Tours & Excursions

Excursions? Tours? What's the difference?

The difference is simple. It's a practical matter and also one of opportunities. Excursions are small, 15-20 people or fewer and therefore can travel to almost all the wineries of Napa. Today they number around 250 brick and mortar sites. Tours can go up to 40 or 50 people and take advantage of the many medium and larger sized wineries that have polished the art of graceful hospitality (Some tiny wineries might not even have 40 wine glasses! Often the roads to them cannot accommodate a full sized coach.) The Wine Tutor organizes both Tours and Excursions that are rich Wine Country experiences.

Whether Tour or Excursion, The Wine Tutor draws on his long experience as "interpreter" of the Napa Valley and his local friendships to fulfill his clients' aspirations whether they be to buy wine, admire architecture, taste new releases of the classics, Chardonnay and Cabernet, or explore the newer flavors like Syrah, Viognier, and Sangiovese.

Throughout the day, The Wine Tutor provides a commentary that ranges from history and geography and economics to techniques of grape growing and wine making.. Q&A is open all day and there's even room to talk about society, aka gossip.

A Typical Day in the Vineyards

While The Wine Tutor tries to make every outing unique (for both the client and himself), certain guidelines have proven true again and again. A full day begins when the wineries open, usually 10:00 a.m., and last until the latter part of the afternoon. That slice of time allows for tours and tasting at three (3) wineries, one of which would be a luncheon site. A very small group willing to start early might squeak in four (4) but energies would be flagging and wine appetites jaded. For a shorter day, two (2) wineries, carefully chosen for contrasts in wines, styles and decor, can provide a very nice "slice" of Napa.

Fees and Expenses
Costs vary dramatically. For a special occasions -- celebrating business deals, benchmark birthdays and anniversaries -- Napa can be as lavish as you want. For wine buying outings ,canvassing the new labels,meeting the characters of Napa, time spent exploring the Valley can be quite reasonable.

The costs for a day include The Wine Tutor's per diem ($950 for groups of 1 - 10, $1500 for 11-20, and $2000 for groups over 20. Charter transportation is highly recommended and can ranges approximately from $400-$600, lunches range from $25 to $150 per person, luncheon wines and site fees, $25 - $150, and winery tasting fees, $10 -$50.

Booking Tours and Excursions: Three Easy Steps
1. Select date(s)
2. Estimate Number of Guests
3. Contact The Wine Tutor to book and tailor your event.

"For over twenty years John Thoreen has been regarded as Napa Valley's 'favorite professor.' As a disciple, I can say that John's teaching approach avoids the trap of snobbism and makes appreciating the world of wine and food both fun and truly enlightening."
- David Pramuk
ROBERT BIALE VINEYARDS

"We met John Thoreen in 1978 when we took a week long course from "The Wine Tutor." John gets a lot of the credit (or blame) for us being in the wine business today. We always look forward to having John visit us again as The Wine Tutor. His clients will experience John's vast knowledge and love of wine much as we did 26 years ago."
- Jim and Barbara Richards PALOMA VINEYARDS