FAQ
Frequently Asked
Questions
How can I get my wine home?
Check your wine
Depending on where you live, you may be able to check your wines. There are many places in Napa, Sonoma, and San Francisco that offer cases with styrofoam protection for checking your wine at the airport. If worse comes to worst, then you can buy packaging at SFO in the International Terminal here. If you are flying private then the rules can vary depending on your situation. In that case, it is best to check to see what kind of limitations they have. When flying commercial you can check as much wine as you want. Although there is a weight limit of 50lbs per container of wine so if you have extra heavy bottles then you may want to pack them in 6 packs instead of the traditional 12 pack box. You can check out the TSA guidelines here.
Shipping
Depending on where you live you will have different options. Each winery utilizes private companies to handle shipping so your options will change from winery to winery. There are some states and countries where shipping wine is difficult, costly or impossible. However, this all depends on the laws and tax codes in those places.
What should I wear?
Napa and Sonoma Valleys are fairly casual so don’t feel like you have to get too dressed up unless you absolutely want to do so. For shoes, it is important to consider that you may have to walk around a vineyard which means there will be a lot of uneven terrains so heels or dress shoes make walking difficult. The main thing regarding clothing is to consider the time of year as temperatures will fluctuate depending on the Season.
Winter
Winter temperatures can get into the 40s and 50s, however, it is rarely consistent so we recommend checking the weather report before you come just in case there is a warm spell. Usually having a comfortable sweater or jacket can be enough to protect you from the cold, but it’s always good to include a lighter layer underneath for when you get inside a warm tasting room. The other thing to consider is the possibility of rain, as the rainy season for Northern California is usually from November to March. As with the temperature, this isn’t consistent and depends greatly on coastal conditions so you will want to take a look at the weather report before you visit. However, even when it does rain, it is mostly light misting so a light waterproof jacket works very well and we will always provide umbrellas for our guests.
Summer
Summer can sometimes reach temperatures in the high 90s during the afternoon and then down into the 60s at night plus there is a lot of temperature variations depending on where you are currently standing. You may start out in Carneros in the morning where it is 62 degrees and end up in Calistoga at 3 pm when it is almost 100. The key to preparing for the Summer is to dress in layers with your bottom layer being something light, such as shorts, a skirt or dress, or pants that aren’t too thick. Regarding the cooler parts of the day, a light jacket or cardigan should be sufficient. It’s also nice to have in case you end up in a wine cave where the temperature is always around 60 degrees.
Fall and Spring
Both the Fall and Spring are pretty similar. Mornings, evenings and nights are cool so bring something to keep you warm. However, get ready to shed that during the afternoon because it should be in the high 70s or 80s throughout the day, and sometimes it can get even warmer than that depending on where you are.
What happens if it rains?
No need to worry about the rain. We’ll have plenty of umbrellas in the car and we’ll make sure you have one from door to door. In the event of rain, all tastings will be held inside or undercover so you will be comfortable no matter what.
What is the difference between a winery tour and a tasting?
Some wineries only feature tasting options, or limit tours to their high-end clientele. In cases such as these, you will typically be seated in an area with a number of other groups and you will have a host or server taking care of you, like at a restaurant or wine bar. The entire tasting is held in this area and doesn’t feature a tour of the property. Tastings like this can last anywhere from 45-90 minutes. When you go on a private tour at a winery, you get a chance to walk around and see a lot of the winemaking process. On tours such as these, you have one host that will stay with your party the entire time, answering any questions you may have and making sure glasses stay full and everyone has a great time. These tours can last anywhere from 90-120 minutes depending on the winery and the number of questions you may have. If you’re looking to experience something unique then a private tour is always the way to go.
How does a wine club work?
