10 Best Napa Valley Wine Tours for First-Time Visitors
As a Bay Area local who’s a little Napa obsessed, I’ve spent years exploring wine country, I own this Napa blog, and run a Napa Valley Facebook Community Group. I’ve rounded up the best Napa Valley wine tours that locals love and travelers rave about.
Planning a trip to Napa Valley is exciting, but with over 400 wineries and what feels like just as many tour options, it can quickly get overwhelming. I know, because I’ve been there. That’s why I created this guide to the best tours in Napa Valley: these are companies I trust, recommend to my readers, and would book again myself in a heartbeat.
Whether you’re looking for something luxurious and private, social and affordable, or active and outdoorsy, I’ve broken down the top tours and have given you the pros and cons of each, so you can sip your way through wine country without second-guessing your plans.
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Best Napa Valley Wine Tours: Which Tour Style Is Right for You?
Getting around Napa Valley, can be a little tricky, you can Uber to most wineries, but I highly recommend booking a tour for one of your days in Napa.
Before you start booking, it helps to understand the three main types of Napa Valley wine tours, and which one actually fits the vibe you’re going for. Each option has its own pros, price point, and unique kind of experience, so picking the right style can make all the difference.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the most popular styles:
🍷 Private Driver Tours
Best for: First time visitors, couples, small groups, special occasions
If it’s in your budget, hiring a private driver is hands-down the most seamless way to experience Napa. You’ll get a fully customized itinerary based on your wine preferences, plus a local guide who handles all the logistics so you can just sip and relax. I did this for my husband’s birthday with a large group, and it was worth every penny.
🚌 Small Group Tours
Best for: Solo travelers, couples who want to mingle
These tours usually include 8–12 people in a shared van or shuttle. They’re more affordable and take you to 3–4 pre-selected wineries. You won’t control the itinerary, but you’ll meet fellow travelers and enjoy a fun, low-stress day, great if you’re new to Napa or short on planning time.
🚲 Outdoor & Active Tours
Best for: Adventurers, wellness travelers, bikers and hikers
Prefer your tastings with a side of adventure? Outdoor-focused tours let you bike between wineries, hike scenic trails, or even pair yoga with wine tastings. These are perfect for people who want a slower, more immersive experience.
🍷Best Private Tours in Napa Valley
If you’re planning a special trip, whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or just your first trip to wine country, private tours are the way to go. These offer the most flexibility, comfort, and personalization… and let’s be honest, having a local expert handle the day while you sip stress-free? Yes, please.
Here are my top private tour picks that offer great value, amazing reviews, and standout experiences in Napa.
1. Designated Drivers Napa Sonoma
Best for: First-timers, couples, small groups
Vibe: Personal, flexible, affordable
🥇My Top Pick for a Private Tour (and best value!)
If you want a fully personalized experience that is memorable but also affordable, Designated Drivers Napa Sonoma is my go-to. It’s a small, woman-owned local company that’s built a reputation for excellent service, insider winery picks, and keeping things affordable by driving your own car or rental.
They’ll help you plan your day based on your wine preferences and even include some under-the-radar spots you wouldn’t find on your own. I often hear rave reviews from readers who book with them, and it’s one of the few tours I consistently recommend.
🍷 Wine Gal Tip: Don’t plan on renting a car, no problem. They also have a fleet of vehicles to accommodate.
Pros:
- More affordable than most private tours
- Custom itinerary based on your taste
- They handle the logistics & planning
- Local drivers with deep knowledge of the area
- Option to use your car or theirs
Cons:
- You’ll need a rental car or personal vehicle
- Tasting fees are not included
- Higher per-person cost if you’re traveling solo or as a couple
2. Napa Valley SUV
Best for: Groups up to 6, no rental car needed
Vibe: Easy, reliable, affordable
If you’re visiting Napa with a group and want a relaxed, private experience without having to drive, Napa Valley SUV is a great choice. They offer 6-hour private tours in luxury SUVs that comfortably fit up to 6 guests, and they’ll handle your tastings, transportation, and timeline.
This is a fantastic option if you don’t have a rental car or just want a fully chauffeured day. It’s a highly rated, top-notch driving service, and one of the most affordable private tour options for an unforgettable Napa Valley experience.
Pros:
- Accommodates up to 6 guests
- Affordable private option for groups
- Customizable itinerary
- They handle the logistics & planning
- Knowledgeable, local drivers
- You don’t need a rental car
Cons:
- Tasting fees are not included
- Higher per-person cost if you’re traveling solo or as a couple
3. Zen Wine Tours
Best for: Unique, custom experiences with a local expert
Vibe: Elevated, thoughtful, ultra-personalized
If you’re looking for something beyond the typical wine tour, Zen Wine Tours is the one. This Napa-based company is run by a local wine expert with years of experience working in Napa wineries, who customizes each tour to match your personal taste and preferences.
