Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour of Sonoma and Napa Valley

Overview

Download GuideAlong’s self-guided audio tour of Sonoma and Napa Valley and uncover the rich history, stunning vineyards, and timeless charm of this world-renowned wine region. Visit iconic wineries including the Tuscan-style castle, Castello di Amorosa, Napa Valley’s first winery, Charles Krug, and Chateau Montelena, renowned for putting California on the global wine map. Along the way, hear fascinating stories on the region’s rich wine-making heritage and its natural wonders play automatically, as you explore this wine lover’s paradise. Enjoy the freedom to explore offline at your own pace, spending more time at places that interest you and bypassing any that don’t. Stories, tips, and directions play automatically based on your location Travel at your own pace Tour offline using GPS. No cell service or WiFi is needed Suggested itineraries for half, full, or multi-day use No time limits or expiry Like having a tour guide along for the drive Purchase one tour per vehicle.

Itinerary

1. Benziger Family Winery

   Benziger Family Winery is celebrated for its environmentally conscious approach to winemaking and its beautiful Sonoma Mountain estate. The winery became widely recognized for adopting biodynamic farming practices that treat the vineyard as one interconnected ecosystem. Visitors can enjoy views of the vineyards, learn about sustainable grape growing, and reserve a selection of wine-tasting experiences.

   · 5 min

2. Jack London State Historic Park

   Jack London State Historic Park preserves the former home and ranch of the celebrated American author. Visitors can explore the House of Happy Walls Museum, London’s cottage, his gravesite, historic ranch buildings, and the haunting ruins of Wolf House. Miles of peaceful hiking trails wind through forests, vineyards, and the landscape that inspired much of London’s writing.

   · 5 min· Admission not included

3. Glen Ellen

   Glen Ellen is a charming Sonoma Valley village surrounded by vineyards, wooded hills, and historic estates. The community is closely associated with author Jack London, who settled nearby and called the area home. Its relaxed downtown features local restaurants, tasting rooms, galleries, and small shops that capture the easygoing character of wine country.

   · 5 min

4. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park

   Sugarloaf Ridge State Park protects thousands of acres of mountains, woodlands, streams, and grasslands overlooking Sonoma Valley. Its hiking trails lead to seasonal waterfalls, peaceful picnic areas, and elevated viewpoints across the surrounding wine country. On especially clear days, visitors can enjoy views stretching toward the Sierra Nevada and the Golden Gate Bridge.

   · 5 min· Admission not included

5. Kunde Family Winery

   Kunde Family Winery has cultivated grapes on its expansive Sonoma Valley estate since the early twentieth century. The property is especially known for its volcanic soil and extensive wine caves carved into the surrounding hills. Visitors can sample estate-grown wines, explore the caves, and enjoy panoramic views during guided vineyard experiences.

   · 5 min

6. Kenwood Vineyards

   Kenwood Vineyards is a long-established winery located in the heart of Sonoma Valley. The winery produces a broad collection of wines using grapes sourced from several notable Sonoma County growing regions. Its relaxed setting offers visitors an approachable introduction to the area’s winemaking traditions and distinctive vineyard landscapes.

   · 5 min

7. Chateau St. Jean Winery combines California winemaking with the atmosphere of a historic European country estate. Its elegant château, landscaped gardens, and vineyard views make it one of Sonoma Valley’s most picturesque winery stops. Visitors can explore the grounds and sample wines such as the celebrated Cinq Cépages blend.

   · 5 min

8. St. Francis Winery & Vineyards

   St. Francis Winery & Vineyards is known for producing expressive Sonoma wines, particularly its acclaimed Merlot. The estate pairs its wines with views of rolling vineyards and the Mayacamas Mountains. Visitors can choose from traditional tastings and carefully prepared food-and-wine experiences that highlight the region’s culinary character.

   · 5 min

9. Ledson Winery & Vineyards immediately stands out for its grand castle-like estate along Sonoma Highway. The impressive building features sweeping staircases, ornate woodwork, tasting rooms, and views of the surrounding vineyards. Visitors can reserve a tasting or browse the estate marketplace for wine-country foods and gifts.

