2. Robert Mondavi Winery

Hands down, Mondavi continues to offer the best wine tour in Napa Valley. Although now very popular and crowded the wine educators are among the best in the valley. We've been telling friends who come to visit to always include one of the Mondavi tours during their stay in Napa Valley, and I usually encourage them to take the tour early on in their visit — to put the whole wine-making experience into perspective before they go off to visit other wineries.

I have twice taken a tour requiring reservations that included lunch in the private dining room. The tours and 3 course lunches, with wine parings for each course, were exceptional. I have made this a must stop for lunch whenever I visit.