7 Awesome Napa Valley Wine Tours from San Francisco

When the hustle and bustle of city life gets overwhelming, a getaway to Napa Valley sounds like just what the doctor ordered. But then the reality of Bay Area traffic starts to set in, and a weekend of Netflix and chill on the couch sounds more likely.

Don’t let your dreams of vineyard tours and heavenly wine tastings fade! There are plenty of great Napa Valley wine tours originating from San Francisco, making it easier than ever to visit your favorite wineries without ever having to take your car keys out of the junk drawer. From classic group tours to fully-customized private experiences to journeys from the sky, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite Napa Valley wine tours from San Francisco.

California Wine Tours & Transportation

Courtesy of Facebook: California Wine Tours

For those looking for a completely hands-off experience, leave it to the professionals at California Wine Tours. Offering pick-up in Napa, Sonoma, and many Bay Area cities, including San Francisco, this full-service tour company can plan your wine tasting adventure from start to finish. California Wine Tours’ fleet includes breezy convertibles, stretch limousines, luxury touring vans, and classic party buses, all kitted out for your private, chauffeured tour of Napa Valley. You will sip complimentary sparkling wine while you take in gorgeous vineyard views and cruise from winery to winery. Prefer to take a little more control over your experience? California Wine Tours also offers a simple, transportation-only option – you do the planning, they do the driving.

Edge of the World Tours

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This well-established tour company specializes not only in classic tours of Napa and Sonoma, but also beer tasting tours, hiking and adventure tours, and excursions to other historic regions and landmarks throughout Northern California, like San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, Muir Woods, and Sausalito. Take advantage of their Bespoke Tour option and customize your experience aboard their 13-passenger van with pick-ups offered in San Francisco, as well as San Mateo, Marin, Sonoma, and Napa Counties. As a fully-licensed tour operator, passengers are of course invited to hop on board with a picnic lunch or other tasty provisions for the drive to Wine Country, and encouraged to pop a bottle of wine purchased throughout their wine tasting journey on the ride home.

Exclusive Napa Wine Tours

Courtesy of Facebook: Exclusive Napa Wine Tours

Offering “door to door luxury,” Exclusive Napa Wine Tours provides white-glove single- and multiple-day wine tours in either Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Vans or luxurious Cadillac Escalades. Wine lovers can opt to create their own itineraries, or leverage Exclusive Napa Wine Tours’ dedicated concierge service to put together the perfect winery excursion based on their needs and preferences. For the ultimate in VIP treatment, book one of their Wine Collector’s Tours, which offer access to private destinations, “cult” wineries, Michelin-starred restaurants, and limited-production, highly allocated wines.

North Bay Wine Tours

Courtesy of North Bay Wine Tours

TEMPORARILY CLOSED – The husband and wife team behind North Bay Wine Tours is deeply committed to promoting local producers and other family-owned businesses, as well as providing a sustainable way to explore Napa and Sonoma in their pristine Tesla Model Y. Designed primarily for couples or small groups, North Bay Wine Tours offers several different options throughout Napa and Sonoma, from the Signature Wine Tour Package, which includes visits at up to four wineries, beautifully-curated charcuterie boxes for each passenger, and a can of premium MAKER wine to sip en route, to the All-Inclusive Wine Tour, which includes a hands-on trip-planning service, a welcome toast, personalized charcuterie lunch, complimentary pick-up, and up to eight hours of wine tasting.

Verve Napa Valley

Courtesy of Verve

This woman-owned-and-operated company draws on over 30 years of Napa Valley and tour operator experience to craft custom Napa and Sonoma County experiences that are expertly tailored to each individual’s unique interests. From tasting at some of Napa Valley’s most exclusive wineries, to hanging out with a winemaker at a local hot spot, to learning how to saber your first bottle of bubbly, you will work with Verve’s wine-savvy team to build the perfect day in Wine Country. Enjoy a comfortable and stylish ride aboard one of Verve’s luxury transportation options, while your knowledgeable host unlocks a wine tasting adventure filled with surprise and delight at each turn.

Bin 415 Private Tours

Courtesy of Bin 415

As the preferred tour company of many of San Francisco’s top hotels, Bin 415 is a great choice for those looking to explore Napa Valley or Sonoma (or elsewhere) from the City. Each bespoke wine tour kicks off in a luxurious Mercedes-Benz SUV, and provides a behind-the-scenes look at Wine Country, offering unique access to winemakers and other industry insiders who create experiences that “inspire and educate” guests. Tours are given by certified sommeliers who are also locals, offering an insider perspective about the region and its best hidden gems, opening doors to allocated and exclusive wines not widely available to the general public.

San Francisco Helicopters

Courtesy of San Francisco Helicopters

In business since 1976, San Francisco Helicopters offers a Napa Valley Wine Country tour like no other. This memorable experience includes more than just your Wine Country adventure; it also features a breathtaking aerial tour of the San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Once on land, guests enjoy a guided tour and tasting at a top Napa Valley winery, followed by a food pairing, and, of course, a much-shorter commute back to the City as you skip all Bay Area traffic in your privately chartered helicopter. Each group is limited to six people to ensure a highly personalized, VIP experience.

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Author

Devin Parr

Devin Parr is a San Diego-based freelance writer and consultant specializing in wine, travel and lifestyle. In addition to covering the global wine industry, she is the resident expert in Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country, serving as the region’s ambassador on behalf of the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association. She holds a certification in wine expertise from the Apicius International School of Hospitality in Florence, Italy, as well as the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Diploma. In 2017, she was named one of Wine Enthusiast Magazine's Top 40 Under 40 Tastemakers. Follow her adventures at @thesocalwinegal and www.devinparr.com.