With its temperate climate, romantic wineries, and sprawling vineyards, it’s no wonder Napa Valley draws thousands of tourists a year from around the world.
One of the most popular things to do in Napa is to tour its vineyards and wineries. We’ll cover the details of each so you can choose the right tour.
Best San Francisco Winery Tours
| Napa & Sonoma Valley Wine Tour from San Francisco | San Francisco: Redwood & Wine Country Tour with Lunch & Wine | Private Sonoma and Napa Wine Tour from San Francisco | |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Budget Tour | Best Full Day Tour | Best Private Tour | |
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 |  |  | |
| Departure: | 478 Post St. or 2805 Leavenworth St | Hotel pickup and drop-off included | Hotel pickup and drop-off included |
| Start: | 8:40 AM - 9:00 AM | 7:30 AM | 9:00 AM |
| Duration: | 8 hours | 10 hours | 6 hours |
| Includes: | Guided tours, wine tastings, transport via air-conditioned coach (free Wi-Fi onboard) | Guided tours, wine tastings, sit-down lunch, hotel pick-up and drop-off, transport via luxury minivan | Pre-travel consultation, wine tour itinerary, chauffeured private vehicle |
Be sure to see our reviews of Alcatraz Tours, Yosemite Tours and Muir Woods tours.
Quick Answer: The 7 Best Napa Winery Tours From San Francisco
- Best Budget Tour: Napa & Sonoma Valley Wine Tour from San Francisco
- Best Full Day Tour: Premium Napa and Sonoma Wine Tour with Lunch
- Best Private Tour: Napa Valley Tour by Private Car from San Francisco
- Best Guided Tour: Napa & Sonoma Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour with Optional Lunch
- Best Small Group Tour: Sonoma Wine Country Guided Tour From San Francisco
- Best Value Tour: Small-Group Napa Wine Tour With Castello di Amorosa and Lunch
- Best Luxury Tour: Napa Valley Wine Train With Gourmet Lunch, Wine Tasting & Vineyard Tour
We have reviewed the top rated Napa Valley wine tours, providing overviews and highlighting the details of each. We also make recommendations on staying in San Francisco.
Napa Valley Winery Tours From San Fransisco Reviews
1. Best Budget Tour: Napa & Sonoma Valley Wine Tour from San Francisco
- Departure Point: 478 Post St. or 2805 Leavenworth St
- Departure Time: 8:40 AM – 9:00 AM
- Duration: 8 hours
- Includes: Guided tours, wine tastings, transport via air-conditioned coach (free Wi-Fi onboard)
We recommend this tour because of the ease of transport and sociable guides. Learn while on the road and avoid a struggle with your GPS. This tour is optimal for those who enjoy a large group setting, but would like a midday lunch break from the crowd to do a little exploring on their own.
Expert guides accompany you to three acclaimed wineries where you will enjoy tastings that are included in the price of your tour ticket. The tour provides a nice variety of wines, so your taste buds won’t get bored.
Not only are the guides well-versed in wine, wine-making, and the area’s history, but are also a fountain of knowledge, offering insider tips for the best area places to eat and visit.
The trip to the various wineries is much more than just an education in wine tasting. You’ll get to experience wine country in a comfortable bus ride that will take you across wine groves as far as the eye can see.
On your way, you’ll catch stunning glimpses of landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Free Wi-Fi is available on board.
Guests are given free-time to grab lunch on your own, and your guides will be sure to give you insider tips on the best places to try out.
One popular option in the area is Oxbow Market where there’s a wide selection of food stalls- something for everyone’s preference.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
2. Best Full Day Tour: San Francisco: Redwood & Wine Country Tour with Lunch & Wine
- Departure Point: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: 7:30 AM
- Duration: 10 hours
- Includes: Guided tours, wine tastings, sit-down lunch, hotel pick-up and drop-off, transport via luxury minivan
The tour guides are friendly and anxious to share their breadth of knowledge about the Napa and Sonoma valleys. Their familiarity with everything wine makes this tour particularly educational.
This small-group tour is limited to 13 guests. Led by an experienced local guide, this is a full day round-trip tour from San Francisco to Napa and Sonoma wine country.
You’ll be picked up at your hotel in a luxury minivan for the hour trip to Sonoma. While in Sonoma, your group will visit at least two celebrated wineries where you learn about the science and art of wine making.
Your first stop will the the famous Benzinger Winery where you will have fully-guided tram tour that takes you through the vineyards.
Several varieties of wine are made available for tasting (included in your ticket). Around mid-day you’re off to the the next winery for a included picnic lunch and take in the scenic countryside.
After lunch, the tour moves on to Napa where you make a stop at Domaine Chandon, the first French-owned sparkling winery in California. Here you and your new friends will enjoy a glass of Domaine Chandon’s much sought-after bubbly at a reserved table.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
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3. Best Private Tour: Private Sonoma and Napa Wine Tour from San Francisco
- Departure Point: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Times: 9:00 AM
- Duration: 6 hours
- Includes: Pre-travel consultation, wine tour itinerary, chauffeured private vehicle
This private tour can accommodate groups of up to 6 people. Your group will visit several wineries from an array of pre-set itineraries; or you can design a personalized itinerary that will better meet your individual preferences through a pre-travel consultation.
Your private day trip will begin when you and your party are picked up in a luxury SUV at the place of your choosing. Enjoy a complimentary bottle of wine at the outset of your trip, or save it to enjoy at the end of your day.
During this tour, your chauffeur will take you to 3-4 different wineries. Because this is a personalized tour, there is no need to rush to keep up with the group. Tour each winery at your own pace. Stop for lunch or a snack on your own timetable. Your driver will be able to give insider tips on the best places in the area.
