Napa & Sonoma
The Region
Historically, the Napa Valley has been producing wine since the 1930s. Over 35,000 acres are now planted in wine grapes from north of San Pablo Bay, northwest to the slopes of Mount St. Helena. It is recognized as the premier wine-producing region in the country based, not only on reputation, but on the price of the grapes grown and the wines produced there.
Pinots and Chardonnay do best in the cool foggy climates near San Pablo Bay and Cabernet Sauvignon benefits from the warmer climates going north to Calistoga including: Oakville, Rutherford, Mount Veeder, Spring and Howell Mountain, St. Helena etc.
Sonoma County (Sonoma Valley, Alexander Valley, Russian River, Chalk Hill, Dry Creek), produces 40% more wine grapes than Napa and it is where the use of French oak and stainless steel tanks first started. The wines of Sonoma are comparable in quality to that of Napa, but lower in price! It is also less crowded and more rustic than Napa.
For the arts, culinary delights and gift shopping nothing beats Sonoma’s di Rosa Preserve, one of the largest regional art collections in the country; or Baksheesh (which our Chairman calls the Best Bazaar outside of Istanbul) where you’ll find uncommonly special handcrafted gifts and house wares; Spice Islands Marketplace, St. Helena –a culinary paradise.
For gourmet treats you’ve got the Napa Valley Olive Oil Manufacturing Co. and for “luxe indulgence” there’s Woodhouse Chocolate. Finally, there is Myra Hoefer Design in Healdsburg where you’ll find those Parisian antiques you’ve been looking for.
Accommodations
The 4 Diamond Deluxe Villagio Inn and Spa, was recently voted by readers of Travel + Leisure Magazine as one of the top 50 resorts in North America. Options include Vintage Inn, Auberge du Soliel, Solage and the Kenwood Inn and for groups, Meadowood.
Wineries
Options include Anderson’s Conn Valley, B. Wise, Blankiet, Buehler, Cakebread, Caymus, Continuum, Darioush, Del Dotto, Domaine Chandon, Grgich, Hall, Kendall-Jackson, Newton, Frank Family, Mayo Family Winery, Opus One, Patland Family Winery, Phelps, Raymond, Silverado, and Trefethen.
Suggested Tours: 7 Nights, 5 Nights & 3 Nights
5-Star Deluxe San Francisco, Napa & Sonoma: 7 Nights, 8 Days
Inclusions
- Private ‘meet and greet’ and chauffeured transfer from Airport and return to airport.
- 6 days with our private driver & guide for insider info, history of Napa-Sonoma wines and introduction to wineries often closed to public – 12 hours per day.
- Use of SUV vehicle including fuel/tolls
- 2 nights accommodation in S.F. at the 5 Star Ritz Carlton or Mandarin Oriental.
- 5 night accommodations at 4 Diamond Villagio Inn and Spa
- 2 Villagio Spa treatments
- Hot Air Balloon Ride with Champagne Breakfast for two.
- Napa Valley Wine Train & Gourmet Lunch for two.
- 2 artisan food visits/tastings including goat cheese (Sonoma) and a tasting of indulgent artisan chocolates (Napa).
- 7 breakfasts – 5 with Sparkling Wine
- 4 lunches – 2 winery lunches – one Napa and one in Sonoma – tapas with paired wines; a picnic with gourmet goodies from one of Thomas Keller’s kitchens with paired wines and a gourmet lunch on the Napa Wine Train.
- 4 Dinners – 3 Tasting Menu Dinners at Michelin-starred restaurants – one in S.F. and one each in Napa (Auberge du Soleil) and Sonoma (Sante) plus “welcome” dinner at Bottega in Yountville
- One Welcome bottle of wine at The Villagio
- 10 winery visits and or tastings and tasting fees at the top wineries
Exclusions
- Meals and wine not stated as included.
- Personal items: tips, taxes, laundry /dry cleaning, and liquor not stated as included.
Pricing
Price per Person is $7,695 double occupancy. Can be as low as $5,995 per person with 6 people (3 couples) traveling together.
The Fine Print
Prices are per person double occupancy and subject to change until deposit received.
N.B. Restaurants, Hotels, Wineries and Winery Lunches may change based on availability of seats, rooms, or individuals. Substitutes will be of equal or greater value and interest.
5-Star Napa-Sonoma 5 Nights, 6 Days
Inclusions
- Private ‘meet and greet’ and chauffeured transfer from Airport and return to airport.
- 5 ½ days with our private driver & guide for insider info, history of Napa- Sonoma wines and introduction to wineries often closed to public: 8-12 hours per day.
- Use of SUV vehicle including gasoline/tolls
- 5 night accommodations at 4 Diamond Villagio Inn and Spa
- Hot Air Balloon Ride with Champagne Breakfast for two.
- Napa Valley Wine Train & Gourmet Lunch for two.
- 2 artisan food visits/tastings including goat cheese and a tasting of artisan chocolates.
- 5 breakfasts with sparkling wine.
- 4 lunches – 2 winery lunches – one Napa and one Sonoma; a picnic with paired wines and a gourmet lunch on the Napa Wine Train.
- 3 dinners – 3 Tasting Menu Dinners: 2 at Michelin-starred restaurants – Napa (Auberge du Soleil) & Sante (Sonoma) and one at 4+ Star Bottega.
- One “Welcome” bottle of wine at The Villagio
- 8 winery visits and or tastings and tasting fees at the top wineries
Exclusions
- Meals and wine not stated as included.
- Personal items: tips, taxes, laundry /dry cleaning, and liquor not stated as included.
Pricing
Price per Person is $4,180 double occupancy. Can be as low as $3,366 per person with 6 people (3 couples) traveling together.
The Fine Print
Prices are per person double occupancy and subject to change until deposit received.
N.B. Restaurants, Hotels, Wineries and Winery Lunches may change based on availability of seats, rooms, or individuals. Substitutes will be of equal or greater value and interest.
Classic American Wine Country Adventure: Napa – Sonoma 3 Nights 4 Days
Inclusions
- Round-trip airport-hotel transfers
- 3 nights accommodation at The Villagio Hotel & Spa – rated one of the top 50 Resort and spas in America by the readers of Travel + Leisure.
- Driver –Wine Expert Guide with commentary featuring Napa history and wine education.
- Use of a SUV with fuel for 4 days
- 3 Breakfasts: considered by most as the best champagne breakfasts in Napa!
- 2 Lunches: one Gourmet lunch on Napa Valley Wine Train and the other, a truly educational and fun wine tasting paired with various tapas at Sonoma winery.
- 2 Dinners: Welcome dinner at Bottega in Napa or 3-Course Tasting Menu at Michelin- starred Auberge du Soleil and the other, an exquisite 3 Course Tasting Menu at Michelin-starred Sante in Sonoma.
- Visits to and tasting fees at 3 Napa Wineries and 3 Sonoma wineries
- Visit to local Napa (Chocolate) and Sonoma (Cheese) artisans.
Exclusions
- Meals and wine not stated as included.
- Personal items: tips, taxes, laundry /dry cleaning, and liquor not stated as included
Pricing
Price Per Person: $3,395.00 double occupancy. Can be as low as $2,595 pp, do with 6 travelers (e.g. 3 couples) traveling together. So, have more fun and save $800 per person when you bring along your like-minded friends.
The Fine Print
Prices are per person double occupancy and subject to change until deposit received.
N.B. Restaurants, Hotels and Winery Owner/Wine Consultant Lunches may change based on availability of seats, rooms, or individuals. Substitutes will be of equal or greater value and interest.