Why Hire a Driver in Napa and Sonoma? Is it Expensive? Is it Worth It?

In the old days, perhaps not good old days, I will admit that I used to drive from winery to winery and sipping way too much. I mean, everyone did this but that was a long time ago back when Napa was country roads and even on a weekend you might only see a handful of random cars all doing the same thing. That’s not to excuse my poor decision making but things were different back then. Heck, even 5 years ago a lot of people would drive drunk in Napa.

Don’t worry, they hired a driver in Napa!

But today it’s too risky to drive yourself when wine tasting in Napa or Sonoma. It’s busy, so if you don’t hurt yourself you might hurt others and no one wants that. So if you don’t drive yourself what are the options?

1. UBER: I know, it seems to work just fine back home but in Napa the cell service can get really spotty once you leave Highway 29 or the Silverado Trail so an Uber might get you there but damn, how are you going to request one to pick you up if your phone isn’t working? Add to that there are not enough Uber drivers anyway so even if you stay in the main area of Napa you are rolling the dice you can get one in time for your next winery appointment.

2. HIRE A DRIVER WHO DRIVES YOUR RENTAL: I work with drivers who claim they can legally drive your rental and this is the cheapest way to go. However you will want to verify their licenses and insurance on your own to make sure you are satisfied with their credentials. There are plenty of drivers who are not doing this professionally and not insured properly so do your own due diligence.

3. HIRE A DRIVER TO DRIVE YOUR ITINERARY: If you know where you want to go you can hire one of these drivers to pick you up and get you to your next stop on time. They’ll typically wait outside the winery but politely tap you on the shoulder when it’s getting close to exit time. PRO TIP: If you don’t know much about wineries and want me to help you plan it out just email me - I do this for free for my readers.

4. HIRE A FULL SERVICE DRIVER: Some of my drivers will not only pick the wineries for you (with your input) but will make the reservations. If you are short on time and just want to make sure your trip to Napa goes perfectly then do this.

5. JOIN IN TOURS: I work with Platypus Wine Tours if you want to just jump in the shuttle and leave all of the details, including lunch, to them. Good for couples, good for groups, even corporate groups or bachlorette parties love this option. FAVOR: They pay me a small commission so please tell them LOCAL WALLY sent you if you book with Platypus.

6. NAPA WINE TRAIN: OK, this isn’t really transportation but they do have train excursions that stop at a few select wineries. Let me know if you’re interested in this as I have discounts I can show you.

YES, HIRING A DRIVER IN NAPA IS WORTH IT - MUCH BETTER THAN A DUI!

You want to have fun wine tasting, right? So why limit your sips hoping you won’t drink too much? And do you really want to toss that super delicious sip of very expensive wine that you just paid for into the spit jar just because you drew the short straw to be the designated driver?

What Napa Wineries OPEN Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years 2023? Napa Wine Train, Beringer, Castello di Amorosa, and More!

Napa Wine Train is the perfect holiday event!

Visiting Napa Valley on Christmas and New Years in 2023? Well hang on, don’t assume that wineries are open. In fact, assume that they are NOT open with a few exceptions. Here is my list so far and I’ll keep adding to it to make sure you are not stuck like Clark Griswald showing up at Walley World and finding it closed.

Wineries Open on Christmas and New Years - discounts as noted with your priority wine pass

GIRARD: Thanksgiving open 10-3, Christmas Eve open 10-3, Closed Christmas Day, open New Years Eve 10-3, open New Years Day 10-3. Show your Priority Wine Pass for a special pour.

CLOS PEGASE: Thanksgiving open 10-2, Christmas Eve open 10-2, Closed Christmas Day, open New Years Eve 10-2, open New Years Day 10-4. Show your Priority Wine Pass for a special pour. 2 FOR 1 M-F

V SATTUI: Thanksgiving open 10-3, Christmas Eve open 10-3, Christmas Day closed, open New Years Eve 10-5, open New Years Day 10-5. Show your Priority Wine Pass for HALF OFF one tasting with each pass.

CONSENTINO: Thanksgiving open 10-3, Christmas Eve open 10-6, Christmas Day 10-6, open New Years Eve 10-6, open New Years Day 10-6.

CASTELLO DI AMOROSA (CASTLE): Thanksgiving closed, Christmas Eve open 10-6, Christmas Day closed, New Years Eve regular hours, open New Years Day with limited hours.

AUBURN JAMES: Christmas Eve open, Christmas Day closed, open New Years Eve, open New Years Day. 2 for 1 with Priority Wine Pass.

