Platypus Tours

  For the History Buff: A Taste of the Past For those fascinated by  winemaking history , these wineries are  living pieces of the past , with stories spanning centuries. Winery Stops: 🏰  Château Montelena  (Calistoga, Napa Valley) – One of the wineries that  put Napa on the world stage  by winning the 1976  Judgment of Paris , beating out French wines in a historic blind tasting. 🏡  Buena Vista Winery  (Sonoma Valley) – Founded in  1857 , this is  California’s oldest winery , featuring historic caves, 19th-century architecture, and costumed guides. 🍷  Inglenook  (Rutherford, Napa Valley) – Established in  1879 , this grand winery (owned by  Francis Ford Coppola ) boasts a  stunning château and an impressive library of vintage wines . Pro tip:  Take a stroll through  Sonoma Plaza , home to  Mission San Francisco Solano , the last Spanish mission built in California, before heading to B...

  World-class wine, undulating vineyards, and lifelong memories define Napa Valley. Timing your visit smartly will make all the difference in your enjoyment of this legendary area, regardless of your level of wine knowledge or casual drinking frequency. From the excitement of harvest season to the subdued appeal of winter, every season in Napa presents something different. Let’s investigate how to maximize your trip and the ideal times to go on Napa wine tours . Understanding Napa Valley’s Seasons Napa Valley has a Mediterranean temperature with pleasant, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Beyond the seasons, too, the rhythm of winemaking — bud break, flowering, harvest, and dormancy — shapes the vitality of the valley. The optimal time for your visit will depend on your desired activities — lively celebrations, private tastings, or the chance to see winemaking in progress. Harvest Season: August to October The most exciting season Napa has is harvest, sometimes known as crush...