We're Ralph & Lahni de Amicis and we provide affordable, custom tours and transportation in the Napa & Sonoma Wine Country and San Francisco. We've written 3 Wine Country Tour Books & we drive the tours ourselves. We create daytrips, in multiple languages, based on your interests, using luxury SUV's. For our Trip Planning Directory Scroll down. To check our availability & schedule tours please use the form below or call us at: Office: 707-320-4274, Cell: 707-235-2364, Pacific Time.
Italiano Espanol Francais Portuguese
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Credit card and billing info is necessary to reserve a date. See cancellation policy below. Billing is done on the day of the tour unless previously arranged. Charges appear as Space and Time Designing Inc., the parent corporation of Amicis Tours, licensed by the California State Public Utilities Commission, TCP#23123
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Here is what some guests have written to us about their wine tours:
You're the Best! Thanks for being our tour guide and sharing your wisdom!
- Margery Toma
Ralph- You are one of the most knowledgeable people I have ever met! Thanks for a great day in Wine Country!
- Courtney D.
Thanks so much for being a great tour guide. We had a wonderful time learning about wine country.
- Carolyn
Ralph - I am so glad that you were our guide for my first trip to Napa - couldn't imagine a more memorable experience. I'm looking forward to reading your books and seeing you during my next trip to Napa.
- Giacinta
Thank you for sharing your wine country knowledge with us... I'm convinced you read as you wait. We had a perfect experience. Hopefully I'll see you in Napa again.
- Shadi Vazir
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Tour Rates: $65 to $90 per hour (based on vehicle, number in party and starting point). 5 hour minimum for Saturdays - 4 hours other days - Dinner or evening events 3 hour minimum. We will make winery appointments as needed and that is included in the cost of the tour. The rates do not include tasting fees because there is a wide range from winery to winery. We select wineries based on your stated budget. Tours to Wine Country originating in San Francisco have a 7 hours minimum on Saturdays - 6 hours other days.
No hidden charges: These hourly transportation rates are all-inclusive. They include PUC fees, fuel charges and a basic gratuity. Many large companies have hidden charges that can add 25% to their stated bills. Scroll down their pages. The only exception to this is a $25 fuel surcharge that is added when prices spike. This is added on a per trip basis, not per hourly and is normally $25 to $35. We will tell you whether it is in effect when you book the tour. By making this adjustment we can avoid increasing our hourly rates. Gratuities: As owner-operators we don't expect an additional tip and we're grateful for your business. If you are so impressed with your tour that you feel the need to add a gift, it is of course appreciated, but not expected. We give our guests a book to remember the tour, and to help them plan for their next one! Cancellations: If the customer cancels the tour more than 72 (seventy two) hours before the commencement of the charter a cancellation fee equal to 25% of the full price shall be charged. If the customer cancels the reservation with 72 (seventy two) hours of the charter the Customer will remain responsible for the full payment of the charter as a fair cancellation fee based on the fact that Amicis Tours will be unable to rent such vehicle. Likewise any downsizing of service within 72 (seventy two) hours will not relieve the customer of the responsibility of paying the full contract price. Unless specified in the contract the time calculation will be based on the required minimum times per day.
When to Visit? The Napa and Sonoma Wine Country are stunning no matter what time of year you visit. In the summer it looks like Tuscany, gold and green, and in the winter it looks like Ireland, misty and verdant. Then there is the lovely climate (about ten to fifteen degrees warmer than San Francisco), the great architecture and gardens, the fantastic food and the friendly people.
Where to Stay? We have wonderful hotels throughout both counties, but we have really wonderful B&B's and small hotels. We have a directory of them based on region. Click to check them out here. If you need a listing of the bigger hotels in the area by region click here.
Why to Visit? All of these would be reason enough to visit, but on top of that there are the wineries and of course, the wine, some of the finest in the world, and you walk in the vineyards where those wines come from and meet the folks who make them! Our books and tours help you enjoy your visit to the fullest while learning about this wonderful area!
Navigation? Wine Country can be tricky though, with lots of country roads, not a lot of road signs or street lights, hundreds of wineries, lots of hotels and restaurants and a wide variety of wines spread over two large, agricultural counties, bisected by a mountain range. That's why having us as your guides and drivers is a smart investment in your enjoyment and safety. That can make all the difference in the memories that you bring home. By the way, remember to bring a camera and sunglasses because there is lots of beautiful scenery and very bright sun!
Touring Hints: Choose a comfortable car. For instance, we tour in a very comfortable Lincoln Navigator that seats up to six passengers, or a GMC Envoy that seats four passengers, although we often drive couples. We also provide passenger vans when necessary. While limousines are flashy, they are hard to get in and out of, and the visibility stinks. That's one of the reasons that we don't use them. A good winery day trip starts at 9 or 10 in the morning. Wineries close between 4 and 6 pm, so don't sit around all morning thinking they stay open like a bar.
Timing: A good wine tour runs from 4 to 10 hours depending on starting point, meals and interests, and whether you are driving yourself or have a professional driver. An average tour is 6 hours. From San Francisco to Napa or Sonoma takes 45 minutes. Allow one hour per winery (including travel between them), and an hour to picnic. Private tastings with the owner or winemaker take longer as do lunch in restaurants.
Pacing: Most people tour the wineries for one day, that's why the expense of a guide makes sense. Even if you are visiting for several days, touring with us on the first day will give you the insider information, contacts and referrals that will make the rest of the trip equally special. It makes a big difference when you have friends in wine country who know their way around.
Guide Books: If you’re exploring wine country for yourself buy our book "Dream Tours of Napa & Sonoma" which is filled with tours, maps, wine tasting tips and a directory of many of the best restaurants and wineries. For more information about visiting Wine County read our articles excepted from our books.
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