BENNETT LANE: Christmas Eve open, Christmas Day closed, open New Years Eve, open New Years Day. $5 off tastings with Priority Wine Pass.

DAVIEw (SCHRAMSBERG SPARKLING): Christmas Eve closed, Christmas Day closed, open half day New Years Eve 10-6, closed New Years Day. Various offers with Priority Wine Pass - call winery for details.

WHITEHALL LANE: Christmas Eve open morning only, Christmas Day closed, open New Years Eve morning only, New Years Day closed. 2 for 1 with Priority Wine Pass.

BERINGER: Open Christmas Eve and New Years Eve but closing at 3.

NAPA WINE TRAIN: Excursions on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve, morning only.

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STANDARD DISCLAIMER: All info is accurate as of publication date but wineries reserve the right to change their hours and offers. Always call the winery to verify the offer with the Priority Wine Pass during holiday hours.

STERLING WINERY AND TRAM RIDE FINALLY REOPENS 2023 - GET A 2 FOR 1 DISCOUNT

New! Sterling Vineyards Reopens with a new Tram and 2 for 1 discounts!

two for one sterling tram ride and wine tasting is back as of oct 29, 2023!

One of the most popular wineries and attractions in Napa Valley has been the Sterling Tram Ride and wine tasting experience. Due to fires and Covid it closed and seemed like it would never reopen - but as of October 29th, 2023, it’s back and better than ever!

You can get a TWO FOR ONE discount too, saving you $55 on Thursdays through Mondays.

Enjoy the breath-taking views as you ascend to our winery via the aerial gondola. Upon arrival at the top of the hill, you'll enjoy leisurely self-guided wine tasting while you stroll the winery for a behind the scenes look at the art and science of wine making. A 60 minute experience. Guests under the age of 21 are welcome on this experience.

To get the discount you need ONE Priority Wine Pass per couple - the pass is only $39.99 so you instantly save the cost of the pass and get to pocket a $15 savings. And you can now use that same pass all over Napa and Sonoma at wineries such as Beringer, Pine Ridge, V Sattui, Napa Cellars, and many more. You’ll find lots of two for one offers as well as bonus pours, discount tours, and lots and lots of great wine! Every wine pass comes with free concierge service too so we can help you plan out your itinerary stop by stop - Lots of businesses are charging now for itineraries but it comes free with every Priority Wine Pass!

HERE’S THE LINK TO GET THE DISCOUNT PASS FOR STERLING - REMEMBER, JUST ONE PASS PER COUPLE IS NEEDED!

Napa Designated Drivers 2024: What Does it Cost, How to Choose

Do I Really Need a Designated Driver to Wine Taste in Napa?

More and more, people coming to Napa are hiring designated drivers versus driving themselves. And it makes sense - you wouldn’t go bar hopping at at the end of the night jump in your car to drive home, right? With wine tasting it’s VERY easy to drink too much and it sneaks up on you around the second winery.

Some people claim that Uber works in Napa and it could… but doesn’t always. There just aren’t that many Uber drivers in the valley and once you get off the main highway cell service gets pretty spotty. I was visiting wineries to take photos and discovered this the hard way when I was low on gas (like really low!) and my phone couldn’t grab GPS to get me down the hill before I ran out.

Designated Drivers versus Tour Drivers versus Transportation Companies: What’s the difference, what’s the best option?

The cheapest option is to hire a Designated Driver who can drive you in their vehicle. This can be tricky from an insurance perspective so make sure you are comfortable with this arrangement. I work with drivers who have assured me that they have the proper licenses and insurance but you always want to do your own checking.

And you should know that while I have had great success with all of my drivers I take no responsibility for their behavior, their insurance, licenses, etc - basically do your own due diligence and if something goes wrong it’s between you and the driver.

Figure a driver driving you in your vehicle is anywhere from $45 to $55 an hour. Some will even help you pick wineries and make the reservations so don’t be afraid to ask.

Most of my drivers are previous Tour Guides from the large touring companies. This means they know Napa and Sonoma, they know their wineries, and they can give you a bit of backstory throughout the day. They also know the deep dive hidden gems should you want to get away from the usual suspects and explore the side of Napa that locals know. They’ll drive you in their vehicle. All of them take pride in their vehicles which range from standard sedans like a Toyota Corolla to fancier SUVs. One of the drivers specializes in “luxury” tours and has a very nice SUV that will make you feel like a VIP so if that’s what you’re looking for make sure you ask. Expect drivers in this category to be ultra professional and knowledgeable on Napa and Sonoma.

