Welcome to our Blog
EXPERIENCE WINE COUNTRY NEWS
What is going on in the vineyards right now
Coming to you with exciting news from Napa Valley and Sonoma County and a live update from the captivating rolling hills of vineyards. Mark your calendars because it is officially bud break and flowering season in the vineyards! What does this mean in terms of wine...
How are you looking to celebrate Lover’s Day?
Now this may come as a surprise, but did you know that Valentine’s Day has a close relative in terms of special holidays designated for celebrating love? That’s right! Set a calendar reminder because Friday, April 23rd is known as National Lover’s Day and what better...
Planning your next weekend getaway to the Napa Valley
As the warmer weather continues to make its way to Napa Valley and the guidelines allow for 100% capacity at wineries and restaurants it is time to start planning your next weekend getaway and Napa Valley wine tours! Now, the beginning stages of planning your getaway...
Mother’s Day in Napa
A special holiday is quickly approaching this Spring, can you guess which one we are talking about? The one and only Mother’s Day of course! A day dedicated to celebrating your mother, whether it is your biological mother or someone you identify as a motherly figure...
Top 7 places to Hike in Wine Country
Moore Creek Park This park is located in the Chiles Valley in Napa county. Some of the trails skirt Lake Hennessy, a large water source for the Napa Valley. You may find sweeping views of a canyon while hiking to the ridge line in this special park....
Napa Valley: Where the soil tells a story
There are over a hundred different soil variations in this very small wine region, thirty miles long and five miles wide. About half of all soils that exist in the world are present in the Napa Valley! Some examples of soils in the Napa Valley are: Valley Floor : Sand...
Tres Sabores
Distinctive, truly enticing, and unconventional. A "hidden gem" in the Napa Valley The Vineyards and Winery of Tres Sabores are nestled against the western hills of Rutherford where the winemaker and owner, Julie Johnson, and her family live and grow dry-farmed,...
Top 7 Women Winemakers in Wine Country
Photos by: Corison.com, Inman Family Wines, WineBusiness.com, ChimneyRock.com, JordanWinery.com, KenzoEstate.com, Interview Magazine Heidi Barrett is one of the most sought after winemakers in Napa Valley. She consults and makes wine for several wineries in the...
What to Expect at Wineries When Wine Tasting This Summer
In the ever changing society we are currently living in surrounded by the regulations of COVID-19, we wanted to share some of the updates happening across the Napa Valley. During these unprecedented times, one thing remains a constant, wine country wants to share...
Changes in Wine Country
Wine lovers from across the globe have traveled near and far, packed their bags, and have headed to the beautiful Napa and Sonoma valleys for a wine tasting getaway. A getaway with memories filled with incredible food, world renowned wineries, beautiful resort...
Top 7 Lists:
Photo Credits: Oxbow Public Market , Stone Brewing Napa , St. Claire Brown Wine & Beer There’s a saying in winemaking : It takes a lot of good beer to make good wine. Find your new favorite beer at one of Napa or Sonoma's breweries. Top 7 Breweries in Napa...
Featured Team Member – Alison Johnston plus St. Patrick’s Day Recipe
Featured Platypus Team Member - Alison Johnston After years as a tour guide Alison is now our Director of Operations. She basically does it all and happens to also be Irish. So if you call us here in the office and hear an Irish brogue, you are lucky enough to be...
Featured Tour Guide: Linda Wright
What Linda’s tour guests have to say about her: “I had toured with Platypus two times prior (both several years ago), and this recent tour did not disappoint. Linda was a great tour guide - caring, personable and knowledgeable. My mother, who joined the tour and...
Featured Winery: Ghost Block Winery
Ghost Block winery is often on our tour itineraries. They are part of the Pelissa family’s trio of wineries in the Napa Valley. They are excited to share with you their new offering of virtual tastings that you can enjoy at home. If you haven’t done a virtual tasting...
Black History Month
February is Black History Month and we’d like to share with you some Black owned wineries in Napa and Sonoma that you could visit on a tour. Sonoma County wineries: Vision Cellars -Windsor - founder Mac McDonald is the Founder/ Chairman of the African American...
Selecting the Perfect Wine Gift
By Andy Hyman Your search should begin by considering the gift recipient's tastes. Most wine drinkers have specific preferences, whether they like a dry white wine or a fun and fruity sparkling Rose' or a bold Cabernet Sauvignon. Consider what you've seen the person...
Featured Winery: Materra Cunat Family Vineyards
There’s so much to admire about Materra Family Vineyards. Discover why we love this Napa Green certified winery located in Oak Knoll, Napa Valley. In 2007, Brian Cunat decided to combine his love of wine and his dream of farming by purchasing a 50-acre property in the...
Top 7 Red Wine Grapes Grown in Napa
The Napa Valley is home to diverse microclimates formed by the many hills and mountains. This creates the perfect home for many grape varietals to flourish. Let's look at the top 7 red wine grapes grown in Napa Valley: 1. Cabernet Sauvignon The most widely planted...