About Your Guides

One of the reasons our Vineyard Walks are special is that your group will be accompanied by your own professional guide, giving you access to an amazing resource about grape growing, wine making, and Sonoma County.  Our guides include:

Margaret Chastain: Margaret has been managing her own vineyard, growing organic syrah grapes, since 2001. She really knows her grape growing and loves to share her knowledge. Margaret runs six miles every day and so if you want a workout, she can give it to you!








Michael Donohue: Michael comes to California via Canada where for 20 years he instructed wine courses for the British Wine & Spirits Education Trust. His love affair with the Vine began in university, when comparing different wines from the Côtes du Rhône and attempting to understand how could one taste so much different and better than another. With an MA in philosophy, Michael puts real emphasis on Carpe Diem and In Vino Veritas.






Jim McCammon: Jim is a semi-retired clergyman who, as he describes it, “has a passion for the beauty of wine”. He has become such a fan he volunteered to work at the busy “crush” time in a local winery and spends his vacations traveling to wine festivals. You will also be impressed with Jim’s ability to engage you on just about any subject.







Deirdre Venables: Deirdre had her own successful New York City law practice before deciding to sell it, move to Sonoma County, and immerse herself in the world of wine! She now studies wine, works at the Sonoma Wine Library, and does anything and everything to get connected to all things wine.