   · 5 min

10. The Petrified Forest contains the stone remains of enormous redwood trees buried by volcanic ash millions of years ago. Minerals gradually replaced the original wood, preserving the shape and structure of the ancient trunks. Visitors can follow walking trails through the forest while learning about the powerful geological forces that transformed the landscape.

    · 5 min· Admission not included

11. Mount Saint Helena rises above Napa and Sonoma as the highest peak in California’s Wine Country. Formed by ancient volcanic activity, the mountain offers far-reaching views across vineyards, valleys, and neighboring peaks. Hiking routes from Robert Louis Stevenson State Park also reveal the mountain’s connection to the famous author’s honeymoon and travel memoir.

    · 5 min

12. California’s Old Faithful Geyser is a natural geothermal attraction where underground pressure sends heated water high into the air. Eruptions generally occur at regular intervals, making the geyser an entertaining and accessible stop for visitors. The surrounding grounds also introduce travelers to the volcanic activity that shaped the northern Napa Valley.

    · 5 min· Admission not included

13. Chateau Montelena Winery occupies a striking stone château surrounded by vineyards, gardens, and a peaceful lake. The winery earned international fame when its Chardonnay won the white-wine category at the 1976 Judgment of Paris. That historic victory helped prove that California wines could compete with some of France’s most respected vintages.

    · 5 min

14. Calistoga is a welcoming northern Napa Valley town known for geothermal hot springs, mineral pools, and rejuvenating mud baths. Its walkable downtown contains restaurants, tasting rooms, galleries, and locally owned shops. The town’s relaxed atmosphere and volcanic surroundings offer a refreshing contrast to Napa’s formal wine estates.

    · 5 min

15. Sterling Vineyards occupies a dramatic hilltop estate overlooking the northern Napa Valley. Visitors traditionally reach the winery by aerial gondola, enjoying expansive vineyard and mountain views along the way. Its whitewashed architecture, terraces, and elevated tasting spaces give the property a distinctive Mediterranean character.

    · 5 min· Admission not included

16. Castello di Amorosa recreates the grandeur of a medieval Tuscan castle in the heart of Napa Valley. The enormous estate features stone courtyards, towers, grand halls, underground cellars, and historically inspired architectural details. Visitors can explore parts of the castle while sampling Italian-style wines produced from the surrounding vineyards.

    · 5 min· Admission not included

17. Clos Pegase Winery is celebrated for combining fine wine with bold architecture and contemporary art. Its classical columns, landscaped grounds, and dramatic interior spaces were created through an international architectural competition. Visitors can enjoy tastings, discover artwork throughout the property, and explore the winery’s extensive cave system.

    · 5 min

18. The Welcome to Napa Valley Sign is one of wine country’s most recognizable roadside landmarks. Framed by vineyards and rolling hills, it provides a memorable introduction to the world-famous Napa Valley. A nearby turnout allows visitors to pause for photographs before continuing toward the region’s wineries and historic towns.

    · 5 min

19. Established in 1861, Charles Krug Winery is recognized as Napa Valley’s oldest commercial winery. Its historic estate played an important role in the development of California’s modern wine industry and later became closely associated with the Mondavi family. Visitors can explore the elegant grounds, learn about its pioneering legacy, and sample wines produced on the estate.

    · 5 min

20. Merryvale Vineyards occupies a historic property near the center of St. Helena. The winery is connected to the early career of Cesare Mondavi and his sons, Robert and Peter, who helped shape Napa Valley’s wine industry. Its atmospheric Cask Room, lined with massive century-old barrels, provides a particularly memorable setting for tastings.

    · 5 min

21. Louis M. Martini Winery has produced Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley for generations. Its history reaches back to the Prohibition era, when Louis Martini began producing sacramental wine before establishing the St. Helena winery. Today, the renovated estate combines its historic character with contemporary tasting spaces and landscaped grounds.

