How to Plan a Wine Tasting Trip to California

California boasts several wine producing regions scattered throughout the state. A wine country trip is a great option for a romantic get-away, bachelorette party or wine tasting club. Visit the wineries of your favorite producers or explore and discover new wines.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Select a wine region to visit. Napa and Sonoma are the largest and most well known regions. The other popular regions include Paso Robles, Central Coast, Mendocino, Monterey and Temecula. Visit various wine region and travel websites to learn about each area.

2. Consider the time of year when making your travel plans. If you don't like crowds, avoid the region's most popular times. If you are looking for excitement, plan the trip during a festival or special event. The weather is not a big factor in planning a California winery visit, as the temperature is mild throughout the year.

3. Book transpiration and hotel reservations. Keep in mind that some California wine regions are located close to the airport and other regions are one to two hours away by car. Hotel accommodations vary from luxury inns to affordable chain motels.

4. Get an idea of which wineries you would like to visit. In the larger regions, it is not possible to visit all of the wineries in a single trip. Visit the wine region websites or purchase a travel guide. Factors to consider when selecting wineries include: type of wines you like, whether you want to take a tour (some wineries offer tours, others don't) and location (it is more efficient to visit wineries that are close to each other).

5. Arrange ground transportation. Options for getting around the wine country include rental car, bicycle, van tour and limousine tour. Guided tours are a good option if you don't want to look at maps and worry about drinking and driving. However, you are limited in the wineries you can visit.

6. Explore the other attractions. There's more to do in the California wine countries than just taste wine. Some regions offer hot air balloon rides. Many towns feature galleries that display local art. A fun way to view the Napa landscape is to take a ride on the Napa Valley Wine Train.

Tips & Warnings

• Research the operating hours of the wineries. Most wineries close at 5:00 or 6:00 p.m. Also note if the winery is open to the public or by appointment only.
• Plan to pay for wine tasting. Some wineries charge a fee for tasting.
• Some wine region towns have a tasting room where you can sample wine from a variety of producers in one location.
• Bring a sweater or light jacket because it gets chilly at night in California even in the summer.
• Don't forget to eat lunch and drink plenty of water during your day of wine tasting.
• When renting a car, designate a driver who will not drink.

Resources

• Visit Wine Country for information on wineries and lodging in the various California wine regions.
• The San Francisco Travel website offers suggestions for visiting Napa and Sonoma.
• Visit the Paso Robles wine country website for information on wine tasting in the region.
• Visit the Santa Barbara Vintners Association website to plan your wine tasting trip.