My friends and I decided to do a wine tour for my birthday weekend so we booked a tour with Tim. We had met up at Vinoce & Twenty Rows winery. We were warmly greeted. The place was beautiful and cozy. Kevin was our tour guide. He was knowledgeable, very entertaining, and very welcoming. Our tour consisted of 3 wonderful wineries. It was definitely a wonderful birthday experience. Just what I had wanted, nice relaxing day with wine. I definitely recommend booking with Eye on Wine Tours if you want to have a one of a kind wine tasting experience. read more

Eye on Wine - Wine Tours Near Me - St. Helena, California

See all

Another amazing day with Gordy!! This time my ladies and I brought the husbands :) Everyone had a great time. Like our last trip, Gordy introduced us to noteable wineries we would have never found on our own! Gordy picked us up in Concord, a central location for our group. We rolled in a comfortable van. Gordy had cold waters ready for us at each stop to keep us hydrated throughout the day. He prepared an amazing Cheese and Meat plate for our lunch picnic. As always just great company. Gordy is so personable and down to earth! Must I add, very patient! Especially toward the end of the day if you know what I mean! We visited - Handwritten, Mumms, John Anthony Vineyard and Pure Cru. Handwritten would be the stop that wow'd me. Loved the boutique yet homey feel of the place. Our host was great and had their wines been within my budget, I would have purchased a case! I recommend Gordy Eye on Wine Tours to anyone looking to get a VIP tour of Napa. read more

I should've written this review ages ago..... We went to Napa in September of 07, and scheduled a wine tour with Eye on Wine Tours. We selected this tour, because (and I hope he doesn't mind me saying this...) Gordon let us take our dog! Gordon arrived on time, and drove us and Izzie around all day. I can't recall where all we went, but probably one of the best was Pine Ridge. We got a private tour of the winery, including their beautiful caves, and while we were inside, Gordon took Izzie around outside! Izzie and Gordon met up with some goats and she had a great time as well. We started out the day with Izzie being car sick, which didn't even phase Gordon, and ended the day introducing Gordon's min pin (I think) to Izzie! Gordon knows so much about wine, loves the area, and is great fun to talk to and hang out with all day. I've uploaded a great photo Gordon took of the three of us at Pine Ridge. read more

Eye on Wine - A photo Gordon took of of us at Pine Ridge. - Wine Tours Near Me - St. Helena, California

Based on Yelp reviews, I booked a day with Gordy for myself and 3 friends for the one day of our San Francisco trip we had set aside for the wine country. Our day with Gordy ranks up there as one of the best vacation days I've ever had! We sampled amazing wines, we saw beautiful corners of Napa not open to the public, we met some great people, and we hung out with Gordy as if we were friends from way back. One of my friends commented that she hadn't laughed that much in a long time. My friends and I have varying levels of wine knowledge. The winemakers we visited were friendly and welcoming, making us comfortable enough to ask anything. Gordy knows these people personally. They are the kind of people you take pleasure in giving your business to. Gordy takes care of all the details. He'll keep you hydrated with water in the back of his SUV, he'll grab your cameras and take pictures so you can relax and enjoy the wines, and he will ship the wines you buy back home for you. I'm tempted to call this a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but the truth is that I look forward to returning to Napa and touring with Gordy again. I can't imagine a better Napa valley experience. I know for a fact that Gordy is going to read this review and so I just want to one more thing... "Hi Gordy!" read more

Eye on Wine - Midsummer Cellars - Wine Tours Near Me - St. Helena, California

See all

Another 5 stars for Gordy.... My girlfriend and I just finished a quick trip to wine country before we headed back to Chicago following a sibling graduation in the San Jose area. I don't even know where to begin. Hands down, our tour with Gordy was the HIGHLIGHT of our vacation. I was able to find Gordy via positive reviews on Yelp and Trip Advisor, and was a little hasty on how dependable that would be. He put all my worries to bed when he arrived early at our hotel, and, with a huge welcoming smile on his face. He was conversational, funny and extremely knowledgeable as we broke the ice on the way to the first winery. He has great stories about the region, and, just about life. We learned about his trips to the the Midwest, and, how proud he is of his sons as they carve out their niche in NorCal and Wine Country. Gordy took us to 5 very different wineries. We felt special at every one as we soaked in everything that goes into wine making. Gordy knows a lot of great people in the region, and he will not take you anywhere that is anything less than breathtaking. As long as I live, I will always remember my picturesque lunch at Saviez vineyards, scarfing down a sandwich from the local market as we took in the incredible views on the private deck with Linda, the winemakers wife. She even picked me fresh rosemary to take home and grill with!! Gordy was even considerate enough to take us on a side trip between vineyards to take a photo of a redwood that had split. He said it was "trippy" and "cool". He was not kidding, it was quite a sight. I truly could go on forever on how incredible this experience was. Gordy offers an incredible way to see the region and at a pretty affordable price. Most importantly, it is a safe way to see valley. If you are coming out to Sonoma/Napa and looking for an incredible way and person see wine country, call Gordy. You will not regret it. read more

