Tour Vin – Choosing the Right Tasting Room
Published on: July 31st, 2024
Sometimes, when trying to decide where to enjoy great wine tasting experiences, wine tasting rooms are overlooked. No doubt, visiting a winery offers many unique options that can include horseback riding, hiking, vineyard tours, wine blending, wine and food pairing, and great views while enjoying excellent wines!
There are times, however, where you might like to just stroll through town after lunch and enjoy great wines in a comfortable space, relaxing with friends or meeting the locals. Some of these venues are even open until 7 p.m.
The town of Napa offers around 30 wine tasting rooms and Tour Vin has visited almost all of them. Many tasting salons allow walk-ins, but some require a reservation, so its best to call in advance. Some salons can arrange small bites or cheese and charcuterie if requested.
Here are a few wine tasting rooms for you to consider on your next trip to Napa:
Acumen Wine Gallery
Ackerman Family Vineyards
Azur Wines
Be Bubbly Lounge
Compline Wine Shop
Levendi Winery
Mondavi Arch & Tower
Krupp Brothers
Don’t forget – Harvest is right around the corner, so contact us to help plan your next trip to Wine Country!
Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Wine Country Concierge








Tour Vin – Exploring Summer in Napa Valley
Published on: June 26th, 2024
The summer is a great time to visit Napa Valley and take advantage of all the special activities the wineries have to offer. Here are a few to whet your appetite – contact us for more details:
- The Annual Pig Roast at Rutherford Hill Winery: After a welcome reception with appetizers and wine, head inside for a seated family-style dinner.
- Dine in the Vines at Judd’s Hill Winery: Enjoy dinner in the vineyard with several newly released wines.
- Annual Lobster Dinner at Mumm Napa: Includes passed appetizers, a plated dinner with two lobsters per person and dessert.
- Summer BBQ at Krug Winery: BBQ, music and wine highlights the evening.
- Blanc de Blanc plus Oyster Pairing at Chandon: Three special sparkling wines paired with oysters from the Wild Oyster Project.
- Annual Lobster Feed at Whitehall Lane Winery: A traditional lobster boil paired with their special wines in the new Garden Pavilion.
- Denelle Yoga Retreat at Alila Napa Valley: Restore your mind, body and spirit – practice yoga in one of three stay options, including a day retreat, a one-night stay or a two-night stay at the resort.
- Poetry Dinner in the Vineyard at Cliff Lede Vineyard: A four-course dinner will be paired with Cliff Lede Vineyards wines.
- Hands On Harvest at Trefethen Family Vineyards: Help the vineyard with harvest, enjoy lunch paired with Trefethen wines, then follow the grapes through the wine making process.
These are just a few of the events happening this summer. Contact us to help plan your upcoming Wine Country vacation!
Ed Pollard
Wine Country Concierge
Tour Vin



Tour Vin – Experience Nightlife at Blue Note Napa
Published on: May 29th, 2024
Did you know that downtown Napa offers an amazing nightlife for all to enjoy after a long day of wine tasting and dining? If you are into live jazz music and gourmet food, we recommend you check out Blue Note Napa!
The building, featuring a historic design of the nineteenth century Napa Valley Opera House, provides a wonderful setting for great entertainment. Founded in 1981 and started in Greenwich Village, the venue features popular names in blues, Latin jazz and traditional jazz in an upscale club environment.
Just a few of the featured artists performing during the summer include Jiaoying Summers, Shelby Darrall, Dee Lucas The TWENTY Tour, Jazz Mafia, and many more! Check out the show calendar for even more information.
Things to know before you go:
- No reservations are required, but your ticket price will determine your seat location and is first come first serve
- Dinner is included in the price of the ticket
- There is a two drink minimum per person
- Casual attire is preferred.
Contact us at Tour Vin for more information!
Cheers!
Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Wine Country Concierge



- Photo credit: Blue Note Napa
Tour Vin – News From The Ruse Healdsburg
Published on: May 2nd, 2024
There is some exciting news from Sonoma we wanted to tell you about! The Ruse Healdsburg, formerly known as The Honor Mansion, has recently opened and offers something for everyone.
This 11-room luxury Inn is in the heart of the Russian River Valley and offers amazing amenities, including a heated pool, a bocce ball court, putting green, tennis, a spa and, of course, complimentary breakfast. Need space for a corporate event? Their on-site concierge can help with that as well.
Contact us at Tour Vin to help plan your next trip to either Napa or Sonoma. Its getting busy in Wine Country, so don’t wait!
Cheers!
Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Wine Country Concierge



Tour Vin – Enjoy All That Sonoma Has to Offer
Published on: March 27th, 2024
There is always something new and exciting going on in Sonoma! Tour Vin wants to share our own experiences with our current and future clients so everyone has options to consider when planning that next Sonoma trip.
Here are a few activities to consider:
- Schedule a private tasting with Cindy Cosco, winemaker and owner of Passaggio Wines in Glen Ellen.
- Take advantage of the Sonoma County Tasting Pass exclusively offered in Sonoma Plaza. Visit up to three wineries in a 24-hour period.
- Enjoy the Health and Wellness experience at The Lodge at Sonoma Resort, which includes a choice of a hot stone massage, yoga classes and a hike.
- Indulge your palette at Taste of Sonoma at the Kendall Jackson Wine Estate and Gardens, which includes a walk-around wine tasting, garden tours and complimentary food trucks.
- Participate in Gay Wine Weekend – Out in the Vineyard. The event’s festivities include winemaker dinners, wine tours and the Twilight T-Dance at La Crema Winery Estate.
- Ride the clouds in a hot air balloon, a nature-walk in the sky!
Its going to get busy in Wine Country, so now is a great time to start planning your 2024 trip – Tour Vin can help you sort through all the options!
Cheers!
Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Wine Country Concierge




