WINE TOURS · NAPA AND SONOMA WINE TOURS
Somebody has to choose, so: 5 napa and sonoma wine tours that are worth the money, with what you pay, what gets poured and the thing to check before you commit.
Spend about seven hours touring three changing Napa wineries with a guide such as Jason, Luis, Andy, or Courtney. Enjoy hotel pickup, a boxed picnic lunch, small-shuttle transport, and tastings at your own cost. Expect an easygoing group of 8 to 12 adults, with winery choices based on the day’s route.
“Our guide Tony was wonderful. He gave us history of the Napa Valley and was witty and full of anecdotes”
Ride a replica San Francisco cable car from Sonoma Plaza to four wineries or tasting rooms. Guides such as Paul and Dennis share Sonoma history, while winery hosts explain the wines. Lunch is included, but tasting fees run $30 to $40 per stop. The trolley may be replaced by a shuttle or coach bus.
“Our driver Paul was entertaining and enjoyable. We most enjoyed the visit to Buena Vista Winery. It was nice to have someone else driving. Our fellow passengers were fun.”
Spend about 6.5 hours touring Napa’s vineyards aboard an open-air trolley modeled after an 1890s San Francisco cable car. A guide such as Paul, Omar, or Richard handles the driving and commentary, while three or four winery stops and lunch are arranged for you. Tastings cost extra, and weather may mean a van instead.
“We loved the tour! We stopped at 4 places, each with a different vibe: Rutherford Ranch, Bottega for lunch, Peju, and Jean Edwards Cellars. Each place had different rates for the tastings. Due to weather, we weren't in a trolley but the sprinter van was wonderful. Thank you, Paul, for being a great guide.”
Spend six to seven hours visiting three Napa wineries in a shared Mercedes Sprinter or coach, with a driver-guide, bottled water, hotel pickup, and lunch included. The wineries change with availability, but may include Madonna Estate, RuVango, and Backstage. Tastings cost extra, usually $15 to $25 per winery.
“Our driver was knowledgeable of the area and the vineyards. She made sure the ride was comfortable with water and space for any bottles of wine we wanted to take home. All 3 vineyards included in the tour were unique and had great tastings!”
Walk through Yountville with a local guide such as Aniko, Nakito, Elizabeth, or Viv, stopping for a three-course lunch, wine pairings, restaurant tastings, and Kollar Chocolates. The group is limited to eight, but restaurant access and stops can change, so expect a flexible food walk rather than a fixed performance.
“I would highly recommend this tour. It encompassed so much and our tour guide Elizabeth was great. She was so knowledgeable.”
A country, a grape or an afternoon with nothing planned.
