Amicis Wine Tours, Napa & Sonoma, Apps, Books & TV

What we do on our private tours: We create day trips based on your interests, driving SUV's for couples and small groups. Most of our tours last from 5 to 8 hours depending on the starting point; the city or wine country. We normally work with group up to six, or more using multiple SUV's.  

Wineries are open from 10am to 5pm so we start early. Plan on having a picnic, unless the weather is too cold, which is rare here. Plan on one hour for lunch and on visiting a winery per hour. You can visit more if you like because you're not driving. Please don't underestimate how much a driver/guide adds to your enjoyment of the day.

Between saving you time and stress, not to mention potential legal entanglements, hiring a car and a knowledgeable guide could be the smartest choice you make when planning your trip.

Our standard SUV rate for up to six people is $75 per hour. That rate is comprehensive and there are no added fees that normally add 25% to the 'top of the page prices' of most transportation companies.  Please contact us for a quote on our rates if you need a van and bus for your larger group.

For our SUV's we use a comprehensive rate because we realize that often one person arranges the tour for a small group. They have to tell their friends how much it will cost beforehand. Those hidden fees can make for unpleasant discussions at the end of the tour day. We like to avoid that so we tell you what it is going to cost, complete, per hour. How long the tour lasts is up to you, the client.

Photos of Napa and Sonoma 

To book a tour or ask questions Call Lahni @ 707-235-2648 or use this form. We respond quickly. Rates: $65 to $75 per hour for car & driver + fuel charge, depending on starting point and number of days. No hidden fees.

Note: Most companies quote a base rate and then add hidden fees after you've been drinking all day. Good for billing, not for you. Our prices are up front and honest. Licensed by the California PUC TCP 23123, Commercially Insured. 

If you wish to share more information about what you would like in a tour click HERE for a detailed questionnaire. It includes most of the questions that we would like to ask to create a great wine tour for you.

Here is what some guests have written to us about their wine tours:

To see current Yelp reviews click here.

Hello, Lahni and Ralph,

 Well, I've already given you kudos on your Amicis Tours Facebook page, but I wanted to just say "thanks" again.  You truly made our experience fabulous.  I'm not sure what the best part was -- hearing your stories and learning from you, or the wine. ... Ok, it was the wine, but without you, we wouldn't have had the wine!  

 
Seriously, I feel so fortunate to have found you.  You took away all of the stress and hassle of planning our winery visit; you provided us with background information, history and tips that we would not otherwise have had; and you absolutely know how to put the "customer" into "customer service."  Yours was beyond reproach.  And I'm pretty hard to impress.

I have some lovely photos, many of which are on my Facebook page as of a couple hours ago.  I'm also happy to make a CD and send it to you if you give me your mailing address.

 You two are without a doubt in the right profession.  I thank you once again for making our first -- and absolutely NOT our last -- trip to Napa most memorable.

 Cheers!

 Kelly - Spring 2011

Dear Lahni and Ralph:

 Thanks to both of you for our recent wine tour in Napa. You were perfect guides, very attentive to our needs and wants, and brimming with knowledge about wines, vineyards, wineries, and Napa history. Thanks for the extra stop at the Culinary Institute. Your Lincoln Navigator was ultra-comfy and it was a relief to just sit back and sample the wine without having to worry about driving. I hope that any readers of this letter understand that they will be getting great value for their money.

 Best wishes and may our paths cross again.

 Bob and Sharon Strochak

Chuck Ross and Rosemarie Novack  - Spring 2011

Hi Ralph,

First and foremost, Thank You so much for a great tour! Despite the crazy
weather, we had a great trip and enjoyed the wineries that you selected very
much! They were all great, but I really loved Jeffrey! He's just so cute
and endearing! You are a fountain of information and the passion for your
valley comes through with every story and piece of information you related.

Have a great spring and when we are back in Napa and need a guide, we will
definitely give you a call!

It was a true pleasure to meet you,
All the best,
Yvonne McCoach
(the Canadians who came down in the rain! Feb 25-29)   



Caro Ralph,Agradeço muito sua especial atenção para com a família Santos e família Costa durante nossa estada em Sonoma e Nappa Valley, você foi muito gentil e nos ofertou uma oportunidade impar ,que nos foi de grande valia.Todos nós gostamos muito de você e do seu serviço ; espero que num futuro breve venhamos a nos encontrar novamente, e com certeza iremos recomendar sua agencia para todos nossos amigos que desejam ir para Califórnia fazer o circuito dos vinhos.Aceite um forte abraço . TKS Paulo Walter Leme dos Santos


Dear Ralph and Lahni,
Just a note to let you know how much Janice, John, Marriane and I enjoyed our tour with you on 10/6.  Your knowledge of the Napa and Sonoma areas added measurably to the enjoyment of the trip. I am sure that we were able to see and do more in one day than we would have accomplished on our on, not to mention the convenience of having you do the planning and driving so we could just enjoy the experience. You have a great thing going and we would recommend your book and service to anyone we know heading your way. Thanks again, Tom Hitchcock.

