When it comes to drinking wine in Napa Valley, a guided tour isn’t just an option; it’s an essential experience. Not only will an organized tour provide you with local insight, but it’s also a safe, easy and efficient way to sample the region’s renowned wine.
From train rides through the countryside to private tours with your own chauffer, these are the best Napa Valley wine tours based on recent traveler reviews. Note that participants must be 21 or older to participate in any of the recommended outings.
Napa Valley Wine Train – The Legacy Experience
Price: From $625 per person
Duration: 6 hours
One of the most popular ways to explore California wine country, the Napa Valley Wine Train offers a variety of experiences. Travelers wanting to visit some of the wineries should book The Legacy Experience, which stops at three vineyards, including two of the best wineries in Napa Valley: V. Sattui and Charles Krug. It also includes a photo-op at the historic Welcome to Napa Valley sign, a four-course meal (served throughout the day) and a welcome glass of sparkling wine. All wine tasting fees are included in the tour rate.
The tour lasts six hours in total, three of which are spent on the train. Check-in begins at 9:45 a.m., the train departs at 10:15 and the tour concludes around 4:30 p.m. Despite the steep cost of tickets (which varies by day), travelers say this Napa Valley wine tour is a must. They also note how delicious the food is.
Check prices & availability on:
Napa Valley Wine Trolley – Daily Tour
Price: From $125 per person
Duration: 6.5 hours
Explore California wine country aboard one of the Napa Valley Wine Trolleys, which resemble San Francisco’s iconic open-air cable cars. The six-hour Daily Tour stops at three wineries in the lower half of the valley; specific wineries vary from day to day. Drivers double as guides and provide information about the region and its best-known product, and patrons generally find them to be both very informative and amusing.
The tour departs from the Oxbow Public Market in downtown Napa at 10 a.m. daily, with pickups at select Napa Valley hotels starting earlier. Tickets include transportation, guide gratuity and a picnic lunch, but exclude winery tasting fees, which range from $30 to $40 per person at each winery. If you’re looking to visit Castello di Amorosa (the popular winery that resembles a castle) in particular, take the Up Valley Tour.
Check prices & availability on:
Platypus Wine Tours – Join-in Wine Tour of the Napa Valley
Price: From $130 per person
Duration: 6.5 hours
Platypus Wine Tours escorts tour-takers to three area wineries over the course of approximately 6.5 hours. Wineries visited depend on availability and change from one tour to the next, though they tend to be small, family-owned operations. Drivers/guides earn enthusiastic praise for being knowledgeable, professional and personable. Tours typically depart from a central location in Napa (for those driving into Napa), but pickups from nearby hotels are also available. Group sizes range from eight to 12 participants.
Tickets include a picnic lunch at one of the stops as well as bottled water aboard the bus. Tasting fees at the wineries are not included. Platypus also offers tours of Sonoma Valley as well as private tours.
Check prices & availability on:
Courtesy of Napa Valley Bike Tours
Napa Valley Bike Tours – Full-Day Napa Valley E-bike Tour
Price: From $199 per person
Duration: 5.5 hours
Cycle to two different wineries on this electric bike ride. Along the route, guides share information regarding the region and wine-making, and they are widely regarded as knowledgeable and helpful. The bike tours, which are restricted to six participants, begin in Yountville at 10:30 a.m. and end around 4:30 p.m.; this includes bike fitting and riding instruction.
Tickets include use of an e-bike and helmet as well as lunch from Bouchon Bakery, a local favorite. They do not cover winery tasting fees, though some of these fees may be waived with a minimum wine purchase. The tour covers a total of 12 to 17 miles, with an average 3 to 6 miles between stops. If that seems overwhelming, you can opt for a half-day outing with a stop at one winery.
Check prices & availability on:
Napa Valley Wine Country Tours – Join-in Daily Wine Tour (Napa Hotels)
Price: From $119 per person
Duration: 6 hours
You’ll visit three wineries, ranging from well-known vineyards to small, family-owned establishments, on this Napa wine tour. Drivers, who are generally found to be both friendly and accommodating, provide insider information about the region during trips between the wineries. Along with the chauffeurs, travelers also enjoy the wineries selected for the tour. Buses pick up tourgoers from Napa area hotels between 10 and 11 a.m. and tours typically end at about 4 p.m.
