Tour Vin – Get Ready for Hands-On Experience!

Published on: March 31st, 2025

It’s never too early to plan an event that comes around only once each year! We are talking about a hands-on grape picking and stomping experience, which is planned in September at Trefethen Family Winery.

We anticipate your day will begin with a vineyard tour, learning about the history of the
winery and followed by picking the actual grapes. Then, enjoy an amazing lunch prepared by professional chefs before you head to the crush pad where you will crush (foot stomp) the grapes you harvested!

The day ends with, what else, a wine tasting in the vineyard.

This hands-on-occassion tends to sell out quickly, so if you are interested in taking part in this amazing event let us help you secure your spot. Autumn is a great time to visit Wine Country and early reservations are recommended.

Contact Tour Vin to help plan your next wine country vacation to either Napa or Sonoma. Cheers!

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Wine Country Concierge

Tour Vin – Explore Festival Napa Valley

Published on: March 3rd, 2025

We at Tour Vin want to share information on an annual event you don’t want to miss! One of the things Wine Country is known for is showcasing music, wine, food and art. In July, Napa Valley is featuring their annual Festival Napa Valley from July 5 – July 20 at various venues throughout the valley.

Event passes are on sale now and will sell out fast. Attendees will be able to enjoy a diverse lineup of international stars encompassing opera, jazz and swing, as well as classic films and the Taste of Napa featuring various restaurants and wineries throughout the valley.

There is much to plan for during your visit, including choosing the events that interest you, where to stay, transportation options and, of course, where to dine. Want to squeeze in a hot air balloon ride? We can reserve that for you! In fact, we can help you plan for all your Napa Valley travel needs, so contact us at your earliest convenience!

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Wine Country Concierge

Tour Vin – Explore Upcoming Wine Country Events

Published on: January 30th, 2025

There are many exciting, top annual events coming up in Wine Country and Tour Vin is happy to share them with our clients! Whether it’s in Napa or Sonoma, there is always something for everyone to enjoy.

NAPA

• March 2, 2025 – The Napa Valley Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K
• April 27, 2025 – Napa Spring Half Marathon and 5K
• May 23-25, 2025 – BottleRock Napa Valley (everyone should attend this event at least once!)
• June 6-7 – Auction Napa Valley (wine auction, barrel auction, vintner hosted dinners, spectacular food and outstanding wines!)

SONOMA

• Feb 14-17, 2025 – Cloverdale Citrus Fair (live music, carnival rides, wine tasting and of course,
  food!
• March 21-23, 2025 – California Artisan Cheese Festival
• April 12, 2025 – Battle of the Brews (brews, all you can eat and live music)
  April 25-27, 2025 – Healdsburg Passport to Dry Creek (more than 25 wineries, great food and live entertainment)

Contact Tour Vin to help plan your next trip to Wine Country!

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Wine Country Concierge

Cheers to a Joyful Holiday Season From Tour Vin!

Published on: December 16th, 2024

As the year draws to a close, we’d like to take a moment to raise a glass in gratitude and celebration.
2024 has been a remarkable journey through the stunning vineyards, rich history and the unparalleled
flavors of Wine Country. Whether you joined us for a private tour, a milestone celebration or simply an
escape to the rolling hills and charming wineries, we thank you for allowing us to be part of your story.

We’re excited for what the new year holds! From emerging wineries and new culinary trends to
exclusive partnerships and fresh experiences, Wine Country continues to evolve. Tour Vin is dedicated
to staying ahead of the curve to bring you the best of the region. If you have a special occasion or a
dream trip in mind, let us help you bring it to life.

Wishing You a Season of Joy

During this festive season, we hope your days are filled with laughter, love and, of course, excellent
wine. Thank you for making 2024 so special for us. We can’t wait to welcome you back to Wine Country
in 2025!

From our Tour Vin family to yours, cheers to a joyous holiday season and a prosperous new year.

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Wine Country Concierge

Tour Vin – Wine Country Harvest Parties

Published on: October 31st, 2024

On our last trip to the wine country, Tour Vin participated in our first harvest party and wanted to share our experience. Though harvest is now over, it’s not too early to think about how you can enjoy the 2025 harvest experience!

The party began with a tour of the property by the winemaker explaining the history of Trefethen Family Vineyards, followed by a step-by-step explanation of the wine making process and an explanation of the days’ events. As the photos show, we happily stomped two vats of freshly picked grapes, harvested over a ton of fruit, enjoyed an amazing lunch under a huge walnut tree and then tasted amazing wines on their outdoor patio.

Check out our pics – the group had a blast!

Trefethen is not the only winery that offers this experience, so contact us so we can share how you too can enjoy the 2025 harvest parties.

Wishing everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Wine Country Concierge

Tour Vin – Exploring Local Cuisine

Published on: September 27th, 2024

There are many wonderful restaurants in Napa Valley that offer cuisine that meets
everyone’s pallet. Sometimes however, you need to squeeze in a quick lunch between
wine tastings somewhere you don’t need a reservation. If you are in Napa, we suggest you
check out Oxbow Public Market!

There are many vendors and an abundance of choices to choose from. Here are a few
restaurants and quick bites to consider:

• C Casa

• Burgers-Gott’s Roadside

• Hog Island Oyster Co.

• Live Fire Pizza

• Eiko’s Fish Market

• Loveski

• Cheese and Wine Merchant

• MORO

If you enjoy sweets, try Anette’s Chocolates and Kara’s Cupcakes. Also, if you have time
take advantage of the wines offered by Hudson Vineyards in their self-serve wine
stations.

