Wine tour transportation with a Sprinter van rental with driver
A tasting day with friends, a birthday in wine country or a team outing all go better when nobody has to be the designated driver. A booked vehicle with a driver lets everyone enjoy the day.
Napa, Sonoma and Temecula without a designated driver
From San Francisco, it is about 46 miles to either Napa or Sonoma, roughly 1 to 1.5 hours. Temecula wine country is about 58 miles from San Diego, around 70 to 90 minutes. A Sprinter van rental with driver is the usual choice for groups of up to 19, with a high roof for standing and cargo space for any bottles you buy. Bigger groups can use a midsize coach, but check that your tasting rooms can take a larger vehicle.
What the rules require
- Drivers may not use alcohol within 4 hours before driving a CMV.
- Smoking is prohibited on interstate passenger-carrying vehicles.
Open containers, smoking and the driver's own rules
Each state sets its own open-container rules for passengers riding in hired vehicles, so ask us before you plan to open a bottle on board. No driver may use alcohol in the 4 hours before driving a commercial vehicle, and smoking is prohibited on interstate passenger vehicles. For-hire vehicles designed for 9 or more occupants are federally regulated when they cross state lines, and vehicles seating 15 or fewer carry their own federal minimum liability cover.
Planning a tasting day
Book your tasting rooms ahead and send us the list, with times. Build in a lunch stop, and leave slack between wineries, because groups always linger. The quote depends on the hours, the distance and the vehicle, so a tight plan with fewer stops usually costs less than a loose one with many. Agree a firm departure from the last winery, too, so the drive home does not slide into the evening traffic.
Questions
How many wineries can we visit in a day?
Three or four tastings plus lunch is a comfortable day for most groups. Send your list and we will build a realistic plan.
Can we drink in the Sprinter between wineries?
It depends on what the state's open-container rules allow for passengers in a hired vehicle. Ask us before you plan it.
Can the driver pick us up from our hotel in San Francisco?
Yes. Pickups from hotels, homes or the airport are all fine. Send the address and we will quote it.
Cities
Vehicles
- Motorcoach (49-81 passengers) — 49-81 seats
- Midsize coach (35-passenger) — 29-35 seats
- Minibus (16-19 passengers) — 16-19 seats
- Sprinter van (17-19 passengers) — 17-19 seats
- Party bus / limo van — Varies by build (Sprinter limos up to 14)
- Sedan / SUV car service — SUV up to 6 passengers with luggage
Planning a wine tour?
Send the date, headcount and wineries, and we will quote a Sprinter or minibus with driver from a licensed partner operator.
Request a quote or call 15722344442