Amicis Tours & Transportation, Wine Country Apps & Books

Welcome, we're Ralph & Lahni de Amicis and Wine Country is our Passion. We enjoy making this beautiful region accessible to visitors because it is important to the soul of America, a place of beauty, culture, balance and productivity.

We drive private tours for up to six guests in our SUV's, planned in advance or last minute. Our tours are relaxing, educational, fun, possibly romantic and built around you. We explain wine making, grape varietals, viticulture and local history.  About Wine Tours

To book a tour or ask questions Call Lahni @ 707-235-2648 or use this form. We respond quickly. Rates: $75 per hour for car & driver + fuel charge, depending on starting point and number of days. No hidden fees. (Ask about seasonal rates)

Note: Most companies quote a base rate and then add hidden fees after you've been drinking all day. Good for billing, not for you. Our prices are up front and honest. 

Licensed by the California PUC TCP 23123, Commercially Insured. 

Wine Country provides a needed retreat and education for sophisticated adults living in a global economy. So, we drive the tours ourselves and design each tour around our guest's interests because a cookie cutter approach doesn't do them or this region justice. It makes a difference!   Choosing a Guide

Testimonial:

Dear Lahni and Ralph:

Thanks to both of you for our recent wine tour in Napa. You were perfect guides, very attentive to our needs and wants, and brimming with knowledge about wines, vineyards, wineries, and Napa history. Thanks for the extra stop at the Culinary Institute. Your Lincoln Navigator was ultra-comfy and it was a relief to just sit back and sample the wine without having to worry about driving. I hope that any readers of this letter understand that they will be getting great value for their money.

Best wishes and may our paths cross again.

Bob and Sharon S, Chuck R and Rosemarie N - Spring 2011      For more testimonials

Winter is a great time to visit Wine Country, the crowds are few, the attention personal, the vistas are gorgeous and this year is a dry one so far, we've barely had an umbrella open. Hope to see you soon.

Have a Smart Phone? Plan your visit and day trip using our two best selling iPhone Apps: Napa Valley Wine Tour & Sonoma Winery Tour (Sutro Media). With sample tours, hundreds of entries and thousands of original maps, photos and videos they help you navigate our winding country roads safely. Check them out! Coming soon, Apps for the Droid!

Love Books? Our popular Tour Books will help you feel at home and find your way around Wine Country. Our newest, Napa & Sonoma, A Love Affair in Maps includes brief, 'get to the point' chapters about the wine tasting experience, more sample tours, a comprehensive contact directory and the best driving maps ever. Available both in Hard Copy and Digital Formats for Amazon's Kindle and Barnes & Noble's Nook.

We do Team Building Tours of wine country and we arrange tours for groups. For more click HERE

For more about our Seminars visit our Amicis Seminars Site that include information on our Wine Survivor Team Building and our Dream Desk Questionnaire Workshops.

New Wine Country Resource: Napa Valley Restaurants

Today's Wine Country Hint: Tipping and Tasting Rooms

We also Manage Tours and Team Building Experiences for larger groups.   

NEWS Flash: It looks like our two iPhone Apps, Napa Valley Wine Tour, and Sonoma Winery Tour (Both Sutro Media) are Apple's Top Selling Wine Tour Apps.

Our Tour Books are Available on Kindle and Nook and the iPad Version is Coming.  What's Happening in Napa & Sonoma  Ralph's Harvest Update with videos of crush 10-25-2011 Ralph's Harvest Notes from the Vineyard, Text and Video The grapes are pretty much in the tanks although the smell of grape juice is still in the air. The vineyards are at their most colorful period as the leaves turn golden and red. This is a great time to visit wine country. Napa Videos,  Sonoma Videos . We also link them to our Apps. Our newest book about wine country called 'Napa & Sonoma, a Love Affair in Maps', is now available at Amazon both in print and digitally. It is designed as a Day Trip book meant to be read in the car, with the top down and the wind in your hair. This is our eighth Book about wine country. APP UPDATES: Our most recent update included a detailed fact check of all the phone numbers and tasting fees. We did previous updates that added in individual maps for every winery, since GPS is unpredictable up here. We also have added numerous videos, and of course some new wineries and corrected changes. When you buy the Apps you get future updates automatically. Isn't that cool?  Remember this reason to have someone drive you: This is California and costs relating to a DUI can run from $10,000 to $30,000 plus the headaches for a first time offender. Hiring us to drive you is such a great deal in comparison. We'll also fill you in on the local history, stories and guide you to the most enjoyable wineries and restaurants (its not really picnic weather), so...  BOOK A TOUR at 707-235-2648 or use the form above! We shape tours to our client's interests and share insights and stories about what makes wine country special. Our Lincoln Navigator private tours are competitive. See our Tour Books and popular i Phone Apps , buy them today to make your trip easier, safer and more enjoyable.

