Tour Vin’s Recent Napa Valley Trip

Published on: June 28th, 2013

Each time I visit Napa Valley, I find something new to explore and am reminded of why the Napa Valley makes for a great vacation! Whether it’s a wine tour at a new or boutique winery, a stay at a Napa Valley B&B or hotel, or that new restaurant offering exquisite Napa cuisine, I am always impressed by the folks who make the Napa Getaway an enjoyable experience.

The wine country this time of year is beautiful—new grapes on the vine, hot air balloons fill the sky over Napa just after sunrise (yes, I did take a hot air balloon ride), a run through and lunch overlooking a vineyard all make the Napa Valley vacation special. Did I mention wine tasting? There are many wine tasting experiences that are unique and reflect the winemaker/owners personal touch. So many choices!

Take a look at some of our recent trip pictures. And don’t forget to call us to help plan your next Napa Valley vacation to the wine country!

Cheers!

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Napa Valley Concierge

 

Tour Vin Recommends Napa Valley Events and Festivals

Published on: June 14th, 2013

Napa Valley offers many events and festivals to visitors throughout the year. Here are a just a few that we recommend for your Napa Valley vacation:

Napa Valley Festival Del Sole, July 12-21.
The Valley comes alive with featured concerts by well-known musical artists, art exhibits, exceptional wines from Napa’s top vintners and, of course, exceptional cuisine.

Rock Napa July Concerts, July 18-19.
This event takes place at the famous Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena. The atmosphere features premium wineries, exceptional food from gourmet food trucks, outstanding entertainment and art displays from local artists. Bring your lawn chairs!

Napa Valley Film Festival, November 13-17.
If you enjoy film, food and wine, don’t miss this third annual extravaganza! The towns of Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga each host special events over a five-day period. There will be more than 100 new film screenings at twelve different venues, wine tasting pavilions, winemaker dinners and VIP receptions.

Flavor! Napa Valley 2013, November 20-24.
Hosted by the Silverado Resort and Spa, The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone and select local wineries, this event offers a wine and culinary experience not to be forgotten. Meet local wine makers and chefs, and participate in food and wine pairing events.

Don’t wait to plan your trip to the Napa Valley! These events fill up quickly and reservations at hotels and restaurants are difficult to make in the high season. Can’t make these special events but would like to plan a trip to Napa? Call us. We will work with you to plan  the trip of your dreams. Cheers!

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Napa Valley Concierge

 

Tour Vin, Napa Valley Vacations

Published on: June 13th, 2013

Napa Valley vacations include so much more than just wine tasting. Hot air balloon rides, champagne brunches, golf, hiking and relaxing at the spa with a massage are just a few of the activities that you can enjoy while exploring the wine country. To ensure that your vacation experience is a memorable one let Tour Vin, Napa Valley concierge service, customize a trip just for you. No need for you to be stuck on hold making reservations or hassle with coordinating your daily activities when all you need to do is sign up for the fun that awaits you.

Are you the adventurous type? Well if your answer is yes then hot air ballooning over the vineyards in Napa may be the adventure you’re looking for. FAA certified pilots, and their aircraft, will be waiting for you the morning you arrive with coffee, pastries, fruits and juice. After a brief orientation pilots escort you to your aircraft where you will have your first encounter with the Hot Air Balloon. Watch as it inflates and gently begins to rise. Enter the aircraft and the adventure officially begins. Float with the breeze in between the mountain range and over world famous vineyards with an experienced tour guide who will answer questions and point out local landmarks from the air. Romance and adventure all tied together in an exciting Hot Air Balloon trip perfectly planned by the Tour Vin.

 

If you are the energetic type then perhaps a bike ride through Napa is more your speed.  With the new construction of the Napa Vine Trail, a 44 mile long path that cuts from the Vallejo Ferry to Calistoga, you can get an up close look at the vineyards all while riding off the beaten path. The Pope Valley Loop is another ride that is for the more experienced rider.  This 40 mile loop is a long ride but allows you to experience the wineries, amazing views, and the beautiful terrain all from the seat of your bike. Tours can be guided or mapped out for you. Do you want your lunch included and winery entry prepared ahead of time? Just let the Tour Vin know and everything will be prepared ahead of time allowing you to truly enjoy your Napa Valley Vacation experience.

 

Summer is a great time to plan Napa Valley Vacations.  The weather is amazing and there are numerous activities for you and your loved ones to participate in.  If you like wine tasting why not combine your affection with one of the numerous activities available to you like a Hot Air Balloon ride or biking through the vineyards.

