★★★★★
rated 5.0 on Yelp, Google & TripAdvisor
Private Wine Tasting & Beyond · Est. 2010
Private Wine Tasting & Beyond · Est. 2010
A straight answer — what limos, sprinters, and party buses actually charge, and why most groups end up spending far less than they expected.
The price of a California wine tour varies enormously depending on how you do it — and most people are surprised to find out how much they can save by doing it differently. Here's a complete breakdown of what things actually cost, what you get for your money, and how to make sure you're not overpaying.
The traditional wine tour model involves renting a vehicle with a driver — a town car, limousine, sprinter van, or party bus — at an hourly rate. Here's what the market looks like for a standard six-hour day:
| Vehicle / Service Type | Group Size | Typical 6-Hour Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Town car or sedan | 4 people | $650+ |
| Limousine | Up to 8 people | $750+ |
| Sprinter van (per-person rate) | 8–14 people | $100–$145 per person |
| 14–15 passenger transit / sprinter | Up to 15 people | $1,000+ |
| 16–18 passenger party bus | Up to 18 people | $1,500+ |
| Destination Drivers — small group | Up to 5 people | $300 (6 hrs at $50/hr) |
| Destination Drivers — medium group | 6–11 people | $360 (6 hrs at $60/hr) |
| Destination Drivers — large group | 11–15 people, one vehicle | $420 (6 hrs at $70/hr) |
* Competitor pricing based on current market research. Destination Drivers rates are approximate — contact us for a quote specific to your group and region.
Note that these prices — ours and theirs — do not include tasting fees at the wineries. That's standard across the industry. Tasting fees in California typically run $25–$40 per person per winery, so factor that into your total day budget regardless of which transportation option you choose.
The difference comes down to the model. Traditional wine tour companies own and operate a fleet of vehicles — town cars, limos, sprinters, party buses. Those vehicles represent enormous overhead: purchase costs, insurance, maintenance, fuel, and storage. That overhead gets passed directly to you in the hourly rate.
We work differently. Your driver drives your vehicle — whatever you're already traveling in. There's no fleet to maintain, no vehicle overhead, and no markup on transportation costs you're already paying. You're paying for a professional, experienced driver who knows the wine regions inside and out. That's it.
For a group of four, the difference between a traditional wine tour company and Destination Drivers is often $300–$400 for the same six-hour day. For a large group, it can be significantly more.
Large group example: Two groups of five traveling together. Two traditional town cars would run $1,300 or more. Two Destination Drivers at $50/hour each comes to $600 for the same six hours — less than half the price, with the added benefit that everyone travels in their own comfortable vehicles rather than packed into unfamiliar rentals.
Beyond the base rate, there are a few things worth asking about when comparing wine tour options:
Itinerary planning fees. Some companies charge $100 or more to plan your route and make winery recommendations. We include this for free — tell us your group size, interests, whether you have dogs, what kind of lunch you're hoping for, and we'll build a custom itinerary at no charge. It's part of what we do.
Automatic gratuity. Many transportation companies add 18–20% gratuity automatically. We don't. Gratuity is always at your discretion.
Booking fees. There is a small booking fee when reserving online. That's the only add-on.
Fuel. Since your driver uses your vehicle, you'll use some fuel — but wine country driving is relatively low-mileage compared to highway travel, and the fuel cost is minimal. Far less than the savings on the driver rate.
Here's a realistic picture of total costs for a day of wine touring in California with Destination Drivers, including everything:
| Item | Estimated Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Driver (6 hours) | $300–$420 | Depends on group size |
| Tasting fees (3–4 wineries) | $75–$160 per person | $25–$40 per winery, per person |
| Lunch | $20–$50 per person | Varies by winery restaurant or picnic |
| Itinerary planning | $0 | Included free |
| Gratuity | At your discretion | Never automatic |
* Tasting fees vary significantly by winery and region. Some memberships and reservations waive fees entirely.
The driver cost is the one place where the choice of company makes a meaningful difference to your total. Tasting fees and lunch costs are the same regardless of who drives you.
Pro tip: Many wineries waive tasting fees with a bottle purchase, or offer complimentary tastings for wine club members. If you or anyone in your group has memberships, that can significantly reduce the per-person tasting cost for the day.
Our rates vary slightly by region — some areas involve more driving between stops than others, and larger groups command a slightly higher rate. Napa, Sonoma, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, Lodi, the Sierra Foothills, Temecula, and Monterey are all regions we cover regularly. Contact us for a specific quote and we'll give you an exact number for your group, date, and destination.
What doesn't change by region is the approach: a professional driver, free itinerary planning, no automatic gratuity, and a focus on making the day exactly what your group is looking for.
Tell us your group size, region, and what you're looking for — we'll come back with a custom itinerary and exact pricing, at no charge and no obligation. We've been doing this since 2010 and we're happy to answer questions before you book.
Call or book online — we'll answer questions, build your itinerary, and make sure you're getting the best value for your day.