Eye on Wine - Wine Tours Near Me - St. Helena, California

Recently my girlfriends and I booked a tour with Gordy. He was very professional and took us to three wineries. They were amazing and meeting the owners and learning about the history of the wineries was beyond our expectations. They shared their stories and we learned so much more about wine. It is a completely different experience compared to going to a tasting room with a lot of people in it. To hear the stories from the owners or winemakers and not be in a crowded room is an awesome experience. We have been to multiple wineries to wine taste and this experience exceeded my expectations.. I would highly recommend going on tour with Gordy his knowledge of Napa and wineries is fantastic and he is fun to hang out with. We all loved our experience. I am so glad Napa is open. read more

My girlfriend booked Gordy "Leibovitz", as I began calling him for his excellent work behind a camera, for two days of wine tasting based on Yelp reviews. Throughout their correspondence leading up to the trip she kept raving about how nice he seemed and how he was asking all the right questions to ensure our trip was personalized to match our preferences. The others on the trip who hadn't spoken with him were a bit skeptical as to whether two days with the same guide might get stale by the second day. In the end, that turned out to be a resounding NO. Gordy's dynamic personality immediately put us to ease and within the first hour it felt like we were old friends. If anything, it seemed that time went to fast and we could have gone another day. Gordy has lived in the area his whole life and it definitely shows. He knows everyone and everyone seems to know him. He planned two perfect days of visiting boutique wineries, who all make delicious wine, that we never would have found without Gordy. He has a seemingly endless number of wineries on speed dial so I'm confident he can put together a perfect trip for anyone. Gordy's number one priority was our enjoyment and we truly felt that the entire time. He has wine running through his veins and his passion is quickly contagious. Plus, the man's storytelling alone was almost worth the price of admission. I would definitely recommend Gordy to anyone who wants a truly unique Napa experience and doesn't mind laughing until it hurts. read more

See all

I select one star for this review only because there is no lower option. I can't articulate where to begin with the negative experience we had with Gordy/Eye on Wine. But allow me to take a step back; to be clear, I was highly recommended an afternoon with "Gordy" after a close friend went out with him only a mere 4 weeks before my scheduled visit. As a result, myself, my wife, and our two friends were in the Napa area for 'crush' and did not hesitate to book "Gordy" on the recommendation. All went according to expectation through the week leading up to our visit, and then... ...Things started to turn slightly sour. We had two morning reservations scheduled during our time in Wine Country (a couple of personal must-sees). Upon confirming the scheduled itinerary with Eye on Wine, he made it clear that he did not condone "corporate appointments" but would work with us on our schedule. He informed us that the time necessary to travel from our hotel on the morning of our reservation would require 45min of transportation and, as such, to be ready at 9:15 sharp. 9:15 came and went. No Gordy. By 9:25, without a sign or a communication from Gordy, we attempted to reach out... After a call to voicemail and a text message that was immediately responded with '20 minutes away'.... we came to a hard bypass. With a strict 10am reservation that is comfortably 45 minutes away and driver that is now "scheduled" to arrive almost 35 minutes late -- we were beyond backed into a corner. We went into contingency mode trying to express an effort to reschedule our day's appointments and in the process try to define Gordy's delay. In an attempt to define ETA-- my wife made a call to Gordy on her cell phone only to be received with a taciturn driver, clearly exacerbated with the current situation, that, in response to the question, "what is your ETA", was returned with a yelling "WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO, FLY?!?!" Obviously the clouds were rolling in on our parade. In response to the frank rudeness and offensive behavior of Gordy, I made the call to confront our situation. What started with soft inquiry on the developing situation was returned with an aggressive response. We fired his service immediately. There is no place for this level of behavior to my wife, my friends or myself. Period. Thankfully to the Westin Verasa, we were able to schedule a rescue operation and still had a great day with the company and wineries that would accept us without reservation. I write this review, simply, because I have never been so compelled to react to a service as my experience with Gordy and Eye on Wine. The treatment of my wife, the treatment of my friends, and the outright rudeness of my receipt with Gordy on the other end of the phone is unacceptable. I have since done some follow up research of Gordy/Eye on Wine on TripAdvisor and there are some interesting posts/comments that should serve enough fear to ever schedule with this company including, but not limited to, post claims of self-advertising. I highly suggest CONCERN and CANCELLATION with reservations with Eye on Wine and, after my experience, I fully expect an ugly email rebuttal from the owners that I am committed to sharing on this forum, the Better Business Bureau and any other forum for Napa wine tasting. I would opt for a negative or zero star option if available. Worst customer service experience of my life. read more