They offer private and specialty tours, like the Napa Zen Tour or Sensory Tour, that you will not find anywhere else.
It’s priced higher than some of the other private options, but you’re paying for deep local access, niche experiences, and the kind of thoughtful details that turn a day in wine country into something unique and memorable.
Pros:
- One-of-a-kind specialty tours
- Custom itineraries crafted by a Napa wine insider
- Great for celebrations or unique experiences
- Focus on boutique, under-the-radar wineries
Cons:
- Higher price point than others on this list
- Tasting fees are not included
4. Beau Wine Tours
Best for: Luxury travelers, large groups, wine collectors
Vibe: Upscale, elegant, seamless
🥇My Top Pick for a Private Tour for XL Groups (more than 6 people)
What I love about Beau Wine Tours is they can accommodate pretty much any sized group, and if you are looking for a Napa Valley Wine Tour for a larger group, it feels impossible to plan for. Trust me, I’ve been there!
Honestly, any of these tours feel luxurious, but Beau Wine Tours takes it to the next level with their wine collectors tour. This is the tour that is really for the serious wine connoisseurs who are looking to spend and visit exclussive wineries you would not be able to access on your own.
Pros:
- Luxury vehicles for groups of all sizes
- Access to exclusive, high-end wineries
- Custom itinerary based on your taste
- They handle the logistics & planning
Cons:
- Tasting fees are not included
- One of the pricier options
5. Lace & Limos
Best for: Bachelorettes, girls’ trips, unique celebrations
Vibe: Fun, stylish, off-the-beaten-path
🥇My Top Pick for Bachelorette Parties & Girls Trips
Laces & Limos isn’t your average wine tour, it’s a full-on experience. You’ll cruise through Napa in a private electric tuk tuk, visit boutique wineries that most tourists miss, and enjoy a vineyard-side lunch with serious Instagram appeal.
This tour is perfect if you’re celebrating something special and want a day that feels fun, personal, and totally different from the typical shuttle vibe.
Pros:
- Unique tuk tuk experience
- Vineyard lunch included
- Visits hidden gem wineries
- Perfect for small groups (up to 6)
Cons:
- Tasting fees are not included
- Fixed itinerary (no custom winery selection)
🍷 Small Group Tours
If you’re not ready to splurge on a private tour or just want a more social, laid-back vibe, small group tours are a great option. They’re affordable, easy to book, and still give you that classic Napa experience (without having to drive yourself or plan every detail).
Here are the top small group wine tours I recommend, all of them well-reviewed and great for first-time visitors.
6. Platypus Wine Tours
Best for: First-timers, solo travelers, couples
Vibe: Friendly, casual, great value
🥇My Top Pick for Small Group Tour in Napa Valley
Platypus Wine Tours is hands-down one of the best small group options in Napa, and it’s a go-to recommendation I give to first-time visitors and repeat travelers alike. With groups of around 8–12 people, this tour has the perfect balance between social and intimate.
What makes Platypus special is their focus on small, family-owned wineries that big tours often skip. A picnic lunch is included, and you’ll even get tasting discounts at some of the stops, which is a great money-saving perk!
🍷 Wine Gal Tip: Pricing is per person, so if you’re a group of 4 or more, consider hiring a designated driver instead — for a similar cost, you’ll get a private, customizable tour.
Pros:
- Over 900 5 star reviews
- Great value for the price
- Includes transportation & picnic lunch
- Discounts at wineries & more affordable than most private tours
Cons:
- Tasting fees not included
- Fixed itinerary (you don’t choose the wineries)
- Less privacy than a private tour
7. Napa Valley Wine Train
Best for: First-timers or anyone wanting a unique experience
Vibe: Scenic, vintage, touristy (in a fun way)
🥇 Most Unique Experience for First Time Visitors
Everyone I know who has done The Napa Valley Wine Train has loved it and highly recommends doing it once, especially for a first visit.
The Wine Train is more of a dining and sightseeing experience than a traditional wine tour. While some routes do stop at wineries for tastings, the real focus is on the train ride itself. Think of it like a cruise ship: you might have a few stops, but most of the experience happens on board.
You’ll glide through vineyard-lined landscapes in a beautifully restored vintage train while enjoying a multi-course gourmet meal.
It’s not the best pick if you’re hoping to hop between multiple wineries, but it is perfect if you want a one-of-a-kind, scenic experience that feels indulgent and totally unique. Just note: wine isn’t included unless you add it on, and this tour tends to be on the pricier side.
