InnSonoma Valley AVA · Sonoma4.8 · 117
Cottage Inn & Spa
Book Calm Spa before arrival — most guests do — and walk to Sonoma Plaza in under five minutes.
Kid Friendly*CouplesWine Lovers
★★★★1.9 mi
Sonoma Valley · Sonoma County · Sonoma
Buena Vista Winery
California's oldest premium winery, founded in 1857 by Count Agoston Haraszthy.
4.5(725)
Known forCabernetChardonnayBarrel TastingHistoric EstateKid-FriendlyDog-Friendly
About Buena Vista Winery
California's oldest premium winery, founded in 1857 by Count Agoston Haraszthy, the 'Father of California Viticulture.' The historic stone cellars and press house in Sonoma are a state landmark. Now owned by Boisset Collection, Buena Vista combines 160+ years of history with approachable, well-priced wines.
Why Visit Buena Vista Winery
The Barrel Tasting & Winery Tour leads guests through the 1857 stone cellars and original caves, ending with reserve wines poured in the press house where Haraszthy first crushed grapes. It's a chance to walk through 160-plus years of California wine history, not just read about it.
- Founded in 1857 by Count Agoston Haraszthy, the 'Father of California Viticulture'
- Barrel Tasting & Winery Tour ($50) includes the original stone caves
- State landmark press house now serves as the main tasting room
- Current Release Tasting seated in the historic press house ($35)
The Setting
The 1857 stone cellars and press house are state landmarks, built by Count Haraszthy when Sonoma was still a frontier town. Thick stone walls keep the caves cool year-round, and the press house now serves as the main tasting area, where original timbers frame the bar. Outside, the property includes plaques marking Haraszthy's contributions to grafting and varietal importation.
The Tasting Experience
The Current Release Tasting ($35) is seated in the press house, where hosts pour through Buena Vista's approachable lineup without pretense. The Barrel Tasting & Winery Tour ($50) includes a walk through the original caves with a guide who explains Haraszthy's experiments, then pulls samples from barrels before finishing with reserve pours. For those wanting privacy, the Private Experience ($150) pairs wines with cheese and charcuterie in a separate room.
The Tasting
Tasting experiences.
Prices and availability are approximate and may not reflect current offerings.
Current Release Tasting
$35Seated tasting in the historic press house featuring a curated selection of current release wines.
45 min1–10 guests
Includes: 4 wines, seated experience
Barrel Tasting & Winery Tour
$50Guided tour of the 1857 stone cellars and historic caves with barrel tasting, followed by a tasting of reserve wines.
75 min2–12 guestsReservation Required
Includes: Winery tour, barrel tasting, 5 wines including reserve selections
Private Experience
$150Exclusive private tasting in the historic tasting room with wines paired to artisan cheeses and charcuterie.
60 min2–8 guestsReservation Required
Includes: 4 wines, cheese and charcuterie board, private setting
The Pour
$28$37$32$22
Wine list. (6)
Prices are approximate and may not reflect current offerings.
| Wine | Type | Vintage | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 Approachable Sonoma Cabernet with black cherry, plum, and soft oak. Great everyday red. | Cabernet Sauvignon | 2020 | $28 | |
Carneros Pinot Noir 2021 Elegant Pinot with cherry, strawberry, and earthy undertones. Excellent value. | Pinot Noir | 2021 | $37 | |
The Count Red Blend 2020 Flagship blend honoring founder Count Haraszthy. Zinfandel-driven with Merlot and Syrah — rich dark fruit, mocha, and firm tannins. | Red Blend | 2020 | $32 | |
North Coast Syrah 2020 Dark and savory with blackberry, smoked meat, and pepper. Approachable and well-priced. | Syrah | 2020 | $22 |
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Approachable Sonoma Cabernet with black cherry, plum, and soft oak. Great everyday red.
Cabernet Sauvignon2020
Carneros Pinot Noir 2021
Elegant Pinot with cherry, strawberry, and earthy undertones. Excellent value.
Pinot Noir2021
The Count Red Blend 2020
Flagship blend honoring founder Count Haraszthy. Zinfandel-driven with Merlot and Syrah — rich dark fruit, mocha, and firm tannins.
Red Blend2020
North Coast Syrah 2020
Dark and savory with blackberry, smoked meat, and pepper. Approachable and well-priced.
Syrah2020
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to Stay Nearby
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HotelSonoma Valley AVA · Sonoma4.6 · 49
Ledson Hotel
Six rooms on Sonoma Plaza named for Steve Ledson's family, each with working fireplaces and granite soaking tubs.
wine loversromantic getaways
★★★★1.9 mi
Drive Times
From Sonoma hotels.
Estimated drive time from each hotel to Buena Vista Winery, ordered by proximity.
| Hotel | Drive | Book |
|---|---|---|
| Cottage Inn & Spa | ~5 min | Book |
| Olea Hotel | ~19 min | Book |
| Farmhouse Inn | ~53 min | Book |
| Hotel Healdsburg | ~1h 1m | Book |
| The Lodge at Bodega Bay | ~1h 2m | Book |
| Montage Healdsburg | ~1h 3m | Book |
Estimates based on straight-line distance with a wine-country routing factor. Actual drive times vary with traffic and route choice.
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