This is a good as it gets. My hubby, myself and our 2 friends made our first trip to Napa this past weekend. We went with Gordy and the experience was top notch. I loved this experience because I appreciate the off-the-beaten-path wineries where you have a much more intimate and personal experience with the actual winemakers. Gordy planned an awesome day with some great places where we really felt comfortable and he took care of us the whole time. We are cab lovers so the experience could not have been better for us... although a little tough on the pocketbook;) All in all, the next time I hit Napa I won't hesitate to give Gordy a call -- he's the only one I'd work with if you want a 'local' experience. read more

My two friends and I were in Sonoma for the Napa to Sonoma Half marathon and of course had to sneak in a wine tour. Gordy came highly recommended from friends who used him another time and he didn't disappoint. Gordy picked us up in Sonoma and we were on our way. He was very knowledgeable and outlined our day for us. We visited four wineries and the highlight of the tour was that three out of the four times it was just us at the winery. We were able to sit down with the winemakers and learn their process. Everyone was super friendly and the wine was delicious. He drove us all around Napa and our lunch spot had the most stunning views. It was a full day, but we never felt rushed or pressured into buying the wine (even though we did!). I would definitely recommend Gordy and use him again in the future. His tour was worth every penny! read more

Eye on Wine - Jessup Cellars--last stop on the tour. Excellent Zinfandel wine! - Wine Tours Near Me - St. Helena, California

If I could give him negative stars he would not be worth that. We rented the house on the Aonair Vineyard and had an absolutely marvelous time celebrating a dear friend's birthday. At 5pm Mr. Larum was to come to the estate for a wine tasting session. He was 45 minutes late and we had dinner reservations. One of the attendees stated that she was glad he'd finally made it and his response was appalling. He stated that he was busy with paying clients, that this was his fourth tasting and he was tired...huh? He finished his diatribe with a 'you can just pour it yourself!' put the 3 bottles on the table and left. I was absolutely appalled, embarrassed, and just plain astounded that someone would treat his patrons so poorly and why!! I hope he has an honest moment of reflection and reach out to the young lady this celebration was in honor of and wholeheartedly apologize. P.S Mr. Larum, $300 is not much when it comes to wine, you were among enthusiasts and would have made that back and then some. I think you took one look and the crowd and assumed....I'll end it there. For the record, Gordy was 45 minutes late not 10! I love how we are being made to look unreasonable! read more

Gordy is from the Napa area and has an incredible background on everything and everyone there. So a tour with Gordy is a real treat in that you get a real local's knowledge of the area, the vineyards, and the wine. That means you are going to visit some of the local best and get a personal experience with the various vineyards he books you with. We did 2 days of tastings and Gordy didn't let us down a bit. He provided us with all the essentials (bottled water) and was extremely accommodating when it came to shipping wine for us. He can literally help you plan your whole trip--where to stay, eat, along with taking you on his arranged tours. His stories are epic and will have you cracking up--he should write a memoir. So, if you are looking for a more personal and entertaining wine tasting tour, I highly recommend you book/contact Gordy. Cheers! read more

Gordy is the real deal. He knows Napa Valley, having lived there his whole life, so you get lots of the backstory of the different families, very entertaining. He will take you to some small production family wineries. These are places off the beaten track where the wines are excellent, but undiscovered. We visited Black Cordon, a beautiful setting and wines that are theist affordable wines made by Paul Hobbs. Can't say enough about Gordy, and he makes his own wine, Witchery, which is fantastic.. If you are into wine and are looking for a one-of-a-kind experience, this is the guy. read more

I feel like I am repeating the same thing that others before me have said, but WE loved Gordy's attentiveness, hospitality, wealth of knowledge and winery stops! I booked him for my husband's surprise birthday gift and Gordy was able to score us an appt. at Opus One to start off. Never been and always wanted to go there. After that, none of the other smaller wineries were as commercial and well known as Opus, but they had some, as Gordy would say "Killer wines". He actually came and picked us up in Pleasant Hill and brought us back! We will definately use Eye on Wine Tours again! read more

I loved the team at Eye on Wine! Tim provided a one of a kind experience to our group. Not only did we enjoy some of the best wine Napa had to offer, Tim also guided us on a hike up Mt. St. Helena. His up beat attitude and knowledgeable advice got us safely up and down the mountain. My favorite part of our Eye On Wine experience was the personal chef that came to our home. The food was delicious, and Tim also did a great job creating a fun and beautiful ambiance for us to enjoy dinner. I would 100% recommend EoW tours for any group looking for a Napa experience they'll never forget. Ps: Tim knows everything about everything! Quiz him on wine, sports, hiking, etc. You name it, he has an answer. He's the best person to guide you from winery to winery. read more

