| The majority of visitors to Northern California's Napa | | | | person. |
| Valley wine region expect wine tastings to be free, | | | | There are still a few strategies the informed wine |
| but most Napa Valley wineries have been raising their | | | | lover can use to lessen the blow of winery tasting |
| tasting fees consistently over the last decade. Free | | | | fees. The majority of wineries are willing to waive |
| tastings in Napa Valley are becoming few and far | | | | tasting fees with a bottle purchase (bottles generally |
| between. On average, you can expect to pay | | | | range in price from $20 to $200). Often you can |
| between $5 and $25 per tasting. Tasting with food | | | | avoid winery tasting fees by joining a wine club, but |
| pairings, with cave tours, or with barrel tasting can | | | | this too can be costly depending on the distribution |
| cost as much as $80 per person. | | | | program of that particular wine club. |
| With more visitors each year than Disneyland, | | | | Fear not, you can still find free, quality wine tastings |
| perhaps Napa Valley wineries simply grew tired of | | | | in the world-renowned Napa Valley region: |
| providing more than 8 million complimentary tastings | | | | Frog's Leap Winery offers a complimentary winery |
| annually. In the last year alone, the appointment-only | | | | tour and tasting that is head-and-shoulders above the |
| Caymus Vineyards tasting room went from free to | | | | majority of fee-based Napa Valley tasting rooms. |
| $25 per person, while the renowned Napa Valley | | | | They are located at 8815 Conn Creek Road in |
| winery, deli and picnic stop, V. Sattui, began charging | | | | Rutherford, California. Appointments are required and |
| $5 per person. Rombauer Vineyards has also raised | | | | they are closed on Sundays. Call (707) 963-4704 to |
| their tasting fee from complimentary to $10 per | | | | make your appointment. |