Booking a Tour (Helpful Hint: Amicis is the Latin Word for Friend and we pronounce it Ah MEE Chee)

Please tell us about your interests; there are hundreds of wineries and city locations to choose from, but we select those that we believe our clients will find most enriching, whether on or off the beaten path. To learn more please visit the Amicis Tours Book a Winery Tour page.

To check our availability now please call; 707-235-2648 office, or 707-235-2364 cell, Pacific Time, or use the form below.

Great Winery Tour Books

Our Amicis Winery Guide books provide the 'Local Tour Guide' secrets that create magical days in wine country. They include the information you need to plan your visit and most enjoy your travels among the vines and wineries. To see our five current books please visit the Buy Books page for both retail and wholesale purchases.

iPhone Apps

Our two iPhone Apps, the Napa Valley Wine Tour, and the Sonoma Wine Tour are remarkable tools for enjoying wine country, with 100's of winery listings and 1000's of photos, mapped tours, restaurants, all in a sortable form. Read more on the Buy iPhone Apps page.

Professional Speaking

We were professional speakers, seminar leaders and authors long before we became enthralled with wine country and became tour guides and tour book designers. We still speak before groups on valuable subjects such as...

Wine Survivor Training Day

Visiting Wine Country is the best kind of adult entertainment, and a bottle of wine is the best souvenir. Enjoying a day Napa or Sonoma is all about relaxation, fun, and sometimes romance. To get the most out of the day it helps to know where to go, these are big, diverse regions with so much to offer. It also helps to know what to do when you get there, what's a tasting all about. This entertaining presentation is designed for the San Francisco Convention Spouse Track and it can include a little wine tasting, for educational purposes of course.  

Our Business Topics!

My Dream Desk

This entertaining and educational program interacts with the audience through the Multiple Choice Quiz, images, props and action, to put the tools in their hands to create immediate improvements in their performance and job satisfaction. To learn more and book a presentation visit The Quiz Page.

What you should know about Wine Country!

First of all, Napa and Sonoma are stunning no matter what time of year you visit. In the summer it looks like Tuscany, gold and green, and in the winter it looks like Ireland, misty and verdant. Then there is the lovely climate (about ten to fifteen degrees warmer than San Francisco), the great architecture and gardens, the fantastic food and the friendly people.

All of these would be reason enough to visit, but on top of that there are the wineries and of course, the wine, some of the finest in the world, and you get to see actual vineyards that those wines come from and meet the people who make them! Our books and guided tours are all designed to help you enjoy your visit to the fullest while learning about this wonderful area and this wonderful art!

Wine Country can be tricky though, with lots of country roads, not a lot of road signs or street lights, hundreds of wineries, lots of hotels and restaurants and a wide variety of wines spread over two large, agricultural counties, bisected by a mountain range. That's why experienced guides and drivers are a great investment in your enjoyment and safety (think about avoiding a costly DUI) and they make all the difference in the memories that you bring home. By the way, remember to bring a camera and sunglasses because there is lots of beautiful scenery and very bright sun!

About the bestselling tour book, ‘Your Day in Wine Country, Touring the Wineries of Napa and Sonoma’. We rebranded it as the Amicis Winery Guide: Dream Tours of Napa & Sonoma. and in 2010 produced individual county versions as well.

They offer a complete description of what goes into a typical tour, with all of the things you’ll need to know to feel right at home. That is followed by some of our favorite tours, based on their starting point, theme and cost of tasting fees. It is really a 'connect-the-dots' guide for navigating between wineries, picnic spots, restaurants, gift shops and of course, more wineries! Filled with self-driven, safe tours that have been road tested by professionals, you get all the fun without the fuss.

It is also chock full of maps that show where to find the best wineries in both Napa and Sonoma. The directory section includes hundreds of wineries with their pertinent information that you want such as tasting room hours, tasting fees and wine lists as well as any added features like if they have gift shops, picnic areas, art collections, gardens, views, tours and more. If we are not available to set up your tour, our books and iPhone Apps will help you to create your own daytrip with confidence! Go to the Books link to order your copy. Or email us to schedule a tour. Amicis Winery Tours of Napa, Sonoma or San Francisco.

