I am organizing a trip for about 7 couples to go to SF and then wine country. My questions are as follows: When is a good time to go? We were thinking the fall. Is there a good company that would transport the 14 of us in a van from SF to Napa or Sonoma. Is there a wine tour package that will transport you? Do you know of a travel agency that helps large groups to see the wine country? Is there a particular hotel in the wine country that hosts groups that want to travel and party together? Thanks for any and ALL help. elaine

www.winecountry.com

www.sfgate.com

should help you get started

sorry clicked too soon
wanted to add check

Four Sisters Inns.

www.foursisters.com

I particulary like Lavender Inn and staying in the converted horse stalls/barn. Very roomy and everyone has their own huge patio..great for bringing wine back and enjoying together...or you may wish to sty at Maison Fluerie

The Lavender Inn only has 6 rooms but I guess 2 of the couples could shack up together.

You need to talk to professionals about your plan. One company that might help you is Beau Winetours

http://www.beauwinetours.com/

For a group your size, you will probably need to try some of the larger inns or hotels. In the Napa Valley, there is Villagio Inn in Yountville, The Harvest Inn in St. Helena, and in Napa there's The Meritage and Silverado Resorts. In Santa Rosa, I've used The Fountaingrove and liked it very much.

September and October is when the grapes are harvested and the wines are crushed. This is the best time to visit but it's also the busiest time for many of the hotels. It would be hard to work any deals with them. Winter is a great time for visiting also and can be a lot less expensive.

Just so you will know for the future..Lavender has 8 total guestrooms 2 of which are in the main house...not 6 as stated by Otis above.


Maison Fleurie has several more rooms and is only 2 short blocks away...

One of the nice things about most Fodors posters is we have stayed at the places we recommend...

>>>"Do you know of a travel agency that helps large groups to see the wine country?"<<<<

There is a very good travel agency
north of me up in Santa Rosa, CA
(I live in Sonoma County)
www.hmstravel.com
1-800-367-5348
Part of their agency caters to
Napa & Sonoma Destination Mgt.
They can arrange it all for your
group.

Yes, fall it the best, and busiest, time to be here, yet they may have some good offferings.

R5

Try Meritage in Napa. They are large, fairly new, full service, and cater to large groups. They have restaurant, bar, spa, winery, etc. You may be able to get a discount.
For wine tours, we have used Platypus Tours a few times and recommend them highly. You would have their small bus to yourselves. They will pick you up at your hotel in the Napa area OR you can ride the ferry from SF to Vallejo and Don from Platypus will pick you up at ferry if you arrange ahead of time. www.platypustours.com
For other info check
www.napavalley.com
Fall is a beautiful time to come. If you are in Napa Valley during the week, there will be fewer people.
Other hotels to try: Napa River Inn, Embassy Suites in Napa, various places in Yountville and Calistoga. St Helena is the other town you would want to check on the website.

Fall is a great but very busy time in the Wine country - what w/ the picking/crush etc.

You should go w/ a full service TA like razzledazzle recommends, or w/ one of the large resort hotels who can handle everything for you. The likelihood of any decent B&B (they usually only have from 5 to 8, or at most 10 rooms) having 7 rooms available during your visit is slim to none.

Great advice. I have already looked into a few of the websites that you mentioned and will consider a different time of year. I think a larger hotel would give us the best price but I'll contact them directly. If that doesn't work, I appreciate the contact of a travel agency in CA. So the question that I wil have to consider is ...Napa or Sonoma...and I am sure this travel talk section I'll be sure to read opinions. Thank you all. be