How could I not give Gordy 5 stars?!?! If I could give him 6 stars I would. Living in San Francisco, I've gone on my fair share of Napa trips, whether with friends or while taking the fam/friends on the "Bay Area Tour." You name it, I've tried it, we've driven ourselves (which is not nearly as fun for the DD while stressful for the navigator), we've done the GODAWFUL bus tour with tons of people and waited in horrendous lines at all the typical wineries - where the staff was snooty and eager to see us leave- and we've attempted to hire a driver once (but got into it about fair pricing when he tried to overcharge us prior to the trip). With my best girlfriends finally coming out West to visit for the first time, I was not going to take a chance on our Napa trip. We were celebrating a new job and graduations from law school and medical school, so I spent hours researching wine tours and chauffeur services for hours to ensure that this would be the perfect trip. I contacted Gordy at Eye on Wine Tours, and after speaking with him a couple times, knew that I made the right choice. Being paranoid about a personal driver (STRANGER DANGER- as we're all taught, especially 4 young ladies), I was apprehensive but thanks to Yelp, I went all in and set up our tour. I've been to enough wineries to know the popular ones, but Gordy promised that we'd bypass the tourist traps to the smaller wineries for the true tasting experience. He met and went above and beyond all of my extremely demanding expectations and we had the experience of a lifetime. Everyone was so friendly at the wineries and we even went on a few private tours. Best. Trip. Ever. Gordy is so professional and knowledgeable about wine country- he knows EVERYONE and can get you in anywhere. He can even deal with a group of sloppy twenty-somethings yelling in the back seat ;) Do your wine tour with a local pro- and plan it as early as possible as he gets booked up! It'll be the best decision you make. Note to Gordy (if you read your Yelps)- I've got family coming to town late this summer- I'll call you soon! read more

I almost want to keep him a secret, but the world needs to know how great Gordon is! It will be difficult to tell you how WONDERFUL our experience with Gordon (Gordy) was and still keep this review short enough for people to actually read it. In short, we had a blast! I met my parents in Napa Valley so we could celebrate my dad's 50th birthday. I made all of the arrangements, so I was extra nervous about the outcomes because if people didn't have fun, it would be my fault. After doing TONS of research, I booked our wine tour with Gordy. Now to be honest, I was a bit nervous because he and his brother are not part of a big, mainstream company. But that was also part of the appeal, as well. My parents and I love small businesses, doing unique things, and having more personalized experiences. After our fantastic time with Gordy, I can't believe a worry ever crossed my mind. He picked five perfect wineries based on conversations I had with him over the phone, catered to our likings. Not only did he show us a really well-rounded view of the different wine-making operations in the Valley, but he also ensured that all of the people everywhere we went were super-nice, fun and interesting. It seems like Gordy is a well-connected member of a very classy Napa mob family, if one does indeed exist-- he's that well connected. And that leads to the best way I can describe Gordon: extremely classy and professional, yet very personable and fun, without an ounce of pretentiousness. After spending the day with him, I feel so lucky to have made a a new, awesome friend. We could have never had a comparable experience to the one we had with Gordy if we had chosen another company. I recommend this tour without hesitation to anyone who is a nice, laid-back person who enjoys delicious, upscale food and wine. p.s. Because of Gordon's very reasonable tour price, my dad was able to spend the money we didn't spend on the tour buying delicious wine at the places we visited, which is now his favorite new hobby :-) read more

This is my second review on Gordy and his company Eye on Wine Tours as well as my third tour with him in three years. I would like to note that I have been to Napa for wine tasting about 3 other times without Gordy since my first tour with him, and it never is the same. Of course, we were NOT disappointed. It was a group of 3 of my girlfriends and myself along with our husbands. He took us to four wineries, three of them I had never been to before. The only reason why we went to Mumm again was because it is hands down one of my favorite wineries. Plus, who doesn't like a little bubbly in the morning? The best thing I can say about Gordy is that he is so unique and passionate. When you combine those two traits you get pure amazing-ness! Just talking with him you know that he loves what he does. He caters to all of your needs and desires, tells some pretty amazing stories, and is so sincere. There aren't a lot of people out there like this guy. No other guide out there that I would recommend when you visit the Wine Country. read more

This wine tour was exactly what we were looking for during our second stay in Napa. Gordy did a great job describing the boutique wineries and surrounding area of Napa Valley that we explored on this tour with him. His stories were entertaining and his recommendations were perfect! Eye on Wine Tours was a pleasant part of our trip to this lovely region. read more

