California vineyards produce a variety of excellent wines that include Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Fumé (Sauvignon) Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel. They also produce generic brands wines like red, white and rose. Many California wineries are in the Napa and Sonoma Valley, Santa Maria, or Redwood Valley region and most are open to tours and wine tastings. There are a variety of specialty tours available that focus on area wines, production, bottling, tastings and pairings. All are entertaining and informative and make for an great day exploring the culture of wine making in the region. For those who have plenty of time, there are even vacation packages available.
Types
There are different types of California wine tours. Some are a few hours, some are an entire day and some require a few days. All are guided by professionals and offer perspectives and the wine region, the fundamentals of wine growing and harvesting, and end with tastings of different wines and match them to main courses and entrees. These tours are very enjoyable and provide an opportunity to chat with other visitors on a tour, especially since most are from different cities and states, or even from out of the country. The tours also allow opportunities to purchase a bottle or a case of wine from the vineyards that can be shipped home.
Features
Tours can be found through travel agencies, on the Internet, or with the help of the Winegrowers Association, such as the Alexander Valley Winegrowers Association or the Carmel Valley Appellation Association. Bus tours begin at one location such as a hotel in San Francisco and travel to one or more vineyards. Both private and public tours are available. Each vineyard that offers tours has different features, such as the size of the estate and the types of wine produced. In general, most tours provide detailed explanations about wines, and taste, buy and serve them. Each vintner has his own beautifully designed label and any visitor would want to take home a sampling of the wines from a particular vineyard either for himself or as a gift.
Considerations
Considerations should be given to the amount of visitation time you have available, whether it's half a day or two days or more. One of the best all day tours offered is the Sonoma Valley Public Group Tour and Tasting that begins from 10 a.m. and return at 5 p.m., visiting four different vineyards that includes wine tastings and lunch. The cost is about $69 per person. Another excellent tour includes a ferry ride from San Francisco across the bay to tour five different vineyards in the San Francisco Bay area. The cost is about $89 per person. Some tours can be as small as 12 people or as large as 55. Independent vineyard tours can also be taken while staying at one of the Livermore Valley Wine Country Inns, that include home cooked meals, relaxation and recreation.
Benefits
The benefits of taking a California wine tour are several. Whether it's a one-day tour or a brief vacation in the wine country, it is a relaxing and entertaining escape, one where you will learn a lot about wines while interacting with people from different places who have the same interests. You will learn drink wine, cook with it and serve it with certain courses and dishes. Wine in itself can be healthy and beneficial. It has been a traditional form of hospitality for thousands of years. Taking a California wine tour will add a greater appreciation and understanding of the fruit that is grown and the culture of wine.
Potential
California wine tours cover many different types of wine. Travel agents and vineyards in the California wine regions of Sonoma, Napa and Redwood Valleys offer excellent tours and will gladly answer any questions. Each person who enjoys wine usually develops a preference for a certain type of wine such as red or white and the special varieties of each. Wine makes any meal better, especially when there are friends to share it with. The potential is great for a more informative comprehension and appreciation of California wines, and taking a wine tour will guarantee it. Enjoy!
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