FAQs
Frequently Asked QuestionsPrivate Group Single-Day Tours
What time does the tour start?
Private tour start times are customizable. We recommend starting your tour at 11 am in wine-country locations and earlier in city sightseeing locations. Hotel, residential, or office pick-ups would start before 11am and depend upon your pick-up location.
Where do I join the Tour?
Private Tour pick-up locations:
Customizable.
We pick up throughout Los Angeles County, Ventura County, and Santa Barbara County and some of Riverside and San Bernandino County. Please request.
Join in Tour pick-up locations:
- Central Meeting Locations: Reservations required – we do not automatically stop at these locations if we do not have a pick-up.
- The Stonehaus Restaurant and Vineyard, Westlake Village Inn, Westlake Village CA, (N. Los Angeles)
- Santa Barbara Train Station, Santa Barbara, CA
- Los Olivos General Store, Los Olivos, CA
- Solvang Visitors Center, Solvang, CA
- Hotels and some vacation Rental Homes upon request.
- Santa Barbara County:
- Santa Barbara Wine Country: Solvang, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez, Ballard, Buellton
- Santa Barbara, Montecito, Goleta, Summerland Carpinteria
- Ventura County: Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks,
- North Los Angeles County: Agoura Hills, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills and Calabasas.
Include your pick-up address in the form when you book.
How long is the tour?
Customizable.
Wine Tours are most typically 5 to 6 hours in wine country 11 tp 4pm or 5pm.
City Sightseeing Tours typically start earlier and last longer.
On a wine tour, how many Wineries do we visit?
Customizable.
On wine tours, most typical is 3 winery stops with a picnic lunch at one of the stops. Time spent at wineries is most typically 1 hour and 30 minutes with drive time in between
Do I need a reservation?
Yes. You may book online, by email, text or phone call.
What type of vehicles do you use?
Our primary vehicle is newer model Mercedes Sprinter with leather seats, high ceilings, and large picture windows. For larger groups we use various makes and sizes of luxury buses.
How much wine is served during a tasting?
Most wineries serve 4 to 6 one-ounce pours of different wines you select from their menu. After visiting a few wineries, these seemingly small tastings can add up to close to a bottle of wine, making it very important to have a designated driver.
How much do wine tastings cost?
Tasting fees at the wineries are not included and are charged by the wineries. The cost of visiting a winery can vary widely depending on the vineyard and the type of experience you are looking for.
We can help you select wineries with warm & friendly service, and excellent wines that are moderately priced. Wine tasting fees in Santa Barbara, Temecula, Paso Robles typically run about $25-$30 per tasting. Napa Valley and Sonoma typically run more. Most wineries will waive the tasting fee if you purchase a certain number of bottles of wine to go. The number of bottles required varies from winery to winery.
Is this tour escorted by a group leader or host?
Yes, this tour is escorted by a Grape Adventures group leader/host who will take care of all of the details before and throughout your tour.
Can I cancel my tour?
Yes.
Private tours: Cancellation terms depend upon the location of the tour.
Join in tours: If you need to cancel outside of 24 hours of your tour, we will refund you 100%. If your trip is within 24 hours, we will credit you for a future trip.
Am I required to purchase wine from the wineries?
No, you are not obligated to purchase wine from the winery.
However, if you enjoyed the wine, the best way to support local wineries is to take home a few bottles. Your Grape Adventures host can store your purchased wine in the air-conditioned tour vehicle.
Is lunch included on the tour?
No. However food is available to be purchased through out the day. For wine tours, picnic lunches are available for purchase. You may enjoy them at one of the wineries or vineyards we visit. Restaurant stops may also be arranged.
Are there any additional fees?
There is an online booking fee. Please To avoid this fee, you may fill out a credit card authorization form. Taxes and fuel surcharges are included. Gratuity for the host and driver is at your discretion.
Are gratuities included?
No. Customers may provide gratuity at their discretion to their host and driver at the end of their tour as a personal “thank you” for a job well done.
What time does the tour start?
Our first wine tasting usually begins at the Winery or Wine Village at 11:00. The tour typically lasts from about 11:00 am to about 4:30 pm in the Vines.
Pickup Locations & Times
The Grape Adventures offers pick-up and drop-off service from your Santa Barbara, Montecito, or Solvang Hotel.
