1. The Napa Valley and Sonoma Wine Country is open to visitors all year round. The peak tourist season is between May and October, and Saturday is always the most crowded day of the week.

2. Sonoma is still far less crowded than Napa, and offers a full variety of large and small wineries that rival their Napa Valley neighbors.

3. Many believe the best time to visit the Napa Valley is during the Off-Season months between November and April. Wineries often conduct library tastings during the winter, barrel tasting events in early spring, and show off new releases shortly after February. There are also better room rates throughout the valley during the slower months.

4. If you find yourself traveling to Napa Valley during the peak season, you can still avoid the congestion of "day-trippers" by planning your stay during the midweek. We offer competitive tour prices Monday through Friday all year round, and you get to tour Napa's best wineries without the big crowds! Lastly, if you can only visit the Wine Country during a peak weekend, then try to arrange your touring on Sunday. Sundays are still busy, but not nearly as busy as Saturdays!

5. Don't wait until the last minute to book your tours, hotel, and restaurant reservations! Plan a month in advance if you are coming to the Wine Country during the slow season, plan at least 2 months ahead if you expect to be here during the peak season. If you want to visit us during "Crush" (harvest time), think 3 months ahead to avoid being disappointed. For suggestions on good places to lodge and dine, ask our reservation staff when you call to book your wine tasting tour!

About Us

Locations
Appellation Tours services the entire Bay Area, with offices in both Napa and Sonoma. Our main office in Sonoma California is located in the heart of Wine Country, making us the most accessible tour and transportation company in the area.

Quality Assurance
Appellation Tours has built a first class reputation in the Northern California Wine Country, and we continue to strive for excellence and higher standards for our customers. We understand that discerning clients deserve to be catered to in a manner which reflects both superior quality of service and discretion. If, for any reason, we fail to live up to the expectations of any guest, we want to hear about it. Appellation Tours will do its best to rectify the situation to everyone's satisfaction.

Qualified Chauffeurs / Tour Guides
Appellation Tours only employs chauffeurs / tour guides that have gone through extensive training both behind the wheel and in the classroom. Before a Chauffeur is sent through our training program, we check the candidate's driving record as well as criminal records. In addition all candidates must take a pre-employment drug screening. Tour guides are required to take a three week training program on local Wine Country history, geography, and general wine making comprehension. All of our guides are over 25 years old.

Insurance & Licenses
Appellation Tours is registered with the Public Utilities Commission of California under TCP-14726-P/B. We carry a 1.5 million-dollar commercial liability policy on all our sedans and stretch limousines. Additionally, we carry a five million-dollar liability policy on all of our buses.

Professional Standards
Each chauffeur is required to dress conservatively, wearing a dark suit, white shirt, black tie, and dark shoes. Our staff prides themselves on being clean and neatly groomed.

Q: What makes your service any different from the other limo companies out there?

A: We are a first, and foremost, a Wine Country Tour Service. We plan and conduct wine tours every day of the year. The Wine Country is not only our specialty, it is our passion.


Q: There's only two of us, are you going to put us in a car with other people?

A: No. If you decide to book a tour with us, you will have your own private limousine or sedan and your own private driver/guide. We do not offer "mixed" group tours.


Q: Can we choose the wineries we want to visit?

A: Yes, you may customize your tour and choose any winery that is open to the public. Keep in mind, some wineries require appointments several weeks in advance, and we can not guarantee their availability. Most wineries allow "drop-in" tastings without an appointment as long as your group size is six or less. If you have a larger group, or plan on visiting more exclusive wineries, then we must make arrangements with the wineries well in advance.


Q: We've never been to Napa or Sonoma before, can your staff plan the tour and choose the best wineries for us?

A: Absolutely! Our pre-arranged tours are designed to meet such needs, and we can also customize your tour to meet the needs of your individual group. Our staff will ask you some basic questions, such as the types of wine you like, what you think you'd like to see, and if you are a 1st time visitor or an experienced Wine Country traveler. Then we use that information to begin planning a unique experience for you.


Q: We went on one of your tours before, can we do something different on our next trip?

A: You bet! We have many customers who visit Napa and Sonoma yearly, and they call upon us to provide them with another unique experience. With over 500 wineries, hundreds of places to dine, and special events throughout the year, no Wine Country tour is ever the same.


Q: Can we charter a car for dinner or a special occasion?

A: Yes! Yes! Yes! We offer complete limousine charter services 365 days a year. We also have a special dinner charter rate of $199.00 for up to eight people for 4 hours, every night of the week. Some restrictions apply, call for more details.