When Wine Tour Packages Make Sense

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

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

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...
Is a Private Wine Tour Worth It?

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

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...
Napa Valley or Sonoma Wine Country Small-Group Tour

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...