5 affordable Napa Valley wine tours and tastings

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Dotted with hillside vineyards north of San Francisco, Napa Valley is one of the world’s most famous wine destinations – and is best explored via an organised tour.

(Photo: GetYourGuide.com)

If you’re planning to visit Northern California and would like to take in some of Napa Valley’s internationally renowned wine producers during your trip, there are a vast number of fully organised group and private tours available that include expert guides – and tastings too. We’ve picked out 5 of the best cheap wine tours on offer here.

Small-Group Napa Valley Tour for Wine Lovers

(Photo: Viator.com)

Experience the best wineries in the Napa Valley on this small group tour in the company of an expert guide. Following a hotel pickup in San Francisco, you’ll visit 3 of the region’s most acclaimed wineries, learning about their history, admiring their architecture, gardens and panoramic views and – of course – sampling the reserve wines. On the return journey you’ll stop to enjoy a champagne toast at the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. The tour price includes transportation, a tour of a medieval castle, an aerial tram ride, and all wine tastings. From $207 per person.

Book at GetYourGuide.com

Half-Day Wine Country Excursion with Tastings

Ideal for those short on time, visitors can enjoy a whistle-stop excursion to wine country on this half-day tour. You’ll start your day with a scenic afternoon drive over the Golden Gate Bridge before arriving in the beautiful town of Sausalito. Nearby you’ll visit two acclaimed wineries for tastings and an exclusive estate tour. During the tour you’ll learn about the inner workings of the wine-making process as an expert host talks you through fermentation, barrel-aging, bottling, and, of course, tastings of some award-winning varietals before your scenic drive into San Francisco as the sun starts to set. From $98 per person.

Book at GetYourGuide.com

Napa Valley Wine Tasting Bike Tour

Experience the majesty of Napa Valley on this guided bike tour that stops into local wineries for tastings and a peek around. After making your own way to the town of Yountville in the morning, you’ll meet your guide and set off by bike on your vino adventure. During the tour you’ll visit two wineries and finish in the early afternoon, leaving you free to explore Napa further on your own. The tour prices includes all bike equipment and bottled water. From $136 per person.

Book at Viator.com

Napa Valley Wine Train with Gourmet Lunch

There are few more atmospheric forms of transport than a long distance train rolling through the countryside – and visitors to Napa Valley can experience just this.  After a hotel pick-up, you’ll make the hour-long journey north by road to the Napa Valley Wine Train. Here, aboard a restored vintage train carriage, you’ll pass charming towns like Rutherford and St. Helena, soaking up the undulating hills, vineyards, and estates. During the journey you’ll get to take a seat for a gourmet lunch or dinner freshly prepared by the train’s revered on-board restaurant. When the train returns after sunset, you’ll get to marvel at the starlit Napa Valley night sky. From $180 per person.

Book at Viator.com

Guided Private Wine Tour to Napa and Sonoma Wine Country

For a more intimate and exclusive soiree around Napa Valley, you could also book a private experience. This full-day tour invites groups of up to 13 family or friends to curate a customised itinerary that takes you deep into the scenic environs of Napa and Sonoma wine country. With a schedule that suits  your preferences, you’ll travel by minivan from San Francisco to taste world-renowned wines from both boutique family-run wineries and larger commercial operations with picture-postcard landscaped gardens. There’ll also be ample chance to learn about wine production as well as incorporate a lunch stop in one of the region’s most scenic towns before your late afternoon return journey to San Fran. From $795 per person.

Book at GetYourGuide.com

By Paul Joseph