With its blend of golden sunshine, coastal breezes, and cool mountain air, the vineyards of California are the perfect destination for a day trip from San Francisco. And what better way to spend a warm, sunny day than exploring some of the region’s best wine-growing country on a vintage wine tour? A Taste of SF Tours brings visitors to some of the best vineyards in the state. California produces around 81% of all U.S. wine and is the fourth-largest wine producer in the world after France, Italy, and Spain. The Sunshine State is divided into six main wine-producing regions: North Coast, Central Coast, Sierra Foothills, Inland Valleys, Southern California, and Far North California. But for this wine-themed day trip, you’ll be visiting some of the best wineries in the North Coast in the world-renowned Sonoma County and Napa Valley.
Just over an hour’s drive from San Francisco, Sonoma County has the ideal grape-growing climate with long sunny days and cool nights. There are more types of soil here than all of France, and this provides the ideal conditions for over 60 grape varieties in the 19 AVAs (American Viticultural Areas) in the region, with chardonnay and pinot noir the most widely grown. A short drive east and you’ll arrive in the Napa Valley, where the climate is hotter and drier and where there are around 40 varieties of grapes. If you’re partial to a glass of cabernet sauvignon, this is the region for you, as it account for more than 50% of the wine produced here.
Spend a day in California wine country
The full-day vintage wine tour takes around 10 hours and starts with a pickup from downtown San Francisco around 8:30 a.m., or 8:45 a.m. at Fisherman’s Wharf. You’ll travel in air-conditioned comfort over the Golden Gate Bridge before a quick stop at Marin County Vista Point. Enjoy the views over Angel Island and Alcatraz before continuing north through Marin County.
It won’t be too long before you arrive in Sonoma County and stop at the first of two wineries in this region before lunch. You’ll have time to appreciate the changing landscape of vine-covered hills as you enter North Coast wine country. You’ll spend around an hour at each winery. These may include Homewood Winery, a smaller production known for their Alexander Valley cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay; Viansa Winery, where it’s Tuscan style villa and collection of Italian-inspired wines may make you believe you’ve landed directly in Italy; the Jacuzzi family estate for more Italian inspired wines and collection of olive oils; or Peter Sellars Winery, an award winning family run estate that combines the ideal Californian climate with traditional French winemaking techniques.
After the two tastings, it’s time for lunch with a one-hour stop at a restaurant in Sonoma, Napa, or Yountville. Make the most of your trip to Napa Valley for your third and final tasting of the day at a winery carefully selected by your guide. After a sun (and wine)-drenched day in California wine country, it’s time to head back home. The full tour costs $239 with a reduced rate if you skip the tastings.
What happens on a wine tasting tour?
