So what makes Gourmet Food & Wine Tours so special?
Our tours offer more value because we provide more—much more. Back in January 2016, we broke away from the typical food tour format, which usually includes a few wine stops alongside food, and we’ve never looked back. We like to think of ourselves as a “progressive pairing tour,” where each stop features beautiful wines paired with fresh, farm-to-table food. Simply put, our tour lets you experience several exceptional restaurants, wine bars, and food vendors for the price of one nice meal in Marin or Wine Country. It’s a new, social, and educational way to dine, and, of course, it’s absolutely delicious.
Each gourmet bite is thoughtfully paired with luxury wines—mostly local and boutique—that are carefully chosen to complement the dish. Instead of a typical food tour, think of it as a 4+ course prix-fixe meal, created by renowned chefs and local winemakers. Rather than a 3-hour sit-down at one venue, you'll be guided through at least four remarkable restaurant experiences in one fantastic destination, led by a food or wine professional. Expect half glasses from the likes of Joseph Phelps, Stag’s Leap, St. Francis, Frank Family Vineyards, Duckhorn, Cline Cellars, JCB, Trefethen, and other lesser-known gems waiting to be discovered.
Many food tours offer budget-friendly items like pizza, cheese, or cupcakes to fill you up and give you a taste of the town. While there's nothing wrong with this classic model, we aim to deliver an elevated experience. We also share our knowledge on a range of relevant subjects, including local landmarks, history, films, and biodynamic farming practices. Our goal is to educate you on how farming styles impact what’s in your glass and on your plate.
So, why are we so passionate about this? Bay Area-born founder Renee ReBell comes from the wine industry and has lived here for over 23 years. She created the first food tour on the Sonoma Plaza in 2014 after experiencing a typical food tour with her daughter in Chicago in 2013. The year before, she had worked with small winemakers pouring wine for visitors at The Sonoma Enoteca (the first tasting room on the Sonoma Plaza, now Pangloss Cellars). After all of this, Renee was inspired to start the tour to share what she loves. Her two local guides come from a lifetime in the food industry and are just as passionate about the area, farm-to-table food, and biodynamic wine. Each destination on the tour is a magical village with a concentration of outstanding restaurants, many of which are recognized by Michelin or listed as a Bay Area Top 100 restaurant.
At Gourmet Food & Wine Tours, we aim to redefine dining. We want to bring back a sense of reverence and conviviality to meals, without boxing you in to one decision about where to dine. Instead of one wine tasting or one meal, you'll get a taste of several and walk away with knowledge about the area, its food and wine, and perhaps even a few new friends.
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