What is the best winery to take a tour? Any other suggestions for wineries to visit? I'd say about three in one day? Thanks for the suggestions!

I went to my favorites..
Silver Oak
Rombauer
Joseph Phelps

They all were different and quite wonderful!

chateau montelana. not sure which is better...the atmosphere, or the wine!

The Jarvis tour is very different and very well done. The wine is good, too!

By far one of the most light-hearted and entertaining tours I've ever done was at Frog's Leap. Everything from the label to the winemaker's bio has a humorous story behind it. And the wines are definitely above average!!

Does require an appointment but it can be fit in without difficulty. Be sure to get an address and directions if you go as the winery is not well marked I think as a way to discourage guests without appointments.

Ardeis

Sorry, but being a winegeek means you never can get everything you want to say about wine into a single thought!

Certainly YES on Rombauer, and Phelps. I also liked the tour and friendly people at CHimney Rock, so much so, we joined their wine club.

My vote is for the Rubicon Estate (old Niebaum-Coppola). I also enjoyed Robert Sinskey, although it's a bit more laid-back than some.

Does anyone know anything about the Swanson winery?

We liked Peju Province the best.

Tracy

Frog's Leap sounds right up our alley. Anyone else heard anything about it?

My vote is for Peju in Rutherford. Ask for the Yodelmeister! Great wine, too, especially the cab. Beautiful gardens/fountains/etc.
No appt. needed at Peju; they take you in groups and it's fun. I'd book a tour at Schramsburg - lots of history there and fab sparkling wine. Chateau Monthelena also has great history and lovely grounds.

I vote for Hess. Incredible drive, gorgeous grounds, amazing art gallery and fun tasting room with friendly folks and affordable wines.

If you haven't been to a winery before, you might consider taking one of the comprehensive tours at Robert Mondavi and Domaine Chandon. These are world famous wine companies and their tours are also famous.

After that, visit some of the smaller gems. I am partial to Hess and Frog's Leap. Silver Oak, Rombauer, Stags Leap, Grgich Hills, Clos du Val, Schramsberg, Sinskey, Chateau Montelena are just a few of the many excellent wineries renowned for their wines.

Peju Province in my mind in one of the hokier places and their wines are not considered on the same plane as the others.

My daughter and I used Platypus Tours in mid-April. They are a small tour company, and only go to small wineries. Their tour included a picnic lunch at one of the wineries, which was wonderful! It was a day-long tour, on a small bus. We went to 5 different places, and tasted at each one! That's the advantage of the bus - you don't have to drive. We saw wineries that you wouldn't even know were there! We also toured Frogs Leap on our own, and it was great - lots of fun. You do need an appointment, but we called and they fit us in with another group.

Hmmm....Otis B - Are Wine Spectator, Wine & Spirits, and the other trade publications mistaken about Peju? Oh, well...to each his own. I think it is a lovely place and the cabs delicious.
All places suggested in this thread are worth a visit.

I would also say Frog's Leap. Check out their charming website.

Another vote for Frog's Leap... it's a magical tour.

I think Jordan is in Sonoma, but its tour is also gorgeous. Some of the most beautiful grounds and wonderful wine in the region (reservation needed).

And nearby is J, my personal favorite. No reservation needed there, but you do need a small appetite as they pair their excellent wines with food. It's the first time I really appreciated what a huge difference the right pairing can make.