I found out about Gordon from a friend of a friend and gave him a call he was immediately helpful and accommodating. I was traveling with a group of eight, some who have been to Napa before. I have never had such a wonderful experience as I have been to Napa a few times previously. Expectations were set before we arrived and Gordon did not fail to deliver. Although the weather was a little less than to be desired, we were greeted at the house we rented with umbrellas and a smile. We visited four amazing places with great hosts and even better wine that we would have never been able to visit without Gordon. We had an amazing lunch with wine at one stop and fantastic memories to last a lifetime. I plan on giving Gordon a call on my next visit to Napa in the future. read more

Gordy is so much fun! If you're looking for a once in a lifetime day in wine country, he gives it to you!! Such a personal experience that made my birthday so special! HIGHLY recommend. read more

A good friend recommended Gordy of Eye on Wine tours to us for my wife's birthday trip to wine country and they did not disappoint. Great communication on pick up and determining what we were looking for. Tim N. picked us up in a brand new ride that was immactulate inside/out. We talked with Gordy before arriving and indicated our preference for boutique vineyards with strong reds. We really wanted to go places we wouldn't otherwise stumble upon and Tim planned out a great day for us. We visited 3 vineyards all of which were phenomenal, had incredible views of the valley and wonderful people. We are pretty laid back and Tim made sure the vineyards matched our desire for a casual day. He even picked up a gorgeous charcuterie plate for us for lunch while touring one of the vineyards. As we did a fair amount of driving from our home base in Healdsburg, we had a chance to pepper Tim with questions on everything from winemaking to the valley geography. The guy is a fountain of information! All in all, just a great experience. We can't say enough good things about them and highly recommend Tim if your looking for a great wine tasting experience. read more

I feel bad to be the first party pooper in this otherwise 5 star operation. I am by no means a wine connoisseur, but I do drink a lot of reds, so I suppose I have a clue, at least. I went on this tour with 3 other friends who don't know that much about wine, and we were all eager to have fun and learn at the same time. I spoke to Gordy over the phone, and immediately from talking with him, I could understand why he always received 5 stars. He was very enthusiastic, friendly and sincere. The great advantage of this particular wine tour is that all the tasting fees are already included. You will travel in a private car with just your group, and water is provided. So I booked the tour for the four of us, and now for the less fortunate part...Gordy was not available that day, so he booked us with his brother John. He assured me his brother was just like him. WRONG!! Now, undoubtedly, John is extremely well versed and knowledgeable about the entire wine making process and industry. He recently relocated from France, where he and his wife helped her parents run their winery. However, there were several times where my friends and I were standing open-mouthed with full glasses in hand, while John reminisced with one of the wine-makers, essentially ignoring us. He was not engaging by any means, and is somewhat reserved in his demeanor, which does NOT make for a good tour guide. There were several times I had to prompt him to tell us more about a particular topic. The only redeeming qualities about our tour were a few of the wineries, especially Clos Pegase (where thankfully Gordy joined us briefly) and Jessup winery. I do have to thank John for allowing us to essentially crash a release party at the Venge winery, where Kirk Venge and his wife welcomed us anyway. I will probably be joining their wine guild as a result of that unplanned excursion. I still do think that the tour is overall a great experience, but I hope that either Gordy alone will conduct the tours, or that John will use this constructive criticism to improve upon his weaknesses. read more

I am writing an update after my mom told me how she was treated during her last trip.... Usually, Gordy used to take us to really very secluded wineries and private ones with private tastings... and the trips were always different. Not sure what happened, but my mom and I spoke, and we had the SAME itenary.... During one of the tastings (I wish I remembered the name of the winery) the 30 year old owner was so full of himself... he was very patronizing to my group of girlfriends... when I spoke to my mom, who went with an older crowd (who has gone with Gordy before and knows how he used to do business) the man was rude. Nobody said anything at that time, but later talked about it and all felt the same way. My mom's group went with 18 co-workers. My mom set it up and made the arrangements... They were told they would hit up 4 wineries and lunch was included in the $150/per person price. On the day of, Gordy requested the money upfront (which he had never done before). When it came time for "lunch" he only provided a baguette with salami. When they went to the 3rd winery, my mom found out that was the last winery. It was a shock to her since they had talked about going to 4. After the last stop, he didn't even drive them back to the inn they were staying at. My mom didn't say anything at that time. Another thing... One of the ladies husbands was going to meet them during the day, but for some reason was unable to.... Since they had paid upfront, the $150 was gone. My mom decided to email Gordy and just let him know that her experience was not as good as previous ones. She thought he deserved to know that nher experience was not good so he could change his ways back to before. She also requested a refund for the person that couldn't come. After about a week, she received an email; not from Gordy, but from the "rude 30-year old." He was even more rude in the email telling her basically that wine tasting is a privelage and its meant to be for people that actually buy wine. (My mom's group bought several bottles from that winery). Then, my mom did end up receiving a check in the mail refunding the $150 for her friend that couldn't come. 2 stars because he used to be a good tour and she did end up getting the $150 back. Unfortunately, after several trips with Gordy, I don't think I will trust that he changed; AND, I didn't appreciate how the after math of my mom's email was handled. read more