 

The Tour Vin has explored the Napa Valley, top to bottom, and our passion is to share our experience and expertise with you. Even if you only have an idea of what you’d like to see and do while in the Napa Valley, we will help customize your tour to your particular tastes. Indulge in many unique Napa Valley activities during your stay in the wine country. Hot air balloon ride’s, golfing, luxury spa experience and biking are all available to enhance your vacation experience.

Tour Vin Insights on Accommodations in Napa Valley — Hotels, Inns and B&Bs

Published on: May 30th, 2013

One of the great things about Napa Valley is there are a lot of options when it comes to deciding where to rest and recuperate after a full day of wine tasting. But, how do you decide — a hotel, inn or B&B?

B&Bs and inns are very similar in that they are usually small facilities that offer delicious breakfasts, sometimes served at small tables or on large community table in a cozy dining room. The food is ALWAYS excellent and usually prepared by the proprietors. There are a few venues that offer larger facilities or great buffet breakfasts but sometimes in a large room setting. The décor is elegant country casual with quaint rooms, sometimes including a balcony with a vineyard view, an indoor jacuzzi tub, or maybe an outdoor pool and jacuzzi. Some of the larger facilities offer an outdoor lounge area where guests can enjoy a glass of wine near an outdoor fire place.

Hotels are larger, usually well appointed, and sometimes more expensive than B&Bs. Amenities can include: spa and massage services, outdoor pool and jacuzzi, and a concierge service. Certain hotels offer meeting rooms for corporate events, in-house dining and a bar.

Regardless of where you stay, hotels and B&Bs may offer discounts to certain wineries, free shuttle services and gift certificates to certain local restaurants. A few places also offer hot air balloon packages and romantic spa packages.

There are many options to choose from and we at Tour Vin can help you navigate through all the choices. Call us to help plan your next trip to Napa Valley!

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Napa Valley Concierge

Unique Boutique Wineries in Napa Valley

Published on: May 14th, 2013

Are you looking for wineries with great wines that aren’t well-known to the general public? There are many boutique wineries in Napa Valley that produce fantastic wines in very limited quantities and love to show off their wines to those wanting to seek out a new wine experience. These producers do not advertise in a big way and, in many cases, are hidden in the small nooks and crannies of the Napa Valley. Some of these wineries are so small they share tasting rooms or are perched on mountain top locations with other wineries. And yes, they make excellent juice!

Tour Vin takes great care in checking out Napa Valley boutique wineries — we taste all wines (at their tasting locations) prior to making a recommendation to our clients. We believe that not only does the wine need to be good, but the tasting experience should also be enjoyable — ambience is important!

To round out your wine tasting experience, we recommend a Napa Valley vacation include classic wineries as well as new, up-and-coming boutique wineries. There are more than 450 wineries in the Valley and the choices can be overwhelming. This is where Tour Vin can help!

Call us to help plan your wine tasting, accommodations and dining experiences. Remember, we have visited all venues before recommending them to our clients!

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Napa Valley Concierge

Tour Vin Knows Summertime in Napa Valley

Published on: May 14th, 2013

Summer is the busiest time of the year in Napa Valley. Beat the crowds by choosing a professional tour guide service that has experienced the influx of summertime visitors time and time again. Tour Vin concierge service offers Napa Valley tours customized to your individual preferences. Why spend your time waiting in line, worrying about transportation, hotel accommodations, or which activities to choose form. Let the experts at Tour Vin help you plan your next summertime trip to the wine valley.

The days are getting longer and the weather is becoming nicer. Summertime in Napa Valley is one of the most wonderful times of the year in this region. Average summertime temperatures hover around 81 degrees in the daytime and mid 50’s to low 60’s at night so pack properly. This is also the time of year when the grapevines begin to mature and turn lovely shades of green. There is virtually no chance of rain from June through mid-September and the air is dry with little to no humidity. It’s no wonder why visitors from all around the world come to Napa Valley in the summertime to enjoy everything that the wine valley has to offer.

Napa Valley is famous for producing Cabernet Sauvignon but due to the regions soil and climate diversity vintners are also producing world class white and rose’ wines that are light, refreshing, and perfect to sip on all summer long. Harvested at less than half the average yield of other California vineyards, at three tons per acre, the quality of these wines is hard to beat. So, when planning your Napa Valley tours with a world class concierge service, like the Tour Vin, don’t forget to include wineries that are producing white and rose’ wines.

