Ralph & Lahni de Amicis, Napa, Sonoma, San Francisco
What we do on our private tours: We create day trips based on your interests, driving SUV's for couples and small groups. Most of our tours last from 5 to 8 hours depending on the starting point; the city or wine country. We normally work with group up to six, or more using multiple SUV's.
Wineries are open from 10am to 5pm so we start early. Plan on having a picnic, unless the weather is too cold, which is rare here. Plan on one hour for lunch and on visiting a winery per hour. You can visit more if you like because you're not driving. Please don't underestimate how much a driver/guide adds to your enjoyment of the day.
Between saving you time and stress, not to mention potential legal entanglements, hiring a car and a knowledgeable guide could be the smartest choice you make when planning your trip.
Our standard SUV rate for up to six people is $75 per hour. That rate is comprehensive and there are no added fees that normally add 25% to the 'top of the page prices' of most transportation companies. Please contact us for a quote on our rates if you need a van and bus for your larger group.
For our SUV's we use a comprehensive rate because we realize that often one person arranges the tour for a small group. They have to tell their friends how much it will cost beforehand. Those hidden fees can make for unpleasant discussions at the end of the tour day. We like to avoid that so we tell you what it is going to cost, complete, per hour. How long the tour lasts is up to you, the client.
To book a tour or ask questions CallLahni @ 707-235-2648 or use the form below the testimonials. We respond quickly. Rates: $65 to $75 per hour for car & driver + fuel charge, depending on starting point and number of days. No hidden fees.
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.
Here is what some guests have written to us about their wine tours:
Well, I've already given you kudos on your Amicis Tours Facebook page, but I wanted to just say "thanks" again. You truly made our experience fabulous. I'm not sure what the best part was -- hearing your stories and learning from you, or the wine. ... Ok, it was the wine, but without you, we wouldn't have had the wine!
Seriously, I feel so fortunate to have found you. You took away all of the stress and hassle of planning our winery visit; you provided us with background information, history and tips that we would not otherwise have had; and you absolutely know how to put the "customer" into "customer service." Yours was beyond reproach. And I'm pretty hard to impress.
I have some lovely photos, many of which are on my Facebook page as of a couple hours ago. I'm also happy to make a CD and send it to you if you give me your mailing address.
You two are without a doubt in the right profession. I thank you once again for making our first -- and absolutely NOT our last -- trip to Napa most memorable.
Cheers!
Kelly - Spring 2011
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 Strochak
Chuck Ross and Rosemarie Novack - Spring 2011
Hi Ralph,
First and foremost, Thank You so much for a great tour! Despite the crazy weather, we had a great trip and enjoyed the wineries that you selected very much! They were all great, but I really loved Jeffrey! He's just so cute and endearing! You are a fountain of information and the passion for your valley comes through with every story and piece of information you related.
Have a great spring and when we are back in Napa and need a guide, we will definitely give you a call!
It was a true pleasure to meet you, All the best, Yvonne McCoach (the Canadians who came down in the rain! Feb 25-29)
Caro Ralph,Agradeço muito sua especial atenção para com a família Santos e família Costa durante nossa estada em Sonoma e Nappa Valley, você foi muito gentil e nos ofertou uma oportunidade impar ,que nos foi de grande valia.Todos nós gostamos muito de você e do seu serviço ; espero que num futuro breve venhamos a nos encontrar novamente, e com certeza iremos recomendar sua agencia para todos nossos amigos que desejam ir para Califórnia fazer o circuito dos vinhos.Aceite um forte abraço .TKSPaulo Walter Leme dos Santos
Dear Ralph and Lahni, Just a note to let you know how much Janice, John, Marriane and I enjoyed our tour with you on 10/6. Your knowledge of the Napa and Sonoma areas added measurably to the enjoyment of the trip. I am sure that we were able to see and do more in one day than we would have accomplished on our on, not to mention the convenience of having you do the planning and driving so we could just enjoy the experience. You have a great thing going and we would recommend your book and service to anyone we know heading your way. Thanks again, Tom Hitchcock.
You're the Best! Thanks for being our tour guide and sharing your wisdom! - Margery Toma
Ralph- You are one of the most knowledgeable people I have ever met! Thanks for a great day in Wine Country! - Courtney D.
