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If you are someone who loves wine tasting, then you are probably familiar with some of the best wineries in the United States. The best wine country in the United States can be found in Northern California. A lot of people are familiar with Sonoma and Napa Valley Wine, and this is a great place to learn about winemaking. Furthermore, there are amazing wine tours you can explore as well. Regardless of whether you are someone who likes Cabernet Sauvignon, sparkling wine, or Pinot Noir, you should consider taking a guided tour of some of the best wineries in the area. What are some of the best Napa Valley wineries you should consider visiting during your next visit to downtown Napa? Take a look at a few of the top winery tours below, and elevate your wine-tasting experience to new heights!
The Napa Valley Wine Train
If you want to visit as many wineries as you can, then you may want to sign up for an event that allows you to visit multiple wineries at the same time! That is exactly what we will get if you decide to sign up for the Napa Valley Wine Train! During your trip, you’ll visit three of the best wineries in the area. Then, in between your stops, you’ll eat a gourmet meal that will educate you on some of the top wine pairings to consider.
You should check the updated information to learn more about your itinerary, but you should visit Beringer Vineyards, Raymond Vineyards, and St. Supery Estate Vineyards and Winery during your trip. You’ll also get to enjoy some delicious cheese, fruit, and dessert! Of course, you need to be 21 or older to sign up for the event, but there are half-day and full-day tasting experiences. This could be the top wine tour to take during your getaway!
The Wine and Redwoods Tour
This is one of the best options available for those who are staying in San Francisco. The Muir Woods Redwoods and Wine Country tour is an excursion that takes the entire day. You will visit the Golden Gate Bridge, Muir Woods, and numerous wineries scattered throughout Napa and Sonoma. If you only have one day to spend in the area, this could be the best option available. You will get to visit multiple wineries in addition to exploring the beautiful scenery in the area.
This is a great way to experience everything the wine country has to offer in a single day. Every Winery is a bit different, and you may want to come back and focus on a few specific wineries later, but this is also a way for you to see some of the highlights. Consider signing up for this tour if you are staying in San Francisco.
Napa Valley Balloons
If you want a unique perspective on the area, then you should consider signing up for a tour via Napa Valley Balloons. This is an opportunity for you to take a hot air balloon high above the famous wine country. Even though you’ll still want to swing by the wineries once you return to the ground, this will provide you with an amazing view of the region. The hot air balloon ride begins at Domaine Chandon winery and returns to the same location at the end. Your pilot will provide you with commentary on some of the sites you’ll spot from the air.
The entire tour lasts approximately one hour. The first balloon usually takes off just after the sun rises, so you’ll want to check the times shortly before you arrive. Your trip will also include sparkling wine, breakfast, and snacks. Because the balloons are relatively large, you can travel with up to 20 people. If you are interested in a private balloon tour, you can sign up for this as well. If you want an unforgettable experience, consider signing up for a tour via Napa Valley Balloons!
The Somerston Estate
If you are looking for an individual winery tour, then you may want to check out the Somerston Estate. The area is close to 1700 acres, and it is known for its amazing Cabernet Sauvignon. It is situated in the Eastern Vaca Mountains of the Napa region, and they only use organic fruit. In addition, the winery also produces Marlow, sauvignon blanc, and Cabernet Franc. These are some of the winery’s top mono-varietal offerings.
The estate has worked hard to refine its craft over the years. This is reflected in the exceptional quality of the wine provided. The leaders of the winery focus on carbon-neutral practices and pH-balanced water. Furthermore, there are food pairings provided on the individual tours. If you decide to take a tour of this amazing estate, you’ll want to take your time. You should certainly bring a camera to take pictures of the amazing views. If you really want to learn more about the estate, you may want to book a private dinner with Craig Becker, the winemaker. Consider taking a tour of one of the best wineries Napa Valley has to offer.
Napa Valley Wine Trolley
If you are looking for a classic tour of the Napa area, then you may want to sign up for the Napa Valley Wine Trolley. California used to have a wide variety of open-air cable cars. They were used to transport people around Napa Valley. If you are willing to take a trip back in time, then you may want to sign up for the Napa Valley Wine Trolley. This is a 6-hour tour that stops at four separate wineries at the bottom of the valley. The stops can vary from day to day, so if you have specific ones you want to check out, be sure to look at the schedule before your trip.
The tour starts at 10 in the morning at the Oxbow Public Market. There are also some hotels that offer pickups for the tour. You get a picnic lunch during the trip, but the cost of the tour does not include tasting fees that are charged by the winery. If you would like a slightly longer tour, you can add a few destinations at the top of the valley as well. If you want a classic tour that stops at multiple destinations, consider signing up for this trolley. It is an experience you’ll love!
