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EXPERIENCE WINE COUNTRY NEWS
First Time In Wine Country? This Might Be Your Perfect Day
I remember my first trip to Napa before moving to wine country. I was on a corporate excursion following a meeting in San Francisco. It had been planned by an employee at the company I was working for who lived outside California. The beauty of the Napa Valley stayed...
Wine Country Heirloom Tomato Panzanella
A late-summer Wine Country take on panzanella, built around ripe heirloom tomatoes, ciabatta, feta, fresh basil and that great, unfinished bottle of red wine. Serves 6 Ingredients For the Salad 10-12oz ciabatta, preferably a day old 2½ lbs ripe heirloom...
Top Wine Country Picks from Platypus Guide Mike “Pav”
Mike “Pav” has always loved driving, but after 20 years in Napa Valley, it’s sharing the place he knows so well that keeps him behind the wheel. He loves introducing guests to the history, winemaking and stories of the valley—and credits a twist of fate for landing...
Harvest Traditions in Napa Valley & Sonoma Wine Country
Harvest season in Napa Valley and Sonoma Wine Country is filled with traditions—some rooted in centuries-old winemaking practices, while others are unique to the region. Here are many of the most recognizable traditions: Vineyard & Winery Traditions...
Lemon Poppy Seed Cake
Our guides bring more than wine country knowledge to the table. Platypus guide and professional chef Evonne Karie is sharing her recipe for a delicious Lemon Poppy Seed Cake that's simple to make and even easier to enjoy. Wine Pairing: Late harvest...
Top Wine Country Picks from Platypus Guide Linda
One of the things Linda loves most about guiding is that every tour gives her a fresh perspective on the place she calls home. "Since I live in Napa, I love seeing it from the perspective of my guests. When they point out certain architecture or landscapes, sometimes...
Small-Production Sparkling Wines from Hidden Gem Wineries
The world's most recognizable sparkling wines often come from famous houses with centuries of history. But some of the most memorable bottles are quietly being crafted in small-production wineries tucked into the backroads of Napa Valley and Sonoma Wine Country. Here,...
Top Wine Country Picks from Platypus Guide Andy
Andy Hyman has spent more than 13 years sharing the wineries, history, and stories of Napa Valley and Sonoma with thousands of guests. A former teacher and longtime education leader, he has a gift for making wine approachable and enjoyable. Andy is also the co-author...
Grilled Hawaiian Chicken
Sweet, savory, and kissed by the flames, this easy summer dinner tastes like vacation. Juicy chicken thighs soak up a simple pineapple-soy marinade, then get finished with warm pineapple, buttery scallions, and a squeeze of fresh lime. Serves 4–6 Ingredients...
Top Wine Country Picks from Platypus Curator Dustin
Dustin grew up in the small farming town of Winters, just outside Napa Valley. Some of his earliest memories are of visiting Napa with his father and grandfather, filling jugs of wine at V. Sattui and stopping at the Olive Oil Company in St. Helena, where his...
When Wine Tour Packages Make Sense
When Wine Tour Packages Make Sense — And When They Don’t All-inclusive vacation packages have the appeal of convenience, predictable pricing, and the benefit of no planning stress. But there’s a way to achieve all that without sacrificing an authentic and...
Savory Cherry Compote
Cherries don’t always have to be a dessert. This savory cherry compote pairs rich goat cheese, toasted sourdough, fresh herbs, and bright lemon zest for something rustic, unexpected, and incredibly wine-friendly. It’s the kind of simple appetizer that feels...
Spring Risotto with Asparagus
If you’re looking for something fresh but still comforting, this spring risotto is for you. Serves 4 Ingredients: 1 TBS olive oil 2 TBS unsalted butter 1 small red onion, finely chopped 1 lb asparagus (spears separated for roasting - stems chopped...
Is a Private Wine Tour Worth It?
A Napa Valley or Sonoma wine country private tour is about experiencing the aspects of northern California wine country that best match your interests and desires…and perhaps introduce you to a few that you wouldn’t have thought of, or sought, on your own. And...
Top Wine Country Picks from Platypus Guide Luis
"I moved here to wine country to learn more about wine and wine-making. After working at a handful of wineries and being a tour guide for ten years I have indeed learned a thing or two and I enjoy sharing that with Platypus' guests. It’s all too easy for me to get...
Napa Valley or Sonoma Wine Country Small-Group Tour
If you’re deciding between a Napa Valley and Sonoma wine country small-group tour, it helps to know they’re not identical—but the differences are nuanced. They show up in the scenery, the wines, and sometimes the experience itself. While Sonoma County is often...
Top Wine Country Picks from Platypus Guide Steve
Steve Hunter has been a Platypus Tour Guide for over 15 years—and still genuinely loves every minute of it. Originally from Central Florida, Steve earned a Humanities degree from the University of South Florida—a path he jokes didn’t exactly lead to a clear career,...
Pink Grapefruit and Rose Palomas
Pink Grapefruit and Rose Palomas By Shawnda Hansen Napa and Sonoma may be known for wine, but they also have ties to standout tequila brands like Tres Agaves Tequila, El Negocio, and Penta Tequila—all produced in Mexico, as required, with Northern...
