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Wine Tours | Designated Driver Napa Sonoma

Benefits of Traveling

By | Wine tour, wine-tours, wineries | No Comments

awesome view with a sip of wine

 

Everyone keeps stating how important it really is to travel. So, what’s all of this fuss about? Why carry out people go and love traveling?

Moreover: why should we take a trip more?

The advantages of traveling aren’t only a one-time point: traveling improves your body psychologically. Possessing short amount of time or money is not a valid excuse. It is possible to fly for low-cost very easily. When you have a full-time career and a family group, you can nevertheless travel in the weekends or vacations, despite having a baby.

Below are a few of the primary benefits of going. And I’m sure once you begin, you’ll find even more yourself!

  1. Traveling Improves YOUR WELLBEING

From reducing stress, to cutting your chances of creating a heart disease, medical benefits of touring are huge. You might stay sitting over a chair the whole day at the work area: like some taking walks to your holiday will make your system feel better. For a lot of, wandering abroad is usually even a treat for major depression and anxiety. Needless to say, it isn’t a foolproof treat, but it can certainly help you feel much better, both actually and psychologically.

Traveling more will probably have a significant effect on your psychological well-being, particularly if you’re no utilized to moving away from your safe place. Believe me: travel even more and your physician will be contented. Make sure to speak to your physician, they could recommend some treatment to come with you in the travels, particularly if you’re going to regions of the world with potentially harmful diseases.

 

  1. Going Improves Your KNOWLEDGE OF Other Cultures

Why we vacation may differ in one person to some other, but people visiting always produce empathy plus a deeper knowledge of other cultures.

Being more becoming familiar with and tolerant in regards to a culture unique of ours is section of getting smarter, but I contemplate it as a great thing about traveling alone. There’s a price by Saint Augustine, which moves “The planet is a booklet, and the ones who usually do not travel read only 1 page”. You may realize of it in this manner: in the event that you study what’s in the news headlines or watch the news headlines on TV and do not query it, you’re lacking on a huge amount of information. It might seem that it certainly makes you smarter and much more aware of the planet, but it is the exact contrary: it narrows your brain to a distinctive and biased viewpoint.

Sure, you almost certainly feel comfortable what your location is, but that’s just a small percentage of the planet! If you’re a student, benefit from programs such as for example Erasmus to access know more men and women, experience and have an understanding of their traditions. Dare planning a trip to regions you’ve got a skeptical impression about. I wager that you’ll change your brain and recognize that everything isn’t so bad overseas.

  1. Traveling LETS YOU Try out Amazing Food

Speaking of foods, I gamble you’re one hell of a chef as well as your home meals are usually delicious. But there is absolutely no such factor as trying an average local plate from a different country. Don’t key yourself into likely to the Sushi store nearby: you do not know very well what sushi likes like until you’ve gone to Japan. While you travel, you find genuine, and discover that it is usually completely different from what you’re utilized to.

Eating local meals in a fresh place can be an entirely new knowledge. All the tastes will vary. some change will be more than accepted in our regular diet. Only if because we’re in a natural way curious. Some foodstuff bloggers travel a large number of kilometers for a particular dish! Minimal you are able to do is happen to be the next place and try out something new.

  1. Traveling ENABLES YOU TO FEEL JUST LIKE An Adventurer

Even though the world hasn’t been as well connected as right now, you may still find places which are little recognized to the average visitor. Setting up a summary of places you intend to visit is incredibly motivating. You might have something tangible to follow. I’m currently focusing on my very own bucket checklist, and I believe I’ll never start to see the end of computer, with each one of these amazing destinations.

The advantage of traveling to a fresh place is usually that it pushes you to skin the anonymous and think in different ways. You don’t have to go spend per month within the jungle! In the event that you live in a big city, just planning on a hike on the weekend can make you feel diverse. Adventures demand novelty, so escape your safe place. It could be scary, however in retrospect, you will see it because the best choice you available!

  1. Traveling Creates Life-time Memories

Regardless of how insignificant it may look, the truth that you’ve had an event abroad, a thing that was unusual, creates a memory space that you’ll remember for a long period.

I believe that generating those memories is the reason why many people preserve traveling.

Winter’s a fine time for a wine tour… why?

By | Wine tour

If you’re thinking about a wine tour at this time of year there’s many things to your advantage. Such as there are no crowds! Making appointments is a lot easier and you can get into most wineries. The yellow mustard seed is amazing and make for beautiful photos and the mountains are as green and luscious as ever.

Did you know my background is professional photography and I sometimes do photoshoots in the vineyards of families and friends? The kind of photography you’d want to enlarge and hang above your fireplace. I also have photographed many surprise engagements. These are always so much fun when I get to be part of the surprise.

It’s still a fresh year and yes, before you know it, spring and budbreak will be here and the season will be in full swing. Release parties at the wineries are already underway. Silver Oak Cellars and Flora Springs recently had theirs.

I look forward to this year and look for the newness at the different wineries as well as the comfort and history of the appellations of the majestic California wine country.

