous acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay clones, with the winery in the middle, at the southern end of the Russian River Valley. Rather than clear the land, the family planted around more than 20 oak trees. Three Rows of Pinot Noir came from bud wood Stephen received from Tom Rochioli, and the Cuvée Alyce bottlings are named for his mother. The same crew that farms the vines makes the wine, and the wines are held longer than most before release. Vinous called them some of the most fairly priced wines readers will find anywhere.
A visit is a personal one: tastings are by request on weekdays, either a Standard Tasting of about 30 minutes or the Full Cellar Experience of about an hour. Guests taste the estate's vineyard-designated Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays in a working winery surrounded by its own vines and oaks.
Tasting Fees
Tasting fees to be verified upon reservation. The Standard Tasting runs about 30 minutes and the Full Cellar Experience about an hour.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
5465 Hall Road, Santa Rosa
AVA
Russian River Valley
Visiting
Tastings by request, Monday to Friday. Reservations are required; the winery replies within about 24 hours.
Known For
Estate vineyard-designated Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Founded
1996 (first vines planted 1975)
Good to Know
Children are allowed, though the winery suggests coming without them when possible. Private tastings and events can be arranged on request.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a Santa Rosa hotel such as Hotel E or Hotel La Rose.
10:00 · Pickup at Hotel E or Hotel La Rose
Hotel E, a restored 1906 Beaux-Arts landmark on the square in downtown Santa Rosa, and Hotel La Rose, a 1907 hotel in Santa Rosa's historic Railroad Square, are each about 15 minutes from Walter Hansel Winery. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Walter Hansel Winery
The Full Cellar Experience, about an hour (fee confirmed when we book).
11:30 · Dehlinger Winery
About 15 minutes away. Tom Dehlinger planted this Vine Hill Road estate in 1975, one of the first to revive western Sonoma County's vineyards after Prohibition, and his daughters Carmen and Eva run it today; its 2024 Estate Pinot Noir scored 94 points from Wine Spectator. The private Discover Dehlinger tasting is $45, and Pinot and Place, a side-by-side look at the estate's Pinot Noirs, is $75, for up to 6 guests. By appointment only.
12:40 · Lunch at Underwood Bar and Bistro
About 10 minutes away. A bistro in the village of Graton with red vinyl banquettes, a nickel-topped bar and an open-air patio. Lunch is served Wednesday to Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:00 · Pax Wines
About 15 minutes away. Pax and Pamela Mahle's urban winery at The Barlow in Sebastopol, with roll-up garage doors and vinyl on the turntable; Pax made his name with cool-climate Syrah, crushed by foot. The Private Tasting & Cellar Tour, at least eight wines with a cheese and salumi board and a walk through the working cellar, is $95 and about 90 minutes; 21 and over. Open daily from 11 a.m.; we reserve ahead.
3:30 · Back to your hotel
Back in Santa Rosa by 3:50 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. This day works Wednesday to Friday, when Walter Hansel hosts and Underwood serves lunch.
About $140 to $170 per person in tasting fees for Dehlinger and Pax, paid directly to each winery; Walter Hansel's tasting fee is to be verified upon reservation.
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 Walter Hansel Winery?
Yes. Tastings are by request on weekdays and need a reservation. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Walter Hansel Winery?
The winery does not publish its tasting fees; they are to be verified upon reservation.
Can children visit Walter Hansel Winery?
Yes, children may come, though the winery recommends visiting without them when possible so you can relax and enjoy the tasting.
Who owns Walter Hansel Winery?
Stephen Hansel, who created the label in 1996 in honor of his father, Walter, who planted the first vines in 1975.
Where is Walter Hansel Winery?
On Hall Road west of Santa Rosa, at the southern end of the Russian River Valley.
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.
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