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EXPERIENCE WINE COUNTRY NEWS
Spring Break in Napa Valley with Platypus
Springtime is almost here and for the young that usually means going to south Florida or Lake Havasu depending on which coast one is living on. But little do many know that springtime in the Napa Valley and Sonoma County is a fantastic time for a spring break getaway....
February in Napa
February is one of our favorite months at Platypus Wine Tours. It may be that love is in the air or it may be that the mustard plants are blooming – either way, wine country is a wonderful place to be in during this month. Less crowds and a slower pace make it the...
Top 10 Wine Country Picks from Platypus Guide Army
Revised December 29, 2025 The millions of tourists that flock to wine country every year focus on, well, wine. But Napa Valley and Sonoma have so much more to offer and our guides are the key. These local experts have uncovered every nook and cranny of the region from...
Warm the Soul: Chili Recipe
The wonderfully comforting chili recipe will warm the soul on these cold winter nights (or days for that matter as chili makes great leftovers). TOTAL TIME: 60 min (PREP: 15 min + COOK: 45 min) SERVINGS: 4-6 GATHER THESE INGREDIENTS 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil...
7 Reasons to Visit Wine Country in the Winter
Napa Valley and Sonoma are some of the most beautiful regions in the world and visiting them shouldn’t be reserved for summer and harvest. In fact, one of the most unique times to visit is winter. The cozy atmosphere, serene environment, and distinctive events make...
A Very Merry Holiday in Wine Country
The holidays are a special time in wine country. Locals and visitors alike enjoy all the fun activities in town that stir up that seasonal spirit we love. With the mild climate and sigh of relief after harvest, the community comes together to celebrate. We enjoyed a...
Start Thanksgiving with Our Holiday Breakfast Recipe
We’ve dived deep into November and Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Families and friends come together to share what they are thankful for and to feast on the long-awaited Thanksgiving meal. When the holidays come, we tend to focus on the big holiday dinners....
A Guy’s Wine Country Trip: Not just for the Ladies
By Stuart Schmidt So many times we hear of ladies taking a “girl’s trip” up to wine country for the weekend, but it is a lesser-known secret that Napa Valley and Sonoma have plenty of things to do for the guys too. Though Napa wineries and Sonoma wineries are the...
Ghosts & a Glass of Wine: Halloween in Wine Country
Fall is always a magnificent time in Napa Valley. Now that blue skies have returned and the harvest season is well underway, communities and businesses in the area are planning Halloween events to celebrate the season. Most Napa Valley and Sonoma region wineries and...
Get Your Popcorn Ready: Napa Valley Film Festival
Harvest is happening now but when November comes around it’s all about Napa Valley Film Festival. NVFF will be November 7-11 this year and you simply can’t miss it. Wine country’s festivals are some of the best and this one features incredible films, sneak previews,...
Fall in Love with Our Acorn Squash Recipe
As the colors of the leaves begin to change to warm oranges and reds, our appetites gravitate to comfort foods. This month, try our Homemade Roasted Acorn Squash with coconut, pecans and apricot jam to get you in the mood for fall. While you’re preparing your dish,...
Vine to Wine
Wine country is home to the amazing life cycle of the grape. From vine to wine, we’re looking at the winemaking process. Napa Valley wineries and Sonoma County wineries approach the process differently but essentially follow the same pattern. Check out the steps here...
August in Wine Country
August is the last month of the summer season and harvest is right around the corner in Napa. Sonoma County wineries are bustling with visitors as more and more Sonoma tours from San Francisco arrive. There’s so much for visitors and locals to do – we’re checking out...
Celebrate Fourth of July 2018
In the United States, our Independence Day is the Fourth of July. What does that mean? Parades, fireworks, patriotism, and an appreciation for history. Where will you find a peak of history? Healdsburg wineries in this 19th century town. Families will gather in parks,...
Celebrate Father’s Day with These Fun Activities in Napa!
June 17th is Father’s Day and it’s time to celebrate the Old Man and show him how much he really means to us. Whether you’re gifting him the perfect set of golf clubs, taking him to a fun BBQ event, or planning the ideal tour through Napa wineries and Sonoma wineries...
Andy Hyman: Author & Platypus Wine Tour Guide
Updated December 2025 At Platypus Wine Tours, our tour guides are fully equipped with industry knowledge, wine passion, and some writing skills - at least, in Andy Hyman’s case. Andy has been a tour guide with us for many years, and with his extensive experience in...
Food & Wine Pairings: Joseph Phelps & Davies Vineyards
Napa Valley boasts some of the most magnificent culinary experiences in the world. With access to local and fresh products, a culinary institute with eager chefs-to-be, and restaurants led by world-class culinary teams, the valley provides visitors with tastes that...
BottleRock Napa Valley: What You Need to Know
Napa Valley: the world-famous wine region. Known for its Cabernet Sauvignons, hundreds of wineries, and hosting the best 3-day party of the summer – BottleRock Music Festival. For 3 days, during Memorial Day weekend, guests can enjoy concerts and performances by...