 

lovely couple picture in the vines Gustafson winery

Yes, it’s Spring

By | Wine tour, wine-tours, wineries

Spring is in the air and so is Budbreak 2018   and a few events going on in April

Greetings from the northern california wine country. It is just beginning to warm up here after a week of rain. The hills are a vibrant, luscious green and my eyes just can’t get enough of the beauty. I thought in this newsletter I would give you some events you may want to visit this April. Enjoy Spring!  (see 3 photos above)

Happening in Napa today through May 5th is Calla Lily Alley. I’ll be heading there to take a few photos to post at the bottom of my website home page on Instagram.                                        letsrolltours is my Instagram page. Check it out. Here’s some info on Calla Lily Alley ….

•  “Calla Lily Alley, a Napa spring tradition, features hundreds of blooming calla lilies in multiple vivid colors reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland. The garden is on display daily              from 9 am – 7 pm at Rohlffs Manor, 2400 Fair Drive, Napa. Info, 294-5057”

 

Other happenings you may want to check out in Napa and Sonoma counties …

•   Cloverdale Fiddle Festival     

Saturday, April 7, 2018 – 9:00am – 6:00pm

•   Annual Bodega Bay Fisherman’s Festival

 April 14 – 15, 2018

•  Go on Safari

Ride in an open-air vehicle, catching sight of gazelles, zebras, cheetahs, antelopes, giraffes, cape buffalo, and other exotic animals at Safari West Wildlife Preserve & African Tent Camp. Located in the rolling hills on the eastern edge of Santa Rosa, this 400-acre preserve houses about 700 animals, in conditions close to their natural African habitat. (During the fires Peter Land, owner, stayed behind and saved more than 1,000 animals while his house burned down in the Tubbs fire. Please support his efforts).

 •   Sip & Nibble

For more options, read “Wineries with Food Pairings” and “Luxury Wine and Food Experiences in Sonoma County.”  Learn more about Sonoma County’s  18 Wine Regions, and check our listings of all Sonoma County Wineries.

 • 29th Annual Passport to Dry Creek Valley – April 27th – 29th

Many wineries create themes around which they showcase wine paired with food, and entertainment. All showcase the best current releases, library wines, and special bottlings only available during Passport. Presented by Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley.    707-433-3031

www.wdcv.com 

 www.drycreekvalley.org/events/passport-dry-creek-valley

 

More events in Dry Creek Valley, check out this link:

 https://www.drycreekvalley.org/events/#by-reservation-only

More events in Napa, check out this link:

 https://www.visitnapavalley.com/events/arts-in-april/

 

Let’s Roll Wine Tours & Designated Drivers is in its 6th year of operations and we are happy to be here; and be here for YOU so you can enjoy the ride, the tour and especially the wine.

Cheers and let’s roll..

Deborah

Let’s Roll Wine Tours & Designated Drivers

Vineyard Photographer

 

 

Hiring a designated driver for a Wine Tour in Napa, Sonoma or wherever…

By | Wine tour

 


Have you wondered what a designated driver does? We, at Let’s Roll Wine Tours & Designated Drivers do just that… as a designated driver service we pick you up from your hotel,  Airbnb or from your home and drive you in the luxury of your car to the beautiful vineyards of Napa or Sonoma counties.

We will help you with your itinerary, if you like, or we can use what you have planned.

Here’s how it works:

What Our Designated Driver’s Do?

  1. We provide you with your own personal driver.
  2. We are a designated driver service and drive your vehicle.
  3. Call Let’s Roll or fill out the Request Form on the Contact Us page.
  4. You will talk to your driver directly.
  5. We can plan your itinerary, suggest wineries, make appts. or you can give us your itinerary. It’s all very easy.
  6. Your driver will meet you at your hotel or B&B, leave their car there and begin your tour in your car.
  7. Enjoy the tour.

We are insured as designated driver’s through Underwriter’s Lloyd’s of London. This also helps speed things up because we don’t have to meet you at the rental car company to sign our name on the contract. We already are insured. Makes things easier too.

Let’s Roll Wine Tours & Designated Drivers is in their 5th year of touring and we all still love what we do. Give us a call at 415-509-3438. We’re here for YOU!

Let’s Roll,

Deborah

 

 

 

 

It’s Budbreak time in the wine country !!

By | Wine tour

Budbreak… one of my favorite times of the year to visit Northern California’s wine country. It’s happening right now at any number of your favorite wineries and you know what that means? The wine tasting season of 2017 is just getting started. It’s exciting and ah-inspiring to me to see these little green buds popping up all over Napa and Sonoma Counties.

Despite the rain, Let’s Roll has been fairly busy with wine tasting and wine tours. The rains haven’t kept visitors away from taking advantage of our designated driver service to explore Napa wineries, Sonoma wineries or Dry Creek wineries.

Do you consider yourself a wine tasting enthusiast?  Feeling like a winner?  Watch our newsletter and website for a chance to win a wine gift card and be featured on our website.  I will be posting a photo of an obscure place at a winery and you’ll have to guess where it is. Sound fun?  Send me an email telling me where it is and a brief explanation of why you like a certain wine or favorite winery. First one to get it right, wins!

