A Perfect Day in Napa and Sonoma Valley

Highlights

Champagne toast at the Welcome to Napa sign

Embrace Napa Valley during a flight of wines at exclusive Ru Vango

Insanely rich history and selection of comfort foods on Sonoma Plaza

Discover a sumptuous blend of tradition and modernity at Sebastiani Winery

Award-winning wines with a sustainable twist at family-operated of Cline Cellars

Golden Gate Bridge photo stop on the way back to San Francisco

Listen to the guided tour in your own language

Tour Description

On your Marks, Get Set, Taste!

Your ultimate wine country tour begins as the San Francisco skyline retreats and your guide explains how Napa and Sonoma Valley microclimates and soils combine to produce some of the world’s best Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Relax as golden hills roll by and you learn about the contest that transformed Napa Valley from an afterthought into the most respected winemaking region anywhere.

Say “Cheese” at the Napa Valley Welcome Sign

Your tour makes a fun stop at the Napa Valley Welcome Sign. We’ll pop the cork on a bottle of sparkling wine so the small group can properly toast a beautiful start to the day.

Experience the ‘Art’ of Wine Making at Ru Vango

This quintessential Carneros AVA property, once cultivated by the Michael Mondavi Family, is surrounded by rolling hills of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines. Fittingly, Ru Vango’s tasting salon features a collection of fine art from the Winn Slavin Fine Art Gallery. Besides the aesthetics, what makes a visit delightful is the perfectly situated wrap-around porch overlooking sun-soaked vineyards. Enjoy a reserve flight of three complex wines made from grapes grown 2000 feet above sea level and in the pathway of cool San Pablo Bay breezes.

Wine and Dine on Historic Sonoma Plaza

Your tour makes a scenic journey over to Sonoma Valley where your afternoon will feature more wine-filled experiences. Sonoma Plaza is steeped in California history and boasts a score of fine, casual restaurants serving up everything from brick-oven pizza to country-French fare.

Savor an Italian Renaissance at Sebastiani

Samuele Sebastiani emigrated from Tuscany and planted his MIssion Vineyard in 1825. Today, after carefully rejuvenating the estate vines, limiting yields, and embracing innovative techniques in fermentation, the winery is making the best artisan wines in its history. As you sample three sub-appellation wines and gaze upon the hand-carved redwood tanks, a wine educator will explain how the winery is creating the perfect blend of tradition and innovation.

Feel the Strong Family Values at Cline

The family touch will be evident on your arrival to Cline Family Cellars. To be sustainable for future generations, Cline uses organic cover crops, compost teas, oyster shells and naturally mined sulfur to nourish the soil, and sheep to control the weeds. Solar panels provide 100% of the winery’s energy. On the patio of the 1850s farmhouse tasting room overlooking one of five spring-fed ponds, enjoy a flight of award-winning grape-to-bottle Sonoma wines.

Reflect on the Day as You Return to San Francisco

On the journey back to San Francisco (weather permitting), we’ll make a stop to photograph sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge and city skyline.

Important Note: Wine tasting fees are not included in the tour price.

Special events can prevent us from visiting the wineries in the description above. No worries. We will arrange equally delightful experiences at other premier wineries.

Host or Publisher Extranomical Tours