Started with some tour members running late. We waited, which was was very considerate but the couple did not show. The tour guide was knowledgeable and shared interesting facts along the way. We then went to the Golden Gate Bridge and had wonderful photo opps. The couple caught up at bridge so we proceeded to our first winery stop, Roche Winery.
Disappointed that we weren’t touring Napa. That was one of the reasons I travel across country, extended my trip and paid extra for new travel arrangements and hotel costs. Friends in Miami had shared how much enjoyed Napa.
Roche was impressive. Their spokesman shared practical, entertaining and simplified wine tasting techniques. He allowed us to revisit a wine of choice. That site in the end was the best visit of our tour.
Our next stop was Muscartini. The host team was were very gracious and generous with their time and information. Their wine was good and created by custom blending, much like artisanal brewing. The garden seating was picturesque and comfortable with seating under trees with cool breezes. Tasting was enhanced with cool water and fruit and cheese trays for purchase. It was good to see two very different approaches to private sale only opportunities.
I kept hoping we were heading to Napa but we never made it there and we were not told that it was taken off the agenda.
Lunch at Sonoma center was next, where it was extremely hot. Unfortunately near record setting heat. There were several choices for lunch and souvenirs. When we left two other people failed to return on time and had to be left behind, but joined us at the final stop. BR Chon Winery was a very nice venture that featured a Wedding on site. Wine tasting was generous here as well. They had bottled water and mango sorbet for purchase along with wine. Red wine was outstanding at BR Cohn and the beautiful buildings focusing on music and wine promoted many photos by our group.
What we saw and experienced was nice, however, I would have passed on this tour if I had been informed that Napa would not be included. I gave time and money amounting to a considerable expense personally to me that I cold have avoided. I felt like the tour company engaged in bait and switch. I was very dissatisfied. Adding insult to injury, the trip back, was about an hour of no A/C in sweltering heat. The charging plugs for phones did not work so my battery ran out on the way back, so no more pics for me.
When I complained to the tour organizers, Viator after the trip. They did not provide so much as an apology and no compensation options, just a message of no full refund when I requested some consideration. I plan to return to San Francisco and Fisherman’s Wharf but I do not recommend this tour for the reasons listed here.
Одговор домаћина
Oct 2021
Hello floridagirl90,
Thanks for the time you spent writing this review. We would never pretend to cheat anyone, and following the point you mention, our tour description states the wineries covered in our itineraries.
We work with many selected suppliers and rotate them to cover Napa & Sonoma during the different days we operate. Unfortunately, on the day of your tour, 2 of our Napa partners had to cancel the tasting due to being short in staff, and we had to pivot to keep offering the 3 wineries set in the itinerary and the guided tour.
On the other hand, we're glad to read that you enjoyed Roche, Muscardini, and Br-Cohn. All of them are great wineries, and we are happy about their partnership.
Regards
Andrew
Sales Manager
Gray Line San Francisco