This actually depends on the winery, as there are a number of factors that affect what they offer. Wine clubs and allocations release wines each year. The focus of a wine club or allocation is the current release wines, which are the wines that were just finished. However, being part of the club does often allow you to purchase older bottles when they are available. Some wineries produce a wide selection of wines and thus will release wines 4 times or more every year while others only produce a few different wines so they only release wines once or twice a year. Each release in a year is a different wine. So you might see Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the Spring and Cabernet and Merlot in the Fall. Some wineries will require you to receive a specified amount of wine every year otherwise you will be removed from the wine club while others act as an allocation, which offers you a limited amount of wine during each release and you can choose to take all of it or only part of it. Regardless of the setup, every wine club and allocation comes with perks for the members. Those can be special events, free tastings, special access to limited edition wines, opportunities for travel, discounts, and more. If you really like a winery then joining the wine club will offer you a lot of benefits to enjoy.
What if I don’t drink that much?
Contrary to what some people think, visiting wineries and wine tastings are about more than just drinking. Tasting, learning and enjoying the beautiful scenery are all great reasons for taking a tour of Napa or Sonoma. Every winery is equipped with vessels in which you can dump any remaining wine and no one will ever make you feel bad for not finishing a wine.
Are tasting fees included in the price?
This all depends on which tour you choose. Tasting fees are included in the Private Napa Valley Tour Package, however, they are not when you choose the customized hourly private tour.
Does the sommelier guide come into the wineries with us?
At our partner wineries, we will join the tour to help entertain, provide any answers regarding non-winery-specific questions and assist the winery in their goal to provide you the best experience. In some instances there are wineries that do not have the room to accommodate a tour guide, however, we will always try to steer our guests to establishments that work in harmony with our Sommeliers.
How long is a private tour from San Francisco Wine Tour to Napa Valley?
Our private tours from SF to Napa and Sonoma average around 8-10 hours.
How much are tasting fees at wineries in Napa Valley and Sonoma?
Wine tasting fees at premium wineries range from $50 to $250 depending on the winery, the average price of their wines, and how exclusive their tastings are. Some wineries are happy to waive the fee with a wine club subscription or purchase of wine, but this varies from winery to winery.
How far is Sonoma from San Francisco?
From downtown San Francisco to the town of Sonoma takes about an hour. To the Russian River, about 90 minutes, and to Healdsburg takes about 2 hours.
How far is Napa from San Francisco?
From downtown San Francisco to the town of Napa takes about an hour. To Yountville, Oakville and Rutherford, about 90 minutes, and to Calistoga takes about 2 hours.
How long is a Private Napa Tour when you start in Napa?
For a nice full day in wine country, we suggest 7 hours as a minimum. Most people find themselves not wanting to rush in such a beautiful setting.
Do you cross the Golden Gate Bridge on the way to Napa from San Francisco?
We always take the Golden Gate Bridge unless there is a traffic problem. It takes close to the same amount of time as the Oakland Bay Bridge but with an even more stunning view.
What is the best time of year to visit Napa and Sonoma?
The busiest time of year is Harvest (August through October). Not only are there more people coming to watch the winemaking process, there are also the many winery and vineyard workers who are running around wine country throughout the day. Spring is a beautiful time of year with mustard flowers in bloom. The crowds are moderate crowds so hotels, restaurants and wineries are all very accessible. The winter is great because there are few crowds and more options. No matter what your preference is, it’s always a great time to visit Napa and Sonoma.
Can I bring my children?
The short answer is yes. Unfortunately, there are a number of wineries that do not allow children. However, we can always arrange a day around specific wineries that don’t have that rule in place in case you are not able to find a babysitter. Even though they are not drinking, many wineries will charge a small amount for the seating due to limited space.
Can you have a picnic at the wineries?
Unfortunately, the vast majority of wineries do not allow picnics on the property, however, there are some rare exceptions. A limited number of wineries do feature lunch options to pair with your tasting and there are a ton of amazing restaurants with outdoor seating in both Napa and Sonoma. If you’re looking to take in the beautiful scenery while you enjoy your lunch, there is definitely a way to make that happen.