• service area • lunch menu • special add-ons • rates & booking

Tours & Booking FAQ

 

Q. Is there a minimum # of people for a tour?

A. We currently offer tours for groups with a minimum group size of 15

 

Q. Should I wait to get a head count before making reservations? If so, when is the latest I can make the reservations -1 week before the tour, 2 weeks, etc.?

A. Best to go ahead and make the reservation if you are pretty sure you want to do it, because it gives us time to confirm with all the wineries, schedule the driver, and order the food. If your date is not reserved, we may accept another party and then be unable to accommodate your group. For us, it really helps to have at least 2 weeks or more notice, but of course we do our very best to accommodate last-minute requests, too.

 

Q. Is a deposit required in order to make reservations?

A. We accept "good faith reservations" over the phone and allow reasonable time to receive your deposit, but a minimum 50% deposit and a signed contract is required to confirm the reservation and hold your tour date. This means that your tour is not actually reserved until your deposit or your signed contract is received.


When Booking This Far In Advance - This Amount of Deposit will be due:
Minimum of 3 or more weeks prior to your tour - 50% deposit is required
Exactly 2 weeks prior to the tour - 75% deposit is required
Less than two weeks before the tour - 100% payment is required

 

Q. Do you have a cancellation policy?

  • Up to 14 Days prior: For a full, written, 14-day notice of cancellation, your eligible refund is 100% of your deposit, less any actual out-of-pocket expenses incurred by South Bay Wine Tours.
  • For 5 to 9 days’ notice of cancellation, your refundable deposit is 50% of the deposit paid or 25% of the total bill if full payment has already been processed, less any actual costs incurred.
  • For less than 5 working days notice of cancellation, your deposit is not refundable.
  • No-shows that have not notified of cancellation will be charged in full.

    • As always, we do our best to be fair and look forward to serving you in the future.

     

    Q. What happens if I give an estimate now on the size of our group and find out later that it is much different than the actual?

    A. Sizes of groups always fluctuate, so we understand. The important thing is to let us know right away, since changes in group size can affect your transportation! Your final bill is based on your final/actual count, which is given 7 days before the tour.

     

    Q. Is it possible to bring food on the tour for a picnic at one of the wineries?

    A. Sure, or we also can provide the picnic for you.

     

    Q. Can I choose which wineries I'd like to visit?

    A. Yes, we will work with you to design a tour that includes the wineries you'd like to visit. Tours can be designed to offer a variety of settings and styles, various activities at each winery, or focus on a particular kind of wine. It's a fun job that we love to do, so give us a call and we'll share ideas.

     

    Q. Do you also visit Napa wineries?

    A. Yes, and we have preferred wineries to visit in the Napa/Sonoma area, but our focus is on Santa Cruz Mountains and Santa Clara Valley wineries - we really specialize in those and are most intimately acquainted with the wines, the winemakers, and what the local wineries have to offer in the way of activities and accommodations. There are more than 100 wineries now, just in the Santa Cruz
    Mountains! Most importantly for us, these wineries go out of their way to give our guests special treatment & VIP access, and that's what we love to provide.

     

    Q. How can I take one of your public tours?

    A. Just decide which one you'd like to take, then give us a call. Individuals may sign up - no minimum group size is required for our public tours. (You may also book several people at once and receive a discount) Public tours take a maximum of 25 people, which fills the minibus. If a certain minimum # of reservations is not reached, then the tour may have to be re-scheduled or canceled. We do our best to re-schedule for a later date. For a schedule of upcoming public tours, see the What's New page.