Napa on a Budget 2025: Wine Pass, Group Deals, Tours

Is this your idea of a trip to Napa? I can show you how!

Whoa, Napa is really expensive! Even Sutter Home, the winery behind the infamous White Zinfandel and long known as the last free tasting in Napa, is charging $15 per person. For truly terrible wine, at least by Napa standards.

Well let me show you how you can beat Napa at it’s own game and visit some great wineries without breaking the bank, and without sacrificing wine quality and winery experience. The key is the Priority Wine Pass.

OK, I know I sound like a broken record but for the record I do NOT own the Priority Wine Pass. I just love what they do and how they save my readers so much money. For $39 per couple you get lots of two for one deals all over Napa and Sonoma. The pass is good for a year, you only need one per couple, and you’ll break even by the first or second stop. Here’s some recent reviews:

“We used the Wine Pass at 4 different wineries in May 2025. It worked problem-free at each place, and all of the wineries were great.” Teresa Y., 6/2025

“The priority pass takes us places we might have missed. There have been many pretty wineries as well as excellent tasting rooms. Everyone on the list has been very kind and accepted the pass without question.
Love it!!” Billie L., 6/2025

“Super easy to use and is great value! I highly recommend getting one!”, Kaitlyn G, 6/2025

Looks fancy, looks expensive, but it’s Two for $45 with the Priority Wine Pass. RuVango Winery

What Wineries are the BEST DEALS on the Priority Wine Pass?

There are a lot of great wineries on the pass - here’s the complete list. For first timers I really like these wineries:

BERINGER: Visit their caves for just $30… for two! This must be the least expensive cave experience in Napa.

STERLING: Of course you want to ride the tram and do their self guided tour and then relax with the killer views at the top. Two for $55.

V. SATTUI: Napa’s most popular picnic spot with a newly remodeled marketplace deli. Do a flight, two for $55, stay for lunch. So nice you might stay all afternoon.

PESTONI: Hidden gem picnic spot and a wonderful wine flight experience that allows you to sip your tastings at your own rate at your own picnic table eating your own lunch you brought. I like it! Two for $50 with the pass.

RUVANGO: Tucked away in the Carneros area, this secret winery gives you a high end experience but is just $45 for two. Sit as long as you would like on their balcony overlooking the vineyards, the hospitality beckons back to the old days of Napa when sipping and savoring great wines was the norm.

Coming with a Group? Bachelorette Party? Corporate or Wedding Event?

I have a lot of solutions for groups and none of them include getting in big long lines and being seated in a crowded tasting room where your server has a dozen other tables to wait on. For groups I like personal service where you get your own space, your own server, and service like you’re a VIP. Reach out to me and I’ll help you out, for free. Here’s a summary of group services I provide.

• CUSTOM GROUP EVENT: I’ll connect you with my friends who not only will get you into terrific wineries but will provide you with a RSVP page and the ability for each of your guests to pay their own way if you want. Perfect for bachelorette parties and any event where you don’t want to hassle the planning and don’t want to get stuck with the bill. Of course you can also pay for the entire event and just let us do the planning. And guess what? It’s actually cheaper then if you tried to do it yourself because we use our wholesale connections at the wineries and pass on the savings to you.

• TWO FOR ONE GROUP EVENTS: Some wineries allow you to use the Priority Wine Pass for 2 for 1 discounts for larger groups. I can help you connect with these wineries - this really is the cheapest way to do a group event in Napa.

• UNIQUE TOUR EXPERIENCES: I LOVE Laces + Limos, the tuk tuk tour that not only gets you into some cool wineries but also provides a gourmet lunch right in the vineyards. This is great for couples, groups, join in events, it’s really one of the best experiences in Napa. If you book make sure you tell Chel the owner that Wally sent you as she pays me a small commission - and not to worry, the rates are exactly the same. Here’s a direct email to the owner for more info: Laces + Limos

Napa Valley Cheat Sheet: Everything You Need to Know in One Quick Blog Post

Normally I respond to your email questions within 48 hours but even Wally gets to go on vacation. During the month of June, 2022, I will not have access to emails so will not be responding - but hey, I still have you covered with this quick cheat sheet to help guide you through planning your trip to Napa or Sonoma. Ready?

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FIRST TIME TO NAPA?

NAPA 101: First timers start here - a stop by stop planning agenda that outlines the best Napa wineries to visit from Yountville to Calistoga.

NAPA 102: The sequel to Napa 101 takes you along The Silverado Trail, the other main artery through the valley.

BEST WINERIES FOR FIRST TIMERS ON A BUDGET: This popular page details wineries with discounts and overall good deals.

