A land of sunshine, grapevine-covered hills, and more wineries than you could ever dream of, California Wine Country beckons wine lovers from all over the globe with its laid-back West Coast charm.
That said, a little planning goes a long way when it comes to traveling to this wine wonderland. Here are our tips to help you maximize your time and money in one of California’s most popular destinations.
Winery Tasting and Tour Reservations
Reservation policies differ at almost every winery; some allow walk-ins while others require appointments in advance. We recommend booking reservations when possible even when they aren’t required, especially on weekends when the valley lights up with activity.
Wineries usually have tours a few times each day, with the last tour running around 3:30 or 4:00 PM, so keep this in mind when planning which wineries you want to tour versus those where you simply want to enjoy a tasting. Tasting reservation windows usually run a bit later in the day.
It can be tempting to rush around to as many wineries as you can fit into your itinerary, but we recommend taking it slow and truly enjoying each location – nobody likes feeling rushed through their glass of wine. Tastings usually take around an hour and a half, especially if there is a tour included, and can stretch longer if you’re enjoying the setting.
Traveling with a Group
Restaurants and wineries in wine country are not keen on splitting checks for groups, and organizing finances after a day full of meals and wine tastings can be chaotic. We recommend using a bill-splitting app like Splitwise, which has incredible versatility for entering payments and settling up. Users can create groups, assign costs to specific individuals within that group, and easily pay using services like Venmo at the end of the trip. Other bill-splitting apps include Settle Up and Splittr.
Vacation Rentals in Wine Country
Vacation rental companies like AirBnB and VRBO are hugely popular across the United States, and California is no different. However, Napa Valley instituted laws in 2016 controlling vacation rentals, and properties must register with and be approved by the local government; a public list details all the addresses in Napa that are legally operating as vacation rentals. That said, homeowners are still hosting many unregistered AirBnB options, but as a traveler, be aware that not every listing is legal. Sonoma’s policies are more lax than its neighbor.
Transportation Hacks
Drinking wine all day is bound to lead to a buzz. Designated drivers are your best bet for safe, responsible exploration of wine country; however, there are plenty of other options should all members of the group want to partake.
Ride services like Uber and Lyft frequent the valley; share costs with friends and effortlessly hop from winery to winery without worry. The area is not big – Napa Valley is only about 30 miles from top to bottom – so rideshare costs remain reasonable.
California wine country also offers plenty of driving services, helping visitors travel safely from destination to destination – consider trying Beau Wine Tours or Magnum Tours.
Should I Buy a Bottle? Tasting Fees and Bottle Shipping
Wineries offer wine tastings in the hope their visitors will buy a bottle (or several) afterward, and tastings in wine country aren’t free, generally running around $35-45. Some wineries will waive tasting fees if you buy a bottle, while others require a more significant commitment (such as a multiple-bottle purchase or a wine-club membership). Always inquire about the policy, as it’s generally not advertised.
If you find that perfect bottle of cabernet sauvignon you’d like to bring home, it’s often more budget-friendly to take the wine with you rather than having the winery ship it. Shipping services like Buffalo Shipping Post in Napa specialize in wine and offer special insulated boxes and insurance to protect against breakage and loss. If you are a US resident, be aware that some states don’t allow direct shipments of alcohol; ensure you can send your bottles home before purchasing.
If you only have a few bottles and are flying home, checking a bag is also an option. However, wine is more likely to break, and most airlines now charge checked-bag fees, so compare shipping fees with bag fees and choose the option that best suits your needs.
Finding Deals in California Wine Country
California wine country isn’t precisely a budget destination, but you can find some savings along the way. If wine is your thing and you envision returning to the valleys in the future, a wine club membership at your favorite winery could be a good investment. Generally, memberships provide benefits such as free tours and tastings, as well as discounts at sister properties.
Additional cost-savers include apps like Winery Finder, which offer 2-for-1 deals at over 100 wineries after you navigate a $10 paywall.
