Napa on a Budget: Winery Deals + Agendas
Napa wine tasting deals, 2 for 1 discounts, and Napa's cheapest day of wine tasting itinerary. Local Wally was the original Napa on a Budget guy since 2005 and continues to help visitors plan their trips to Napa... on a budget!
Napa on a Budget: Cheapest Day in Napa, one and two day agendas
Napa on a Budget: Looking for Free Wine Tasting Deals, Coupons and Discounts in Napa?
I remember the days when your first stop in Napa wasn't the ATM. Back in the 80's I'd roll down the windows in my Datsun, crank up a mix tape and drop in winery after winery without a worry about cost or value. It was free. All free.
Well fasten your seat belts because in 2024 tasting fees have skyrocketed to the point where some of my favorite wineries, wineries I used to afford, are now charging $125, $175, $300 per person for a 90 minute experience. That’s not happening with my budget.
But don’t turn your car around just yet - this is Local Wally, the original Napa on a Budget guy and I’m going to show you how an everyday sort of person can still experience what makes Napa a dream destination… but on a budget!
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The Honest Truth on Napa Wine Tasting in 2024 - It’s Expensive. Like Really Expensive.
Let’s just cut to the chase - Tasting fees have skyrocketed to unbelievable levels in the past couple of years. It used to be rare to see tasting fees at $75 per person but today you’ll find wineries charging that and more - i just googled some of my favorite wineries, wineries that might be on your radar, and found prices like $275 cave tours and $100 standard flights - and that’s per person!
Luckily there is a way to still do Napa on a budget. Just follow my suggestions below and you’ll be able to visit Napa and wine taste all day for less… a lot less!
What Would Wally Do?
The trick to visiting Napa on a budget is to be very selective on your winery choices and to use the Priority Wine Pass whenever possible so you can get the two for one discounts. I’ll show you the best priced wineries, some who give you 2 for 1’s and cut your costs down even more. Instead of spending $275 on one tasting for one person I’ll show you how you can spend less than that for a full day of tastings… for two!
I don’t own the Priority Wine Pass company but I am one of their original affiliates so I can offer the lowest price for the pass if you get it on my site. One pass for two, just $44. Figure you’ll save $55 at Sterling alone and you can see how the pass is worth it. Definitely worth it. So keep on reading and check out my picks, tips and tricks to visiting the BEST of what Napa has to offer… on a budget!
Click to See All Winery Deals on the Priority Wine Pass
JULY FLASH SALE! GET THE ANNUAL PRIORITY WINE PASS FOR JUST $39, NORMALLY $69. OFFER EXPIRES SOON!
The Absolute Cheapest Way to Experience Napa, One Glass at a Time
Let’s kick this off with the cheapest way to visit Napa. The biggest cost is of course the wine tasting fees so skip the flight and go for the glass. Not many wineries offer wines by the glass but the ones below do and it’s your ticket to experiencing Napa for the least amount of money. No Priority Wine Pass required either - just make reservations. This isn’t just Napa on a Budget, it’s Napa on a serious Budget! Of course, a glass of wine isn’t the same as a curated tasting flight but we’ll get to those next.
REMEMBER: Even if you are just getting wines by the glass you must make reservations and note that not all wineries are open 7 days a week.
Chandon in Napa tasting tents
10:00 Chandon: Start your day with some amazing bubbles at beautiful Chandon. Tasting flights can be expensive but you can use my Local Wally hack and buy a flute of “champagne” by the glass. Spend a half hour there and move on.
11:00: Inglenook Winery: Once one of Napa’s greatest wineries reduced to jug wine and then resurrected to a credible status. The winery grounds are grandiose, the architecture European, and a little “bistro” that allows you to buy wines by the glass. Borrow a toy sailboat to launch in the fountain, savor a glass of wine, it’s hard to believe this is budget Napa.
1:00 Beringer: An iconic winery, stunning architecture and landscaping, Beringer now offers a “stroll with a glass” experience that let’s you see the winery on your own while sipping a glass of wine. It’s only $20 per person and if you want splurge they have a $35 wine cave experience that must might be the cheapest cave tasting in the valley.
2:30: Rombauer: Wait, what? Famous Rombauer winery, the people who make that buttery chardonnay, is on the cheap Napa itinerary? Yes, because amazingly Rombauer allows you to buy wines by the glass so grab a picnic table outside and break open that baguette and some cheese you brought and have a makeshift picnic at a beautiful setting among the redwoods, a hidden spot away from the crowds. And should you want a flight they’re only $25, another steal.