NAPA ON A BUDGET - TRIP ITINERARIES AND DISCOUNTS: Every discount deal in Napa is here along with sample trip itineraries. If you are completely overwhelmed just follow the advice on this page and visit these top wineries who offer the biggest bang for yoru buck.

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WHAT IS THE PRIORITY WINE PASS, IS IT WORTH IT, AND DO I NEED IT?

In the past Napa had tons of coupons and offers but today most wineries with deals just offer them via the Priority Wine Pass. For $39.99 you get a pass that gets you mainly two for one’s. It’s good for a year, and good in both Napa and Sonoma. Click here to see all of the winery deals.

You only need ONE pass for every two people - Get it HERE so you get my $20 off discount.

Top wineries on the pass include Beringer (save $30), Charles Krug (save $45), Napa Cellars (save $25), Wm Hill Estates (save $35), V. Sattui (great picnic spot, save $22.50). There are also plenty of boutique wineries as well as discounts on the Napa Wine Train and eBike winery tours.

IS IT WORTH IT? At only $39.99 for two it’s hard not to make the pass pay off. Even if you just went to Beringer and Krug you come out ahead by $30. I don’t know about you but if I found $30 on the sidewalk I pick it up - definitely - and I might even start dancing and singing Hallelujah depending on how much wine I already have had.

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BACHLORETTE PARTIES OR GROUP EVENTS

GROUPS OF 6 OR LESS, ON A BUDGET

Most wineries allow groups of 6 of less with no limitations or extra fees. If you want discounts then get one Priority Wine Pass for every two people (example: Get 3 passes for a group of 6) and then go to this list to pick wineries. Space them out every 90 minutes to two hours and make sure the second one allows picnics or has food for sale. A simple itinerary might be:

10:00 Beringer: Grab a glass of wine and stroll the groups, with the Priority Wine Pass it comes out to only $15 per person.

11:30: Charles Krug: A historic winery with a modern interior, get two for one with your Priority Wine Pass. Each tasting comes out to $22.50 with the two for one. Then grab some snacks (wood fired pizza, anyone?) and have a picnic.

1:30: Hans Fahden: They discount groups of 10 or less so take the short scenic drive to Calistoga and do this one. It’s simply beautiful and if you want instagram worthy shots this is the place with it’s reflecting ponds and old wooden bridges. Two for one, just $20 per person with your Priority Wine Pass.

3:30: For the last stop you could do Castillo di Amorosa, the Napa Castle. There are no discounts here but it’s worth the full price and super fun for groups. Or stay on budget and go to Louis M Martini or V Sattui, both really nice wineries with outside areas perfect for your final stop.

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LARGE GROUP ADVICE

GROUPS OF 10 OR LESS: Go to my WINERIES THAT LOVE BIG GROUPS page for a list of wineries that will take your large group.

GROUPS OVER 10, UP TO 100: Go to WINERIES THAT TAKE LARGER GROUPS page for help planning a super large event of over 10 people. Tip: Not many wineries allow these super large groups so make your reservations as soon as you have your dates. With Wedding or Corporate events it’s sometimes best to just pick one winery, but a good one, and allow your guests to hang out and mingle for a couple of hours.

If you are not coming until Fall then you can send me an email and I’ll work on this when I return. As long as you plan ahead by a month or more you should be fine.

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Shortcuts to Top Info Requests

WALLY’S PREFERRED DRIVERS: Most visitors now just hire a private driver as Uber doesn’t work well in Napa and driving yourself is risky. I have drivers who can drive rentals, drivers who will make your reservations for you, and drivers with limos and large group shuttles, all at great rates. Go to my Preferred Drivers page to see which one works best for you.

THE TOP 10 NAPA RESTAURANTS: From The French Laundry ($1,000 per couple) to Happy Hour BBQ, you won’t be disappointed with any of these options.

IS THE FRENCH LAUNDRY WORTH IT?: Join me as I dine at The French Laundry with lots of photos and see for yourself.

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Coming to Napa Soon and Need Help Right Now?

While I can’t respond personally to your email if you need someone to jump in and get it done for you then use one of these two options:

HIRE MELISSA AS YOU TOUR DRIVER: For groups of 6 or less Melissa will take you in her luxury SUV. Best yet, she will play out your agenda and make the reservations for you.

BUY A PRIORITY WINE PASS AND USE THEIR FREE CONCIERGE SERVICE: As long as you buy a pass (get it here, one for every two people) you can take advantage of their free concierge service. They will help you pick and plan your wineries just like I do, and it’s free as long as you get the pass first.