Planning That Wine Country Getaway with Friends

It's time to enjoy a weekend of fun, laughter, and relaxation in the the California wine country.

Gather your group of friends and follow these planning steps for a fun-filled weekend of good wine, food, and most of all good friends.

Wine Country Group Trip - Checklist

• One or two members of your group must take the roll of the organizer. Maybe it is you!

• Give the trip a name. Example: 4th Annual Ladies' Getaway to Napa Wine Country

• Select the dates and the location: Napa Valley, Mendocino, Paso Robles, etc.

• Select the hotel and try to negotiate a price for all the rooms. Use our Lodging Tool on the right to find the right accommodations and the right price.

• Plan the itinerary. This includes hiring a limo for a day of wine tasting and selecting the wineries you wish to visit. Use our handy Trip Planning Tool or select one of our wine trails on our California Wine Map.

• Consider taking a tour at one of the wineries. The Trip Planner shows you which wineries have tours.

• Talk to the limo service about arranging lunch at one of the wineries you are visiting.

• Book your restauarnt for both nights. If the restaurant is not within walking distance, book a cab.

• Bring some appetizers for your wine cocktail hour before dinner.

• On the second night consider having a appetizer night in one of the guest rooms. Perhaps the inn or hotel has a conference room you can use. Sometimes it is just more relaxing the second night to hang around and not go to a restaurant.

• Arrange for other activities as needed: Massage, shopping, mud bath, golf, church, etc.

• Collect the fees up front for the lodging, limousine, and picnic lunch.

• When the plans are finalized, send an itinerary to all.

• Most importantly of all, have fun in the California Wine Country.