The picnic lunch at one of the stops and tasting fees are not included.
Check prices & availability on:
Napa Native – Private Wine Tour
Price: From $570
Duration: 6 to 8 hours
A lifelong Napa Valley resident curates and leads this small-group tour. You’ll visit three to four boutique wineries, providing your preferences to the company during the booking process. Guides share information about wine-making along the way, which tour-takers tend to find exceptionally insightful.
Tours rates can vary by group size and include a 20% gratuity. Tours start at 10 a.m. daily and include a break for lunch (which is not included in rates), or you can preorder a picnic lunch. Wine tasting fees are also extra. Napa Native Tours also offers a tour with a winemaker as well as tours for larger groups.
Check prices & availability on:
Courtesy of Laces & Limos
Laces & Limos – “Just Us 2” Napa Wine Safari
Price: From $695 for two people
Duration: 5.5 hours
For your romantic getaway in California, book a private wine safari for two. Offered by Laces & Limos, this one-of-a-kind tour will take you to Napa Valley wineries in an open-air tuk-tuk, which departs the Archer Hotel in Napa at 11:30 a.m. daily. It also inclues a picnic lunch complete with charcuterie, cheeses and small bites. Recent reviewers say they were blown away by this tour, and especially enjoyed taking in the beautiful views and fresh air from their tuk-tuk.
Tasting fees at the wineries and gratuity are not included. Laces & Limos also offers another Napa Wine Safari for up to six people.
Check prices & availability on:
A Limo Excursion and Wine Tours LLC
Price: From $1,440 per group (up to 14 guests)
Duration: 8 hours
Looking for someone to drive you to the Napa Valley wineries of your choice? You can do that, too. Especially fun for groups (think bachelorette parties and girls getaways), this 14-passenger Mercedes limo sprinter bus is driven by a private chauffer (who is always the highlight of the tour, according to recent tourgoers). The eight-hour winery tour includes stops at three to four vineyards, though wine tasting fees are not included in rates nor are gratuities.
Check prices & availability on:
Beau Wine Tours
Price: Varies by tour
Duration: Varies by tour
Another customizable experience, Beau Wine Tours helps travelers choose the best vineyards to visit based on their wine preferences and the type of vinos each local American Viticultural Areas produces. The company offers a range of tours to suit all kinds of travelers, including the Intro to Napa Valley Tour, with the option to make it a multiday excursion; the Howell Mountain Tour, where you’ll taste robust reds in Napa Valley’s first AVA; and a Collector’s Wine Tasting Tour to small, more exclusive wineries. Beau Wine Tours come highly recommended by travelers, especially for special events.
Check prices & availability on:
Frequently Asked Questions
August through October, which coincides with the harvesting season, is the best time to visit Napa Valley. March through May is also a nice, often less-crowded time to visit.
The best Napa wine tours start at around $120 per person; fees will increase depending on tour inclusions (such as meals, gratuities and tastings). Prices may also fluctuate based on tour group size as well as the time of year and day of week.
Yes, it is recommended that you tip both your tour guide and your tasting host at each vineyard. Some tours include gratuities in rates, which may be something you want to look for when booking your tour.
None of the wineries have a dress code, so opt for casual (but not too casual) and comfortable. Think flowy sundresses, wide leg pants, khaki shorts or pants, dark jeans and nice tops (blouses, collared shirts) with sandals or sneakers. You’ll also want to bring a light jacket as it can get chilly on some of the vineyards, even in the summer.
Why Trust U.S. News Travel
Amanda Norcross has previously traveled to Napa Valley, visiting select wineries on her own and also with a tour. She always recommends a tour, not just for a designated driver with a local’s perspective, but also because you get to meet and imbibe with other fun and interesting tourgoers along the way. She used her personal experience and insights from other travelers to determine the best wine tours in Napa Valley. Cheers!