Your tour will end at your original pick-up location or another location according to your instruction.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
4. Best Guided Tour: Napa & Sonoma Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour with Optional Lunch
- Departure Point: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: 9:00 AM
- Duration: 8 hours
- Includes: Driver/guide, Wine tasting & tour fees, transport via limo
It’s also a great option for those who want to tour Napa and its wineries, but don’t plan to partake in tastings, as these are not included in the price of this tour.
Depending on the size of the group, you’ll be transported from San Francisco by limo, limo van, or party bus. Sip on mimosas and enjoy a breakfast of croissants, bagels, cream cheese, and fruit (optional), while your knowledgeable chauffeur educates you about the area and its wineries.
On this tour you’ll visit three renowned wineries, some of which may include Madonna Estate, Sutter Home Winery, Sebastiani Winery and Andretti Winery.
While out and about, your group will stop by iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge to take advantage of photo ops. In addition to visiting wineries your guide will take you to other sites in wine country such as the historic Sonoma Square.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
5. Best Small Group Tour: Sonoma Wine Country Tour From San Francisco
- Departure Point: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: 8:00 AM
- Duration: 9 hours
- Includes: Wine tastings at the 3 wineries, hotel pickup
Starting your day, a shuttle will transport you to one of three areas in the Northern California wine country – Dry Creek Valley which is known for its Zinfandel; the Russian River Valley, renowned for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, or Napa which produces a variety of wines.
Keep in mind the wineries visited can change so if there are ones you want to goto, it’s best to confirm which ones your tour will visit. You will have about an hour at each winery for tasting and exploring.
Along your way, the group will stop for lunch which may include a selection of cheeses, charcuterie, fresh bread, and green salad. This is option and not included in the price.
On the way back you will stop in Sausalito and the Golden Gate Bridge for photo ops.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
6. Best Value Tour: Small-Group Napa Wine Tour With Castello di Amorosa and Lunch
- Departure Point: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: 8:00 AM
- Duration: 10 hours
- Includes: Driver/guide, tour, picnic lunch, transport via luxury minibus
Castello di Amorosa will enchant your romantic side with its 13th-century inspired architecture and the stunning views from the winery’s grounds. Its chapel, armory, and torture chamber combine to create a realistic replication of a true castle.
The V. Sattui Winery, located in the quaint town of St. Helena, has gorgeous grounds with ivy climbing up the winery’s stone walls. There’s a lovely shaded sitting area where you’ll enjoy a delicious picnic.
Robert Mondavi needs no introduction, as the winery has practically become a household name. On the tour of this winery, you’ll see displays of impressive artwork and enjoy superb views.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
7. Best Luxury Tour: Private Napa Wine Train Glamorous Dining Experience from San Francisco
- Departure Point: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: 8:30 AM
- Duration: 8 hours
- Includes: Winery tour, wine tastings, 3-course lunch, ferry/shuttle transport to train depot, train transport to Napa
Secondly, you’re served a delicious and beautifully-presented lunch while onboard, with gourmet options that will please everyone in your group. Your lovely hosts and hostesses will ensure you have a fabulous experience.
This tour is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will bring out the romantic in anyone. It’s a perfect gift idea for that someone special, to celebrate an anniversary, or for creating an unforgettable memory.
This tour offers three separate options (described below)- the Valley First, Grgich Hills, and the Ambassador.
The Napa Valley Wine Train tours start in downtown Napa. From San Francisco you’ll take a series of shuttles and ferries which are included in your ticket price.
Valley First Tour
The Napa Valley Wine Train will transport you to Raymond Vineyards, where you’ll have a 1 ½ hour tour of the property and a tasting of a variety of their certified organic wines.
During the tour you will learn about the vineyard’s history, the family’s dedication to sustainable winemaking, and visit the facilities, including the machinery that crush and ferment the grapes, and the bottling and storage of the final product.
Meander along the vineyards; and spend time with a sommelier who can answer all your burning questions about everything wine.
After your vineyard tour, you’ll be taken back to board the train where you’ll enjoy a complimentary glass of wine before indulging in your 3-course gourmet meal. The trip back to Napa will take you through the quaint towns of St. Helena, Oakville, Rutherford and Yountville.
Grgich Hills
As you head north by train to Grgich Hills Estate, your 3-course meal will be served in the Petit Gourmet Car.
At Grgich Hills you’ll enjoy a 1-hour private tour, where biodynamic grapes are grown in sprawling vineyards. Savor a variety of tastings of their 100% certified organic wines. Enjoy a leisurely stroll among the vineyards of this 366-acre estate with an experienced guide. Learn about the winemaking process and take a peek at the estate’s wine cellar.
On your way back to downtown Napa, you’ll enjoy one final treat, coffee and dessert in the train’s lounge car.
Fun Fact: Grgich Hills is an award-winning, family-owned winery, whose tasting room was transformed into a movie set by well-known screenwriter Robert Mark Kamen for the movie “Judgment in Paris”.
The Ambassador
This itinerary starts with an educational wine seminar, after which you’ll hop aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train. En route to the charming town of St. Helena, you’ll enjoy a gourmet 3-course meal in the Petit Gourmet Car, followed by coffee and dessert.
After arriving in St. Helena, you’ll board a luxury coach headed for Charles Krug Winery. Charles Krug boasts the title of oldest winery in Napa Valley. While there, you will taste their most-limited wines, learn about the winery’s namesake and the Mondavi family history.
After departing from Charles Krug, the coach will take you to Raymond Vineyards about an hour away. Raymond Vineyards’ wines are 100% certified organic and produced exclusively with solar-sourced energy. While there, a guide will engage your mind and senses in a series of tastings and 1-hour educational tour.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
Sites Seen
Tour Guides
Value
The Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Tour is our Editor's Choice for the best wine tour from San Francisco with its combination of sites seen, tour guides and value.
