The tour begins with a pick-up from your hotel. After a quick stop to pick up picnic supplies for lunch (price not included; pre-order options available) from a local organic deli and market, you’ll head north across the Golden Gate Bridge. You will be immediately rewarded with sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay: Alcatraz Island, the city skyline, and the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean are just a few of the picturesque vistas from this remarkable bridge.
Next, we’ll wind our way through the coastal mountains of the Marin Headlands and past Mt. Tamalpais (the highest point in the North Bay region), leaving the rush of the city behind and setting the pace for a relaxing day out in the country.
Once in Sonoma County, dairy farms and vineyards provide an inspiring introduction to the rolling hills and beautiful valleys that have supplied the world with fantastic wines for over 60 years. Your professional guide will give you details about the region, wine, and the day's itinerary so that you can truly appreciate your experience.
The first stop will be the Benziger Family Winery & Biodynamic Vineyard, where you will enjoy a close-up look at the vineyards, fermentation facility, and crush pad on a comfortable tram tour. You’ll also have a chance to walk through their barrel caves! The tour is approximately 45 minutes long, and includes a special tasting of Benziger's biodynamic and other award-winning wines. After your tasting, enjoy your picnic lunch (included: see menu for pre-order options) in a quiet spot at one of the local wineries, surrounded by views of the beautiful countryside and vineyards.
In the afternoon, you will head over to famed Napa County for more wine tasting in Oakville, Yountville, or in the town of Napa. The landscape of rolling hills laced with rows of wine grapes is impressive and will provide a romantic backdrop for memorable photographs. On the return trip, you’ll make one more photo stop above the Golden Gate Bridge - a must-do if you've never witnessed the awe-inspiring view of San Francisco from the Marin Headlands! At the end of the tour you will return to your San Francisco accommodations (around 6pm).
**note: To best suit the needs of our partner wineries and our guests, it is sometimes necessary to slightly alter the itinerary of the tour. In the wintertime there is less daylight and some tasting rooms may have shorter open-hours. Your group may also make a detour to Muir Woods National Monument. If this is not an original item in your itinerary, please be aware that your entrance fee will be covered and you are welcome to enjoy the cafe and have a delicious warm breakfast or a cup of coffee in lieu of exploring the woods.
Highlights:
Golden Gate Bridge
Marin Headlands
45 min Benziger Winery Tram Tour
Napa AND Sonoma Counties
Lunch INCLUDED!
Excellent wine varietals for all tastes and preferences
Inclusions:
Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Narrated guided tour
Benziger Winery Tram Tour ($20 retail value)
Organic, local picnic lunch (choice of turkey, ham, roast beef, or vegetarian sandwich)
Wine tasting at 4-5 unique wineries (some tasting fees may apply; proper ID required for tasting)
Lunch Options:
Turkey
with whole wheat bread, mayo, mustard, tomato, lettuce, pickle, onion
comes with: pasta salad, piece of fruit, & cookie or brownie
Roast Beef
with whole wheat bread, mayo, mustard, tomato, lettuce, pickle, onion
comes with: potato salad, piece of fruit, & cookie or brownie
Ham
with whole wheat bread, mayo, mustard, tomato, lettuce, pickle, onio n
comes with: potato salad, piece of fruit, & cookie or brownie
Vegetarian
with whole wheat bread, mayo, mustard, tomato, lettuce, pickle, onion,
olives, sprouts, pepperoncini, cucumber
comes with: coleslaw, piece of fruit, & cookie or brownie
