Why Choose this Guide?

It’s the only guide with VIP Tours & Tasting Passes.  For $49, you get insider tips, VIP Passes to my favorite wineries & soon…a turn by turn itinerary.  Until then, email me after you have the guide & I’ll email you the matching itinerary.

Why Go to These Wineries Rather than the Many Others?

Because I vetted them against hundreds of wineries.  Over 2 1/2 years, I made multiple visits to each winery & spent an average of 1 1/2 hours each time.  Obviously, you may have already chosen to visit some wineries that you love; if you want to discover something new without being disappointed, this guide’s for you.

My criteria is simple:

• They are always friendly & welcome everyone as a guest, not a tourist, whether you’re a casual wine drinker, an enthusiast or a serious oenophile.
• They offer a variety of wines at reasonable prices.
• They offer a better way to taste & learn about wine other then a bar tasting.

Most wineries failed the first criteria. Sometimes they were lazy, rude, disengaged with the guests, or sounded scripted & bored. I’m not the first to say, “I’ll never go back there again.” Why waste your time?

Other wineries passed the first test, but failed the second. I like to stretch my wine buying budget, so I’m an advocate of reasonably priced wine, so I can buy more. I also like to drink all kinds of varietals, not just Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay.  I hope my choices will introduce you to many exciting varietals.

Last of all, some wineries met the first two criteria but just don’t have a VIP experience yet.  It’s almost impossible to fully appreciate everything a wine tasting experience can be when you’re competing for someone’s attention at a tasting bar.  The tours & tastings I picked for my book are all unique & fabulous in my opinion.

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Get the book, read the detailed itineraries of each region (Sonoma or Napa) and choose where you want to go.  Use VinoVisit to make your reservations, personalize your itinerary & get turn-by-turn directions. Write in the notes that you have Alana’s Insider Pick’s & Tips Guide and want to reserve your VIP experience.  (Some reservations can be made the same day, details & phone numbers are on each Pass.)  When you arrive, you’ll be greeted liked VIPs.  Just show the guidebook to your host, they’ll remove the pass and hand the guide back to you.  It’s easy & civilized!

A Tip of the Glass

As a local, I have all kinds of insider knowledge that will make your trip go smoothly.

Wondering where the best deli is for picnic supplies?  Where you can Salsa dance & taste wine?

Why should you bring a emergency baguette?

What do tasting room staff want you never to do?

Where do the local’s gather to people watch?

When should you join the wine club?

I thoroughly enjoyed sharing tips that will help you enjoy a comfortable wine tasting experience and give you plenty of information to find the best places to eat, shop & be entertained in Sonoma & Napa.  Tips are dispersed throughout the guide.

A Few More Details

• Vol 1 covers Sonoma & Napa Counties.
• There are bonus passes for three luxurious B&B’s/guest houses in Kenwood, Napa & Healdsburg.
• The lodging passes are for special gifts like bottles of wine & amenities, when you call, they’ll give you the best available rates.
• All the winery passes are for VIP tours & tasting, most of them cover up to four people in your party.
• I’ve recommended my favorite restaurants in the Tips; there is one bonus pass for free tapas named after me.
• Each pass is worth at least $40.
• Each VIP book is good for two years from the date of publication.
  

Ready to Plan Your Itinerary?

Four easy steps…

1. Purchase the book.  It will be priority mailed to you.
2. Come back here and read my itineraries.
3. Select your wineries.
4. Make your reservations & create your own itinerary using VinoVisit.

I’m Here to Help

If you’re ready to take your trip, get the guide & go!

If you have more questions or want to discuss your itinerary, shoot me an email, Alana (at) girlwithaglass.com

Have a wonderful trip! Cheers~ Alana

VIEW DETAILS OF THE PASSES.

Wine, food, friends & travel are my passion. After years of pairing wine & food at home, I started a blog to help my friends select wines & make quick, easy gourmet recipes. Soon I added posts about wineries & restaurants I’d visited, hobbies such as decorating, gardening and photography, and tidbits that crossed my mind.

The book has something for everyone. You’ll rediscover your old favorites like Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah, Chardonnay & Sauvignon Blanc as well as be introduced to Rhone varietals, blends, aperitifs & dessert wines.This is my labor of love. I’ve spent years going to wineries and having good days and bad.  This book is full of my most amazing experiences.Occasionally, wine tasting trips leave much to be desired–you end up drunk, bored, disappointed and sometimes, even taken advantage of.  There’s no reason for this to happen to you!You will always be welcomed at the places I send you.  You’ll taste the most amazing wines, lots of varieties and the prices won’t break your budget.  Some of the places are off the beaten path, some you’ll recognize.  You can taste whites, reds, meet wine makers and be treated like a VIP. This book is for the casual wine drinker, the enthusiast and the wine lover!  I’m so happy to give you access to days of wine tasting, great B&B’s, & tips on where to shop & eat.  You can have a fantastic trip for the price of a tip at dinner!Cheers!

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