These are some of my favorite places to take my clients: Gundlach Bundschu, Scribe, Twomey, Silver Oak, Truett Hurst, Cast, Inglenook, Pride Mountain and in Saratoga, Savannah Chanelle.

I can’t believe how time flies.  We’re going into our 5th year at Let’s Roll Wine Tours & Designated Drivers. If you’re new on the mailing list and want to know more, go to www.letsrollwinetours.com. On the FAQ page, I answer questions about wineries, rates, lunch and what you need to know to have an amazing experience on a wine tasting adventure in Napa, Sonoma, Dry Creek, Russian River and beyond.

Don’t let another day go by without making your reservation for a wine tasting experience with Let’s Roll Wine Tours & Designated Drivers.  You will be glad you did.

See you soon,

Deborah

Twomey winery, Dry Creek

Twomey winery, Dry Creek

Wine tasting in January

By | Wine tour

Happy New Year, happy new beginnings, resolutions and all that jazz. My New Year’s resolution this year is to eat healthy and to be awesome in every stretch of my imagination. I wish that for each of you, as well.

January, so far, has been quite cold and rainy in the bay area. On a positive note, with all the rain, the news is that Northern California is no longer in a drought. All our local reservoirs are full. We also get the beautiful and luscious green and velvety hills and mountains. I can already see the mustard seed growing between the rows in the vineyards.

I told you last month some of the favorite wineries in Napa and said I would name some of the favorites in Sonoma.

To name a few wine tours that were popular… Gundlach Bundschu, Scribe, Cline, Ram’s Gate, Gloria Ferrer; Benziger and Imagery in Glen Ellen and Kunde and VJB in Kenwood. Next month I’ll tell you the favorites in Dry Creek and Healdsburg.

I’m already taking reservations for Napa and Sonoma wine tours for the new year and the spring season which is known as “Budbreak.”

Tonight I’m drinking a 2013 Estate Vineyard Zinfandel from Gundlach Bundschu. Cheers!

Give Let’s Roll Wine Tours a call. We are your designated drivers for the wine country.

Cheers to drinking wine

Cheers to the holiday season

By | Wine tour

Happy Holidays everyone! I always find this time of year,  a time to slow down and reflect on what has transpired for me over the past year. It truly has been a good year for my business Let’s Roll Wine Tours & Designated Drivers. Some of the popular wineries where clients wanted to go on Napa wine tours … Mondavi (their tour is great), Cakebread, Silver Oak Cellars (one of my favorites), Krug, Castello di Amorosa, St. Supery, Shafer, Alpha Omega, Chandon, Mumm and Clif Lede to name a few. I’ll name my favorite Sonoma wineries next month.

The winter season is a quieter time of year where you won’t find the big crowds as you do during the summer and grape harvest months. October, again, was my busiest month. November is also a beautiful time with the changing of the grape leaves as you can see above in the photo I took at Kunde winery.

Coming up In January, one of my first tours begins with a surprise engagement. I do several of these a year and they’re always so exciting. More to come on that later.

I’m wishing you and your family and friends a heartfelt healthy and prosperous New Year.

Happy Solstice & Merry Christmas.

Kunde Winery   © photo by Deborah Welsh

mouth watering grapes on the vines

The Cabernet grapes are the last to crush

By | Wine tour

It’s October and the “Crush” is on. Northern CA, along with Napa & Sonoma County wineries are in full swing with picking grapes and continuing on with the fermentation.  The process of crushing and destemming is critical. Seeds and stems contain the high concentrations of tannins. This is what can make the wine taste bitter and have an undesirable flavor and what the wine makers try to avoid in the wine making process.

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On location at Savannah Chanelle winery, I photographed the guys picking grapes and the destemming process. The grapes were then transported into large stainless steel tanks and yeast was added in the tanks to ferment the wine.  This was a fascinating process to watch.

When is a good time to take a wine tour? NOW! The season will be winding down at the end of the month but there is always wine tasting all year long. Also, Wine Road is coming up November 5th & 6th, please book your tour with Let’s Roll Wine Tours & Designated Drivers.

It’s May…… where did April go?

By | Wine tour

Where does the time go?  It’s now May. April was a month of resolve and contemplation from where I was just a year ago to where I am now. Last year I was dealing with breast cancer and radiation, along with moving and a death in the family. It was quite a year. This year is a year of more self realization and new beginnings. I’m loving where I am in my life and everything is just getting better and brighter. Oh and by the way, I’m cancer free!

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I did go back to Colorado in April for my Mom’s 80th birthday. She looks great and sure doesn’t look 80. While I was there I did a little work and made a few wine tour appointments. My website is beginning to pay off and show up where people are seeing it and responding to my site. Yes! Isn’t that what it’s supposed to do? So check it out. There’s info on pricing for wine tours. I also offer photography packages for your group events. A Wine tour guide AND a designated driver. Please call soon if you’d like to book for May. My schedule for May wine tours is filling up, especially weekends.

For more information about Napa Wine Tours, Sonoma Wine Tours, designated driver and wine tasting contact me at 415-509-3438.

Let’s Roll Wine Tours!