Some of the drivers also have much larger vehicles for groups of 12 or so, perfect for bachlorette parties or corporate events.

Prices for drivers in this category typically start at $65 an hour.

Most of the drivers in the aforementioned categories are independent drivers. The next group are transportation companies who have a myriad of vehicles, from small SUVs to limos to party busses to large corporate event busses. With this category you get less of a tour guide but more options for vehicles. They also are better equipped for things like airport pickups and drop offs. Rates are a bit higher in this category but they nearly always have a vehicle and driver for you so if you are trying to get a last minute driver this is your best bet. Also, rest assured that the companies I work with offer good rates to my readers.

I also work with companies that offer “JOIN IN” tours where you are part of a larger group of perhaps a dozen or so. These are fun outings so if you like meeting people and don’t want to hassle deciding where to go or don’t want to make reservations then this is another good option. Also great for last minute visitors or single travelers. In SF on a business trip and just want to sneak away to experience Napa? This is your best option.

So now you’re in Napa or Sonoma and going out to that special dinner. You want to be responsible so you call an Uber - no problem. Now dinner is over and you want to get back to your hotel. You fire up the app and there are NO UBERS anywhere as they all went home for the night - or worse, you realize that there is no cell service and you can’t even get to the app.

This is why DINNER DRIVING SERVICE has become a big thing in Napa. Use one of my drivers to get you to your restaurant on time and they’ll wait until you are done to get you back. No worries, and good rates too. Better than driving after a bottle of wine, this lets you enjoy your dinner without stressing out.

How Expensive is it to Wine Taste in Napa 2023?

Thinking about coming to Napa Valley in 2023? Wondering how expensive it’s going to be? Here’s a quick overview of what a trip to Napa will cost.

Hotels: You can spend a small fortune, literally thousands of dollars on a hotel room in Napa. But for most people a good solid hotel is about $350 to $400 a night. For this price figure you’ll be in something like an Embassy Suites or perhaps my favorite moderate, the River Terrace Inn.

COST FOR 2 NIGHTS: $800

Wine Tasting: Most wineries are charging $35 to $50 pp these days. Figure 4 wineries per day and a couple can easily run up $300 to $400 in tasting fees. You can cut these costs by getting Priority Wine Pass for $39.99 per couple using my discount link. Use it to get two for one or discount deals. Using the pass will drop your tasting fees down to $150 to $200 per couple, plus the cost of the pass. The pass is good for a full year and good in Napa and Sonoma. Here are all of the deals on the pass.

COST FOR 2 DAYS OF WINE TASTINGS USING THE PRIORITY WINE PASS: $350 to $450

Dining Out: I like casual breakfasts with good coffee, like breakfast at the Model Bakery where $15 will get you one of the best English Muffin sandwiches and a great cup of coffee. For lunch I like to just get some bread and cheese and do casual picnics or eat in the car on the way to my next stop - figure $10. For dinner budget around $120 per couple which includes your meal and alcoholic beverages.

COST FOR DINING FOR 2 DAYS: $320

Drivers: The days of sipping and driving are long gone. Uber isn’t a great option in Napa as cell service can get spotty if you leave the main highway, and trying to catch an Uber to be on time to your next winery is just too stressful for me. Instead, hire a driver - figure a basic driver will be about $350 to $400 per day. I know, that sounds like a lot but it’s much cheaper than a DUI.

COST FOR A DRIVER FOR 2 DAYS: $800

Trip Planning: Putting this all together can be confusing and time consuming. Some services are charging $100 to $500 to help you plan your trip but if you buy a Priority Wine Pass you get free concierge service from me - totally honest and unbiased advice on how to put together your ultimate Napa or Sonoma wine tasting trip.

COST FOR ITINERARY PLANNING”. Free from Local Wally

TOTAL COST FOR A WEEKEND TRIP TO NAPA: Approximately $2,270 to $2,500.

Napa Wineries With FREE Tastings June 2023 - Not Kidding, FREE TASTINGS ARE BACK!

Photo by Gamling & McDuck

I remember the days when all wine tastings were free in Napa. That was a long time ago but even today I get asked multiple times a week “WHERE CAN I GET FREE WINE TASTING IN NAPA????”

For a long time the only place that had free wine was Sutter Home, the winery that invented the white zinfandel. But even Sutter Home charges now. SUTTER HOME??? Wait how about all those websites with lists of wineries offering free tastings? Well, look at the dates of those sites. Most are from years ago and even then they were dubious.

