Tour Vin – A Guide to Planning Your Trip to Napa or Sonoma

Published on: March 2nd, 2023

There are many things to consider when planning a trip to the wine country. We have created a list of important questions we ask all our clients before we create a preliminary itinerary. This helps us help you plan the best experience possible.

Here are some thoughts to consider for your next wine country vacation:

• When during the year would you like to plan your visit? High season is usually summer and fall (Harvest usually occurs late summer, early fall), while visiting during winter and spring you will encounter less crowds and the overall trips tends to be less expensive.
• What type of accommodations are important to you? Choices include: Full-service Hotels, B&Bs and Inns that offer complimentary breakfast, or an Airbnb rental that offers a “homey” experience that can be shared with multiple couples.
• What are your favorite styles of wine and what is your preferred tasting experience? Since there are numerous wineries to choose from, it is best to choose those wineries who offer the varietals you enjoy. In addition, many wineries offer food and wine pairings that enhance the tasting experience. There is much to choose from!
• What is your favorite cuisine? There are so many great restaurants in the valley, that in most cases, there is something for everyone!
• Are there other outdoor activities you would like to consider that can enhance your wine country experience? Consider an early morning hot air balloon ride, 18 holes of golf, kayaking or going on a hike.
• How do you prefer to travel between wineries? Transportation options are also important to consider since wine tasting all day can be overwhelming. Car services are usually a good option, as is a driving services that will drive your car on the tour. Uber and Lyft are usually not a good option because drivers are not always familiar with the wineries and they could delay you from getting to your tastings on time.
• Last but not least, what is your budget for this trip? This is important since the cost of wine tastings, car service and certain accommodations can be very expensive.

Tour Vin has been planning wine country trips for our clients for more than 10 years. Let us help plan your next Napa/Sonoma vacation!

Cheers!
Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Wine Country Concierge