Napa Valley, a wine-producing region in California, is one of the most popular wine regions in the entire world. You’ll want to visit some of the 600 local wineries if you plan to spend some time in this area and nearby Sonoma. Take a Napa Wine Tour to learn more about the area, gain some insider information and avoid drinking and driving.
Wine tours are as numerous as vineyards. Here are some of my favourite wine tours. You can choose which one suits your taste and budget.
Remember that tasting fees are usually added to the tour cost. These can range from $20 to $50, though some tours will waive this fee if wine is purchased. Remember that these tours are only open to those who are 21 years old or older, even if they’re from outside of the United States. Some allow children along, but most require you to be at least 21.
1. Napa Valley Wine Trolley
The Napa Valley Wine Trolley offers something different. You’ll be riding a replica cable car instead of a traditional tour bus. This is an open-air vehicle, so you’ll want to pick a nice day.
The Classic Napa Valley Tour departs from Oxbow Market, Napa. It costs $125 for transportation to three wineries with a picnic-styled lunch and unlimited soft drinks and bottled water between tastings.
2. Napa Valley Bike Tours
Napa Valley is full of vineyards and is, therefore, a very scenic area. Exploring it on a bicycle is an excellent way to see the valley. Napa Valley Bike Tours offers guided or self-guided tours departing from their store in Yountville. The popular guided half-day e-bike tours are $159 per person. They include a winery tour and a knowledgeable guide. The full-day tour offers a better value if you have time. You can visit two wineries for just $199 and also enjoy a picnic.
You can also choose to go at your speed with a self-guided trip. The box lunch is included, but you can also buy wine and have it picked up (riding around with wine in a backpack becomes tiresome). Self-guided tours are $149 per person, which includes comfortable bikes, helmets and all of the information you need.
3. Calistoga Bikeshop
Calistoga Bikeshop is a popular rental store that offers guided full-day tours for only $169.99. This tour includes a local guide (you can upgrade to e-bikes for $50), bike rental, two wineries visits, picnic lunch and wine pick-up.
Calistoga offers self-guided tour options for $94.99. The tour includes a planned itinerary, reservations and a bike, helmet and wine. Starting from their Calistoga shop, the guides create a custom route based on what each group member wants.
If you don’t want more wine, Calistoga offers great mountain biking excursions to the Palisades and along the Oat Hill Mine Trail.
4. Platypus Wine Tours
Platypus Wine Tours offers several wine tours that focus on different regions of the region. Platypus concentrates on smaller and medium-sized wineries, which are usually family-owned. The guides are passionate and knowledgeable, and small groups ensure that you don’t feel rushed.
Choose from tours that focus on Sonoma Valley or Napa Valley. Or, choose a tour centred in North Sonoma. Details vary according to the tour, but generally, you will visit three wineries at the cost of between $119 and 139 dollars (weekend tours tend to be more expensive).
5. Active Wine Adventures
Active Wine Adventures, as the name implies, offers private tours that include more than wine tasting. This is a great way to discover Napa Valley. Hike & Wine Tours, for example, begin with a 5-mile hike through the beautiful valley landscapes (about 2.5 hours) before continuing on to a winery tasting and lunch. You can also take Art & Wine Tours, which include visits to wineries that have private art collections or galleries.
The tours are $229-249 plus lunch. You can select from a fine-dining restaurant or a picnic in the vineyard. Similar tours are also offered in the Sonoma region.
6. Green Dream Tours
Wine is a great way to help the planet, and Green Dream focuses on sustainability. It uses green business practices and buys carbon offsets in order to balance out its fuel use. The Ultimate Wine Country Tour includes the costs of tasting at three boutique wineries. The inclusion of the tasting fees is great because you won’t be surprised by the price.
The tour departs from San Francisco and then visits Napa and Sonoma. It returns to the city. The tour will take you to the Golden Gate Bridge, a boutique vineyard in each region, lunch in Sonoma Square and back to downtown San Francisco. If you are staying in San Francisco but don’t have much time, this is a great option for seeing both regions. The tours start at $179 and include tastings. ).
7. Wine Tours for Small Lots
Small Lot is a great option for wine tours in Napa Valley if you are driving. It provides a guide to drive your car and plan a route that is right for you based on what wine you would like to sample, where you want lunch, and whether you are planning to buy wine.
If you have a group of friends and a car, it can be a great way to get to know Napa while still getting local expert guidance.
8. Napa Valley Wine Country Tours
Napa Valley Wine Country Tours offers full-day excursions to three wineries within the Napa area. The tours include pick-up from your Napa hotel and cost $119 per person. If you are travelling in a large group, they also offer private tours.
They also offer a different tour, which includes a hot-air balloon ride, four wineries, and a four-course lunch. The tour costs $414 but is worth it.
9. Small Group Wine Tour in Napa Valley
This luxury small-group winery tour will take you to a castle and other wineries. This full-day tour departs from San Francisco and includes three premium wineries, including Castello di Amorosa – a winery and castle in the style of the 13th century.
On your way back to the city, you’ll stop for a photo at the Golden Gate Bridge. The tours start at $299, which is a high price, but it includes tasting fees and a guided tour of the castle.
10. Napa Valley Wine Train
The Napa Valley Wine Train is a great way to discover Napa’s wine culture and rolling landscapes. The vintage train transports you back to the golden age when rail travel was common. It also offers the luxury of fine dining and wine pairings.