Platypus Tours Limited

Pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready for all the fun happening in wine country in the next 3 months! With it still being the height of Cabernet Season in the valley, there are a lot of fun and exciting events coming up, from visiting Sonoma Valley wineries to experiencing an international film fest, you won’t be disappointed with this year’s lineup. Entertain Time for some music! Yountville Live is rolling back into town this upcoming March 2020 to kick off the music festival scene in wine country. Located in the charming town of Yountville, just a hop, skip, and 10-minute drive from downtown Napa, Yountville Live is entering into its fourth year. This unique and world class festival brings together the combination of fine wine, delicious renowned cuisine, and a selection of some of today’s top musical artists. Enjoy a full four-day weekend jammed pack with some incredible performances by visiting Yountville Live’s exclusive website here. Another great event happening...

It’s hard to believe, but 2019 is nearly over. We’re entering the roaring 20’s and filling out our resolution lists. This is the time to reflect on the previous year in wine country – travel experiences, visits to amazing  Napa Valley wineries  and  Sonoma Valley wineries , fantastic music and film festivals, and another successful harvest. Now, we’re filled with holiday cheer and are looking forward to the NYE celebrationsin Napa and Sonoma. Join locals and visitors in attending any of these upcoming New Year’s Eve festivities. New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball at Castello di Amorosa: This is a favorite in wine country – a luxurious red carpet welcomes guests dressed in elaborate costume and masks, a decadent dinner paired with Castello wines is served in the Grand Barrel Room, and sweet wines and dessert finish off the meal at La Fantasia Lounge. The party continues on two different dance floors and everyone toasts to the new year. All while being in a grand castle ...

With the beautiful autumn colors in full swing at the  wineries in Napa Valley , why not spend the Thanksgiving holiday in wine country? With some exciting events taking place, we highly recommend packing your bags and experiencing Napa and Sonoma for the holiday season! Wine country definitely knows how to celebrate a special occasion with delicious food and amazing wine (of course), see the list of wineries and restaurants open on Thanksgiving here. As always, we highly recommend calling ahead to make your reservations to ensure you are able to taste at the  wineries in Sonoma  and Napa Valley. Looking for something truly memorable this holiday season? Our friends over at Balloons Above the Valley will be open this Thanksgiving and are currently having a holiday special! Experience a breathtaking hot air balloon ride over the rolling hills covered in vineyards this holiday weekend. You can find out more information by visiting their website here. Wanting to skip th...

Still trying to book your next Napa Valley getaway, but unsure of what time of year to go? Looking to experience something new on your trip to wine country? Look no further than the annual Napa Valley Film Festival week from November 13-17, 2019. This world-class film festival, combined with educational cinematic art programs, is Cinema Napa Valley’s main focus and mission for the community. The valley becomes enriched with the excitement for the film festival and not to mention the incredible food and wine components. Since there is an increase in visitors during this time, we recommend you book your hotel, restaurant reservations, and  Napa wine tour  or Sonoma wine tour ahead of time. Choosing to attend Napa Valley Film Festival will leave you with some remarkable memories. From the feature films competition, to industry mixers, to panel conversations with film industry professionals, to the popular Festival Gala. The Film Festival is a true way to celebrate the importa...

It’s the most wonderful time of the year here in beautiful wine country (and we’re not talking about Christmas)! Harvest is here for most wineries in Napa and Sonoma wineries and they’re all gearing up for this busy season. People travel from all over the world to this small corner of California to experience the iconic season of harvesting the grapes that will then begin the fermentation process and lead to that delicious wine in their glass. While the valley fills with travelers looking to explore the region and all the food and wine it has to offer, the wineries in Napa are ready to celebrate. The wineries have been waiting all year for the hustle and bustle of harvesting the grapes and seeing the fruits of their labor. If you are headed to wine country during this time you are in luck, the wineries in Napa and Sonoma wineries welcome guests to join in on the fun. Make sure to visit your favorites wineries website and social media accounts to see if they will be hosting any e...

It is true, Napa Valley is one of the most gorgeous destinations in the world with some of the best known wineries. While the Napa Valley wineries seem to be the main attraction when visiting wine country, there are countless options to get outside and experience all the beauty. Some may be surprised to discover there is so much more to do on your visit to Napa Valley along with a Napa wine tour! If you are looking to experience some Napa Valley wineries in addition to exploring other adventures in the area, we have created a list of other outdoor activities you can experience.  The water is calling. Experience the valley in a whole new way with a kayak, paddle board or gondola ride on the river right though Napa. If you are looking for a full lake experience look no further than Lake Berryessa, a quick 45-minute drive away from downtown. Experience a full day at the lake and not to mention the gorgeous drive along the way through beautiful wine ...

Each Platypus Wine Tour offers guests the chance to explore wine country, taste fine wines from wineries in Sonoma and wineries in Napa , and dine on a picnic lunch at a scenic location. Our chefs prepare the picnic and when it’s lunchtime, our tour guides prepare the meal. Recently, more and more guests have asked us “what is in that special sauce in the sandwiches?!” Our chef loves getting these questions because it means folks enjoyed the food enough to want to recreate it themselves. The sauce is surprisingly simple so there’s no excuse not to try it at home. Pair it with your favorite wines from wineries in Sonoma or wineries in Napa. So, by popular demand, we present Chef Carlos’ The balsamic dressing used for our sandwiches (but can have other uses too – get creative!): Chef Carlos’ Balsamic Dressing 1 cup Balsamic vinegar 2 cups Olive oil 2 Tbs Dijon mustard 2 Tbs dry Italian seasoning 2 tsp salt 1 tsp black pepper In a blender add all ingredients except oil...