This is a Winery Directory from our first winery tour book, Your Day in Wine Country, so it is not as filled out or up to date as those you will find in newer versions, or in our Smart Phone Apps. But, it is still filled with helpful information, and best of all, it is our only directory that combines the wineries from Napa and Sonoma alphabetically. Very helpful when you are not sure which county the winery is in! 

A Wineries

B Wineries

C Wineries

D Wineries

E Wineries

F Wineries

G Wineries

H Wineries

I Wineries

J Wineries

K Wineries

L Wineries

M Wineries

N Wineries

O Wineries

P Wineries

Q Wineries

R Wineries

T Wineries

U Wineries

V  Wineries

W Wineries

X Wineries

Y Wineries

Z Wineries

Amicis Winery Tours 2011Contract & Current Policies & Rates - SUVs FEES: The standard vehicle rate for parties up to 6 persons is $75 per hour. We do charge a fuel surcharge when fuel prices are $3.50 or over per gallon. Surcharge is $30 for tours originating out of Napa, Sonoma or Healdsburg and $50 for tours originating out of San Francisco. We do not add hidden fees at the end of the tour such as service fees, PUC fees, taxes, etc. as many other carriers do. Some people want to give the driver a gratuity and while it is always appreciated, it is not expected. Tasting fees and the cost of meals is not included. Tasting fees on average run between $10 - $20 per winery per person although couples often share a tasting. Also included, as our gift to our guests, will be an autographed copy of one our books in our ‘Amicis Winery Guides Series’. (while supplies last)  

MINIMUMS: 4 hr weekday tour, 5 hr Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 6 hr originating out of the San Francisco area (although 8 hrs is more common for tours from SF b/c of 2 hr drive time back and forth for the guests ), 3 hr dinner/events. TRANSLATION & SPEAKERS FEES: We offer translation services in Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, French and a bit of German at no additional charge when providing tour services for groups of 6 or fewer. We can also offer translation as a separate service. When translation only, not driving, is requested, the hourly fee is $30.  We are also professional speakers and are knowledgeable about wine country. Fees for speaking services can range from $500 - $2,500 per event, depending upon the size of group, location, topic and venue as well as the length of the assignment. Please phone for customized pricing. 

RESERVATION POLICY: We tour in SUVs for the ease and comfort of our clients. The fees will be charged at $75 per hour, with no surprise add-ons (such as fuel charges or license fees) at the end of the day. Tasting Fees and the cost of meals are not normally included but can be arranged so as to include them in a flat rate billing. (see FEES)

For your convenience, you are welcome to change the card you actually use at the end of the tour. We take your card for confirmation because of our cancellation policy.  To hold a date we need complete billing information including CC#, exp date, name on card, security code number (CSC), billing address, billing phone. We would also like a cell phone to be used on the day of the tour. Email confirmations will be sent when the reservation is finalized if an email has been provided. 

CANCELLATION POLICY: If you cancel this date prior to 7 days before the scheduled day of tour, there is no cancellation fee. Cancellations within the 7 day period before the date of the tour will be charged a $150.00 non-refundable cancellation fee on the card we have on file. Cancellations within 24 hours of the day of the tour (any time on the day before or on the day of the tour) will be charged for the full amount of time scheduled for the tour. Open ended tours will be charged 5 hour minimum tour, or $375.00, 6 hour minimum for San Francisco pick up or $450.00 or the full amount of any special deal price to the card on file. If the driver has already left and is en route before the cancellation is received, an additional fuel surcharge will also apply. 

LIABILITY: The client is responsible for his/her guests in every regard to this agreement. Client assumes full financial responsibility for any damage to our vehicle or property caused by client or party whether by accident, neglect or intent. Excessive cleaning fee or any vomit/bodily fluids is $500 plus loss of revenue. Client assumes responsibility for overtime fees and authorizes credit card charges to be made for these costs or any others due and not collected at the end of the tour. Amicis Tours assumes no responsibility for items left in the vehicle at any time. Driver may terminate the charter without refund should they deem client or party unruly or violating safe operation of the vehicle. Amicis Tours assumes no responsibility for illegal acts of client during rental. Amicis Tours cannot be held responsible for delays or inconvenience due to traffic, unforeseen mechanical failures or situations deemed an "Act of God". BILLING: All fees are processed through the parent corporation:  SPACE AND TIME DESIGNING, INC.