Thanks so much for being a great tour guide. We had a wonderful time learning about wine country. - Carolyn
Ralph - I am so glad that you were our guide for my first trip to Napa - couldn't imagine a more memorable experience. I'm looking forward to reading your books and seeing you during my next trip to Napa. - Giacinta
Thank you for sharing your wine country knowledge with us... I'm convinced you read as you wait. We had a perfect experience. Hopefully I'll see you in Napa again. - Shadi Vazir
Here is what some guests have written to us about their wine tours:
Well, I've already given you kudos on your Amicis Tours Facebook page, but I wanted to just say "thanks" again. You truly made our experience fabulous. I'm not sure what the best part was -- hearing your stories and learning from you, or the wine. ... Ok, it was the wine, but without you, we wouldn't have had the wine!
Seriously, I feel so fortunate to have found you. You took away all of the stress and hassle of planning our winery visit; you provided us with background information, history and tips that we would not otherwise have had; and you absolutely know how to put the "customer" into "customer service." Yours was beyond reproach. And I'm pretty hard to impress.
I have some lovely photos, many of which are on my Facebook page as of a couple hours ago. I'm also happy to make a CD and send it to you if you give me your mailing address.
You two are without a doubt in the right profession. I thank you once again for making our first -- and absolutely NOT our last -- trip to Napa most memorable.
Cheers!
Kelly - Spring 2011
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 Strochak
Chuck Ross and Rosemarie Novack - Spring 2011
Hi Ralph,
First and foremost, Thank You so much for a great tour! Despite the crazy weather, we had a great trip and enjoyed the wineries that you selected very much! They were all great, but I really loved Jeffrey! He's just so cute and endearing! You are a fountain of information and the passion for your valley comes through with every story and piece of information you related.
Have a great spring and when we are back in Napa and need a guide, we will definitely give you a call!
It was a true pleasure to meet you, All the best, Yvonne McCoach (the Canadians who came down in the rain! Feb 25-29)
Caro Ralph,Agradeço muito sua especial atenção para com a família Santos e família Costa durante nossa estada em Sonoma e Nappa Valley, você foi muito gentil e nos ofertou uma oportunidade impar ,que nos foi de grande valia.Todos nós gostamos muito de você e do seu serviço ; espero que num futuro breve venhamos a nos encontrar novamente, e com certeza iremos recomendar sua agencia para todos nossos amigos que desejam ir para Califórnia fazer o circuito dos vinhos.Aceite um forte abraço .TKSPaulo Walter Leme dos Santos
Dear Ralph and Lahni, Just a note to let you know how much Janice, John, Marriane and I enjoyed our tour with you on 10/6. Your knowledge of the Napa and Sonoma areas added measurably to the enjoyment of the trip. I am sure that we were able to see and do more in one day than we would have accomplished on our on, not to mention the convenience of having you do the planning and driving so we could just enjoy the experience. You have a great thing going and we would recommend your book and service to anyone we know heading your way. Thanks again, Tom Hitchcock.
You're the Best! Thanks for being our tour guide and sharing your wisdom! - Margery Toma
Ralph- You are one of the most knowledgeable people I have ever met! Thanks for a great day in Wine Country! - Courtney D.
Thanks so much for being a great tour guide. We had a wonderful time learning about wine country. - Carolyn
Ralph - I am so glad that you were our guide for my first trip to Napa - couldn't imagine a more memorable experience. I'm looking forward to reading your books and seeing you during my next trip to Napa. - Giacinta
Thank you for sharing your wine country knowledge with us... I'm convinced you read as you wait. We had a perfect experience. Hopefully I'll see you in Napa again. - Shadi Vazir
For convention & conference meeting planners we provide Top Achiever Award Trips, plus Speakers, Seminars and Team Building Programs. For more information designed for the busy meeting planner visit www.AmicisSeminars.com .
Partners with the San Francisco Travel Association
Call 707-235-2648 for Tours, Books & Seminars Copyright Ralph & Lahni de Amicis 2011 All tasting fees, hours, wine lists, etc are subject to change.
