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1. What is Platypus Tours?
A day-long tour of various wineries in either the Sonoma Valley or the Napa Valley. Our emphasis is on smaller, family-owned wineries and historic wineries.
2. How much for the tour?
$85 per person Napa tour, $75 per person Sonoma tour.
3.
What is included?
• Tour and commentary
• Picnic lunch
• Shared cheese platter
• Bottled water
4. Not included?
Winery tasting fees, peanuts, pedicures...lots of stuff.
5. How long are your tours?
We depart around 10:30am and return by about 4:30 or 5pm.
6. How many people on the tour?
Usually between eight and twelve.
7. What is the minimum number of people you will pick up?
One person.
8. How many wineries will we visit?
At least four wineries.
9. Which wineries will we visit?
Before making our final winery selections, we like to check in with the guests we have on board to see what types of wine they like and what wineries they may have already visited. That way we can somewhat customize the tour to the group we have that day. Our favorite wineries are described on the wineries
page.
10. Will we tour the wineries or just taste?
We try to schedule one facility tour every day, then tasting only at
the others, though we are able to wander around the grounds at most
of the stops.
11. How do you choose the wineries we will visit?
Smaller, non-touristy
Warm & friendly service
Very tasty wines
Historic and/or family-owned winery
Compelling story
Features (Great views, wine caves, barrel-tasting, etc.)
Terrific feedback from previous guests
12. How long will we spend at each winery?
No set time: anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and a half.
13. In what ways is this better than just driving to wineries ourselves? Good question!
• Taste wine all day without having to drive impaired
• Visit charming wineries you are unlikely to find on your own
• Preferred treatment at many of our destinations
• Your driver/tour guide will offer lots of history & local color
• Socialize with other people on the tour (we get fun people!)
• Skip the winery crowds and traffic back-ups
• Dine on a picnic lunch served in a idyllic winery setting
• Avoid snobby, stuck-up wineries
• Don't worry about getting lost
14. Do you offer half-day tours?
Our walking tours last two hours.
15. How do I make a reservation?
Use our online form or call Platypus directly at (707) 253-2723.
Please have a credit card number to secure your reservation. The card will not be charged until after your tour.
16. What is your cancellation policy?
You may cancel anytime up to 48 hours prior to your tour without being charged. After that, you will be charged $35 per person cancellation fee. Full charge if no-show.
17. What is special about the wineries you visit?
Each winery we visit is unique & compelling in some way. Some are historic (Ghost wineries, Victorian house tasing room) some are known for their European ambiance, some for spectacular views, or for features such as wine caves. Over the course of the day we'll show you a variety of fascinating locations.
18. I have a couple of wineries I'd really like to see. Do you take winery requests?
Yes. We accommodate requested wineries when we can. This is dependant on the locations, tasting fees and group tasting policies of the requested wineries.
19. What about tasting fees?
Most wineries charge tasting fees. As a general rule, Platypus does not visit any winery that charges more than $10, and most fall between $7 and $10. (Little less in Sonoma, little more in Napa).Some charge nothing. Any winery on our tour will allow you to share tastings. Many will put your tasting fees toward any wine you buy at their winery.
20. How many wines will we taste? What types?
Wineries will typically offer you at least five or six wines to taste. The pour is between one and two ounces. (It adds up!) Cabernet, Chardonnay, Merlot, Syrah/Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel and Sangiovese are the most common, with one or two Pinot Noirs thrown in. Some of these wines are fabulous!
21. Are all of your stops wineries?
Typically, yes, but we have been known to drop guests off for shopping or museum stops while the other guests visit nearby wineries.
Please give us a call if this is your interest.
22. Will Platypus pick us up at our hotel?
We will pick you up from any local area hotel, inn, or B&B and of course we'll drop you off at the end of the tour.
23. We are not staying in the Napa area. Is there somewhere we can join up with the tour?
Why, yes. You may drive in and join us at a pre-arranged meeting place. Please call us to set this up.
24. How does your shuttle bus differ from a traditional limousine?
Our coaches sits higher and have much larger tinted windows, so you can see the magnificent scenery out any side of the vehicle.
Because it is taller, with steps and hand rails, you can get in and out more easily. In general, it's just roomier.
25. A picnic lunch is included? What does it consist of?
Yes, the picnic lunch is included. Your tour guide will set it up for you in the picnic area of a winery while you are tasting wine inside.
We serve deli sandwiches on fresh croissants (Turkey breast, ham or salami), sliced cheeses, fresh sliced tomatoes & lettuce, condiments on the side, fresh home-made pasta salad, fresh fruit, small desert cakes and bottled water.
26. Is it yummy?
Indeed.
27. Do you serve a vegetarian option?
Yes, if you let us know ahead of time, we'll serve a hummus
sandwich.
The rest of the lunch is already vegetarian.
28. Is the hummus sandwich tasty?
Quite.
29. What's on the shared cheese platter?
Usually three or four cheeses. Havarti, Gouda, Baby Brie, Mediterranean Jack and Romano are amongst our favorites. Also on the platter is a bowl of grapes and an assortment of crackers.
30. Any beverages?
Yes, bottled water is served on the bus and with lunch
31. Is it possible that this tour can really be as fun as it sounds?
Amazingly, yes. Even we are stunned by how fun it is.
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