There is so much to do and consider as part of any Napa Valley wine tour that we thought it might help to answer some of the most common questions we get. Of course, if you don’t find the answers you need for great Napa tours, send us a message and we’ll be happy to help!
How long is it from San Francisco to Napa?
Driving from San Francisco to the Napa Valley region typically takes an hour but can be dramatically affected by traffic in the Bay Area. Rush hour times in particular can add and extra 20 minutes or more especially if there are any traffic accidents or other issues on the freeways.
What is the best way to tour Napa Valley or Sonoma Valley?
The most memorable Napa tours usually involve several modes of transportation. The Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley are fairly large geographical regions making a car rental an excellent choice. Roads are good and finding your way, especially with the help of a GPS, can be a blast. To cover smaller areas and enjoy the great outdoors, bike tours can be fun too. To visit multiple wineries in a single day, we recommend a using a wine tour service like ours. It doesn't take much wine tasting to compromise your driving abilities and the risks just aren't worth it. And with Destination Napa Valley wine tours, you can customize your tour as you see fit, so just relax and enjoy!
What are the coolest wineries to visit in Napa Valley?
We get this question a lot and the truth is, it depends on what your interests are. There are some Napa Valley wineries that are simply stunning to visit like Castello di Amorosa with its incredible castle or Sterling Vineyards with its famous aerial tram. On the other hand, if you're looking to sample the best wine in a specific varietal, other wineries may be more suited. Our concierge service can help match your preferences to the best destinations or you can check out Tom's top 5 Napa Valley wineries.
What is the best Napa winery for scenic views?
Our favorite for the best scenic views on any Napa tour has to be Aonair Winery. Perched above the town of St. Helena, Aonair offers incredible views of Napa Valley. A cozy terrace with fire pits and rocking chairs surrounds the winery, so visitors can take in 360-degree views of the valley and Lake Hennessey in the distance. This is the definition of "jaw-dropping"!
Is Napa Valley worth seeing?
We think so. Napa Valley and the less famous Sonoma Valley provide much more than just incredible wineries. The geography of the area provides beautiful weather and some of the most gorgeous scenery on the planet. Beyond the weather and scenery, there are many incredible places to visit with shops, restaurants and activities to suit any taste. If you're planning a day trip from San Francisco, you'll want to do some research ahead of time so you can visit the places most important to you. There's a lot to see and one day may not allow enough time to see everything. If a wine tasting tour is part of your plan, check in with Tom at Destination Napa Valley for help in organizing your trip to get the most bang for your buck.
How many wineries are in Napa Valley, California?
There are approximately 1700 wineries in the Napa Valley with 500 or so offering wine tasting opportunities to the public. Another 425 or so in the Sonoma Valley means no shortage of choices for the wine enthusiast. Most wineries are open from 10am to 5pm so you'll want to plan your visit accordingly.
What is unique about Napa Valley wine?
The Napa Valley enjoys warm, dry, sunny summers and mild, wet winters. The climate provides optimal grape growing conditions during a long, relatively stress-free season between April and October. Local "micro-climates" allows for a wide variety of grapes from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel.
What is the best town to stay in Napa Valley?
It's hard to go wrong staying anywhere in the Napa Valley, with each town offering it's own unique charms. Our top pick is usually the town of St Helena, with great wineries, shops and restaurants.
It's hard to go wrong staying anywhere in the Napa Valley, with each town offering it's own unique charms. Our top pick is usually the town of St Helena, with great wineries, shops and restaurants.
Do Napa Valley wineries charge a tasting fee?
Yes. Most, if not all wineries will charge a $30-$40 tasting fee per person which usually gets you 4 or 5 samplings. Many of the wineries will discount the tasting fee if you buy a bottle of wine or sign up for their wine club.
What is the best time of year to visit Sonoma and Napa?
Napa and Sonoma are blessed with wonderful weather all year long though the winters, while mild, can be wet. For Napa tours, visitors can count on good weather from June to October for their Napa tour. April and May can be beautiful too, but rain is a possibility to consider.
Can a person under 21 taste wine at Napa Valley wineries?
Most wineries allow people under 21 to enter the tasting rooms but they are not allowed to taste wines per California state law.
What is the best airport to fly into to visit Napa Valley?
Hands down, the Santa Rosa Airport (STS) is the most convenient in terms of location. However, flights are somewhat limited so the next best option is the San Francisco Airport (SFO) which is a major airport with flights available all over the world. Drive time from the San Francisco airport to Napa Valley will be between 1 and 2 hours depending on traffic.