Private wine tours at $75 per hour (no hidden fees) for the SUV and guide with pick up in the San Francisco area and throughout the Napa and Sonoma wine country. (ask about current promotional specials)
Group wine tours at $100 per person, if you are staying in downtown Napa or downtown Sonoma.
The Private Tour is better if you want more privacy, have a larger group, 4 to 6 people, or a unique interest that requires a special itinerary. With the private tour we often work with clients well in advance understanding their interests and setting up appointments.
The Group Tour is perfect for the person who wants a high quality wine country experience but not the expense of a private tour. This is a mixed group, but our largest car carries only six passengers so you can expect to be with a small number of like minded folks which is a friendly, sociable arrangement. This 5 hour tour that can run a bit longer with multiple pickups and drop offs of guests. It includes 4 to 5 wineries and time for a scenic picnic lunch amid the vines. We stop at a local gourmet deli so that guests can purchase their own picnic items to allow for personal preferences.
**Each couple (or solo traveler) receives an autographed copy of one of tour books as a way to document the trip and make notes about the wines**(while supplies last)
We design each tour around the group and it normally includes both private and well known wineries and of course we are always open to suggestions. Hotel pick ups range between 9:30am and 10:30am but we give you a close approximation. These group tours are for guests staying in either downtown Sonoma or downtown Napa, and the surrounding areas to minimize the pick up and drop off times. Tasting fees are not included but couples often share tastings and we choose wineries with fees of $20 or less, normally they range from $5 to $15. We carry excessive amounts of iced water in the car and guests love the quiet comfort and visibility of our luxury SUV’s.
We (Ralph & Lahni de Amicis) personally design your tour and do the driving. We are licensed by the Public Ultilities Commission TCP 23123 and carry full commercial insurance. We can also make arrangements for larger groups. Please see our detailed reservation policies below.
For more information or to contact us about a wine tour please fill out this form. If you want to tour within the next one to two days we suggest you call our cells at 707-235-2648 Lahni, or 707-235-2364 Ralph.
What we do on our private tours: We create day trips based on your interests, driving SUV's for couples and small groups and Vans and Limo Buses for larger groups. Most of our tours last from 5 to 8 hours depending on the starting point; the city or wine country.
Wineries are open from 10am to 5pm so we start early. Plan on having a picnic, unless the weather is too cold, which is rare here. Plan on one hour for lunch and on visiting a winery per hour. You can visit more if you like because you're not driving. Please don't underestimate how much a driver/guide adds to your enjoyment of the day.
Between saving you time and stress, not to mention potential legal entanglements, hiring a car and a knowledgeable guide could be the smartest choice you make when planning your trip.
Our SUV rate for up to six people is $75 per hour. That rate is comprehensive and there are no added fees that normally add 25% to the 'top of the page prices' of most transportation companies. Please contact us for our van and bus rates.
For our SUV's we use a comprehensive rate because we realize that often one person arranges the tour for a small group. They have to tell their friends how much it will cost beforehand. Those hidden fees can make for unpleasant discussions at the end of the tour day. We like to avoid that so we tell you what it is going to cost, complete, per hour. How long the tour lasts is up to you, the client.
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Here is what some guests have written to us about their wine tours:
First and foremost, Thank You so much for a great tour! Despite the crazy weather, we had a great trip and enjoyed the wineries that you selected very much! They were all great, but I really loved Jeffrey! He's just so cute and endearing! You are a fountain of information and the passion for your valley comes through with every story and piece of information you related.
Have a great spring and when we are back in Napa and need a guide, we will definitely give you a call!
It was a true pleasure to meet you, All the best, Yvonne McCoach (the Canadians who came down in the rain! Feb 25-29)
Caro Ralph,
Agradeço muito sua especial atenção para com a família Santos e família Costa durante nossa estada em Sonoma e Nappa Valley, você foi muito gentil e nos ofertou uma oportunidade impar ,que nos foi de grande valia.Todos nós gostamos muito de você e do seu serviço ; espero que num futuro breve venhamos a nos encontrar novamente, e com certeza iremos recomendar sua agencia para todos nossos amigos que desejam ir para Califórnia fazer o circuito dos vinhos.Aceite um forte abraço .TKSPaulo Walter Leme dos Santos
Just a note to let you know how much Janice, John, Marriane and I enjoyed our tour with you on 10/6. Your knowledge of the Napa and Sonoma areas added measurably to the enjoyment of the trip. I am sure that we were able to see and do more in one day than we would have accomplished on our on, not to mention the convenience of having you do the planning and driving so we could just enjoy the experience. You have a great thing going and we would recommend your book and service to anyone we know heading your way. Thanks again, Tom.Tom HitchcockThanks.
You're the Best! Thanks for being our tour guide and sharing your wisdom! - Margery Toma
Ralph- You are one of the most knowledgeable people I have ever met! Thanks for a great day in Wine Country! - Courtney D.
Thanks so much for being a great tour guide. We had a wonderful time learning about wine country. - Carolyn
Ralph - I am so glad that you were our guide for my first trip to Napa - couldn't imagine a more memorable experience. I'm looking forward to reading your books and seeing you during my next trip to Napa. - Giacinta
Thank you for sharing your wine country knowledge with us... I'm convinced you read as you wait. We had a perfect experience. Hopefully I'll see you in Napa again. - Shadi Vazir
RESERVATION POLICY: The fees will be charged at $75 per hour, with no surprise add-ons (such as fuel charges or license fees) at the end of the day, however, tasting fees and the cost of lunch are not included. (couples sometimes share tastings) For your convenience, you are welcome to change the card you actually use at the end of the tour. We take your card for confirmation because of our cancellation policy. To hold a date we need complete billing information including CC#, exp date, name n card, CVV, billing address, billing phone. We would also like a cell phone to be used on the day of the tour.
CANCELLATION POLICY: If you cancel this date prior to 5 days before the scheduled day of tour, there is no cancellation fee. Cancellations within the 5 days period prior to the tour will be charged a $150.00 non-refundable cancellation fee on the card we have on file. Cancellations on the day of the tour will be charged for a 5 hour minimum tour, or $375.00 to the card on file.
MINIMUMS: 4 hour minimum every day except Saturday. 5 hours on Sat and 6 hours for tours originating out of the San Francisco area. 3 hours for evening/dinner transportation. To inquire about tours submit the form above or call us: Office: 707-235-2648 Cell: 707-235-2364 Pacific Time.
Amicis Winery Tours - the best wine tour service in Napa and Sonoma California. Authors of the iphone apps Napa Valley Wine Tour and Sonoma Wine Tour as well as the books Dream Tours of Napa and Sonoma, Sonoma Dream Tours, Napa Dream Tours, The Wine Diet, It's Not Just for Breakfast Anymore, and Guidelines for the Hospitality Professional.
The Amicis' have written more than 20 books on Health, Business and Environmental Design, but their series on wineries has been the most fun. Popular speakers and teachers look for them all over the web with their wine tips, healthy hints and words of wisdom! Cheers!
Call 707-235-2648 for Tours, Books & Seminars Copyright Ralph & Lahni de Amicis 2010 All tasting fees, hours, wine lists, etc are subject to change.
