Tour Vin – Redmon Wines

Published on: October 27th, 2021

We are always looking for small boutique wine producers to recommend to our clients. During our last visit to Napa Valley, we stopped in to say hello to Lisa Redmon, owner of Redmon Wines. Producing no more than 1,000 cases a year, Redmon’s signature wine is Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from Coombsville, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley and their St. Helena Estate.

After a tour of the winery, Lisa showed us the “she-cave,” which is used for private events, and then we enjoyed tasting wonderful wines. We have no doubt – our clients will love the experience as much as we did.

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If you are in downtown Napa, be sure to stop in at Mia Carta Wine Lounge where you can also enjoy Redmon wines along with many others!

As the holidays approach, there’s no better time to plan your holiday vacation in Napa and Sonoma – contact us to help plan your wine country vacation.

Cheers!

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Wine Country Concierge

Tour Vin – Upcoming Holiday Events

Published on: September 29th, 2021

As the holidays approach and Napa Valley continues to open up, parades, tree lightings and local holiday festivities are being planned as we speak! Check out our rundown of fun upcoming events for the entire family.

Napa
Napa’s Christmas Tree Lighting: November 24, 2021
Show and Shine Vintage Car Show: October 24, 2021
Lighted Art Festival: January 15, 2022 – March 13, 2022

Yountville
Annual Christmas Tree Lighting: November 21
Yuletide-Themed Events (in the planning stages): November 21, 2021 – January 1, 2022

St. Helena
Hometown Harvest Festival: October 16, 2021
Halloween Bike Parade: October 30 or 31, 2021

Calistoga
Lighted Tractor Parade: December 4, 2021

These are the initial events planned for the upcoming holiday season. As we learn about more events and celebrations, we will pass them along as well. Contact us to help plane your fall wine country vacation!

Cheers!
Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Napa Valley Concierge

Tour Vin – Concierge Service Expands to Sonoma

Published on: August 20th, 2021

By now, you are familiar with Tour Vin and how our premier concierge service operates – we work to coordinate wine tasting, dining, hotels stays and all other activities on your behalf to ensure you have the best experience that Napa Valley can offer. We believe that your Napa Valley vacation should be a memorable one without the hassle of figuring out what to do and where to do it, and we are available to guide you to and coordinate your itinerary at the best wineries, restaurants, accommodations and activities the area has to offer.

Now, we have exciting news! Tour Vin is expanding our service into Sonoma, and you should expect the same level of service from Tour Vin when planning your time there. Tour Vin’s premier concierge service is our only business, and we continue to take great pride in customizing your Napa Valley and/or Sonoma experience to suit your individual preferences.

Tour Vin will recommend considerations for dining, tastings and other activities while you are in Napa Valley or Sonoma. Both areas have excellent wineries, hotels and restaurants, and we strive to provide you with the best options to create your vacation based on our own research and experience with each venue and area.

Whether exploring Napa Valley or Sonoma, or both, Tour Vin believes your vacation should be memorable and worry-free. We are here to help you create the adventure of your dreams – contact us to plan your next trip to Napa or Sonoma.

Cheers!

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Napa Valley & Sonoma Concierge

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Tour Vin – Napa Valley Harvest 2021

Published on: July 27th, 2021

Harvest time in Napa Valley is right around the corner, and the town of St. Helena has planned some exciting parties you should know about. Here are a few you may want to consider:

Vintners Vanguard 2021 (August 21): Brasswood Estate is hosting a grand tasting of boutique wines where guests can engage with wine educators and meet the winemakers. The grounds have a wonderful restaurant you may want to try, too. One of our favorite wineries, Modus Operandi, will also be on the premises – make sure to say hello to the winemaker, Jason Moore.

Kathryn Hall Harvest Celebration (August 28): This special event will feature Hall’s 2018 vintage and you’ll meet the owner, Kathryn Hall. Enjoy wonderful food and live music on The Great Lawn in St. Helena.

Merryvale Annual Harvest Party (September 26): Enjoy Merryvale wines while indulging in chef-prepared paella on the Merryvale Terrace. Listen to live music and be sure to check out the barrel sample tasting.

Cakebread Cellars Family Harvest Festival (October 16): This event is for the entire family. There will be children’s activities and adults will enjoy wine pairings with small bites prepared by the on-sight chef.

Harvest, which begins in August and ends in October, is a wonderful time to visit Napa Valley, so plan your trip as soon as possible. We are here to help!

Cheers!
Ed Pollard
Napa Valley Concierge
Tour Vin

Tour Vin – Boutique Hotel Recommendation

Published on: July 8th, 2021

On our last trip to Napa Valley, we asked, “What’s the newest boutique hotel in Napa?” 

Well, we found out! It’s The George, a 19th century residential home transformed into a nine-room, luxury boutique inn. 

Within walking distance of downtown Napa, The George makes for a perfect place to stay while you enjoy the wine country experience. A buffet breakfast is offered during the week. On the weekends, a chef is on the premises to serve an amazing array of breakfast options. 

A recent visitor commented, “Sunday brunch was a treat as the chef prepared an amazing brunch.” We couldn’t agree more!

