Choosing the best wine tour in Napa Valley can be a daunting task. Opportunities are endless and choosing the best one depends entirely on the wants and needs of each individual traveler or group of travelers. Fortunately, we’ve done the dirty work for you and highlighted some of the best wine tours in Napa Valley below.
From luxury and outdoor recreation tours to family-friendly train rides and romantic getaways, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for.
1. Best Luxury Wine Tour
Napa Valley Hot-Air-Balloon Ride with Sparkling Wine Brunch
Ever wonder what it’s like to soar in a hot air balloon above Wine Country’s most prolific vineyards? Now, you can experience all of this and more with the Napa Valley Hot-Air-Balloon Ride with Sparking Wine Brunch, our pick for best luxury wine tour in Napa Valley.
Starting in the early morning at Domaine Chandon, this lighter-than-air tour includes a modest, pre-flight snack, a sunrise hot air balloon ride through Napa’s rolling hills, wineries and estates, and a buffet breakfast with sparkling wine.
Hot air balloon over Napa. Unsplash / Sebastien Gabriel
2. Best Group Wine Tour
Small-Group Wine-Tasting Tour through Napa or Sonoma Wine Country
For those traveling in a group, check out this guided small-group wine-tasting tour, with your choice between Napa or Sonoma Wine Country. This full-day wine tour stops for tastings at four boutique wineries, with a picnic lunch at a picturesque vineyard.
During the tour, you’ll learn about California’s exceptional wine history and industry, exploring some hidden gems unlikely to be found on your own. Guides will pick guests up at their accommodations, driving through some of California’s most stunning countryside regions before arriving at the first winery.
3. Best Train Ride Wine Tour
Napa Valley Wine Train from San Francisco: Gourmet Lunch, Wine Tasting and Vineyard Tour
Debatably the most unique way to embark on a Napa Valley wine tour is by train. This tour starts in San Francisco with round-trip transport to Napa Valley, visiting either Grgich Hills Estate, Charles Krug Winery, or Raymond Vineyards.
Travelers hopping aboard this wine train get to enjoy a three-course lunch accompanied by water, coffee, and tea. Along the way, you’ll learn about organic farming practices and techniques used to crush, ferment, bottle, and store wine.
Napa Valley Wine Train. Wikimedia Commons
4. Best Couples’ Getaway Wine Tour
Wine Country by Helicopter with Wine Tasting and Food Pairing
Guaranteed to rekindle the romance, this one-of-a-kind Napa Valley wine tour takes you on an unparalleled helicopter ride from the San Francisco Bay Area to Wine Country. Couples will gaze upon views of Frisco Bay, Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and the rolling vineyards of the countryside.
After touching down at one of the region’s most esteemed wineries, couples can indulge in carefully selected tapas, a tasting, and a guided tour of the property.
5. Best Budget Wine Tour
Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Tour
For those traveling on a budget, you’ll be happy to discover Napa Valley’s most affordable wine tour is also the most popular on TripAdvisor!
Guests on this tour get to go behind the scenes of three prominent Napa and Sonoma Wine Country wineries, all while learning about the art of viticulture.
Forget about worrying who will be the designated driver during your Napa Valley and Sonoma wine-tasting excursion; this tour invites guests to ride safely in an air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and an onboard restroom.
6. Best Outdoor Recreation Wine Tour
Napa Valley Bike and Kayak Wine Tour
The only excursion of it’s kind, Napa Valley Bike and Kayak Tour is for those who truly love outdoor recreation. This full-day tour combines biking, kayaking, and wine tasting in Northern California’s Wine Country.
Guests on this trip can expect a guided, eight-mile bike outing of the Carneros region, a picnic lunch and wine tastings at two popular wineries, ending with a kayak trip on the tranquil waters of the Napa River. Wineries you may visit are Etude, Ceja, Acacia, Starmont, and Bouchaine.
7. Best Private Wine Tour
Exclusive Napa Valley Wine Tour
If you want to avoid crowds and have your own private wine tour, Exclusive Napa Valley Wine Tour features a private, six-hour wine tasting, including hotel pick-up and drop-off in your choice of luxury vehicle.
This intimate Napa Valley wine tour allows guests to customize their itineraries, with the option of choosing a variety of the region’s 400 wineries. Sniff, swirl and sip your way through Napa Valley’s prized Cabernet Sauvignons, oaky Chardonnays, and palatable dessert vintages.
8. Best Family-Friendly Wine Tour
Believe it or not, exploring California’s Napa Valley is doable with children through the Santa Napa Valley Wine Train tour. This family-friendly, festive journey comprises a two-hour musical and interactive ride, guaranteed to delight children and adults alike.
Passengers aboard the train will guide Santa Claus in locating lost gifts. Kids can enjoy holiday treats like hot chocolate and cookies, while parents and adults taste some of Napa Valley’s premium wines. There’s even a photo-op with Santa at his enchanting workshop. This Napa Valley wine tour is certain to hasten the holiday cheer!
If you’re planning a trip to Napa and looking for the best way to explore the world-famous local wineries, we hope one of these great options will appeal to you. Happy trails, and bottoms up!
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