Platypus Wine Tours
WINE COUNTRY DIRECTORY
Here is a handy directory of many of wine country’s best wineries. You can use this directory while creating a custom, Private Tour. Please note that Join-in Tour wineries are selected by our experienced guides.
Seeking outstanding terroir, the owners relocated from France to California with their children for three years. They found the ideal environment for Bordeaux grape varieties to thrive in the sunny Californian microclimate. The "Acaibo" project, spearheaded by Gonzague and Claire, aims to create exceptional Californian terroir wine. This involves mastering the unique components of the terroir, including the soil's volcanic origin, comprised of clay loam atop compacted ashes, reminiscent of Mount St. Helena. Founded by third-generation farmer Tom Gamble, Gamble Family Vineyards farms approximately 175 acres of prime estate vineyards from several of Napa Valley’s most respected AVAs. The Gamble family has been farming the Napa Valley since 1916, and every wine we produce is cultivated with their dedication to the land in mind. The very first vintage of Gargiulo Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon was 2000, and since then Gargiulo Vineyards has quietly taken its place among the most highly regarded Cabernet Sauvignon producers in Napa Valley. Not ones to rest on their laurels, Jeff, Valerie, daughter, April and son in law, Mitch and the entire Gargiulo Vineyards’ team continue to strive to make Gargiulo wines the most pure and breathtaking expressions of their two esteemed Oakville vineyards. The Dornbusch family is honored to be the stewards of an incredible vineyard that prides itself on refining the wines that truly reflect the extremely special 25 year history of Gemstone. Gentleman Farmer, small production wines. Each wine tells an authentic story of the seasons and traditions that surround them. Food focused wine to enjoy with food and friends. In 2006, over 100 years after Joseph Pelissa came to Napa Valley, the Pelissa family decided to create their own wines from the grapes they grow. Ghost Block Estate Wines, comprised of three separate brands, are meant to showcase this unpretentious family’s pride in where they live, the vineyards they farm, and their family’s deep roots in Napa Valley history. Girard Winery began in 1975 as a dream of a father-son duo. The two shared a passion for high quality wines, a respect for the Valley's rich history and a pioneering spirit. 25 years later, another vintner with the same passion for winemaking and roots deep in the Napa Valley is continuing the Girard legacy. In 1986, Squire and Suzy Fridell packed up their three-year old daughter and all their worldly goods to trade the freeways and the sand of Southern California for the back roads and fertile soil of Sonoma Valley. They purchased twenty-six acres of raw land, just north of the Village of Glen Ellen. The gentle rolling hills were covered with poison oak, oak trees, manzanita trees, madrone trees, bay trees, and a few redwoods. They cut a few of the trees and put in a road, got poison oak, dug a well and brought in power, got more poison oak, built their Cottage, hand-planted two acres of grapevines, and got a lot more poison oak. After a year of Calamine lotion, itching, and cottage living, they got rid of most of the poison oak, built their new home on top of the hill, started building their winery, planted a second vineyard and created a new life for themselves. Inspired by a centuries-old understanding of the balance between earth and wine, we pursue winegrowing with a respect for each vine and for each person in our extended family. Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards implemented the Code of Sustainable Winegrowing Practices and became certified in 2016. Godspeed is an artisan grower in the Mount Veeder Appellation of Napa Valley situated at an altitude of 1500 ft. The vineyard is the project of the Larry Stricker family. Since 1990 Larry has taken advantage of his exceptional vineyard by bottling half his production under his own label. Three wines are produced at Godspeed: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Trinity. All three are made in a very elegant, almost "European: style, with an emphasis on the vineyard's unique micro-climate, as expressed in the wine's balance and fruit element. Originally founded in 1985 by David and Colleen Topper, this small boutique winery is just five minutes from many famous restaurants in downtown Yountville and now family owned and operated by Chris Coors Ficeli, the great great granddaughter of Adolph Coors of the Coors Brewing Company. As you travel to the estate on State Lane in Yountville, one of the many backroads, you can enjoy the view from their vineyards, take in a tour, relax on the scenic deck, or watch the production of grapes as it turns to wine. Taste their Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot which are favorites here and boast incredible flavors! Their guiding philosophy is quite simple: great wines always begin with exceptional fruit. Committed to natural winegrowing and sustainability, they farm their five estate vineyards without artificial fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides. They are all certified organic. You are invited to the Groth winery in Oakville, Napa Valley. Experience the beauty of their mission-style winery and taste the elegance of their wonderfully crafted wines. Gundlach Bundschu is California’s oldest continuously family-owned winery, originally founded in 1858 by Jacob Gundlach. It is located 5 minutes from the historic Sonoma Plaza.. Today it is owned and operated by the 6th generation of Bundschu’s and known for being a place to bring families and to have fun. They specialize in making distinctive estate grown wines and typically showcase music on their property so you and your family can enjoy a fun-filled family experience. Beautiful grounds to picnic areas and plenty of places to walk around to see the history of the property are encouraged. They specialize in their red wines, but also showcase their chardonnays and roses. Many different tour offerings can be selected from a Pinzgauer tour to the historic winery tour. A lot is here to sample and see for the visitor and all ages.
1077 Dunaweal Ln., Calistoga, CA 94515