Contact us at Tour Vin (714-313-7204) for more details. Napa is open and ready for summer and fall visitors, and we can’t wait to help you book your Napa Vacation!

Cheers!

Ed Pollard
Napa Valley Concierge
Tour Vin

Tour Vin – BottleRock Napa Valley is Back!

Published on: May 26th, 2021

That’s right, it’s time for live music to resume in Napa Valley. BottleRock Napa Valley is a three-day music, food, wine and beer festival, which will be held September 3-5, that truly offers something for everyone. We have attended this event twice before and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. 

Take a peek at some of the artists who will be there in 2021 – 

Stevie Nicks
Guns n’ Roses
Foo Fighters
G-Eazy
Run the Jewels
Cage The Elephant

Not only will you enjoy the music, you’ll taste food and drink from some of the famous Napa Valley restaurants and wineries. The beer options are awesome as well!

It’s never too early to book your accommodations, and that’s where we can help. There are many B&Bs, hotels and private homes throughout the valley (Airbnb’s) to choose from, so contact us and let’s plan your Napa Valley vacation!

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Napa Valley Concierge

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Tour Vin – Revisiting TORC, Napa Valley

Published on: April 29th, 2021

This month, we are highlighting a restaurant we revisited while in Napa Valley. They didn’t disappoint! 

TORC, located in downtown Napa, offers wonderful cuisine, great service and a relaxing ambiance. As the chef says, “We are proud to be dismantling the fine food dining experience and replacing it with a sophisticated, yet relaxed, evening that doesn’t break the bank.” 

Though the menu changes with the seasons, here is a snapshot of what you can expect when dining at TORC: 

• Pakora (sweet potato, yogurt truffle dip)
• Tempura Asparagus, Hamachi, Saffron Campanelle (pork shank)
• Diver Scallops
• Beef Filet
• Whole Chicken
• Pommes Frites
• Chocolate Waffle
• Cheesecake
• Artisanal Cheeses

The wine and spirit offerings are amazing!

As Napa continues to open up, reservations will be hard to come by. If you are planning a Napa Valley vacation this year, we encourage you to plan your trip as soon as possible – we are here to help!

Cheers!
Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Napa Valley Concierge

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Tour Vin – Yountville Has a New Restaurant to Try!

Published on: March 30th, 2021

There’s a new restaurant in the town of Yountville. Located next to North Block Hotel, North Block Yountville is now open for dinner! 

We stopped by TWICE on our last visit to Napa Valley to enjoy cocktails with locals and grab a copy of their upcoming menu. The interior is being remodeled (see pic) and should be quite nice when completed. Check it out – there are some great breakfast, lunch, and dinner options that everyone will enjoy. If you’re staying at the hotel, this is the perfect spot to enjoy breakfast before you begin your wine tasting tour.

The restaurant will feature cuisine created by Chef Nick Tamburo, known for his success at NYC’s Momofuku. The menu will feature California-inspired items prepared with locally grown ingredients and will change with the seasons. That said, following in the footsteps of Redd Wood (former restaurant), pizza will also be on the menu.

As Napa Valley is beginning to open up, now is the time to plan your wine country vacation. We are hearing that hotels are filling up for summer and fall, so contact us to help plan your next trip!

Cheers!

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Napa Valley Concierge

Tour Vin – Napa Valley is Ready to Welcome You Back

Published on: February 25th, 2021

“We’re So Excited to Be Back!” 

“Napa Valley Welcomes You Back!” 

“Napa County on Verge of Jumping to Red Tier!”  

Current COVID numbers are at a four month low and, if this continues, venues in the valley will be ready to open up and host you indoors (with limits) in a few weeks! Yep, these are the headlines we are seeing.

Spring and summer are awesome for a visit to Napa Valley, so now is the perfect time to plan your trip. Are you tired of staying indoors and want to mix business and pleasure? Why not make Napa Valley your work station destination? Plan to stay for a week, work for four days and spend the other three visiting wineries, hiking, dining at your favorite spot or enjoy a hot air balloon ride over the valley. 

Check out or current views of the valley—truly breathtaking. Contact us to help plan your next Napa Valley vacation!

Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Napa Valley Concierge

Tour Vin – Napa Valley is Open for Business

Published on: January 26th, 2021

Napa Valley is now open and it’s the perfect time to start planning your next trip to the wine country! Wineries, tasting rooms, restaurants and hotels are now accepting reservations while assuring all COVID protocols are strictly enforced for your safety. 

Here are a few highlights of the enhanced hospitality experiences:

• Private, cozy outdoor settings with patio heaters
• Private tasting and dining appointments are required
• Face coverings are required until your party is seated
• Maintaining six-feet of physical distancing from those outside your party
• Breakfast at hotels and B&Bs may be modified from a traditional buffet to grab-and-go or contactless room service breakfast options
• Hand sanitation stations on the premises
• Transportation services are following strict sanitation procedures in all vehicles

The wine country is waiting – contact us through our website, or DM us to help plan your next Napa Valley vacation!

Cheers!
Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Napa Valley Concierge