California’s vast and picturesque countryside is home to numerous wineries that produce world-renowned varietals, including esteemed Napa Valley wines. While visiting these idyllic vineyards is a highlight of the California experience, planning which wine tours to visit can be daunting.
Guided wine tours simplify your adventure, allowing you to relax, enjoy the scenery, and savor exquisite wines without the hassle of navigating, checking hours, or arranging transportation. With 3,600 wineries to choose from, let us guide you to the best wine tours California has to offer.
Painted Ladies Wine Country Tour
The Painted Ladies Tour Company is famous for its San Francisco city tours in vintage VW buses. They also offer small-group tours through Sonoma Valley, visiting up-and-coming wine producers. Guests appreciate the friendly guides, road-trip atmosphere, and thoughtfully selected wineries, including an Italian winery for lunch. Don’t miss the Golden Gate Bridge photo op that’s perfect for an Instagram selfie!
Paso Robles Company Toast Tours
Toast Tours is perfect for groups with varied tastes, offering visits to distilleries, microbreweries, cideries, and wineries. Their 12-person shuttle bus tours in Paso Robles include stops at Tablas Creek Vineyard, known for organic Rhone-inspired wines and its adorable alpacas. Other tours combine wine tasting with visits to Hearst Castle and Pismo Beach.
Bin 415 Private Tours
Bin 415 sets itself apart with guides who are certified sommeliers. They offer private, customizable tours in Mercedes SUVs, exploring the celebrated varietals of Sonoma and Napa. Highlights include French country cooking and farm-to-table lunches. For those looking to splurge, Bin 415 can try to secure a reservation at the coveted French Laundry.
Squire Livery Tours
Squire Livery Tours, led by Napa/Sonoma expert Kent Higginbotham, offers personalized tours with a two-car fleet. Whether you prefer to be hands-on or leave the planning to the guides, Squire Livery ensures a delightful experience with private tastings and expert knowledge. Past guests rave about the warm, unhurried tours.
Baja California Wine Tours
Starting from San Diego, Baja California Wine Tours takes you to the highland vineyards of northwest Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe. Enjoy chardonnay to malbec, stunning mountain scenery, and stops at a 19th-century horse ranch, film studio water tanks, and Mexican beach towns like Ensenada and Rosarito for ceviche and horseback riding.
Food & Farm Tours
Food & Farm Tours celebrates Northern California’s artisanal food scene with visits to food producers and organic farms in Marin and Sonoma. Popular tours include Hog Island Oyster Farm, Cowgirl Creamery, and Brickmaiden Breads. Tailored tours offer sparkling honey wine at Heidrun Meadery and organic whites and reds at McEvoy Ranch.
Sustainable Wine Tours
Sustainable Wine Tours specializes in small-group tours of Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara wine country. Touring in Tesla SUVs or Mercedes Sprinters, guests visit family-owned wineries for private tastings and learn about winemaking from estate owners. Enjoy charcuterie boards while sampling exquisite wines.
Noble Wine Tours
Noble Wine Tours, led by Austin Smith, offers personalized itineraries in Napa and Sonoma based on guest preferences. Whether you’re a wine novice or an expert, Smith’s knowledge and professionalism make the experience memorable. Smith also doubles as a photographer, capturing the highlights of your tour.
Sonoma Valley Wine Trolley
The Sonoma Valley Wine Trolley is a hand-built replica of a San Francisco streetcar offering six-hour tours. The tour includes three winery visits, a boxed lunch, and a history lesson of the area. It’s perfect for wine lovers wanting to explore Sonoma’s sprawling estates and wine caves.
Fantesca Estate & Winery
Fantesca Estate & Winery, nestled in the hills of Napa Valley, offers an exclusive wine-tasting experience. Known for its limited-production wines, Fantesca focuses on quality and craftsmanship. The winery, co-owned by Susan and Duane Hoff, provides a serene atmosphere where guests can enjoy stunning vineyard views and guided tastings of their acclaimed wines.
St. Clair Brown Winery & Brewery
St. Clair Brown Winery & Brewery in Napa Valley stands out for its unique combination of winemaking and brewing. Owned by Elaine St. Clair, the only female commercial winemaker and brewer in the U.S., it offers tastings of small-batch wines and craft beers. The urban garden setting enhances the experience, making it a must-visit for wine and beer enthusiasts.
Green Dream Tours
Green Dream Tours offers private and small-group tours of Napa and Sonoma. Ride in luxury vehicles with a private guide for a day of wine tasting. The Combo Tour of Napa and Sonoma is popular, including all tasting fees and a stop at Oxbow Public Market for lunch. Green Dream’s attention to detail makes each tour special.
Napa Valley Wine Train
The Napa Valley Wine Train combines the elegance of train travel with wine tasting. The three-hour journey from Downtown Napa to St. Helena includes sipping varietals from vineyards like Castello Di Amorosa and Sequoia Grove. Enjoy picturesque views and gourmet meals with options for special experiences like murder mystery dinners.
Sonoma Valley All-Inclusive Wine Tour
Enjoy a Sonoma Valley wine experience with ease with this private all-inclusive wine tasting tour. Depart from your Bay Area accommodation in a private vehicle and make your way to Sonoma. Taste a variety of local wines at different wineries in the area and take a midday break for a picnic lunch.
Crocker & Starr
Crocker & Starr, located in Napa Valley, is renowned for its exceptional wines crafted by co-owner Pam Starr and winemaker Evyn Cameron. The winery focuses on sustainable practices, producing highly-praised cabernet francs and sauvignon blancs. Visitors enjoy intimate tastings and stunning vineyard views, making it a must-visit for wine lovers.
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