But guess what? For a limited time, as in June 2023, you can get free tastings at the following wineries - below is their official announcement that I cut and pasted to make sure their offer is not misrepresented:

• GAMLING & MCDUCK: 5-Year Tasting Room Anniversary COMPLIMENTARY Tasting (all June long!!). Gamling & McDuck is time-traveling back to the good ole days of Complimentary Wine Tastings for the month of June!
  

• JESSUP CELLARS: If you are booking a visit April - June, we are happy to offer a complimentary experience in celebration of our 20 year anniversary in our Yountville tasting room! To book, please call 707-944-8523 or email reservations@jessupcellars.com. Online reservations will be refunded upon visit

I know what you’re thinking - this can’t be real. Is this clickbait? Bait and switch? Is Wally smoking a bit too whacky tobacky? No, no, no, this is for real! But there is some etiquette so pay attention.

1. Make Reservations!

2. Be on Time.

3. Buy wine - No, it’s not required but remember that wineries give you free wine in the hopes that you love it so much that you take some home and tell all of your friends and soon their wineries will be flooded with people thanks to you. And trust me, both of these wineries make excellent wine so you will want to take some home.

4. And tip. Yes, you really should tip your server as if you paid for your tastings. This means if you normally would have paid $60 for two tastings then it’s proper etiquette to leave 10% to 20%. Basically dropping a $5 spot per person will probably make them happy. No, it’s not required but it’s good manners and nice and I can tell you are nice.

Did someone say that Wally deserves a tip for saving you and your wine loving pal over a hundred bucks in tasting fees?? OK, so yes, if you like what I do you can drop me a tip by clicking this link which will take you to my PayPal page where you can leave any amount, even just a couple of bucks. And I say THANK YOU in advance, you are quite the person! And so nice!

WANT MORE DEALS? Visit my Napa on a Budget page for more money saving tips on visiting Napa without going broke!

Can AI Pick the BEST Wineries in Napa Valley? Wally Rates ChatGPT's Winery Recommendations for First Timers!

Robert Mondavi Winery

There’s been a lot of talk recently about how Artificial Intelligence is going to take over the internet and put people like me out of a job. I’ve already been laid off 4 times by big corporations and now the internet wants me gone? What’s up with that? So I thought I’d take ChatGPT out for a test drive and see just how good it it.

WHAT ARE THE BEST WINERIES FOR A DAY IN NAPA VALLEY FOR A FIRST TIMER ACCORDING TO AI?

Let’s see which wineries AI picked and if I agree.

1. BERINGER VINEYARDS: For first timers who want instagram photos Beringer is a good pick. Beautiful grounds and buildings, lots of Napa history, but their wine tastings are fairly average. There is a typically an offer with the Priority Wine Pass to cut your costs down so YES, I agree, but only if you do it with a discount.

2. STAG’S LEAP WINE CELLARS: There are two wineries with similar names, Stag’s Leap and Stags’ Leap - notice where the apostrophe is. The one AI picked is the correct one if you are looking for the winery that won the Judgement of Paris blind wine tasting in 1976 (as seen in the movie Bottle Shock). Good job AI.

3. ROBERT MONDAVI WINERY: There’s no denying that Mondavi is a Napa pioneer and an iconic winery with one of the best tours for first timers. But I rarely recommend them other than for a photo in front of the arched wall because I find their tastings rather average with too much focus on their retail shop instead of the wine. It’s typically crowded, filled with tour bus groups, there are better stops. Plus Robert Mondavi’s iconic winery is closed for a major renovation until 2026 so now all tastings are at the old Stone Brewery in downtown Napa. Skip this one. Sorry AI, this is a FAIL.

4. DOMAINE CARNEROS: I like sparkling wines, I like Domaine Carneros, but it’s location is closer to Sonoma than the heart of Napa so I typically don’t like sending my readers there. A better pick is Mumm Napa in the afternoon when the warm afternoon sun sets over the vineyards, or Domaine Chandon first thing in the morning when the dew is glistening in their beautiful gardens. FAIL

5. CASTELLO DI AMOROSA: The Napa Castle. During the summer I sort of cringe when people want to visit the castle. It’s busy like a holiday weekend at Disneyland and does visiting a torture chamber really have anything to do with wine? But even with all of that I do think that first timers should visit the castle. It’s interesting, it’s amazing really, and the wines are pretty good. Do a tour to get away from the main crowds doing the standard tastings. They are open later as well so I like to do this one as the last tasting of the day. So yes, I agree with AI.