Tour Vin – Upcoming Events in Sonoma County
Published on: February 28th, 2024
With more than 400 wineries, amazing restaurants and outdoor nature activities, there is plenty to do in Sonoma County! Whether it’s a wine festival, art and wine fair, or other festive activities, the entire family can enjoy the Wine Country experience.
Here are a few spring activities to consider on your upcoming trip to Sonoma:
- February 23-April 26 – Lessons for Littles: Every Friday afternoon the little ones (children) can experience science guided fun in crafts and art
- March 8-9 – Winemaker Barrel Tasting at Emeritus Vineyards
- March 13 – A winemaker dinner hosted by Hugh Chappelle at the Bluewater Lounge in Bodega Harbour
- March 22-24 – Enjoy the 18th Annual California Artisan Cheese Festival
- March 20-24 – Sonoma International Film Festival: Great films, food and wine highlight this event
- Any Day – Try wine tasting on a bike tour – Ace It Bike Tours offers many options and is a perfect way to celebrate that special occasion. Or, if you enjoy hiking, explore a Russian River Valley hike through Redwood country. Options also include paddling down the river in a kayak or canoe.
Sonoma has a lot to offer and it’s never too early to plan your trip. Whether it’s Sonoma or Napa, we have you covered!
Cheers!
Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Wine Country Concierge





Tour Vin – Try a Mud Bath to End Your Day
Published on: January 30th, 2024
If you are looking for a wonderful way to relax after a full day of wine tasting, we suggest you consider a mud bath with your partner! The wine country offers many different types of experiences to choose from and Tour Vin can help you make the choice that best works for you!
What are the options, you ask? The two main choices are:
- Soak It In: A mud soak and then a rinse and soak in another tub.
- Paint It On: Paint your body with mud and relax in the sun before rinsing off.
Either way, a mud bath is a great way to end a day of wine tours before dining at your favorite restaurant. Give us a call and we can help plan your next trip to the Wine Country!
Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Wine Country Concierge
Tour Vin – Start the New Year Right With a Trip to Wine Country!
Published on: December 18th, 2023
We hope everyone is ready for the upcoming holidays and that you enjoy some great times with family and friends!
It’s never too early to think about planning your next trip to Napa and Sonoma! Wine Country is wonderful in late winter and early spring when wineries and restaurants are fully staffed and usually offer great deals to entice early year visitors.
Whether it’s wine tasting, dining, hot air balloon rides, golfing, hiking, paddle boarding or a train ride, we have you covered! Accommodations can be difficult to sort out as well; hotels, B&Bs and private guest homes are in abundance, but we can help you through all the options.
To further tempt you to begin thinking about your next trip, take a look at some of the photos Tour Vin took on our previous trips to the wine country. We will be in Napa and Sonoma scouting out even more new venues for our clients soon, so watch for our posts on Facebook and Instagram in early February.
Again, have a great holiday season and don’t hesitate to contact us to help plan your next trip – cheers!
Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Wine Country Concierge











Tour Vin – Wine Country and Corporate Team Building Events
Published on: November 27th, 2023
As the new year approaches, many companies are planning offsite team building programs and social events. Wine Country is the perfect place to build relationships and share potential new business strategies with the team all while surrounded by the beauty of the vineyards.
Tour Vin can help plan an entire corporate event that suits your needs as they relate to accommodations, outside team building events, socializing over a wonderful dinner and, of course, private wine tastings at your favorite wineries.
One team building event we are highlighting this month is a private cooking class at CIA at Copia (The Culinary Institute of America at Copia) located in Napa. The group works together to create a wonderful meal to be shared by all at this amazing venue.
Tour Vin took a similar class with a group of six people and you would be amazed on the bonding that takes place! The benefits of this type of hands-on event, beside the great food, include relationship building, as well as creative stimulus and time management skills outside of the office environment.
It takes time to create a special corporate event that meets the needs of your company. Contact us help plan your 2024 offsite corporate program!
Happy Holidays!
Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Wine Country Concierge
Tour Vin – Gearing Up for the Holidays!
Published on: November 1st, 2023
The holidays are coming up and there are many events in November and December that beckon you to visit Napa! Since this is a busy time of year, don’t wait to make your reservations. Here is a short list of fun events for the whole family:
November 19 – Yountville Town and Tree Lighting: Enjoy this annual ceremony and then check out the wonderful restaurants and wine tasting rooms in the area
November 22 – Regiis Ova Caviar & Champagne Lounge: A holiday celebration with the Cosmo Alleycats, while feasting on caviar and Champagne
November 24-December 23 – Bright Night Tasting: Taste three estate-grown wines paired with cheese accompaniments in the Cuvaison vineyard under the twinkling lights
November 25-December 23 – Breakfast with Santa at the Silverado Resort
November 30-December 23 – Santa Train Jolly Journey on the Napa Valley Wine Train
December 2 – Calistoga Lighted Tractor Parade: Stroll down Lincoln Avenue, enjoy the parade while sipping great wine; stop in at one of the fantastic restaurants along the way
December 7 – Hanukkah Celebration at the Silverado Resort
December 9 – Holiday Candlelight Walking Tour in Old Town Napa: Take a self-guided tour of decorated homes, with live entertainment, a reception and silent auction
December 9 and 17 – Santa’s Workshop at the Ackerman Heritage House: Visit Santa and tour this amazing Victorian Carriage House
December 23 – TRUSS Annual Kid’s Holiday Cookie Decorating Class
Contact Tour Vin to help plan your holiday trip to Napa Valley!
Cheers!
Ed Pollard
Tour Vin
Wine Country Concierge
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