What to Know Before You Tour a Napa Winery

Going on a winery tour is a great way to learn more about wines, especially if you are a beginner wine drinker. The winery staff will show how grapes are grown and harvested in the vineyard, how a wine is produced and oaked in barrels in a cave, and the finished product which you have the luxury to taste.

Napa Valley is one of the most popular wine regions in the world with many wineries scattered in the area. Cabernet Sauvignon is the bread and butter of Napa, although there are also other wines that have been making names. This wine region is also a favorite when it comes to winery tours. Visitors have been flocking to Napa Valley in order to taste everything it has to offer. 

But before you go on a winery tour in Napa Valley, there are some things you should keep in mind.

 

Preparing to go to Napa

You may be looking forward to touring Napa wineries and can’t wait to go on one. Who wouldn’t be excited to experience a full winery tour, right? However, before you can actually do that, you need to do the following first and foremost: 

1. Research Napa wineries. Do you have a wine preference in mind? If you do, read more about wineries that make it. This way, it is easier to plan an itinerary and budget accordingly. When you have completed your list, write down their operation hours and winery tour costs. Organizing your schedule will be essential in having an enjoyable winery tour.
2. Consider the time of the year. Going to a winery in peak seasons means heavy foot traffic. When doing a tour in peak seasons such as summer and fall, go early in the morning to avoid the afternoon rush. If you want to have a more personal winery tour experience, visit during the winter season as there are less people. 
3. Wear clothing appropriate for the weather. In Napa, temperatures can vary from chilly mornings to sunny afternoons so you should wear something that can shield you from the heat or cold. Also, wear comfortable shoes especially when you are going to tour a vineyard.
4. Eat a heavy breakfast. Having a full stomach before wine tasting is important unless you want to get drunk fast. 
5. Hire a professional driver. Going around the valley would be much easier when you hire your own driver especially after a whole day of drinking. 
6. Bring a cooler. After visiting a winery, chances are you will be buying a bottle or two. Storing them in a cooler after buying will keep them from the harsh rays of the sun while you drive home.
7. Limit winery tours to 1 to 3 per day. Though you might want to explore the wineries you have in mind, do not overload your schedule in one day. 1 to 3 wineries is already sufficient to enjoy the tours.

When you have checked everything on that list, you are now ready to go on your desired Napa winery tour. 

 

Fantesca Private Tour and Tasting 

One of the finest wineries in Napa Valley is Fantesca Estate and Winery. They offer a private tour of their vineyard and tasting of their limited, small-production wines. If you book an appointment, you will get the chance to taste Heidi P. Barrett’s one-of-a-kind, high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay while enjoying the majestic view of Spring Mountain. You will also have the chance to see and savor the aromas of French oak barrels in their mountainside cave. A personal estate host will assist the guests and make sure that everyone will have a fantastic winery tour. 

To book or request for a private tour and tasting, complete this form. If you plan to reserve for eight or more persons, call Fantesca Estate and Winery directly at 707.968.9229.