Photos: West California Wine Tours
Fresh on my fun radar are the fairly new and certainly hip West California Wine Tours, run by owner, Sonoma County local, Garret Sathre and his warm and friendly hospitality team manning vintage VW buses — the coolest way for guests to taste wine and explore our beautiful Northern California Wine Country.
All drivers were raised in the region, so their approach to touring is authentic and laid back and their knowledge of the area is unbeatable for wine country newbies and long time locals alike looking for a no-hassle day out and about on the vine studded backroads of our region.
Itinerary picks include Sonoma Valley, Napa Valley, Russian River Valley and a Brew Tour.
Book a seat for yourself and/or a visitor to the area on a Sonoma Valley tour at $125 per person, ideal if traveling solo or with a small group. Pick up is in downtown Sonoma and tours run from 10.30 am to 4 pm, with lunch included, taking in three stops at the teams favorite wineries. Wine tasting fees are not included, however, so if you take a tour, budget in an addition $20 to $35 per person per tasting.
Alternatively, why not book the whole bus? It's the ideal option for a group of six or less or eight or less that prefers a private tour at a cost of $650 per six seater bus and $850 per eight seater bus.
Arrangements may be made for pick up/drop off in Sonoma Valley or downtown Sonoma if your group is traveling into town for the day.
Unfortunately West Wine Tours does not offer pick up outside of the Sonoma Valley, so if you're planning on taking in all the tastings, you may wish to spend the night in Sonoma or take an Uber or Lyft to and from the pick up locale. Again, tasting costs are not included.
Napa Tours are pretty much the same, with pick up for one to five people in downtown Napa, or for whole busloads, pick up and drop off is also available in the Sonoma Valley.
Russian River Valley tours are offered by the busload only — six seaters or eight seaters. West Wine Tours will pick up/drop off wherever you are staying in Sonoma Valley, West Sonoma County or a convenient public location if your group is traveling into town for the day.
Similarly, the Brew Tour (by the busload) takes in four favorite micro-brew stops, with lunch included & beer tasting costs not included.
For more details or to enquire about a booking email thecrew@westwinetours.com or phone: 415-320-3258.
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