Honestly I was a little nervous to start this trip off. First time to Napa and a huge wine enthusiast so much so that you might be shocked to know my age. I found out about Gordy online randomly when I found out about his estate, Witchery. Tell Gordy Greg told you about it and it will make his day. He is extremely passionate about the wine industry and took us to some of his family friends estates and they were phenomenal! Gordy ended up taking to four different locations were we learned about the wine growing and making part of the business from the owners and winemakers. Additionally we were able to try is Witchery Proprietor Reserve (which I highly recommend!!!). Overall the experience was amazing, next time we come to Napa I will be doing multiple days with Gordy, it is worth it! read more

I have been to over 150 wineries in the Napa Valley and have never been treated with such disrespect. I planned a tasting for 15 friends for my 40th birthday. I met Gordy months ago at another winery and HE offered to do a tasting for my birthday. He showed up late, no apology, and said, "I have to give my time to my paying customers that pay my bills." He made major assumptions about who he was dealing with - and did so blatantly. I reminded him that we were now in a rush because we had a dinner reservation. He said, "I can just leave the wine and you can pour it yourself, I'm tired anyways." Mind you, and not that it should matter, we were staying at a mansion that cost near $2,000/night. My friends and I were ready to purchase wine and super excited for our tasting. Gordy then thought he was doing us a favor by leaving $300 worth of wine for us to pour ourselves (it was three bottles, allegedly at $100/bottle). Please, $100 bottles of wine don't impress me, and especially if they come with horrible service. Do yourself a favor and don't reward this kind of arrogant disrespect. I have proudly brought many people to Napa over the years and I can guarantee that ALL of them will know to never patronize this man's business. read more

As a first-timer to the Napa Valley, I wasn't really sure what to expect when we signed up for a trip with Eye on Wine. Gordy took us on a tour of the most private and established vineyards in Napa, where we had the chance to taste some of the best wines from many different decades and learn about the history of Napa Valley along the ride. His knowledge of the vineyards and wine-making process are unrivaled having grown up in the valley himself. On our trip, we stopped at four different vineyards, some larger than 800 acres, and some much smaller, family-owned locations. Regardless of size, they all proved to be special in their own way with the knowledgable owners onsite at most locations to meet and talk with our group. As I told him on the trip, I don't think there is another way to go to Napa. Gordy and his partners easily made the day we spent with him the highlight of the vacation. All of the tastings were beautifully orchestrated including an unbelievable lunch on a vineyard lake (canoeing included!). Going to Napa with the help of Eye on Wine is great for anyone staying the weekend in San Francisco, but looking to get out of the city for a day. Gordy picked us up at our hotel, then took us door to door to make sure we had fun without ever having to worry about how to get from one tasting to another. If you're going to be in the Bay Area, call Eye on Wine and arrange a tour. You'll never forget it. read more

The whole reason why I started a yelp account was so that I could give Gordy and Eye on Wine the AWESOME review that they deserve. Some friends of my boyfriend and I visited Napa last year and raved about Gordy ever since and gave us his contact number in case we ever made it out there. We booked a week long trip to Napa for May 2010. I contacted Gordy in March and as luck would have it, he was available the week we would be visiting. We set up a time and date, contact numbers, etc. Also on this phone call, Gordy asked what are preferences were, what we didn't like, in order to custom make our day. He also gave me tons of great recommendations of things to go, things to see, great restaurants, etc. We were on the phone for a long time but you could tell he knew his stuff. Anyway, fast forward two and a half months - Gordy was prompt in picking us up and planned such an amazing day for us. It is kind of hard to put in words, but I'll try! We went to five wineries and had private tastings, barrel tastings, reserves and we got to personally meet, talk to and ask questions of the actual owners. We toured the wineries which were all unique and little off the beaten path. One of the most memorable places that day (and memorable moments of the trip) was when he took as to Saviez (which ended up being one of very favorite wineries). We picked up lunch, got to the winery, met the owner, sat on the porch and looked out to the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. Not only that, but they left me and my boyfriend alone, only to come back with more tastings. That was my very favorite part. While we were driving in between tastings, Gordy was filling us in on the history of Napa and wine. He is extremely knowledgeable is a huge plus and he is a native so he knew the area like the back of his hand. After that amazing day, we booked Gordy for our last day in Napa and we went to four different wineries which were all as fantastic as the first day! I highly recommend Gordy because as you can see from mine and every other review, he is the best you can hire - that is just a fact. He knows everyone! He is a fun guy too! Thanks Gordy for the great and awesome memories! read more

