Napa Winery Etiquette for Your First Visit

Napa winery etiquette comes down to a few habits: book your tastings ahead, arrive on time, use the dump bucket when you want to, pace the day with lunch and water, and check each winery's rules on children and dogs. Your chauffeur handles the driving, so the group can give the wine its full attention.

Each winery sets its own rules. Below, we quote a few wineries' published policies as examples, so you know what to look for when you book.

Plan on reservations. Visit Napa Valley says the popular wineries and tasting rooms fill their reservations weeks in advance. It also notes that some wineries are small and need to know you are coming so someone is there to greet you, and that some have permit restrictions that limit how many guests can visit each day.

Group size matters too. Mumm Napa in Rutherford recommends reservations for all tastings and seats up to eight guests per table, counting designated drivers and anyone who isn't tasting. Alpha Omega, also in Rutherford, welcomes walk-ins when space allows, recommends booking ahead, and asks you to include your full guest count, non-tasters and children included.

When you book, give the winery your real headcount.

Many seated tastings start and end at set times, so wineries publish late-arrival policies. Two examples:

• Mumm Napa offers a 15-minute grace period. It asks you to call if you are running late, and groups more than 15 minutes late need to reschedule.
• Alpha Omega offers a 30-minute courtesy window for late arrivals. Beyond that, it makes a reasonable effort to fit you in but may need to reschedule.

Check the late policy for each winery on your list. On a chauffeured day, we sequence the stops and keep reservations on time, so your part is to be ready when the car is.

Visit Napa Valley says tasting fees vary and there is no typical fee. Check the price on each winery's booking page. Some wineries waive the tasting fee when you buy wine, so it is fine to ask about the policy when you visit.

On tipping, Visit Napa Valley's answer is yes: your host spends the tasting with you, explaining the wines and answering questions, and a tip is appreciated even if you bought a bottle. Your chauffeur's gratuity is separate. It is not included in our quote and is optional; you can tip the chauffeur directly or email info@iblacklimo.com to have it added.

Spitting is a normal part of tasting. Visit Napa Valley's own tasting steps end with spitting into a dump bucket if you want to stay clear-headed. You can also pour out the rest of a glass you don't want to finish.

For pacing, here are our suggestions:

• Plan two or three wineries. Visit Napa Valley recommends 2 or 3 winery visits in a day.
• Eat lunch. Food options vary by winery. Alpha Omega, for example, has no food menu, and Mumm Napa doesn't allow outside food because of its permit. We allow time for lunch when we plan your route.
• Drink water between stops. There is chilled water in the car.
• Go light on perfume or cologne. Visit Napa Valley points out that strong scents mask the aroma of the wine for the people around you.
• Dress in layers. Visit Napa Valley calls the dress code wine country casual, says jeans are fine, and suggests layers because tours often go through caves and chilled cellars.

Policies on children and pets vary widely, so check each winery before you book.

• Mumm Napa requires all visitors to be 21 or older, including infants and children. Dogs and other pets are not permitted; only service animals are allowed on the property.
• Alpha Omega welcomes children who stay calm and closely supervised, and welcomes dogs on a leash.

If young children are coming along, ask us for child seats when you book. We provide them on request when available, and a parent or guardian installs and checks the seat before the car sets off.

If you liked a wine, buying bottles or joining the wine club is a good way to thank the winery. Visit Napa Valley notes that many wine clubs include perks such as complimentary tastings.

Tell us when you book if you plan to buy, so we can size the vehicle for the bottles. Open alcohol in the vehicle may be restricted or prohibited depending on the vehicle type, passenger age, service type, location and the law, so keep your purchases sealed and ask dispatch what applies to your trip.

Your chauffeur drives, waits at each stop, keeps the day on schedule and handles the bags and the doors. Chauffeurs follow the confirmed itinerary. If you want to add or swap a winery on the day, your chauffeur checks with dispatch, and changes like that can change the final price.

For the logistics of the day, from pickup to vehicle choice, read our guide to booking a Napa private driver. We plan wine days across the Napa Valley and the Sonoma Valley, from Carneros and Calistoga to Glen Ellen, Kenwood and Healdsburg.

Send us your date, group size and the wineries you have booked or would like to visit. Dispatch confirms a flat, all-inclusive quote, usually within the hour.

Reserve your car online, or call (888) 491-3088.