As the ultimate designated driver service, Wine Tour Drivers guarantees its customers a relaxing—and safe—venture through wine country. The unique service provides professional drivers for those who prefer to fully enjoy their winetasting experiences within Napa, Sonoma, and a variety of other Northern California wine locations. Here’s how it works: Clients provide the vehicle, either a personal car or a rental, and Wine Tour Drivers provides the licensed and insured driver, as well as concierge services. The driver rate is $55/hour for a group of up to 11, with a six-hour minimum. (The company can also provide a vehicle for an additional charge if requested.) After booking, the guest is queried about their particular interests, yet Wine Tour Drivers is more than equipped to offer suggestions.
Deanna Irish, Co-Founder
“We pride ourselves on our FREE Concierge services,” said Deanna Irish, who founded the business with her son nearly 15 years ago. “Our drivers are passionate about wine and sharing their knowledge with guests. We provide free itinerary planning; we can make reservations, bring complimentary water, and pick up lunch orders. We cater to our guests so they can have a memorable wine day.”
Every driver within the company strives to make guests feel like they are getting a personal tour from a local insider. Drivers regularly visit wineries where they forge relationships that benefit their clients. Drivers also regularly participate in wine-tasting educational seminars and regularly dine at local restaurants, allowing them to make educated recommendations.
Deanna’s first-ever tour was an experiment of sorts. In 2011, she spent two days driving a group of five Minnesota women throughout Napa. On the third day, the group then moved north on their own to Healdsburg. Deanna told them to call her if they ended up needing a ride. They did; they called, and Deanna drove them in their car back to their hotel while her friend drove her own car back to Napa. After that tour, she was hooked but still working a full-time corporate job. She began taking vacation days to drive groups to wineries until she eventually gave notice. She has since been running Wine Tour Drivers full-time.
A typical itinerary includes three wineries within a day, a lunch stop, and perhaps a dinner stop afterward. Budget expectations are always factored in, as is an interest in simply tasting and/or buying. Drivers are well-versed in wineries that cater to wine neophytes and those that cater to aficionados, and they share this information with each other. In addition to recommendations received from the various wineries that Wine Tour Drivers frequents, the service is endorsed by knowledgeable concierges at local hotels and resorts.
“We strive to introduce our guests to exactly what they are seeking with a wine country visit: great varietals, beautiful views, and gracious hospitality, all with the ease of chauffeured transport,” said Deanna. “We love what we do.”
For more information www.winetourdrivers.com