Robert Mondavi
One of the most popular wineries in the area is owned by Robert Mondavi. You have probably seen his name on numerous wine bottles and grocery stores. Robert Mondavi has a To-Kalon vineyard in Oakville, and it is quite possibly the most famous Winery in the entire area. Now, the winery is led by Genevieve Janssens. But the wines have not lost an ounce of quality! They continue to be the standard-bearer for the entire area, which is why this winery is a requisite stop during any visit to Napa Valley.
When you approach the winery, you will immediately be in awe of its amazing appearance. It is a ranch-style estate, and it wraps around an amazing courtyard. Inside, you’ll enjoy views of some of the top Vineyards in Oakville. You can sign up for a tour of the entire area, and you can take advantage of tastings offered by the winery. You may want to try the Cabernet Sauvignon or the Sauvignon Blanc. There is even a private dining experience you can sign up for. Depending on when you visit, you might be able to take in a concert. Do not pass up the opportunity to explore this amazing winery. If you sign up for a tour and explore the tasting rooms in this St. Helena paradise, you’ll be glad you did.
Platypus Wine Tours
Platypus is another popular tour that takes you to multiple wineries in the area. The tour lasts approximately six and a half hours, and you’ll stop at four wineries along the way. The destinations are not set, and they vary from day to day. Therefore, be sure to take a look at the itinerary before you sign up. Countless people have raved about their experience, and you should enjoy yourself as well.
The tour typically starts at the Napa Valley Welcome Center. Some hotels also offer pickups. The tours include as many as 12 people, and the ticket includes a picnic lunch at one of the wineries. There are plenty of snacks available on the bus as well. The tour ticket does not include the tasting fees, so you should budget for this as well. In addition to Napa Valley, you can sign up for a tour of the Sonoma Valley wine region as well. If you would like a private tour, you can sign up for that also.
Napa Valley Bike Tours
If you enjoy physical activity, then you may want to sign up for a bike tour of the Napa Valley area as well. Napa Valley Bike Tours is located in Yountville. During a 10 to 14-mile bike ride, you’ll visit two separate wineries. You can sign up for a guided tour where a professional will share information about the region. You can also learn more about winemaking. Guys are incredibly knowledgeable, and they will make sure you try the best options available! Unless you bike regularly, you may want to sign up for an electric bike. You’ll be surprised at how demanding this can be, particularly after you taste wine at several locations!
The tours last between 4 and 5 hours. They cap at 12 people. After the tour is over, you can continue to bike on your own without a guide for a few hours. The cost of a ticket includes the bike and a helmet but does not include tasting fees charged by the winery. You will have to pay more if you want to use an electric bike. If you would like to extend your tour, you can sign up for a hot air balloon ride for an additional fee. If you want to get some exercise in during your trip to Napa Valley, you may want to sign up for this bike tour!
Green Dream Tours
If you would like to support some of the local winemakers, then you should sign up for this tour. Green Dream Tours seeks to provide support for several locally owned wineries. You might visit Bouchaine Vineyards, Hagafen Cellars, and Spelletich Family Winery. During the tour, you’ll also stop at the Oxbow Public Market for lunch. This is an enjoyable experience that gives you some insight into what it is like to make wine in the area.
Depending on where you are staying, you might have access to a hotel pick-up. The tour usually starts at approximately 9 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. The price of the tour does include tasting fees, but your lunch at Oxbow Public Market will be on your own. The maximum tour size is 14 people.
Porter Family Vineyards
Finally, you may want to visit Porter Family Vineyards. This is a winery that is known for its amazing quality, unbeatable views, and friendly service. Furthermore, you can sign up for a tour and tasting event as well. You’ll get a guided tour of the vineyard with one of the owners and have access to the new releases that might not have hit the stores yet! Therefore, you might be one of the first people to taste one of the best wines to come out of Napa Valley! The Vineyard is known for its amazing Bordeaux varietals, so be sure to try them on your tour! There are plenty of other events that take place at the vineyard from time to time as well.
Get Ready for Your Next Visit to Napa Valley
These are just a few of the top Napa Valley Wine Tours you should consider. Even though there are plenty of wine regions throughout the United States, California wine country is the best place to go. There are plenty of hidden gems in the area, and you may want to bring a picnic lunch as you go on your Napa Valley Bike Tours or when you visit a Napa Valley Wine trolley. You can easily sign up for a full-day event and look for small group private tours and private tasting events as well. Of course, during your visit to Napa or Sonoma Valley, you might want to spend multiple days in the area. Therefore, take a look at a few vacation rentals available, and make sure you explore all the wine caves and wine cellars you can! There are plenty of delicious wines waiting for your next trip, and you might want to check out a few boutique wineries as well!