4:00: Mumm Napa: You can never have enough “champagne” and who would have guessed you could end your day at Mumm Napa, one of the best sparkling wine producers in the US. Overlooking the vineyards as the sun sets, skip the flight and go with the flute starting at just $12 per person.
Let’s do the math - cost for the day for a couple
Winery prices as of June 2024: Chandon ($24) + Inglenook ($24) + Beringer ($40) + Rombauer ($28) + Mumm ($24) = $140 TOTAL WINERY FEES FOR TWO - That’s just $70 per person!
Pro Tip: Combine some of the “wines by the glass” wineries with the 2 for 1 deals offered on the Priority Wine Pass for the best of both worlds - a good balance between wine flights and glasses of wine.
Use the Priority Wine Pass for 2 for 1 Tasting Flights
A glass of wine is a nice way to stretch the budget but to fully experience Napa you need to “wine taste”, meaning a curated flight of wines with your host explaining each one and served to you in the proper order. This allows you to sample all of the best the winery has to offer as well as get a bit of backstory on the winery and the wines. Napa wine tasting flights can be pricey but stick with me and let’s to this on the cheap without compromising the experience using the Priority Wine Pass and the 2 for 1 offers.
10:00 Chandon: I’m a sucker for champagne in the morning and Chandon’s flute by the glass is too good to pass up. No wine pass needed, just make a reservation and then skip the flight and go with the glass.
11:00: V Sattui: I know, you want to visit the castle but that can be expensive so let’s hit up a winery owned by the same person who built the Napa castle and features the same old world architecture. If you squint it sort of looks like a castle and there’s a full deli onsite and picnic tables for the quintessential Napa lunch. Two for one tasting flight with a Priority Wine Pass, save $55.
1:00: Auburn James: I’m guessing you’ve never heard of this one and their 90’s website doesn’t prepare you for what you’re about to experience. Auburn James is a small boutique with some serious wines served in a fun and relaxed private setting. If you’ve never done a private tasting then start here - the hosts are warm and welcoming and the wines will be some of the best in Napa. Play some bocce all, relax on the patio, this is a side of Napa most first timers miss. And guess what, it’s 2 for 1 with the Priority Wine Pass so just $25 per person.
3:00 Sterling Vineyards: End your day with a tram ride to the top of the mountain where the views might take your breath away. While you’re there take a self guided tour of the winery and sample some of their wines, two for one with the pass so you save $55. Geez, that’s a lot of bang for your buck!
Let’s do the math - cost for the day for a couple
Winery prices as of June 2024: Chandon ($24) +V Sattui ($55) + Auburn James ($50) + Sterling Vineyards ($55) + Cost of the Priority Wine Pass ($44) = $124 TOTAL WINERY FEES FOR TWO = $228.
That’s just $114 per person for a full day of wine tasting and includes the cost of the annual pass you can use again and again.
Max Out Your Savings, Two Days in Napa…. on a Budget!
You’re here two days, you have a Priority Wine Pass, now let’s build out the ultimate itinerary using the pass and my tips so you can do and see it all without breaking the bank. Spoiler Alert: Yes, the castle is on the agenda!
DAY 1
10:00: Paraduxx: The sister winery to Duckhorn, Paraduxx offers a nice and unpretentious 30 to 45 minute tasting experience, two for one with the Priority Wine Pass, save $55.
11:15: Beaulieu Vineyards: Time for some reds and what better place to try them than BV where they offer a Discover Rutherford Dust experience, two for one with the Priority Wine Pass, save $55.
12:45: Time for lunch: Across the parking lot is Rutherford Grill, a casual eatery loved by locals and visitors alike. Sit at the bar and make sure to order the Grilled Artichoke if it’s in season - it’s fabulous!
2:00: Raymond Vineyard: Let’s not get bogged down with long winded tastings, Raymond offers a 2 for 1 bar tasting in their salon with the Priority Wine Pass, save $50.
3:30: Rutherford Ranch: Another big name, sample their current four current releases in this one hour experience, two for one with the Priority Wine Pass, save $55.
BONUS STOP: Mumm Napa: Let’s finish this day off with a glass of bubbly overlooking the vineyards. Remember my tip? Skip the flight and order the flute with wines starting at just $12. Go cheap, there’s no extra charge for the stunning view and experience.
DAY 2
10:00: Clos Pegase: My, what unusual architecture you have here. And what delicious wines to go with it. Start your day with a refreshing take on what a Napa winery is, two for one with the Priority Wine Pass, save $30. One hour experience.
11:30: Hans Fahden: Just 10 minutes away you’ll find yourself immersed in what looks a bit like a Monet painting with ponds and bridges and nature all around. You can bring outside food to this one so pack a picnic and enjoy this hidden gem. Oh, and don’t forget to visit the caves! Two for one with the Priority Wine Pass, save $45.
