Sebastopol · Sonoma County
Visit Wine Fellas with a Private Chauffeur
Small releases from California vineyards with a story, made in Sebastopol by fourth-generation vintner Galen Schoch. Wine Fellas 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
Wine Fellas is a family winery in Sebastopol led by Galen Schoch, a fourth-generation vintner. The Schoch family's history in wine runs deep: Benno Schoch, a Swiss immigrant, was the first to export California wine to Central and South America, and his son Ivan Schoch managed and later bought much of the To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville, planted Hanzell's first vineyards and was one of Robert Mondavi's two original investing partners.
The winery focuses on California sites with meaning and story, made with less doctrinaire methods than in its early years, often unfined and unfiltered. Past releases include the 2019 Thunder Daze Brut Zéro sparkling wine and the 2020 Motor Love red from Mendocino County, and the winery says new releases are coming from Shake Ridge Ranch, Napa Valley and the West Sonoma Coast.
There is no tasting room. Wine Fellas sells online and through its mailing list, which it calls the Cru. The day below stays in Sebastopol, with three wineries that do host, ending at an urban winery near The Barlow.
Tasting Fees
Wine Fellas does not offer tastings.
The day below runs about $235 per person in tasting fees at Merry Edwards, Paul Hobbs and Pax.
Tasting fees as of October 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
Sebastopol
AVA
Russian River Valley
Visiting
Wine Fellas is not open to the public; its wines are sold online and through its mailing list.
Known For
Small-lot California wines from storied sites, from a fourth-generation family
Founded
Founding year not published
Good to Know
Sign up for the next release at winefellas.com; current wines sell out quickly.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a Sebastopol hotel such as The Sebastopol Inn or Fairfield Inn & Suites Sebastopol.
10:00 · Pickup at The Sebastopol Inn or Fairfield Inn & Suites Sebastopol
Since Wine Fellas does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. Both hotels are in Sebastopol, about 10 to 15 minutes from the first stop. The day runs about six hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Merry Edwards Winery
About 10 to 15 minutes away. Single-vineyard Pinot Noir from one of the pioneers of the Russian River Valley. The Appellation Tasting is $45; we plan about an hour. By appointment.
11:30 · Paul Hobbs Winery
About 10 minutes away. Seated tastings with food from the estate garden at Paul Hobbs's Katherine Lindsay Estate. The Signature Tasting of four wines with house-made dips and flatbreads is $95 plus tax, about 75 minutes. The winery confirms times within 2 to 3 business days.
1:00 · Lunch at Ramen Gaijin
About 10 minutes away. Lunch at Ramen Gaijin, a ramen shop and izakaya in downtown Sebastopol. 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.
2:20 · Pax Wines
About 5 minutes away. Pax Mahle's foot-crushed Syrah and rare grapes at an urban winery with roll-up garage doors. The Private Tasting & Cellar Tour of at least eight wines with a cheese and salumi board is $95, about 90 minutes, by reservation.
3:50 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:00 p.m., six hours after pickup.
All three wineries are open daily. For a lighter afternoon, Pax's Table Service flights, chosen from the menu, take about 45 minutes and cost less.
About $235 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 Wine Fellas?
No. Wine Fellas has no tasting room and does not host visitors, as of October 2026. We can plan a day at nearby Sebastopol wineries that do.
How can I buy Wine Fellas wine?
Online at winefellas.com, and by joining the mailing list for new releases.
Who is behind Wine Fellas?
Galen Schoch, a fourth-generation vintner from the family of Ivan Schoch, who owned much of Oakville's To Kalon Vineyard and was an early investor in Robert Mondavi Winery.
What wines does Wine Fellas make?
Small lots from California vineyards, including sparkling wine and red blends; upcoming releases come from Shake Ridge Ranch, Napa Valley and the West Sonoma Coast.
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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