Diary of a Corporate Wine Tour — Napa
It was in February of this year that we received a tour inquiry from Everest Evolution regarding a multi-day trip to the iconic Napa Valley. Having already planned and organized previous company trips for both local and national companies, NapSac Wine Tours was very excited at the prospect of our first multi-day adventure.
After a couple of initial emails, the event organizer from Everest was keen to hop on the phone and further discuss the needs and wants of the tour. We were tasked with entertaining the company's top clients as their thank-you for the business and partnership extended to the company.
A lot of the participants hadn't previously met, so we knew we needed to make this one inclusive, engaging, and fun for everyone — but without becoming too overly "corporate" with the feeling of the activities. An initial itinerary was proposed and then fine-tuned with the help of our clients' preferences to ensure the quality of the tour delivered at every point. We also had a few budget constraints to consider and were able to adjust and work within the set budget the client had provided. After a few conversations, a few tweaks, and a few changes, an incredible experiential tour was created, custom built and finalized.
As the date approached, our client had conveyed how much everyone was looking forward to the trip. We were too! This was definitely the most ambitious project we had put together — but there was never any doubt that the tour would deliver on all fronts.
Day 1
Day 1 started in the afternoon as our group was flying in from different cities across the country. Having selected the Napa Valley Lodge for accommodation in Yountville, this was the perfect central location to explore the valley from. As the guests gathered, the luxury tour bus arrived and the moment was finally here. With almost everyone on board, the tour departed from the hotel and we made our way to our first stop: the world-famous Napa Valley sign. Providing the best backdrop, we got a great group photo filled with smiles and folks ready to enjoy.
A short ride from the sign brought us to our first stop. An exclusive private tasting at Round Pond Winery. The group was treated to a tour of the barrel rooms, production facilities, gardens, and grounds before being led to the terrace. The weather was absolutely perfect as our guests sat down to enjoy charcuterie boards, artisanal cheeses, and a top-class wine tasting of some of the best vintages and varietals that Round Pond has to offer.
Unfortunately, the Everest Evolution C.O.O. wasn't able to enjoy the tour of the grounds due to travel delays. We anticipated such events and had our Lincoln Black-Label Navigator standing by as a chase vehicle to bring her from the hotel to join the group without further delay.
After a great start to the day and the first tasting under our belt, it was on to our second tasting of the day. Stag's Leap Wine Cellars welcomed us with a glass of white on arrival and a tour of the spectacular FAY vineyard, intricate cave networks where the wine is barreled and aged, and the Foucault pendulum. As the tour progressed, our group was seated in The Great Room of the caves to enjoy a vertical tasting showcasing the S.L.V. offerings — most notably the exceptional 2023 vintage. For those familiar with this winery, this is a wine produced from the same vines of the same vineyard responsible for winning the Judgement of Paris in 1976. After checking the weather records, 2023 was an almost identical growth year to 1973 (the vintage that was presented in Paris). This was absolutely the star tasting of the tour, leaving guests thrilled and beyond all expectations, with many taking home souvenirs.
We boarded the bus for the return trip and arrived back at the hotel with everyone in high spirits and ready to enjoy the remainder of the evening. Our part of the day concluded as the guests explored Yountville together before getting a good night's sleep in anticipation of Day 2.
Day 2
Day 2 got a bright and early start with gourmet coffee from the baristas across the street. While some guests opted to sleep in, the more adventurous of the group walked through Yountville's quaint village to Napa Valley Bike Tours, whom we'd contracted on behalf of Everest. As we arrived, all the e-bikes were fully charged and ready for each of our guests to enjoy a leisurely ride around the valley. Guided by a dedicated professional, the group enjoyed the picturesque morning scenery as they explored the local trails.
With the bike ride completed and the rest of the group joining together, it was a very easy start to more adventures in wine country. The bus loaded, we embarked on a slightly longer journey up to Calistoga, in the north of the valley. Enjoying the scenery, passing many iconic wineries, and viewing the endless gorgeous vineyards along the way, a short road led us to Bennett Lane Winery. This charming, family-owned boutique winery was the setting for our master wine-blending competition. But first: lunch!
A beautiful garden surrounded by trees and vines hosted our guests as they enjoyed a fresh deli-style picnic lunch to fuel up for the afternoon. With everyone ready for more, the group gathered in the cool barn as our host taught them the basics of blending wine — which varietals give which elements and how to put them together. With the team broken up into smaller groups of five, it was competition time. Once each team put forward their own blend, head winemaker Rob Hunter judged the five entries and declared the winner. The group was then invited to bottle, cork, and label the blend they personally made to take home as a souvenir of the trip. That engaging, unique experience really helped to shape and focus the group's dynamics and forge new friendships.
With bottles in hand, we then made our way to the final wine tasting of the trip. Hosted by ZD Wines, this was the highlight of the weekend for our event coordinator from New York. A very friendly reception welcomed the group with a brief history of the winery. As we went upstairs, the tasting room had been reserved exclusively for our group. The breathtaking view across the valley floor, filled with vineyards and framed by mountains, was only matched by the sensational wines that were poured. A very relaxed air to the occasion was enjoyed by all as the conversation and wines flowed freely.
With a very satisfied group, we travelled on to the hotel for a quick freshen up. The group took the opportunity to change and prepare for dinner at one of Napa's incredible restaurants, The Charter Oak — chosen not only for the highest quality of produce and farm-to-fork culture, but because of the family-style service. With the group breaking bread together and passing food across the table, a banquet-style feast was enjoyed by all. Cocktails and excellent wines accompanied the meal, which concluded with guests socializing by one of the courtyard fire pits as the night air cooled.
By the time we reboarded the bus one last time, there was a definite feeling of absolute satisfaction felt across the board. We'd done it: created, delivered, and excelled on an experience that will be talked about for years to come. In fact, word had already spread. Another group event from Florida had heard about the Napa trip before it was even over. As a result, we're looking forward to welcoming Everest back again later this year.
From everyone here at NapSac Wine Tours, we would like to thank the wineries, hotels, bike guides, restaurants, and especially the guests of Everest Evolution, for joining us on this incredible two-day adventure and trusting us with their most appreciated clients!