If you wish, you can join us at one of our pre-determined pickup locations in Los Angeles, Ventura, Montecito, Santa Barbara & Solvang. See below for locations and times
* When you book your tour, select the name and address location of your hotel or your desired pre-determined pick-up location on the drop-down window located on the booking form. This is important so we know where to meet you.
! Please do not wait at the pick-up area without a reservation and confirmation for pick-up
Pick-up Times & Locations
8:30am: North Los Angeles (Calabasas, Westlake Village). – Pick-up/Drop-off Location: The Stonehaus: 32039 Agoura Rd, Westlake Village, CA – MAP
9:15 am: Ventura, Oxnard: Pick-up / Drop-off in front of Mission Basilica San Buenaventura – MAP – Please confirm your pickup at [email protected] first
9:45 am: Santa Barbara Area – Santa Barbara, Goleta, Carpinteria) – Pick-up/Drop-off at your Hotel
9:45 am You can also join your tour from our designated pick-up location at the Santa Barbara Amtrak Train Station located at 209 State Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101-3833
10:45 am: Santa Barbara Wine Country – (Solvang, Santa Ynez, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez, Buellton, Ballard) – Pick-up / Drop-off at your Hotel
How long is the wine tour?
Our Santa Barbara join-in wine tour is an all-day adventure typically lasting between 5 – 6 hours allowing time to savor each moment and indulge in Santa Barbara’s exquisite wines and views. The overall duration of the tour depends on where you join the tour.
Morning departures from the Santa Barbara area are typically in the 10:00 hour, varying slightly with each hotel location. Expect to return in the late afternoon about 4-4:30 pm.
The Travel time from Westlake Village (Los Angeles) to Santa Barbara Wine Country is 1.5 hrs. Pickup in Westlake is at 8:30. It is a 9-10 hour day if you depart from Westlake.
How many Wineries do we visit?
We will visit 3 wineries or you can substitute a winery for a tasting at the wine villages of Solvang or Los Olivos… Your choice! We typically spend an hour to 1:15 hrs at each location. This allows for an immersive experience without feeling rushed, giving you ample time to appreciate the winery’s unique offerings and ask any questions you might have about their wines or winemaking process.
Do I need a reservation?
Yes. Grape Adventures offers scheduled pickups only, so reservations are required. Please book online as soon as you have determined your tour date and pick-up location.
Be sure to select a pick-up location on the dropdown menu during booking
What type of vehicles do you use?
Our vehicles are new Mercedes Sprinters with leather seats, high ceilings, and large picture windows
How much wine is served during a tasting?
Most wineries serve 4 to 6 one-ounce pours of different wines you select from their menu. After visiting a few wineries, these seemingly small tastings can add up to close to a bottle of wine, making it very important to have a designated driver.
How much do wine tastings cost?
Tasting fees at the wineries are not included and are charged extra by the wineries. The cost of visiting a vineyard in Santa Barbara can vary widely depending on the vineyard and the type of experience you are looking for.
We select wineries with warm & friendly service, and excellent wines that are moderately priced. Wine tasting fees typically run about $20-$30 per tasting. Most wineries will waive the tasting fee if you purchase bottles of wine to go. The number of bottles required varies winery to winery.
How many people are on the trip?
We offer small group tours, no large tourest buses. Our wine adventures are typically 6 to 8 guests but are limited to a maximum of 10 guests to ensure the best experience.
Is this tour escorted by a group leader or host?
Yes, this tour is escorted by a Grape Adventures group host who is knowledgeable and fun.
Can I cancel my tour?
Yes. If you need to cancel outside of 24 hours of your tour, we will refund you 100%. If your trip is within 24 hours, we will credit you for a future trip.
Am I required to purchase wine from the wineries?
No, you are not obligated to purchase wine from the winery.
However, if you enjoyed the wine, the best way to support local wineries is to take home a few bottles. Your Grape Adventures host can store your purchased wine in the air-conditioned tour vehicle.
Is lunch included on the tour?
There are picnic box lunches available for purchase. Please select the lunch option when you book the tour. You may enjoy them at one of the wineries or vineyards we visit. (we suggest a hardy breakfast before the tour)
Are there any additional fees?
No. Taxes and fuel surcharges are included. Gratuity for the host and driver is at your discretion.
Are gratuities included?
No. Customers may provide gratuity at their discretion to their host and driver at the end of their tour as a personal “thank you” for a job well done.