TripAdvisor Uncorks America's Top 10 Winery Tours

Best Places to Sample and Explore Fine Wine Identified by Community of TripAdvisor Travelers

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Oct 02, 2013, 06:00 ET

NEWTON, Mass., Oct. 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- TripAdvisor^®, the world's largest travel site*, today announced the top 10 winery tours in the United States, based on the reviews and opinions of TripAdvisor travelers. Each of these outstanding tours offer the opportunity for wine aficionados and novice tasters alike to enjoy sensational sips while learning the vine-to-wine story behind delicious vintages.

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"According to a recent TripAdvisor survey, nearly one-third of U.S. respondents are planning a vineyard visit this fall, and we want to highlight 10 palate-pleasing tours as travelers make their plans," said Brooke Ferencsik, director of communications for TripAdvisor.

Top 10 Winery Tours in the U.S.:

1. Pride Mountain Vineyards, St. Helena, California
Two-thousand feet above the Napa Valley floor, guests of this 235-acre estate will enjoy exquisite views of Mount St. Helena while touring sun-soaked vineyards. After visiting the production facility, the 90-minute experience concludes in the 23,000 square-foot cave where each barrel is aged to perfection. A TripAdvisor traveler commented, "Our tour was informative, relaxed, and fun!" Tours operate six days a week with a $15 fee; advance reservations required.

2. Hendry Ranch Wines, Napa, California
Since 1939, the Hendry family has harvested the hills of this 114-acre ranch located 10 miles northwest of Napa. The winery welcomes travelers with a two and a half hour tour led by owner George Hendry, who gives an in-depth lesson into the art and science behind the bottle. "Hendry Vineyards was a fantastically informative experience," commented a TripAdvisor traveler. Tours operate daily with a $40 fee; advance reservations required.

3. Sannino Bella Vita Vineyard, Peconic, New York
On the North Fork of Long Island, aspiring viticulturists visiting this vineyard will be treated to an intimate tour. Travelers will learn the unique growing conditions of Long Island grapes before sampling the aromatic beverages including merlot, cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay. A TripAdvisor traveler said, "I learned more on this tour than in any other I have taken." Tours are offered Saturday and Sunday with a $25 fee; advance reservations required.

4. Frog's Leap Winery, Rutherford, California
In the heart of Napa Valley, this organic winery makes use of Earth's bounty, producing nearly 60,000 cases each year. During a 90-minute tour, guests will sip four different varietals while enjoying a leisurely stroll through rows of succulent grapes, lush gardens, and the historic Red Barn production facility. One TripAdvisor traveler commented, "This was a fantastic tour learning about the history of the winery and their sustainable practices." Tours are offered Monday – Friday with a $20 fee; advance reservations required.

5. O'Brien Estate Winery, Napa, California
The romance of Wine Country is alive at this 40-acre estate where guests will sip wines labeled with amorous poetry while hot air balloons drift over the distant hills. During the hour-long tour, travelers will be led through the winemaking process, starting beside the leafy vines and concluding in the French oak barrel storage room. A TripAdvisor traveler noted, "I've never had so much fun on a winery tour before." Tours are offered daily with a $20 fee; advance reservations required.

6. Jordan Vineyard & Winery, Healdsburg, California
In the hills of Alexander Valley, visitors can enjoy a 90-minute tour of this magnificent estate while savoring Bordeaux-style wines. Guests will explore the cobblestone terrace overlooking the vineyards before enjoying a seated tasting with chef-paired hors d'oeuvres. "From the first sip on the terrace to the pairings in the private tasting room, everything was first class," commented a TripAdvisor traveler. Tours are offered Monday – Saturday and select Sundays for a $30 fee; advance reservations required.

7. The Benziger Family Winery, Glen Ellen, California
At the base of Sonoma Mountain, this family-run winery individually harvests 29 blocks of vines to create custom blends. Visitors can choose between a tram-style or an in-depth walking tour where they will learn about the winery's organic and sustainable practices. A TripAdvisor traveler commented, "If you only did one tour on your trip, this would be a good one." Tours are offered daily for a fee of $20 - $40; reservations are recommended but not required.

8. Wollersheim Winery, Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin
Thirty miles northwest of Madison, vino enthusiasts can visit this hillside property that was first established as a winery more than 150 years ago. During the hour-long tour, guests will explore the production and fermentation facilities before sampling wines crafted from the vineyard's winter-hardy grapes. "A very beautiful setting that was combined with an informative guided tour," noted a TripAdvisor traveler. Tours are offered daily for a $5 fee; no reservations required.

9. Jarvis Estate, Napa, California
Tunneled into the Vaca Mountains, vintage aficionados will be dazzled by the 45,000 square-foot cave system of this subterranean production facility. The impressive architecture is highlighted throughout a 90-minute tour, which includes a stop at the cave's underground, cascading waterfall. A TripAdvisor traveler commented, "We toured Jarvis on our last day in Napa, and it was spectacular!" Tours are offered daily for a $60 fee; advance reservations required.

10. Schramsberg Vineyard, Calistoga, California
Renowned for their sparkling wines, this historic estate welcomes travelers to explore its 125-year-old hand-dug caves nestled into the rugged Diamond Mountains. The tour details the classic process of producing sparkling wine before concluding with a candlelit tasting of four bubbly blends. One TripAdvisor traveler commented, "We loved the history of the winery and the tour of the caves was so interesting. A must see!" Tours are offered daily for a $50 fee; advance reservations required.

About TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor^® is the world's largest travel site*, enabling travelers to plan and have the perfect trip. TripAdvisor offers trusted advice from real travelers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features with seamless links to booking tools. TripAdvisor branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 260 million unique monthly visitors**, and more than 100 million reviews and opinions covering more than 2.7 million accommodations, restaurants and attractions. The sites operate in 34 countries worldwide, including China under daodao.com. TripAdvisor also includes TripAdvisor for Business, a dedicated division that provides the tourism industry access to millions of monthly TripAdvisor visitors.

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