Drivers--help please

Hi all-

I am going to be in Napa for 4 days in August. I had rented a car, but everyone is telling me to get a driver. There are four of us, and we have our wineries that we want to visit set, so we dont need advice from a driver, just someone to bring us to our appointments. I would rather not pay a fortune.

Any ideas, suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

Drivers--help please

BostonBostonTravel-

Just WHO is telling you to get a driver? The vast majority (90%+) of wine tasters that come here drive themselves around. Some of these folks have non-drinkers who are the drivers, but many do not.

Limos/sedans are typically used by those who want to brag, or those who don%26#39;t know their way around and want a ';tour';.

The biggest reason we often hear for hiring a car/driver is that the taster doesn%26#39;t want to ';drive drunk';. We second this, and feel it%26#39;s essential for anyone driving to monitor their drinking.

But here%26#39;s the problem:

If you actually *drink* wine (instead of (*taste* it), your tasting palette will be shot after a glass or two. Meaning that you won%26#39;t really be able to discern the differences between wines after just ONE WINERY!

The solution is to taste, using the 6 S%26#39;s, outlined in TripAdvisor%26#39;s FAQs:

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g32766-i258-k13704…

The above technique, if done properly, is the equivalent of ingesting about 1/2 teaspoon of wine per glass, while getting all of the sensory information. This is a variation of the technique used by professional wine tasters, who often have to discern fine differences between dozens of wines in one sitting.

If you attempt to do the ';6 S%26#39;s';, but %26#39;cheat%26#39; (swallow more wine, b/c it%26#39;s fun/tastes so good), you definitely need to hire a driver, or have a designated driver. NO ONE should drive around impaired, under the influence of alcohol.

But if you can learn how to do the 6 S%26#39;s properly (never hurts to try before you leave!), you should be able to drive around the wine country and taste (but not drink) a number of wines.

We should note that not everyone can do this. Some folks have a very low tolerance for alcohol, and can get inebriated/impaired with only a sip or two of wine. This is the person who must have someone drive them around. We would caution this type of person against wine tasting anyway, as even tasting 5 or 6 wines (several teaspoons) might put them into real medical trouble.

In short, you need to know your own limits to determine which is best for you.

We hope this helps. If you do decide to hire a car/driver, you can get a taxi out of Napa town for about $65/hr (3-4 hr min), or you can hire a sedan w/driver from one of the limo companies (about $300 for 4 hours, if you include all taxes and tips).

Please don%26#39;t go hiring a bargain driver just to save a few bucks. You need someone who is licensed to drive others around, and has the proper insurance for both themselves and their vehicle.

Hoping this helps! :)

-The Innkeepers

Napa Old World Inn

Drivers--help please

As long as you are not driving while intoxicated, the driving is very simple in the Napa Valley. It is primarily one highway that goes all the way up and down the Valley.

My recommendation if possible - try to plan your visits so that you reduce the number of times you need to cross the highway, or turn around.

If you are going north, then go to wineries (in order) on the east side, and if you are going south, then go to wineries (in order) on the west side.

The driving gets tiresome when you need to turn around - not too easy to do on this particular highway.

Have a wonderful visit.

thank you both.

Great advice from AnnMV.

We would add that if you need to turn left across traffic, it%26#39;s often easier to turn right, then turn left into a driveway, then turn right (this gets you going in the direction you originally wanted).

Seems like it would take longer, but after waiting 5 minutes for the traffic to clear, you%26#39;ll appreciate this little trick! :)

-The Innkeepers

Napa Old World Inn

Hey Boston,

The driving is gorgeous in Napa. Leisurely rolling hills and slow drivers. You don%26#39;t need a driver unless a designated one.

An alternative is to use the wine train. I don%26#39;t know much about it, but the locals will. It brings you in and they go to several of the vineyards. When we were there the last time I saw it and it looked like fun.

I%26#39;ll be there in August too. See you there.

The wine train doesn%26#39;t stop at any wineries. It goes upvalley and back to Napa without stopping. I saw a listing that the Wine Train is doing a special for July 4th that will stop on the tracks near the Veteran%26#39;s Home in Yountville to watch the fireworks from the train. I tried calling to see if they were booked up and waited about ten minutes before I had to give up. It sounds like fun so I may try again this afternoon.

If there are four of you I would take turns being the designated driver for the day and whoever is driving gets to pick a bottle to purchase at the winery. It works for us.