| Everyone loves a holiday every once in a while. | | | | On a trip to the Napa valley, you will get the chance |
| Getting away from it all to spend a little bit of time | | | | to see some of California's most prominent vineyards |
| by yourself or with like minded individuals is the best | | | | including the estates of Domaine Chandon (of |
| way to unwind and recharge your batteries. If we | | | | Moët et Chandon fame) and Robert Mondavi. |
| spent our whole lives working without a break we | | | | Obviously the driving part of the tour precludes any |
| would all be much less serene and we wouldn't live as | | | | extensive sampling of the product, but it does give |
| long. It is therefore definitely a good thing to spend a | | | | you some excellent pointers as to what wines may |
| little bit of time o holiday, doing what we want to do. | | | | be worth buying for enjoyment at the end of the |
| And in the case of the California wine tour packages | | | | tour. |
| that are available from more than one source, this | | | | Including the Sonoma tour will bring the journey up to |
| means combining a bit of time away with the | | | | nine and a half hours, but will allow you the extra |
| enjoyment of a good bottle of wine - the perfect | | | | benefits of seeing how things are done in two |
| recipe for an ideal holiday, as most wine lovers would | | | | separate settings. Getting an idea for the terroir of |
| have to agree. | | | | each separate vineyard - that special X factor that |
| One possible holiday for the wine lover would be a | | | | makes a wine from one estate taste so radically |
| tour of the Napa and Sonoma valleys. The Napa | | | | different from one just across the road - will give |
| valley in particular is one of the true epicenters of | | | | you a special appreciation for what makes viniculture |
| wine production in this part of the world. Famous for | | | | such an enchanting and varied pursuit, and also gives |
| its wonderful, highly drinkable and accessible wines, | | | | an insight into why those of us who love wine have |
| the famed wine producing area of California is | | | | our little favorites. |
| somewhere that all wine lovers should have the | | | | It is not all about wine, either. Most California wine |
| chance to visit before they retire or at least shortly | | | | package tours will give the opportunity for |
| afterwards. An utterly charming part of the world, | | | | sightseeing, shopping and even a short spell in a spa, |
| with the perfect climate for viniculture, the Napa | | | | if that is what takes your fancy. California is |
| valley is something of a spiritual home for lovers of | | | | something of a hallowed ground for anyone with an |
| wine. You can set aside a few days to see the sights | | | | appreciation of wine, and people come from Europe, |
| of this dramatic and beautiful part of the world, or | | | | South Africa and Australia (among other wine-rich |
| take just a day to enjoy the seven-hour driving tour | | | | locales) to experience it, so there is clearly a lot to |
| that will take you through the valley. | | | | be said for the opportunity. |