    · 5 min

22. V. Sattui Winery boasts a rich heritage dating back to 1885. This family-owned estate is celebrated for its extensive range of wines and commitment to traditional winemaking. Its rustic Italian atmosphere, lush picnic grounds, and gourmet marketplace make it an ideal destination for a leisurely wine-country picnic.

    · 5 min

23. Grgich Hills Estate was founded by renowned winemaker Miljenko “Mike” Grgich after his Chardonnay helped win the historic 1976 Judgment of Paris. The winery became known for producing elegant wines using organically and sustainably cultivated grapes. Its vine-covered buildings and intimate setting reflect the estate’s focus on traditional, carefully managed winemaking.

    · 5 min

24. Inglenook is one of Napa Valley’s most historic wine estates, founded during the nineteenth century by Gustave Niebaum. Its magnificent château, shaded gardens, fountains, and surrounding vineyards evoke the elegance of an earlier era. The estate’s long history also includes its restoration by filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, who reunited much of the original property.

    · 5 min

25. Frog’s Leap Winery combines highly regarded wines with an inviting farmhouse setting in Rutherford. The estate is known for organic farming, dry farming, and environmentally responsible vineyard practices. Visitors can relax among gardens, orchards, historic buildings, and vineyard views while sampling the winery’s distinctive Napa wines.

    · 5 min

26. Lake Hennessey is a peaceful reservoir surrounded by rolling hills, woodlands, and undeveloped countryside. It serves as an important water source for the City of Napa while also supporting fishing, boating, wildlife viewing, and shoreline recreation. Its tranquil scenery makes it a refreshing natural break from the valley’s busy wineries.

    · 5 min

27. Mumm Napa specializes in sparkling wines produced using techniques inspired by traditional French winemaking. The winery’s elevated terrace provides expansive views over vineyards and the surrounding Napa countryside. Visitors can sample a range of sparkling styles while learning how secondary fermentation creates their characteristic bubbles.

    · 5 min

28. Silverado Vineyards occupies a scenic hilltop property overlooking the Stags Leap District. The estate became known for producing small quantities of expressive wines from vineyards across Napa Valley. Its terrace and tasting room offer sweeping views that complement guided tastings and specially arranged food pairings.

    · 5 min

29. Stags’ Leap Winery is a historic estate nestled beneath the rocky cliffs of the Stags Leap Palisades. The property once served as a fashionable resort and retreat before becoming known for its elegant wines. Its stone manor, gardens, underground caves, and stories of mysterious ghostly encounters add character to the tasting experience.

    · 5 min

30. Chimney Rock Winery is distinguished by its Cape Dutch-inspired architecture and location within the celebrated Stags Leap District. The estate is recognized for sustainable farming and its commitment to protecting the surrounding vineyard ecosystem. Visitors can sample wines shaped by the area’s distinctive combination of volcanic and river-deposited soils.

    · 5 min

31. Trefethen Family Vineyards centers around a remarkable nineteenth-century wooden gravity-flow winery. Its three-level design allowed grapes and wine to move through the production process using gravity rather than mechanical pumps. The family-run estate combines historic architecture, landscaped gardens, and wines grown on its Napa Valley properties.

    · 5 min

32. Cuvaison is situated in the cool Los Carneros growing region near San Pablo Bay. Morning fog and refreshing bay breezes create ideal conditions for cultivating Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Its contemporary tasting room overlooks rolling vineyards, offering visitors an elegant setting in which to experience the estate’s wines.

    · 5 min

33. Domaine Carneros occupies a grand French-inspired château overlooking the vineyards of Los Carneros. Founded by the Taittinger family of Champagne, the winery specializes in sparkling wine produced using the traditional bottle-fermentation method. Its terraces, formal architecture, and vineyard views create one of Napa Valley’s most refined tasting settings.

