Winery Tours

 

Your Guide to Winery Tours in the San Francisco Bay Area

A trip to the rolling hills of Napa Valley & Sonoma is a truly special experience. Whether you live in the Bay Area or are visiting for business or pleasure, taking some time to head up to San Francisco’s famous wine country is a great way to enjoy time with family and friends. With its world-renowned wineries and stunning vineyards, there are lots of great things to do for those looking to explore Wine Country. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or a fun group outing, there’s something for everyone on a winery tour. Popular stops on a Napa Valley tour include Robert Mondavi Winery, Stags Leap Winery, Chateau Montelena Winery, and Silver Oak Cellars. In Sonoma Valley, popular stops include Buena Vista Carneros Winery, Gundlach Bundschu Winery, Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards, and Iron Horse Vineyards.

What are the different types of Winery Tours?

There are many different types of winery tours available. Most tours include visits to several wineries with tastings and educational sessions about wine production and history. Some tours also include visits to local markets, olive oil tastings, picnics in vineyards and other activities related to wine culture. Private bus charters are also available for larger groups who want to customize their tour experience according to their needs and budget.

When is the best time to go on a Winery Tour?

The best times of year for wine tours depend on what type of experience you’re looking for. Generally speaking, spring is a great time for budding grapevines and lush vineyard views; summer brings warmer temperatures perfect for outdoor activities like picnics; fall offers beautiful foliage and harvest season festivities; winter is ideal for cozy indoor tastings with friends or family members. There are also some times of year that can be a lot busier than others such as during Bottlerock Napa weekend and some select weekends during “The Crush” (aka harvest season) where a lot of wineries have special events featuring grape stomping and harvest parties.

Here is a sample Itinerary for what you can expect from a Winery Tour:

9am: Pickup at designated location

10am: Arrive at first winery: Tour winery and do a wine tasting

11am: Depart first winery & head towards second destination

12pm: Arrive at second winery: Walk through vineyards and taste some wines

1pm: Depart second winery & head towards third destination

2pm: Arrive at third winery: Eat lunch, Learn about the winemaking process and do a Wine Tasting

4pm: Depart third winery & head back towards pickup location

5pm: Drop off at designated location