Wine Country Tour Guide

Napa Valley | Part-Time / Full-Time

The Job

We’re looking for a personable, knowledgeable, and dependable Wine Country Tour Guide to host private Napa Valley experiences.

This is more than a driving job or a typical tour-guide position. Our tours are private, personalized, and built around the people we're taking out for the day. You’ll be responsible for creating a fun, relaxed, seamless experience from pickup to drop-off.

We’re looking for someone who genuinely enjoys people, knows Napa, and can confidently handle the day without being micromanaged.

What You'll Do

Host & Take Care of Guests

Welcome guests and be their go-to person throughout the day
Create a warm, comfortable, and relaxed atmosphere
Read the group and adjust the pace and energy accordingly
Anticipate guest needs and handle the little details
Share recommendations and local knowledge naturally
Make guests feel like they're spending the day with a knowledgeable local—not following a script

Run the Tour

Follow the itinerary while staying flexible when plans change
Coordinate timing with wineries, restaurants, and other partners
Handle delays, weather, guest requests, and unexpected changes calmly
Keep the day organized without making guests feel rushed
Make good decisions in real time when circumstances change

Things don't always go according to plan in Napa. We're looking for someone who can roll with it, solve problems, and keep the experience enjoyable.

Napa Knowledge

You should genuinely enjoy Napa Valley and be comfortable talking about wine, food, vineyards, wineries, and the area.

You don't need to be a sommelier, but you should be curious and willing to continue learning. Guests may want everything from a basic introduction to Napa to a deeper conversation about AVAs, producers, and winemaking.

We don't want scripted speeches. We want someone who can have a real conversation and share interesting information based on what guests actually want to know.

Driving & Presentation
Safely and professionally operate tour vehicles
Maintain a clean, organized, guest-ready vehicle
Arrive on time and prepared
Assist guests with luggage, wine, coolers, and other reasonable needs
Maintain a clean, polished, and approachable appearance

You don't need to wear a suit. You should simply look and act like someone guests would trust to spend the day with.

Guest Experience & Sales

We're not looking for a salesperson.

However, you should be comfortable making recommendations when they make sense—whether that's suggesting another winery, helping guests plan a future visit, or pointing them toward something they might enjoy.

The best sales happen naturally when you've taken great care of someone.

Independence & Judgment

Once trained, you'll be expected to take ownership of your tours.

You'll have the ability to:

Adjust timing and itineraries when appropriate
Respond to guest preferences
Solve problems independently
Make judgment calls in the moment
Prioritize guest experience while maintaining safety and professionalism

We want guides who can think for themselves and take pride in the outcome of the day.

What We're Looking For

Required:

At least 1 year of experience in Napa Valley wine, hospitality, tourism, or a similar customer-facing role
Valid driver's license and clean driving record
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Reliable and comfortable working independently
Calm and professional under pressure
Local to Napa Valley
Flexible availability, including weekends

Preferred:

California Commercial Driving License with Passenger Endorsment.
Strong knowledge of Napa Valley wineries, AVAs, restaurants, and local culture
Background in luxury hospitality, guiding, wine, food, or concierge services
Naturally outgoing and personable
Good instincts and ability to read a room
Strong sense of timing and attention to detail
Genuine interest in wine, food, travel, and the outdoors
The Right Person

You don't have to know everything about Napa on day one.

You do need to be:

Personable. Reliable. Curious. Calm. Independent.

Someone who can sit down with a group of strangers and make them feel comfortable.

Someone who notices when a guest needs something before they ask.

Someone who can deal with a winery running 30 minutes behind without letting the guests feel like their day is falling apart.

Someone who understands that great hospitality isn't about being overly formal—it's about making people feel taken care of.

Most importantly, you should genuinely enjoy showing people a great time.

Schedule
Part-time or full-time
Flexible schedule based on bookings
Weekend availability required
Primarily daytime tours
Peak season: August through November
Additional availability during peak season is a plus
Growth Opportunities

This role can grow with the right person. Exceptional guides may have opportunities to take on additional responsibilities, including:

Senior or Lead Guide
Training new guides
Developing new tours and experiences
Client relationships
Sales and referrals
Private events and special experiences
What You Get
Work outdoors and in some of Napa Valley's most beautiful settings
Access to wineries and hospitality experiences
Invitations to select wine industry events and tastings
Build relationships throughout the Napa Valley hospitality community
Develop a strong local network
Work with a small, locally focused team
Spend your days introducing visitors to the best of Napa Valley