Like many others reviews, a good start to the Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Tour was derailed by a non-functioning AC on a nearly full bus.
Our unfortunate experience was realized on 7/6/2022.
After our lunch stop, when we boarded the bus the heat was unbearable. We advised the bus driver/tour guide, Danelo, that the AC was not working. He proceeded to inform the tour participants that the AC was indeed working but that it was weak.
After a 16-minute, unbearably, hot bus ride to our final winery stop we were ready to seek relief once we arrived.
I had a one-on-one with Danelo knowing that we had about a 1.5 hour bus ride back to San Francisco and he again told me that the AC was working.
Once boarded, again the bus was extremely hot. It wasn't until one of our fellow passengers, a child traveling with his family, begged Danelo to turn on the AC that he admitted that there was nothing he could do but to write it up in his book. Danelo's response made it appear that this was a one-off experience. I do understand that these things at time do happen unexpectedly.
At this point I emailed Gray Line Tours as we rode back to San Francisco in hopes that at least other passengers would not have to have a similar experience on subsequent tours and at best we would be met by a fully functional bus somewhere between SF and the final winery visit.
After not hearing back from Gray Line Tours, I reached out to them the next day via phone call.
Michael, at Gray Line, did his best to hear me out and did follow up with me.
Michael seemed genuinely concerned with what I shared with him, especially after he realized that reviews going back to June were pointing out the same non-functioning AC and poor experience.
It was conveyed that there is limited access to other buses which seems to be a main reason why the same non-functioning bus continues to be utilized.
While Michael tried to do his best to make it right, I am disheartened to learn that more reviews alluding to the same non-functioning AC issue are still being populated on recent reviews.
It also worth noting that according to Michael it is against the rules to open the bus windows so there is little relief once onboard the bus.
That being said, if you are okay with riding in a "sauna-like" bus then the tour will be perfect for you.
If not then you may want to call Gray Line beforehand to ensure that the AC is fully functional so you can get the experience that you paid for and deserve.
Good luck!