Sonoma Valley · Est. 1858
Gundlach Bundschu Winery
California’s oldest family winery. Six generations on the same Rhinefarm estate in Sonoma since 1858.
Gundlach Bundschu Winery was founded in 1858 by Jacob Gundlach, a Bavarian immigrant who had arrived in California during the Gold Rush and decided grapes were the better investment. He purchased 400 acres in the Carneros district south of Sonoma, planted Rhineland varietals, and partnered with his son-in-law Charles Bundschu to build a commercial winery. Today, six generations later, the Bundschu family still farms the same property, now called the Rhinefarm estate. No California winery has been in one family’s hands longer. GunBun, as generations of Sonoma locals have called it, is the closest thing Northern California has to an old-world wine estate.
166 Years on the Same Estate: A California Record
The Gundlach Bundschu story is the story of California wine itself, told through one family and one piece of land. Jacob Gundlach survived the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, which destroyed the family’s urban storage facility and much of their inventory. Prohibition arrived in 1919, and the family could not sell wine for 14 years, but they held the land. When Repeal came in 1933 they were still there. Jim Bundschu, the fifth-generation family member who modernized the brand in the 1970s, introduced irreverent marketing and a nickname that stuck: GunBun. Today his son Jeff Bundschu leads the sixth generation, maintaining the same independence and sense of humor that has characterized the estate through wars, earthquakes, and Prohibition.
The Rhinefarm Estate: 320 Acres of Sonoma Valley History
The Rhinefarm estate covers 320 acres on Denmark Street south of the Sonoma Plaza, straddling the boundary between the Sonoma Valley and Carneros AVAs. The cooler southern portion of the ranch, influenced by morning fog from San Pablo Bay, grows Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that ripen slowly and develop Burgundian complexity. The warmer interior blocks produce the estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Tempranillo that have earned Gundlach Bundschu its reputation as a red wine destination. The cave complex cut into the hillside behind the winery dates from the 1880s and is still in use for barrel aging. Farming is sustainable, with cover crops and integrated pest management throughout.
The Wines: Gewurztraminer, Tempranillo, and the GunBun Identity
Gundlach Bundschu is one of very few California wineries that takes Gewurztraminer seriously. The estate Gewurztraminer, from a block planted in the cool Carneros-influenced section of the ranch, is dry, aromatic, and structured in a way that most California examples are not. It is consistently one of the best examples of the varietal made west of Alsace. The Tempranillo, a surprise in Sonoma Valley, works because the estate’s volcanic hillside blocks provide the same warm days and cool nights that define Ribera del Duero. The Cabernet Sauvignon, the estate’s most-produced varietal, is approachable, consistent, and the best value in the lineup.
Music, Theater, and the Sonoma Moutain Venue
Gundlach Bundschu is as well known for its outdoor concert series as for its wines. The amphitheater on the estate hillside has hosted live music events for decades, bringing thousands of visitors to the Rhinefarm every summer. The concerts are deliberately eclectic, mixing folk, country, bluegrass, and rock in a setting that feels uniquely Sonoma: the stage backed by estate vineyards, the audience on blankets with picnics and wine. No other Sonoma County winery has built this level of community identity around an annual event. The summer music series is a fixture on the Sonoma social calendar and books well in advance.
Plan Your Visit
2000 Denmark Street, Sonoma, CA 95476
45 minutes north of San Francisco via Hwy 101. South of the Sonoma Plaza, off Denmark Street.
Walk-in and reservation tastings available. Cave tastings, vineyard walks, and picnic options.
Annual outdoor concert series on the estate amphitheater. Check gunbun.com for the summer lineup.
Daily 11am-5:30pm. Extended hours on concert nights. Check the website for current schedule.
Picnicking on the estate grounds is encouraged. Bring your own food or purchase provisions nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Gundlach Bundschu Winery?
Gundlach Bundschu was founded in 1858 by Jacob Gundlach, making it 166 years old and the oldest continuously family-owned winery in California. The winery survived the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, which destroyed much of their inventory, and Prohibition from 1919 to 1933, during which the family held the land but could not produce commercial wine. The sixth generation of the Bundschu family now leads the estate.
What does GunBun mean?
GunBun is the affectionate nickname for Gundlach Bundschu, used by generations of Sonoma locals who understandably found the full name difficult. The winery has embraced the nickname and uses it in their marketing, merchandise, and communications. It is among the most recognizable wine nicknames in California.
What is Gundlach Bundschu best known for?
Gundlach Bundschu is best known for three things: its status as the oldest continuously family-owned winery in California, its irreverent marketing style and summer concert series, and its estate Gewurztraminer, one of the finest examples of that varietal produced in the United States. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo from the Rhinefarm estate are also well-regarded.
Where is Gundlach Bundschu located?
The winery is located on Denmark Street in Sonoma, about a mile south of the Sonoma Plaza. The 320-acre Rhinefarm estate sits at the northern boundary of the Carneros AVA, with portions also in the Sonoma Valley AVA. It is about 45 minutes north of San Francisco.
Does Gundlach Bundschu have an outdoor concert venue?
Yes. The estate amphitheater on the hillside above the winery has hosted outdoor concerts for decades. The summer music series runs from late spring through early fall and features a wide range of genres. Tickets sell in advance at gunbun.com. Picnics, blankets, and GunBun wine are the standard experience.
Is Gundlach Bundschu wine good value?
Gundlach Bundschu offers some of the best value for money in Sonoma County wine. The estate Cabernet Sauvignon typically retails around $30-40, the Gewurztraminer around $25-35, and the Pinot Noir in the $40-55 range. For a 166-year-old family estate with deep Sonoma roots and consistently well-made wines, these are strong value propositions, particularly for visitors buying at the tasting room.
Guide researched and written by the Popular Wines editorial team. Information verified against official winery sources.
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