Russian River Valley · Sonoma County
Visit Whipsmart Wine Company with a Private Chauffeur
Carbonic Grenache, Nero d'Avola and old-vine reds from a Sonoma County micro-winery started by a former Washington lawyer. Whipsmart 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
Whipsmart's founder was an attorney at a "white shoe" law firm in Washington, DC, until 2010, when he left the law to follow a dream of making wine. It took him to Australia and South Africa and then to Sonoma County, where he learned from top winemakers in day jobs at some of California's finest wineries before founding Whipsmart Wine Company, a micro-winery, in 2015.
The focus is old vines and unusual grapes. The Mossy Block Zinfandel and Infinite Regress Petite Sirah come from the Battaglini vineyard in the Piner-Olivet area of the Russian River Valley, planted in 1885; Maiden Effort is a field blend of Carignane and Petite Sirah from Mendocino County's Testa Vineyard, planted in 1912; and Blanc de L'Année is Muscadelle from Sonoma Valley vines planted in 1920. One Fine Morning, a Russian River Valley Grenache, and The Fiddler, a Nero d'Avola, are light reds made by carbonic maceration in stainless steel barrels. Wine Enthusiast gave the 2024 One Fine Morning 92 points and the 2023 Fiddler 93, naming it one of its top 100 Best Buys of 2025. Most lots are 50 to 100 cases.
Whipsmart has no tasting room and publishes no visiting program. It sells through an annual release letter to its mailing list and online, at $14 to $24 a bottle, and ships to customers. For a day out, we take guests to small estates around Santa Rosa that do open their doors.
Tasting Fees
Whipsmart does not offer tastings.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
No tasting room, Santa Rosa
AVA
Russian River Valley
Visiting
Whipsmart Wine Company has no tasting room and publishes no visiting program; it sells through its mailing list and website.
Known For
One Fine Morning carbonic Grenache, The Fiddler carbonic Nero d'Avola, and old-vine Zinfandel and Petite Sirah
Founded
2015
Good to Know
Join the mailing list on the winery's website to receive the annual release letter and hear when new wines are available.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:15 a.m. from a Santa Rosa hotel such as Hotel E or Hotel La Rose.
10:15 · 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 30 minutes from Coursey Graves, the first stop, up in the Bennett Valley hills. Since Whipsmart does not host visitors, this day takes you to three estates nearby that do. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:45 · Coursey Graves
About 30 minutes away. John and Denise Graves's estate about 1,500 feet up Bennett Mountain, where architect Charles Stinson set three buildings into the hillside above gardens and a pond. The Semi-Private Tasting is $75, about 60 minutes; the Private Vista Experience, with a charcuterie board and a dedicated host, is $110 for up to 6. By appointment only, seven days a week; 21 and over.
12:15 · Lunch at Bird & The Bottle
About 30 minutes away. Chef Mark Stark's modern tavern on Fourth Street in Santa Rosa, with plates to share from the American South, Asia and Jewish comfort food, and two patios; we reserve the table for you. Open daily from 11:30 a.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
1:40 · Mila Family Vineyards
About 10 minutes away. Michael Oravecz and Loretta DiChiro grow biodynamic Grenache, Syrah and Carignan on a 54-acre Alexander Valley farm, where Amish carpenters helped them move two historic barns from Ohio; Kian Tavakoli, formerly of Opus One, is consulting winemaker. Private tastings are at the family's address in the Fountaingrove hills above Santa Rosa, by appointment only; the fee is confirmed when we book.
2:50 · D'Argenzio Winery
About 10 minutes away. The D'Argenzio family turned a cabinetmakers' hobby into a Santa Rosa winery in 1994, and winemaker Sandro Tamburin, raised among the vineyards of Trieste, makes small lots of Italian varieties and Sonoma County classics; wood-fired pizza is served in the tasting room. Flights are $25 to $35, and the Pizza & Wine Pairing is $55. Walk-ins Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.; Monday to Thursday by appointment.
3:55 · Back to your hotel
Back in Santa Rosa by 4:00 p.m., within six hours of pickup.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. Coursey Graves and Mila are by appointment and D'Argenzio takes appointments Monday to Thursday and walk-ins on weekends, so this day works any day but Friday; we confirm all three when we book.
About $100 to $110 per person at Coursey Graves and D'Argenzio ($75, and $25 to $35 for a flight), paid directly to each winery; the Mila 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
Can you visit Whipsmart Wine Company?
No. Whipsmart has no tasting room and publishes no visiting program, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at estates nearby that do host.
How can I buy Whipsmart wine?
Through the winery's website and its annual release letter; sign up for the mailing list to hear when new wines are released.
Who started Whipsmart?
A former Washington, DC, attorney who left the law in 2010, made wine in Australia and South Africa, then settled in Sonoma County and founded Whipsmart in 2015.
What is Whipsmart known for?
Light carbonic reds, One Fine Morning Grenache and The Fiddler Nero d'Avola, and old-vine Zinfandel and Petite Sirah from a Russian River Valley vineyard planted in 1885.
Where are Whipsmart's vineyards?
Whipsmart buys from growers: the Battaglini vineyard in the Russian River Valley, the Testa Vineyard in Mendocino County and old Muscadelle vines in Sonoma Valley, among others.
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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