Experience wine country with a special someone or group.
Private Wine Tours
$225 - $400 per person
Pickup at your location in one of our Mercedes Sprinter vans
2-13 Guests
Delicious picnic lunch
Tastings at three wineries (fees included)
| Guests | Per Person | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | $400 | $800 |
| 3 | $325 | $975 |
| 4 | $300 | $1,200 |
| 5 | $275 | $1,375 |
| 6-13 | $225 | $1,200-$2,400 |
*Includes pick up at your location, tasting fees at 3 locations, a delicious picnic lunch, and 10% gratuity.
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Which vineyards will we visit?
We select three unique locations that offer special wines, excellent service and a beautiful atmosphere. Customer feedback is #1 factor in our selections, so we always take guests to the best wineries available. (On Private Tours, you can visit more vineyards or specific wineries.)
How long is the tour?
5½ to 6 hours for Santa Ynez Valley area pickups and 7½ to 8 hours for Santa Barbara area pickups.
What’s for lunch?
We provide a delicious picnic lunch made by New Frontiers Marketplace, sourced locally and made fresh. We typically serve lunch at the 2nd or 3rd stop – around 1pm or 3pm.
Where do we start the tour?
We come to you at your hotel or location, or we can pick you up at one of these locations that have all-day parking.
- Santa Barbara Visitor Center
1 Garden St. Santa Barbara 93101 (map) - The Santa Barbara Train Station
209 State St Santa Barbara 93101 (map) - The Solvang Visitor Center
1639 Copenhagen Dr Solvang 93463 (map)
What kinds of wine will we taste?
The Santa Ynez Valley is known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (Burgundian style wines) along with Syrah, Grenache (Rhone style) and Sauvignon Blanc. We also visit wineries with unusual varieties such as Albarino, Mouvedre and Cabernet Franc.
How much wine will we taste?
Most wineries serve 4 to 6 wines with one-ounce pours each per flight. Visiting three wineries, you may drink a bottle or more if you don’t expectorate (spit).
What time do tours start?
Wine Lovers Tours depart at:
- 9:45-10:20am from the Santa Barbara Area
- 10:45-11:15am from the Santa Ynez Valley Area
- 10:20-10:30am from Santa Maria, Los Alamos, or Lompoc
Private tours are more flexible, as it is your day. However, leaving later or coming back early may limit your possibilities, as standard winery hours are 11am-5pm, with last pours beginning around 4pm.
What vehicles do you use?
We use a Mercedes Sprinter van for most tours. Our vehicles are spotlessly cleaned and maintained daily!
Am I obligated to buy wine?
No, but it’s a great opportunity to purchase exceptional Santa Barbara County wine directly from the producers and or winemakers. Wine not only makes a great gift but also perfect for special occasions and holidays.
Do the wineries charge for tastings?
Yes, but the tasting fees are included in our tour prices. (Wineries typically charge $20-$65 per person.)
How many people will be on the tour?
A maximum of eight guests per vehicle for our most popular Wine Lovers Tour. Private wine tours will depend on your group size.
Will a wine expert guide us?
Absolutely! Our tour hosts have a thorough knowledge of the geography, history and wines of our region. Each tour host also has at least an entry level Sommelier Certificate. (We are extremely passionate about the wines in our county area!) Meet your tour guides
How should I prepare for the tour?
Dress casually, and remember it can be very hot here in the summer and chilly in wintertime. (You can leave your sweater in the van.) We encourage you to have a good, solid breakfast before the tour – and go easy the night before!
You might also want to read our tasting primer, Wine Tasting 101.
What is your cancellation policy?
We have a 5-day cancellation policy for all group tours. If a reservation is cancelled less than 5 days of the tour, the full fare is charged, because we have already allocated staff and resources for your tour. A credit towards future use is issued if a person or tour is cancelled at least 5 days before the scheduled start date.
We have a 10-day cancellation policy for private tours. If a reservation is cancelled within 10 days of the tour, the full fare is charged. A credit towards future use is issued if a person or tour is cancelled at least 10 days before the scheduled start date.
We have a 14-day cancellation policy for large groups (over 13 Guests). If a reservation is cancelled within 14 days of the tour, the full fare is charged. A credit towards future use is issued if a person or tour is cancelled at least 14 days before the scheduled start date.
We have a 30-day cancellation policy for corporate and extra-large groups (24+ guests). If a reservation is cancelled within 30 days of the tour full fare is charged. A credit towards future use is issued if a person or tour is cancelled at least 30 days before the scheduled start date.
See our Terms and Conditions page for more details.
What if someone in our group isn’t tasting wine?
If someone in your party wants to go with the group but won’t be tasting wine, you can book them separately on our Non-Tasting page for just $100.