We used Gordy for a girls trip to Napa this fall and he was awesome! He took us around one day & his wife, Sylvia, took us out the next and she was equally awesome. They were both so fun & helpful, great for first time wine tourers. I loved the wineries they took us to, smaller and intimate. Their passion for wine rubbed off on all of us. Can't wait to use them again! Best decision we made that trip was booking Gordy! read more

My experience with Gordy is always top-notch. This was my 7th tour with Gordy. He does a great job of finding out your taste and tailors the experience based on what the group likes to drink. On one occasion, we brought a group of Napa virgins out...so he tailored the experience to include a few great stops that focused on a detailed vineyard tour. Gordy has always made sure that we were treated well at all of our stops. He also makes sure that we get something to eat! (which can be overlooked after the second tasting!) He also makes sure that his guests pay no tasting fees. We love touring with Gordy! We have started to schedule our trips around his availability. read more

Gordy was amazing! He picked us (11 girls) up from San Francisco and was very prompt. We went straight to Napa -- to many amazing wineries we would not have been to otherwise. He set lunch up for us and ensured that we had the most beautiful day filled with delicious wine, cheese and snacks! He made my bachelorette weekend incredible for us all! We all felt like queens! I highly recommend Gordy! read more

Once you tour with Gordy you will never wine taste any other way. I have gone on two tours with Gordy, and both have been amazing. Private tastings of unbelievable wine and spectacular estates. Gordy is professional and knowledgeable and takes care of you the whole day. If you are coming to the Napa area, a day wine tasting with Gordy is a must. read more

Gordy is the best! My husband and our friends hired Gordy upon the recommendation of a friend who had used his services a couple of times. Not only is he friendly, fun and low-key, he is wonderfully knowledgeable about all things Napa. Being a local guy he has so many insider tips and access to wineries and people we would have never had access to on our own. Hiring Gordy was truly the best decision I made in planning our trip. Also, he's worth every penny as a DUI w court costs, etc is over $14K in Napa. They don't mess around and neither should you. Just sayin'... I will absolutely have Gordy as my guide on our next trip and there will be a next trip. So much fun! read more

Had a great trip with friends Tim from Eye on Wine Tours. He was extremely knowledgeable and lead us to a truly interesting and unique selection of wineries and restaurants over the course of a week. His easygoing and friendly personality also made us feel like part of the family. Tim grew up in a wine making family and in the Napa Valley so his knowledge of the area, wines and connections was fantastic. Really a great trip. read more

We were so lucky to get a booking in with Gordy and Eye On Wine! It was a 6 person group and we left the entire day's plans up to Gordy. A few of us were returning Napa visitors and some first timers. Gordy absolutely slayed the day! We had the greatest time and drank a lot of fantastic wine (we bought multiple cases from each place Gordy brought us to)! Gordy was entertaining, kept us laughing and also taught us a lot about the process to make wine. The lunch he had prepared for us was so good. Hands down the best charcuterie board I've ever had. Gordy gave us a bottle his wine Witchery and we loved it--that bottle lasted 3 minutes because it was so good. Overall, we all had an amazing day and got to see AMAZING views of Napa. Many thanks to Gordy and Eye On Wine for making our Napa trip absolutely killer! read more

As a first timer in Napa Valley, I felt like we were on top of the world on a tour with Eye on Wine. John, Gordon's wine expert brother, picked up our group of 8 in San Francisco and had those of us in the front of the van laughing and learning all the way to Napa Valley. We had a broad spectrum of Napa experience ranging from zero to six trips, and everyone was equally impressed. John started us off at Robert Mondavi, where he showed us the ins and outs of making wine. Having spent more than a decade in France learning the trade, John explained the whole process from vine to glass. In the tasting room at Robert Mondavi, while everyone else was paying by the glass, our group bellied up to the bar and were served any vintage as many times as we wanted. One of the major strong points of the tour was the wide spectrum of wineries that were on the tour. From a commercial giant like Mondavi, we went to Arns where we had lunch at a pic-nic table with the owner of the winery! He and his wife talked to us like we were old friends and explained the process of making wine on a much smaller scale than we had seen at Mondavi. We also went to Cliff Lede and O'Brien Wineries, which were equally impressive. Enjoying an incredible glass of Cabernet, watching the sunset at O'Brien winery and talking with the owner is a perfect ending to a tour of Napa valley. We were a little apprehensive about taking a tour with John instead of Gordy. There is another review on Yelp that said that John ignored them while they were on the tour, but we felt very well attended to. John took lots of pictures, was full of information, jokes, and good conversation. Everyone in our group said that it was the best tour they had been on in Napa Valley. If John is reading this, sorry it took us so long to put this up! read more

