A tour consists of how many hours?
Six hours. Usually 10 AM to 4PM.
What is the cost of a tour?
Tours are $100 per person. A minimum of 2
and a maximum of 6 persons.
Will I incur additional costs during the day?
Individual wineries have varying tasting fee policies. Some provide complimentary tastings. It is also becoming more common for “tastings” to be $5 or $10 for four tastings of your choice. The tasting fee is sometimes debited if a purchase is made. At some wineries, “reserve” wines will provide optional tasting possibilities for a fee.
"Healdsburg is surrounded by the rustic beauty of intimate Dry Creek Valley, known for its quaint country roads and supple Zinfandels;
the expansive Alexander Valley, home to elegant Cabernets;
and the lush and foggy Russian River Valley, where Pinot Noir and Chardonnay thrive. All are situated just a short drive
from Healdsburg’s main square."
-- Wine Spectator June 15, 2007
How many wineries can I expect to visit?
Usually 5-6. It will depend on how much time you choose to spend at each winery.
May I reserve a “personal” tour?
All Healdsburg Area Winery Tours are “personal guided tours” to the booking couple or the booking group up to seven. Travel is in a 2008 Saturn Outlook SUV with privacy windows.
May I choose the wineries I wish to visit?
You may within the Northern Sonoma County and the Russian River, Green Valley, Dry Creek, Chalk Hill, Alexander Valley, and Sonoma Mountain wine appellations. Or, you may wish to leave the choices to us to customize a tour around your wine preferences.
"Even the fictional surgeons on "Grey's Anatomy" are caught up
in the friendly rivalry between Northern California's two most
famous grape-growing counties. When McDreamy asks his colleague whether Sonoma or Napa wine country is the more romantic getaway, McSteamy responds: "Sonoma
-- smaller hotels, fewer tourists."
Grape Escape, New York Daily News November 18, 2008
May I arrange a tour to my wine interests such as exclusive to: Zinfandel, or Pinot Noir, or Cabernet Sauvignon, or Chardonnay, etc.?
Yes. Definitely.
Are Food & Wine Pairing Experiences available?
By prior appointment and when available. Costs vary.
What about lunch?
We have a number of carefully selected locations in the valleys for lunch. (Your cost). If you prefer, bring deli items and we will picnic in a winery or vineyard location.
I would like to learn more about how grapes become wines. Is it possible to actually talk to a winemaker, and have a wine production and barrel room tour?
Yes. By request. Given time, appointments can be made for
“in-house” winery tours with winery representatives.
Given time, appointments with small family owned wineries where the owners are also the winemakers may be scheduled.
Will my tour include small family owned wineries in additional to well known national brand wineries?
Yes. It can. In addition to our larger national brand wineries, many clients say they have greatly enjoyed visiting small family owned wineries in the area.
Can I visit wineries to buy wines I can’t buy at home?
Yes. Local wineries with wines available only at the winery.
In buying wines will prices be similar to prices at home? Can I expect to find price “specials”?
In general, you will find well known brand prices similar to the prices you pay at home. You will find “Case price” specials here and there!
What major brand wineries may I visit in the Healdsburg area?
Kendall-Jackson, Korbel Champagne Cellars, Rodney Strong, Clos du Bois Wines, Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery, Jordan Vineyard & Winery, and Simi Winery.
"(Healdsburg) the pretty little town on the Russian River has completed its metamorphosis into a
smart and fashionable wine country capital that can hold its own with St. Helena, or Sonoma."
-- John Finn, Travel Writer, "Healdsburg, ahead of the hordes" San Francisco Chronicle, May 12, 2002
I am interested in visiting wineries with “caves”. Do you have such wineries in the Healdsburg area?
Yes. Caves are a wonderful experience - just ask!
Do you pick up at San Francisco International Airport, Oakland International, or San Francisco?
No. My "for hire" California Public Utilities Commission license restricts me from doing this. Usual client pick ups are locations in Healdsburg,Cloverdale, Geyserville, Guerneville, Windsor and Santa Rosa. For more information about transportation from regional airports to Sonoma County, please visit www.airportexpressinc.com.
Are you insured & fully licensed?
Yes. We are registered, regulated, and licensed by the State of California Public Utilities Commission. TCP: 16005-S. The PUC requires insurance as a condition of licensing.