Should I dust off my resume? Not quite yet, though I do hear that AI will somehow assimilate all of the knowledge in people like me and one day become the one source for everything, forcing us to buy everything Alexa recommends (“by the way…”) and only doing what it says we can do. Until then, you can keep asking me questions and I’ll keep giving you free advice, free of advertising bias or AI interference.

Is Robert Mondavi Winery Closing in 2023?

Yes, Robert Mondavi Winery will be going through a massive remodel starting in April/May, 2023 and won’t reopen until possibly 2026. In the meantime they have leased the building in downtown Napa that formerly housed Stone Brewery - the historic Borreo Building at 930 Third St. at Soscol Avenue. From my sources they only thing that will for sure remain is the iconic arch.

This means that for the next few years if you want to visit one of the famous and iconic wineries in Napa Valley you should target Beringer, Charles Krug, Chateau Montelena, or Louis M Martini. And of course, first timers love visiting the Napa castle (Castello di Amorosa) and its sister property, V. Sattui.

Remember, if you need help planning your trip whether you are a couple or a large group you should reach out to me to check for discounts and updates. I’ll provide you with honest and unbiased recommendations on which wineries I think are worth your while (and your pocketbook) and show you how you can stretch your wine dimes for an unforgettable trip to Napa or Sonoma.

Wally

2023

Napa Winery Discount Promo Code for Priority Wine Pass 2023 - FREE WINE, NAPA WINE TRAIN DISCOUNT!

two for one wine tasting, buy one get one free, for Napa and Sonoma 2023

Napa wine tasting is expensive! Stretch your budget with a handy dandy two for one and other discount pass! Just one pass is needed per couple to access 2 for 1 tasting deals in Napa and Sonoma and the promo code is LOCALWALLY. And to make it even simpler, just click the button below to be magically transported to the discounted page - no catches, no fake click bait come on, everyone can get this deal… while it lasts!

What is the Wine Pass good for? Besides two for one deals at popular wineries like Charles Krug and Louis M. Martini you’ll find half off at V Sattui, Napa’s favorite picnic spot (the winery is owned by the same person who built the famous Napa Castle, Castello di Amorosa) along with dozens of other great deals. Napa Wine Train? Discounted. E-Bike rentals? Discounted. Stroll downtown or Yountville and hit up the two for one offers, or reach out to me and I’ll build you a custom stop by stop agenda, for free! Right, no charge, I am happy to show you my favorite wineries. And don’t forget, drinking and driving is high risk in highly policed Napa so let me know if you want a discount driver and I’ll hook you up with some great drivers, many of them previous tour guides for the large wine tour companies.

Want to see all of the deals before you buy? Click Here!

Here’s that link again to buy the pass with my discount LOCALWALLY promo code: DISCOUNT LINK

How to Get FREE Concierge Service in Napa or Sonoma 2022

Need help planning and picking wineries? Totally baffled as to who to trust, where the best wine tasting deals are in Napa or Sonoma, and how to plan out your day? Well let me help you with some quick advice.

FIRST - HIRE A DRIVER

There are plenty of people willing to drive you around Napa or Sonoma but here are the ones I use and trust for my readers https://www.napatouristguide.com/getting-around-napa-transportation From drivers who can legally drive rentals to fancy limos to giant shuttle buses, these drivers can do it all. Most of them are previously tour drivers for the large wine tasting companies as well as Napa locals so they know their stuff.

SECOND - GET FREE CONCIERGE SERVICE WITH A PRIORITY WINE PASS

I love the wine pass for the two for one deals and other discounts but I really love that they will help you plan out your trip, stop by stop, day by day, included when you buy the pass. This isn’t a generic one size fits all response, they’ll work with you to make sure that the wineries they pick are ones they think you will love. It’s included with the cost of the pass - other companies are charging $100 to $500 to help you so this is a really nice service they offer.

You only need ONE pass per couple to get the 2 for 1’s and free concierge service, and I even have a $20 discount right here for you.

So stop stressing and get back to dreaming about your trip to Napa or Sonoma wine country! Get the wine pass for discounts and make sure you reach out to their concierge for free trip planning advice!

Cheers,

Wally

Standard Disclaimer: While all of the drivers I work with have a long history of good service I am not responsible for driver behaviors and make no legal claims as to licenses, insurance, etc with the individual drivers. Do your own due diligence.