If you want a TOP NOTCH wine tour with laughs and memories choose GORDON LARUM. I am a bit bias when it comes to Gordy (Gordon Larum). I worked with this man and he knows wine and Napa like you wouldn't believe. Also I used to tell him that he could sell Lamborghini's and make it big with his wonderful ability to make you laugh and truly get a wonderful experience because of his knowledge. I work for an engineering company that was looking for a great venue for 10 ppl in Napa. Gordy made a referral and everyone LOVED it. I don't want to give out the name of this hidden gem of a winery but all I know is my boss said it was the best meal he has ever had! Thanks Gordy and you know that I will refer people your way. They want to know who is the person that was nice enough to send them to one of the most enjoyable times out here in CA Wine Country. You're the best Gordy and thanks for a fabulous referral! Your friend always, Leslie!! read more

Gordy is the Guy! My wife and I just got back from the most incredible weekend in Napa. We stayed at the Carneros Inn which was just beautiful. But honestly, the best part of our weekend was our day with Gordy. I had read about Gordy through research I did on Yelp and Trip Advisor, etc. I consider myself a bit of a research freak and there is no better feeling when you reap the rewards of hours of research. I say this with all sincerety, if you are going to Napa and want a personalized wine tour, do yourself the favor and book a day with him. I got to sit back with my wife and enjoy one of the best days of my life. Gordy put so much thought into our day and had everything thoroughly planned out so that all we had to do was sit back and enjoy the day. We started the day at a winery atop Diamond Mountain in Calistoga/St. Helena with the wine owner drinking on his multi-tier deck with the most amazing view of the entire valley. We tasted grapes right off the vines and sat on his deck trying his various vintages. It was unbelievable. We then went into town, picked up lunch at the local market and found ourselves eating and tasting wine at another vineyard with the owner on his deck overlooking his vineyard. I cannot even put into words how beautiful of a setting we were in. We later went to another winery and tasted wine right from the barrel! I could go on and on.... We had the most amazing day. We skipped the tourist traps up and down 29 and the Silverado Trail and instead thanks to Gordy visited boutique wineries I had never heard of and of wines that generally don't make their way to Chicago. There is no better way to get a true feel of the valley and enjoy time with the actual wine owners. My wife and I both feel we truely made a life long friend with Gordy after out trip. We will defintely be back as we hit 5 wineries on our trip and Gordy mentioned he regularly deals with 70+ boutique wineries. In fact, we cannot wait to get back.. Do yourself the favor and book a day with Gordy. He is Hellagood peeps and will show you an amazing time. read more

Gordie came highly recommended, and when he drove us around on Saturday, he certainly far exceeded any expectations I had! He made every accommodation possible that day! From showing up at our door on time with a smile, and another driver since we had a group of 8, with a wonderful bottle of his own wine! He then took us to 4 outstanding picturesque winery's, and was wonderful company on the way. At lunch time, he took our orders and drove for take out, then took us to the next winery which allowed us to eat lunch by a beautiful lake while chatting with that winemaker. All wineries knew Gordie well, and certainly took care of us! This experience was never to be forgotten! I would highly recommend him and his wine! read more

I can say this is my first time leaving a Yelp Review, but because of the service I received from Eye on WIne, I felt it was the least I could do. My wife and I traveled to the Napa for our 1 year anniversary this past weekend. Someone very close to me recommended we book Gordy as our guide. My wife and I spent the entire day with Gordy, and we could not be any happier. I will be returning to the valley in 6 months with many friends solely because of the time we spent with Gordy. My wife and i spent one day tasting with Gordy, but i highly recommend spending at least two days. For those of you who may be skeptical because of a few bad reviews posted below, Please do not let that be of any concern. I happened to be be the group touring the day these individuals are claiming to have received such poor service. It looks as if this group of women have decided to team up and all post negative reviews. I can assure you the negative reviews are none of my business, but after my wife and I had MANY tastings, we may be the cause of his tardiness. It was my 1 year anniversary, and one too many glasses of wine is not exactly prohibited in this area; but we did make it safely back to our hotel because of Gordy. To you disgruntle ladies, for what it is worth, I do apologize for my wife and I causing any delays in schedule. Best Regards read more