Pros:
- One-of-a-kind vintage train ride
- Gourmet lunch or dinner included
- Scenic views of wine country
- Fun & unique experience
Cons:
- Expensive experience
- Wine is not included unless added (on this tour)
✅ Want a unique, bucket list-style experience in Napa? Hop aboard the Wine Train here.
🍷 Wellness & Outdoors Tours
If you want to balance wine tasting with some fresh wine country air, Napa has more to offer than just sipping in tasting rooms. These tours include bike rides through the vineyards, redwood hikes, and even hot air balloon rides at sunrise.
Perfect if you’re craving a slower pace, some nature, or just want to experience Napa in a totally different way.
8. Napa Valley Bike Tours
Best for: Active travelers, couples, looking to go off-the-beaten-path
Vibe: Scenic, relaxed, outdoorsy
Experiencing Napa Valley by bike is such a must when visiting wine country. A great way to do this is by booking a guided tour with Napa Valley Bike Tours, one of the most popular bike companies in the area.
🍷 Wine Gal Tip: Prefer to go solo? Rent a bike and ride the Napa Valley Vine Trail toward Yountville, there are wineries along the way. Just be sure to book tastings in advance.
On your e-bike tour, you’ll cycle about 3–6 miles (don’t worry, it’s very manageable with the e-bikes), stopping at two wineries along the way.
The full-day tour includes a gourmet picnic lunch, and group sizes are kept small and intimate, usually 6 people or fewer. It’s a great way to soak up Napa’s beauty off the beaten path and get some light activity in.
Pros:
- Fun, scenic, and easy with e-bikes
- Includes two tastings and picnic lunch
- Small, intimate group size
- Great for couples or outdoorsy travelers
Cons:
- Not ideal for rainy or cold weather
- You’ll need to be comfortable biking between stops
✅ Want to sip and cycle your way through Napa? Book your bike tour here
9. Napa Native Wine & Wellness Tour in Napa Valley
Best for: If you want a mix of wine, food, & nature
Vibe: Grounded, scenic, thoughtfully curated
Napa Valley offers so much more than just wine, and Napa Native does an incredible job showcasing what makes this region so special. I personally love this tour because it brings together three of my favorite Napa experiences: wine tasting, amazing food, and hiking through the area’s stunning landscapes.
You’ll start your morning with a crisp hike through enchanting redwood forests, followed by a food and wine pairing at a boutique winery, and finish with a tasting at a second hidden gem.
Pros:
- Private tour
- Combines hiking, food, + wine tasting
- Lunch & tastings are included
- Visits boutique, off-the-radar wineries
Cons:
- One of the more expensive experiences on this list
✅ Want to hike, sip, and experience a different side of Napa? Explore Napa Native here
10. Hot Air Balloon Ride Napa Valley Aloft
Best for: Bucket list seekers, romantic mornings, non-drinkers
Vibe: Magical, peaceful, once-in-a-lifetime
For a totally unforgettable way to see Napa, start your day soaring above the vineyards in a hot air balloon. Napa Valley Aloft is one of the most trusted companies offering these early morning rides, and the views at sunrise are nothing short of breathtaking.
This isn’t technically a wine tour, but it’s an experience that sticks with you for a lifetime. It’s especially perfect for couples or anyone celebrating something big.
It’s an all-year excursion, but the spring and fall months are the best for weather and scenic views!
Pros:
- Incredible views of wine country
- Peaceful, unforgettable experience
- Unique and romantic way to start the day
Cons:
- Weather cancellations are possible
- Early morning start
- Not a wine tasting tour
FAQ: Best Napa Valley Wine Tours
How much should I tip my wine tour guide?
If I have booked a small group tour or private tour, I will typically tip my tour guide 20% and even more if they have exceeded my expectations. I would bring cash, or if you don’t have cash on hand, you can always Venmo.
What is the best month to visit Napa Valley for wine tasting?
Napa Valley is a year-round destination, and honestly, there’s no bad time to visit wine country. Every season brings its own charm and unique things to do. That said, my personal favorite times to visit are spring and harvest season (August through October) when the vineyards are vibrant, and the energy is unmatched.
Wrap Up: Choosing the Best Napa Valley Tour for You
Whether you’re visiting Napa Valley for the first time or the fifth, the right wine tour can make your entire trip. From luxury private drivers to charming group tours and scenic bike rides, there’s truly something for every kind of traveler and every kind of vibe.
I hope this guide helped take the stress out of planning, and gave you a few ideas you’re genuinely excited about!
Still unsure which tour is the best fit? Drop your questions in my facebook group — I’m happy to help you figure it out based on your budget, trip style, or group size.
🙋♀️ Need more help planning? Join my FREE Napa Facebook Group!
Where you can get travel tips, personalized advice, help with your itinerary, and more.
