Any advice on a good wine tasting tour in Napa valley or wine country?

Question

I would like to take my mother (she is visiting) on a wine tasting tour. There are sooo many sites on the internet. I am becoming a little overwhelmed. Anyone know what the best one would be if we would like to sight see but also spend time tasting at various wineries? Maybe a tour is not what I am looking for? Any advice! I would like it to be special for her. Would love to hear any ones personal experience and recommendation... Thanks

Answer 1

I'm not a huge fan of the really big wineries so I tend to stick to Paso Robles. Some of my favorite wines come from the little boutique wineries there!
I love to just drive around taking in the beauty of the vineyards (especially with a loved one) stopping at any little winery that tickles my fancy! Try Villicana! They have a great Cab Sav.
I think a tour is a little impersonal but that's just me.
Have fun!

Answer 2

Typical protocol- show up at the vineyard; tastings run from free to $5 or $10, depending on the location. By tastings, it's just that. You'll get a tiny pour, sample, and the person will describe the wine for you; and compare it. Typically, the warm climate of Napa produces good chardonnays (whites) and cabernets (reds). I went a couple years ago and spent a couple days up there. Most of the locations aren't really walking distance; you could try the biking part but you're talking 2-lane highways with hills. Viasattui (I'm misspelling it) is a must-do. You won't find their product anywhere else (they don't sell to stores); so if you like it, buy it there. I hit about a dozen places in 2 days; what I found was the smaller places are your hidden gems. You can hit Mondavi and the other big places, and it'll feel like a factory. For me, the smaller, independent winemakers will actually take a little more time, and are a lot more fun to hang around (I can still remember being taken on an impromptu cellar tour; it just sort of happened). There's a roadside place in the heart of Napa (the name escapes me; it's incredibly popular, and there's picnic tables all 'round it); it's a great place to stop for lunch, repair, and get your second wind. If you plan on buying wine (and you're flying) do invest in the styrofoam packaging and boxes. Trust me! Enjoy your excursion; if you're going in August/September Napa can be quite warm compared to San Francisco (although September is the closest thing to 'summer' that San Francisco gets); daytime highs above 85/90F are quite common. Bring your camera; many of the locations are near/on scenic vistas.

Answer 3

Living in California affords us so many different options when it comes to where to go wine tasting. Depending on when she is visiting, you may want to consider checking out the various wineries for events. Right now is harvest season, so the time is "ripe" (pun intended). My hubby and I were planning on going to Napa this weekend, but we found most of the hotels required a 2 night stay, then we considered going to Monterey and it turns out they are having a musical festival. After doing various searches I came across an event advertising the "Wineries of Santa Clara Valley"! The event is Saturday and Sunday and for $25 you get a wine glass, Barrel Tasting • BBQs • Winery Tours • Large Discounts • New Releases • Antipasti • Music • Great Wines, and a passport to visit 12 wineries. You can buy the "passport" at any participating winery. Unless you absolutely have your heart set on Napa, it might be fun to explore the "other" valleys.

Regarding Napa, we've done the wine train, and it was good for the experience. Personally, one time was enough for me. If you really have your heart set on Napa, you may want to look into getting a wine country explorer pass. Costco used to sell them on their website. But I believe you can order here: http://www.explorerpass.com/winecountry/index.html

Good Luck!

Answer 4

Do not take the Wine Train. You'll get wine, but you only see the backs of buildings, litter, and the highway. It's not scenic at all and it's overpriced.

If you stay in Napa proper, which I recommend, you'll be within walking distance of 17 different tasting rooms which serve a variety of wines, not just one winery's. And if you stop by the Visitor's Center in the downtown center, it's $20 for a card for 20 tastes at any of the tasting rooms. They claim it's a dime a taste, but they usually waive that. And you've got tons of shopping and dining. And to get around if you're not staying at a B&B, there's a trolley that runs all over downtown. If you travel upvalley though, be sure to stop by Mumms on Silverado Trail (great sparkling wine, views, and an Ansel Adams collection. And you have to go to Sterling which is off Hwy 29. A tram takes you up the mountain to the tasting room and they have cool Japanese gardens.

Email me if you need more info, I live here.

Answer 5

My experience w/the best tour is your own.
That way you don't have to wait for the rest of the party to finish and purchase their wine.
I would start in Calistoga and make your way into Yountville.
I would definetly go to some on the Silverado Trail like Silver Rose and Peju.
Highly recommend the Silver Rose winery!!
If you get to to the Silver Rose Winery just outside of Calistoga on the Silverado Trail road around 10am or 11am, on the weekend the owner will give you a personal tour of his cellar and a very good education! You taste for free, and his coy pond is beautiful.
The Mumms of Napa Valley winery is very nice as well.
The estate is beautiful.
A lot of the bigger wineries like Mondavi and so forth are very crowded on the weekends try sticking to the smaller wineries.

Answer 6

I know it's a little more spendy, but I would rent a limo and they take you to some Wineries. You also don't have to worry about drinking and driving or getting loss. Try www.califorinawinetour.com. hope this helps

Answer 7

The Wine Train in Napa is fabulous.
We enjoyed our visit to Beringers also.