    · 5 min

34. Sonoma State Historic Park preserves several important sites surrounding historic Sonoma Plaza. Its collection includes Mission San Francisco Solano, the Sonoma Barracks, the Toscano Hotel, and properties connected to General Mariano Vallejo. Together, these landmarks tell the story of Mexican California, the Bear Flag Revolt, and Sonoma’s early development.

    · 5 min· Admission not included

How to use your ticket

Ticket handed over by the operator on site

Includes an app-based self-guided experience, so you do not need any in-person guide. STEPS TO GET YOUR GUIDEALONG AUDIO TOUR: 1. SIGN IN + REDEEM your VOUCHER CODE: https://store.guidealong.com/voucher 2. DOWNLOAD the GuideAlong App 3. SIGN IN to the GuideAlong app with the same Apple or Google account as Step 1 4. DOWNLOAD the Audio Tour NOW FIND YOUR VOUCHER CODE AND INSTRUCTIONS - Email: Search for “GuideAlong”. Check All Mail and junk/spam. - Text: Search for “GuideAlong”. - This Ticket: Find the VOUCHER CODE at the top under the QR code and redeem at Step - Viator App: Open your booking and Contact Support > Contact Tour Operator. - TripAdvisor App: Account > Messages. - Support: Call GuideAlong toll-free on 1866-477-1791. DOWNLOAD THE GUIDEALONG APP & TOUR NOW You must download the GuideAlong app and tour to your phone over WiFi or cellular data beforehand. If you can OPEN your tour and see START TOURING, it is downloaded. No service is required while touring. FLEXIBLE TRAVEL DATE There’s no expiry date or time limit for your tour. If your plans change, there’s no need to change your travel date. CHARGING & SOUND Use a USB/C car charger adapter in the auxiliary power outlet (cigarette lighter) to keep your phone charged, not the vehicle's USB port. Audio will play through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the app’s map will display on your phone. Connect your phone via Bluetooth to listen through the car stereo: guidealong.com/travel-tips-bluetooth/. HELP & SUPPORT - FAQs: See the GuideAlong app’s Help menu or online FAQs at guidealong.com/faq. - Contact GuideAlong Support: Call toll-free 1866-477-1791, chat online at guidealong.com, or email info@guidealong.com.

Meeting point

What to know before you go

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• How to Access: After booking you’ll receive an email and text with instructions (search “Download Audio Tour”). Click the link in the email/text to sign in with your preferred Apple or Google account and redeem your voucher code ahead of time.
• Download The GuideAlong App: Download the free app over WiFi or cellular data and sign in with the same Apple or Google account.
• Download The Tour: Download the tour in the GuideAlong app under 'My Tours' over WiFi or cellular data.
• Start The Tour: Open the tour in the GuideAlong app to preview the start locations, tour route and trip planner, or start the tour.
• Location-Based Stories: Audio commentary plays automatically as you drive using your phone’s GPS chip. Wherever you are and whichever direction you’re going, you’ll hear the best stories and tips.
• Flexible Travel Date: Tours are a one-time purchase with no expiry or date/time limit. If your plans change to a different day, there’s no need to change your travel date.
• Tour at Your Leisure: With GuideAlong, you control the pace. Start, stop, and resume the tour any day, anytime, adapting it to your schedule.
• Driving Tours: Group Savings: One purchase covers everyone in the vehicle, making it a cost-effective way to explore.
• Works Offline: No internet or cell service is required once the audio tour is downloaded to your phone, so you can relax and tour offline.
• Bring A Charger: Pack a USB/C car charger for charging and easy sound connectivity, and make sure your device is fully charged.
• Technical Support: The GuideAlong support team is available daily by toll-free phone, online chat, and email.
• The app’s audio will play through your car’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto display, while the app’s map will display on your phone. You can connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth to listen to the commentary through the car stereo.
• You will receive confirmation immediately when you book.

Travelers

Pricing per package (up to 8 people).

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

• From 1 days before : 100% refunded
• From 0 days before : 0% refunded

Reviews

Product code: 309754P92

Activity offered by GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide) via Viator.