1:30: Brian Arden: I love this modern yet comfortable winery, another hidden gem that makes small lot, handcrafted wines. 45 minute tasting experience, two for one with the pass, save $55.
3:00: Castello di Amorosa: You made it, the Napa Castle! There are no deals here but you can easily cost justify the expense with all the money you saved over the past two days. You can do the standard seated tasting for $60 but I would splurge and do the $75 Diamond Tour where you get more access to the castle and tour areas that are closed to the standard tasting group. I know, I know, I’ve suggested in the past that Castillo di Amorosa is a bit like Disneyland but what I didn’t say at the time was how much I like Disneyland! All kidding aside, the castle is truly amazing and a work of art itself. Is there a better way to end a two day first timer trip to Napa?
BONUS STOP: It’s 4:30, you’re walking out of the castle, now what? If it’s Fri-Monday head over for a final tasting at Tank Garage, an old gas station converted into a tasting room. Yeah, it’s a lot of wine today so maybe ask your driver what they think but for those of you who just must live the Napa life to its fullest you can get a FREE tasting with each Priority Wine Pass which is another $30 in your pocket!
final math exam: two days in Napa FOR 2
DAY 1: Paraduxx ($30) + BV ($55) + Raymond ($50) + Rutherford Ranch ($55) + Bonus Stop Mumm ($24) = $239
DAY 2: Clos Pegase ($50) + Hans Fahden ($45) + Brian Arden ($55) + Castello di Amorosa tour ($150) + Bonus Stop Tank Garage (free with pass) = $300
Cost of Priority Wine Pass: $44
TOTAL COST FOR TWO FOR 2 DAYS: $558 total, or $279 per person for two days. That’s only about $139 per person per day! You could shave off $24 if you skip the bonus stop at Mumm on Day 1 and save another $30 if you did the standard tasting at Castillo di Amorosa instead of the tour which drops your price down to $126 per person per day. Considering that some wineries are charging more than this for ONE tasting it’s a pretty sweet itinerary.
Many Options from Do It Yourself to Free Concierge Service
Have some bucket list wineries you really wanted to visit but still trying to make it all work within a budget? Like my preset itineraries but need something a bit more custom? Then know that there are two options.
The first is to click the complete list of Priority Wine Pass deals and then pick and choose other wineries that compliment your wish list. Use google maps to first nail down the location of your top wineries and then route them in some sort of logical order, spacing them out every 90 minutes to 2 hours depending on the length of the tasting experience.
The second option is even easier - the Priority Wine Pass comes with FREE concierge service and it’s pretty good. The concierge is actually my wife and she and I often team up on building agendas, especially if you note that Wally sent you. You just let her know what sort of experience you’re looking for and any bucket list wineries and she’ll build out a stop by stop agenda for you.
Hey Wally, Where are all of the FREE Wine Tasting Coupons and Deals?
In the past there were plenty of free coupons and deals but they are all gone. The only company still actively adding new winery deals is the Priority Wine Pass. As I find freebies on the internet I’ll put them here when I find them but if you want to save yourself the time and trouble just get the $44 pass and forgetaboutit - there are enough deals on the pass to keep you busy for weeks so forget about that random and often questionable deal that pops up on your social media feed and just go with the Priority Wine Pass and Local Wally.
Getting Around Napa… on a budget!
Nothing will wreck the budget faster than getting pulled over for drinking and driving so do yourself a favor and budget in a driver to get you around. Not all drivers are created equal - some are designated drivers who drive you in your vehicle or rental, some drive you in their vehicles, some are basic and some will even make your reservations for you. I vetted out the drivers so you can book with any of them below knowing that they are tried and tested and have gotten years of positive feedback from my readers.
Nick MCENARNEY
Low rates, Nick can drive up to 9 people in his vehicle.
CHARLES MEYER
Super nice SUV or can drive in your rental or vehicle.
Rod Chilson
Drives your rental or vehicle, has all the proper insurance documentation.
Kelly Brown
Drives rentals, previous tour guide from a large Napa tour company.
David Thompson
A Napa winery expert, Dave drives in his vehicle and can help you pick wineries.
Melissa McLaughlin
Luxury driver who plans it all out and makes all reservations for you.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Every visitor should do their own due diligence on drivers as I am in no way offering any guarantees of their insurance, licenses, or other legal issues. Please experience Napa responsibly. I am in no way advocating over consumption of alcoholic beverages and not responsible for anyone’s actions or experiences. While I do my best to make sure my site is up to date I am not responsible for winery fee changes or changes on the Priority Wine Pass deals.