Despite only around 4% of California’s wines coming from the region, Napa Valley is deservedly regarded as the most prestigious wine growing area in the United States – attracting almost five million visitors with the lure of Napa Valley wine tours each year.
The California region is relatively small – with over 450 wineries scattered across 45,000+ acres of beautiful, sun-kissed countryside in the Golden State – but its influence on US wine production and enotourism is immense.Napa Valley private wine tours are an incredibly popular way of exploring the region, accompanied by a professional guide to answer any questions and hand pick wineries to visit before sampling a range of premium vintages.
At Wine Paths, our local expert can organise the best private wine tours Napa has to offer, which can include elaborate tastings, luxury stays, fine dining experiences and some unique outdoor activities.All of our private Napa Valley wine tours can be tailor made to meet your exact requirements, ensuring that every detail is taken care of so that you can relax and enjoy the sunshine, sensational wines and spectacular scenery.
Typical Napa Valley wine tours will introduce you to the region’s signature oak aged Cabernet Sauvignon (or classic ‘Napa Cab’), which is internationally acclaimed for its savoury, smoky and peppered undertones with dark berry and mocha flavours. Other grape varieties successfully grown in the valley include Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Syrah, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio – all of which can be sampled as part of private Napa wine tours. The wines from Napa Valley first drew international acclaim following the infamous 1976 Paris Judgement; when several Californian styles were rated better than vintages from Bordeaux and Burgundy during a blind tasting event that sent shock waves around the wine world.
There are presently 16 sub-regions (including two that merge with the neighbouring Sonoma and Solano Counties), among the most popular that are visted during Private wine tours in Napa are Oakville, Stag’s Leap, Calistoga, Howell Mountain and Rutherford. And, each year in June, Napa stages the world’s largest charity wine auction – which has raised more than $100 million over the last 30 years for Napa County health, youth and housing non-profit organisations.As well as being a haven for wine enthusiasts, Napa private wine tours can also introduce visitors to the region’s culinary delights – either as food pairings during tastings or by visiting one of many highly regarded restaurants in the small, rural town.
Napa has more than 24 restaurants carrying at least one Michelin star, with two restaurants boasting three stars, as well as several eateries being established by celebrity chefs such as Michael Chiarello, Tyler Florence and Masaharu Morimoto. And, outdoor pursuits include hiking Mount St. Helena and the Palisades in the northern part of the valley, or visiting the famed Old Faithful Geyser and Petrified Forest. Although Napa Valley private wine tours operate all year around, the best times to visit the region are during Spring – when the rolling hills are blanketed in a beautiful green from new vines – or Autumn – when harvest season sees the town come alive with energy.
If you are interested in private wine tours in Napa Valley, contact Wine Paths for more information and inspirational ideas before planning a bespoke trip.
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