This is a great time to visit Wine Country – it’s less crowded, there are more affordable
accommodations and, of course, you can’t beat the fall weather! Contact us to help plan your next Wine
Country vacation.

Cheers!

Ed Pollard
Tour Von
Wine Country Concierge

Tour Vin – Explore Fabulous Fall Wine Country Events!

Published on: August 30th, 2024

As you can imagine, Wine Country is a buzz with Harvest and fall-related activities. We wanted to highlight a couple of events in both Sonoma and Napa you don’t want to miss!

Sonoma

• The Healdsburg Crush—Sunday October 13, 12-4 p.m. A premier wine tasting experience of limited Pinot Noir, Sparkling and Chardonnay wines from more than 60 wineries. This event sells out quickly so plan your trip to Sonoma asap!

• Sonoma County Fair Taste, Toast and Celebrate on October 12! This cocktail party will be at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. There will be wine tastings and locally-prepared bites offered by local wineries and restaurants!

Napa

• A vineyard hike and luncheon hosted by Inglenook on October 4th. Walk through the vineyard, learn about winemaking and end with a lunch specially paired with great wines. Tickets are a must!

• Chimney Rock Harvest Dinner—Saturday November 16th. Learn about harvest practices with a focus on the Stags Leap Cabernet Vineyard and enjoy a four-course meal in the barrel room!

There are many more upcoming activities so contact us at your earliest convenience so we can help plan your next trip to Wine Country!

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Wine Country Concierge

Tour Vin – Choosing the Right Tasting Room

Published on: July 31st, 2024

Sometimes, when trying to decide where to enjoy great wine tasting experiences, wine tasting rooms are overlooked. No doubt, visiting a winery offers many unique options that can include horseback riding, hiking, vineyard tours, wine blending, wine and food pairing, and great views while enjoying excellent wines!

There are times, however, where you might like to just stroll through town after lunch and enjoy great wines in a comfortable space, relaxing with friends or meeting the locals. Some of these venues are even open until 7 p.m.

The town of Napa offers around 30 wine tasting rooms and Tour Vin has visited almost all of them. Many tasting salons allow walk-ins, but some require a reservation, so its best to call in advance. Some salons can arrange small bites or cheese and charcuterie if requested.

Here are a few wine tasting rooms for you to consider on your next trip to Napa:

Acumen Wine Gallery
Ackerman Family Vineyards
Azur Wines
Be Bubbly Lounge
Compline Wine Shop
Levendi Winery
Mondavi Arch & Tower
Krupp Brothers

Don’t forget – Harvest is right around the corner, so contact us to help plan your next trip to Wine Country!

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Wine Country Concierge

Tour Vin – Exploring Summer in Napa Valley

Published on: June 26th, 2024

The summer is a great time to visit Napa Valley and take advantage of all the special activities the wineries have to offer. Here are a few to whet your appetite – contact us for more details:

• The Annual Pig Roast at Rutherford Hill Winery: After a welcome reception with appetizers and wine, head inside for a seated family-style dinner.
• Dine in the Vines at Judd’s Hill Winery: Enjoy dinner in the vineyard with several newly released wines.
• Annual Lobster Dinner at Mumm Napa: Includes passed appetizers, a plated dinner with two lobsters per person and dessert.
• Summer BBQ at Krug Winery: BBQ, music and wine highlights the evening.
• Blanc de Blanc plus Oyster Pairing at Chandon: Three special sparkling wines paired with oysters from the Wild Oyster Project.
• Annual Lobster Feed at Whitehall Lane Winery: A traditional lobster boil paired with their special wines in the new Garden Pavilion.
• Denelle Yoga Retreat at Alila Napa Valley: Restore your mind, body and spirit – practice yoga in one of three stay options, including a day retreat, a one-night stay or a two-night stay at the resort.
• Poetry Dinner in the Vineyard at Cliff Lede Vineyard: A four-course dinner will be paired with Cliff Lede Vineyards wines.
• Hands On Harvest at Trefethen Family Vineyards: Help the vineyard with harvest, enjoy lunch paired with Trefethen wines, then follow the grapes through the wine making process.

These are just a few of the events happening this summer. Contact us to help plan your upcoming Wine Country vacation!

Ed Pollard
Wine Country Concierge
Tour Vin

Tour Vin – Experience Nightlife at Blue Note Napa

Published on: May 29th, 2024

Did you know that downtown Napa offers an amazing nightlife for all to enjoy after a long day of wine tasting and dining? If you are into live jazz music and gourmet food, we recommend you check out Blue Note Napa!

The building, featuring a historic design of the nineteenth century Napa Valley Opera House, provides a wonderful setting for great entertainment. Founded in 1981 and started in Greenwich Village, the venue features popular names in blues, Latin jazz and traditional jazz in an upscale club environment.

Just a few of the featured artists performing during the summer include Jiaoying Summers, Shelby Darrall, Dee Lucas The TWENTY Tour, Jazz Mafia, and many more! Check out the show calendar for even more information.

Things to know before you go:

• No reservations are required, but your ticket price will determine your seat location and is first come first serve
• Dinner is included in the price of the ticket
• There is a two drink minimum per person
• Casual attire is preferred.

Contact us at Tour Vin for more information!

Cheers!

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Wine Country Concierge

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