Your Napa Valley vacation experience should be a memorable one. Tour Vin is here to guide you to the best wineries, finest restaurants and most romantic accommodations the valley has to offer. Since our concierge service is our only business, we take pride in customizing your trip through the wine country to your individual preference. Book your summertime tour online or contact us today to create your own Napa Valley tour and experience the best of what the valley has to offer!

Napa Valley Winery Upcoming Events

Published on: April 23rd, 2013

Throughout the year there are many wonderful events vacationers can enjoy, including the Wine Auction, Arts in April, BottleRock, Girls Getaway, and more. However, did you know there are specific events hosted by wineries that are not widely realized by the general public? Tour Vin will periodically post these great events on Facebook and in our blog so you can be sure that they will not be missed when planning your trip to Napa Valley. The following is a list of some of the upcoming events we recommend:

* Robert Mondavi Winery – A World of Wine, May 4th. An international wine tasting experience that will feature wine parings, a private connoisseurs dinner and a winery tour.
* Rutherford Hill Winery – Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, May 12th. A food and wine experience, featuring live music and traditional Mexican cuisine.
* Inglenook – Cabernet Sauvignon Cask 23 Release, May 18th. Enjoy an evening reception in the courtyard with wine, entertainment and hors d’oeuvres.
* William Hill Estate Winery – Sunsets on the Bench, May 24th. Hosted once a month from April to August at the Silverado Bench. Purchase a bottle of William Hill Estate Wine, bring a picnic dinner and watch the sunset.
* Hestan Vineyards – New Tasting Room Opening, May 31st. This grand opening in Yountville will also showcase Italian cookware.

Please contact Tour Vin to learn more about these upcoming events and how we can help make sure your Napa Valley experience will be a memorable one!

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Napa Valley Concierge

Tour Vin Introduces New Wine Tour Packages

Published on: April 8th, 2013

Tour Vin’s new Napa Valley vacation packages make it easy to book your Napa wine experience. New options include three-, four- or five- day wine tours; choice of three different hotels and B&B’s (offered at discounted prices); and cave wine tasting and car service for one day. Package pricing includes wine tasting fees, car service and double occupancy hotel accommodations.

Tour Vin still offers complete customized tour packages based on your individual preferences. Classic and boutique wineries, a famous culinary experience and the best hotel accommodations are available to all our clients. Don’t wait – the high season in Napa is fast approaching! Reservations are required at all of the best tasting and hotel locations and they fill up fast.

Contact us today and select the package that’s right for you!

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Napa Valley Concierge

 

 

 

 

Tour Vin Offers Corporate Event Planning

Published on: March 27th, 2013

Having worked in the Financial Services industry in my prior life, I understand the need to offer off-site corporate programs for executives and key personnel. In fact, I planned our public company’s first off-site event which included golf, wine tasting, entertainment and, of course, business related events. It was the first time key leaders within the organization shared their business strategy, goals and objectives with other senior management personnel. Napa Valley offers outstanding venues to combine business and pleasure, and allows participants to interact in a relaxed, professional setting.

Need a nice meeting room with amenities appropriate for senior personnel? Napa offers many excellent options. Want to treat your key employees to a wine tasting/food pairing in a wine cave? Napa has many places from which you may choose. Looking for restaurants that offer great cuisine and excellent wines? Napa is abundant with options.

Call Tour Vin today to help plan your off-site getaway, any time of the year. Great destinations in Napa Valley fill up fast!

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Napa Valley Concierge

Vacationing with Your Kids in Napa Valley

Published on: March 16th, 2013

When we think about vacationing in Napa Valley, we may not realize that kids are welcome and many places allow children to experience Napa Valley fun with their families.

Many attractions cater to the traveling family. On selected days, the Napa Valley Wine Train offers a Family Date Night. Dinners are provided and, of course, child appropriate beverages are served. What kid doesn’t like trains?

Wineries are also sensitive to family vacationing and a few allow children to accompany their parents on introductory wine tours. Grape juice is served to the minors and the real stuff is provided for the adults. One winery even offers a tram ride up to the winery so the entire family can enjoy the experience. Other activities that most children enjoy include: hot air balloon rides (six years old and up), hikes through the Petrified Forest and jeep safaris that allow families to view interesting wildlife. And, don’t forget the Old Faithful Geyser in Calistoga!

Concerned about places to have lunch with your children? There are many areas throughout the Valley that will pack you a picnic lunch to be enjoyed at various kid friendly wineries.

Call us to help navigate through the many child-friendly options Napa Valley has to offer!

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Napa Valley Concierge