You're the Best! Thanks for being our tour guide and sharing your wisdom!  - Margery Toma

Ralph- You are one of the most knowledgeable people I have ever met! Thanks for a great day in Wine Country!  - Courtney D.

Thanks so much for being a great tour guide. We had a wonderful time learning about wine country.  - Carolyn

Ralph - I am so glad that you were our guide for my first trip to Napa - couldn't imagine a more memorable experience. I'm looking forward to reading your books and seeing you during my next trip to Napa.  - Giacinta

Thank you for sharing your wine country knowledge with us... I'm convinced you read as you wait. We had a perfect experience. Hopefully I'll see you in Napa again.  - Shadi Vazir

Amicis Winery Tours 2013

Contract & Current Policies & Rates - SUVs

 

FEES: The standard vehicle rate for parties up to 6 persons is $75 per hour. We do add a fuel surcharge since fuel costs are so high. Surcharge is currently $30 for tours originating out of downtown Napa or Sonoma and touring in either the Napa or Sonoma Valleys. There is a $50 fuel charge for tours originating out of and/or touring in San Francisco, Calistoga or Healdsburg. Fuel charges are subject to change in relation to gasoline prices. We do not add hidden fees at the end of the tour such as service fees, PUC fees, taxes, etc. as many other carriers do. Some people like to give the driver a gratuity and while it is always appreciated, it is not expected. Tasting fees and the cost of meals is not included. Tasting fees on average run between $15 - $25 per winery per person (some are less, some quite a bit more) although couples often share a tasting. Also included, as our gift to our guests, will be an autographed copy of one our books in our ‘Amicis Winery Guides Series’. (while supplies last) Note: pricing through limos.com is calculated in a slightly different way but we convert it to our current pricing, usually lower, at the time of booking.

 

MINIMUMS: We have a 5 hour minimum including Friday, Saturday, Sunday, & Holidays and 6 hrs originating out of the San Francisco, Calistoga or Healdsburg areas (although 8 hrs is more common for tours from these areas b/c of drive time back and forth to/from wine country), 3 hrs minimum for dinner/events.

 

TRANSLATION & SPEAKERS FEES: We offer translation services in Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, French and a bit of German at no additional charge when providing tour services for groups of 6 or fewer. We can also offer translation as a separate service. When translation only, not driving, is requested, the hourly fee is $30.  We are also professional speakers and are knowledgeable about wine country. Fees for speaking services can range from $500 - $2,500 per event, depending upon the size of group, location, topic and venue as well as the length of the assignment. Please phone for customized pricing.

 

RESERVATION POLICY: We tour in SUVs for the ease and comfort of our clients. The fees will be charged at $75 per hour, with no surprise add-ons (license fees, tax, surcharges, etc) at the end of the day. Tasting Fees and the cost of meals are not normally included but can be arranged so as to include them in a flat rate billing. (see FEES)

 

For your convenience, you are welcome to change the card you actually use at the end of the tour. We take your card for confirmation because of our cancellation policy.  YOUR RESPONSE IS REQUIRED: To reserve a date we need complete billing information including CC#, exp date, name on card, security code number (CSC), billing address, billing phone. We would also like a cell phone number to be used on the day of the tour. Email confirmations will be sent when the reservation is finalized by your returning the reservation email with your acceptance of the contract terms. This written acceptance, together with your typed or other electronic signature (matching name on credit card) is required within 24 hours of receipt of our reservation email. This signature and giving us your billing details denotes full agreement and acceptance of this entire contract agreement.

 

CANCELLATION POLICY: If you cancel this date prior to 7 days before the scheduled day of tour, there is no cancellation fee. Cancellations within the 7 day period before the date of the tour will be charged a $150.00 non-refundable cancellation fee on the card we have on file. Cancellations within the 2 days prior to the date of the tour will be charged for the full amount of time scheduled for the tour. Tours cancelled on the day of the tour may be charged an additional fuel charge if the driver has already left the garage. Open ended tours will be charged 5 hour minimum tour, or $375.00, 6 hour minimum for San Francisco pick up or $450.00 or the full amount of any special deal price to the card on file. If the driver has already left and is en route before the cancellation is received, an additional fuel surcharge will also apply.

 

LIABILITY: The client is responsible for his/her guests in every regard to this agreement. Client assumes full financial responsibility for any damage to our vehicle or property caused by client or party whether by accident, neglect or intent. Excessive cleaning fee for any vomit/bodily fluids is $500 plus loss of revenue. Client assumes responsibility for overtime fees and authorizes credit card charges to be made for these costs or any others due and not collected at the end of the tour. Amicis Tours assumes no responsibility for items left in the vehicle at any time. Driver may terminate the charter without refund should they deem client or party unruly or violating safe operation of the vehicle. Amicis Tours assumes no responsibility for illegal acts of client during rental. Amicis Tours cannot be held responsible for delays or inconvenience due to traffic, unforeseen mechanical failures or situations deemed an "Act of God".

 

BILLING: All fees are processed through the parent corporation:  SPACE AND TIME DESIGNING, INC.

Please provide an email address and let us know if you would like a copy of your paid bill sent to you after the charge has been processed.

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