When most people think about Californian wine country the first thing to come to mind is the world famous Napa Valley. Of course the Valley boasts many fabulously kept vineyards and wineries but it is not the only region here to lay claim to such a thing, although you would be forgiven for believing so as an overwhelming majority of tourism companies who run tours focus very heavily on it. There are a lot of reasons why exploring on your own is a positive experience, as well as many arguments why a guided tour is best.
One of the big attractions when visiting the spectacular San Francisco is it’s proximity to the world renowned wine region, so it’s good to keep in mind that a guided tour can give you more time to see more wineries and vineyards, as your tour group will arrange transportation and map our routes for you. The tours are often designed with couples traveling together who would like to experience the wine tasting sessions together, as it is quite a romantic thing to partake in for younger and older couples alike.
When you are deciding on which tour to take you should take your time and consider all of your options. Tours can last anywhere between three and ten hours, so you need to consider how your time is best spent as well as the value the tour company is offering you in its package’s price. A great many tours will take you around to see five or six wineries and vineyards all within a single day, which makes them pretty impressive value for money even if they are on the pricier side.
As well as the hours in the day and price, you will also want to decide on a manner of transport, as there are several options that will be presented to you, including buses, vans, coaches and even limousine. Of course, all of the tour companies will make sure you are picked up from your hotel in a timely fashion before the tour starts and then returned safely again come the end of the day, making sure you know exactly what time you’ll get back so that you can make arrangements for your evening around the tour’s schedule.
The other thing you should really considered is what kind of group the tour is aimed at; if it is planned with a large group in mind then will have no option other than to take a bus as it is the most economical so is favored by tour groups. It should also be noted that smaller tour groups are likely to see some more intimate wine tasting settings, so keep this in mind when traveling with a significant other.
At the end of the day you will have countless options that alter your experience here in San Francisco, but whichever tour you go with you are guaranteed a fun learning experience in a truly magical place surrounded by some of the most scenic country around and are guaranteed to have a blast.

The first people to live in Napa Valley were the Wappo Indians, with “Napa” translating to “the land of plenty”, which was a perfectly apt title for a place that had rivers rich with salmon, all kinds of wild animals including cats and bears, and of course it’s famous greenery cloaking the valley floor.
Officially, Charles Krug is considered the founder of the beautiful Napa Valley, because he developed the very first commercial in the Valley in 1861. By 1889 the region had well over 140 wineries, including Schramsberg, Inglenook and Beringer, the most popular in the area. Unfortunately, 1889 also saw Phylloxera reach the vineyards; a powerful epidemic that destroyed the vast majority of crops in Napa Valley.
In 1919 the Valley had found itself a new enemy, which was of course Prohibition. Almost all of the wineries and vineyard were forced to close there doors, with the exception of those producing and supplying wine for use in the Churches of the region. The law of Prohibition stretched out over more than fourteen years, and greatly damaged the industry at the time. However, during the second World War, the organization of the Napa Valley Vintners was formed and set about promoting all things wine related with many great successes.
Throughout the 1950s and 60s Napa Valley gained substantial growth and was widely recognized and respected amongst socialites who often both indulged in, and discussed, wines. These 20 odd years also witnessed the birth of vintners and winemakers of the new generation, leading the 1970s to see about an overabundance of innovations in the field of wine making it possible for Napa Valley to achieve first place at a wine tasting contest in France, winning it the place of pride it now holds today.
1968 saw the forming of the Agriculture Preserve Ordinance which since then has always ensured the health and happiness of vintners and locals alike as well as the Napa Valley’s development by arranging auctions and helping with the raising of funds totaling millions of dollars. 1982 was an especially significant year historically for Napa Valley as it attained a classification as a Vitcultural Area. It has large amounts of soil of various PH levels making it perfect for growing grapes to make wines.
Napa Valley, boasting more than 300 wineries has firmly established itself as a leader in wine production. If you are a wine connoisseur it is undoubtedly the perfect place to vacation. From seeing the most magically enchanting wineries to sampling the produce here the wine tours make for an absolutely unforgettable trip.