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The residents of the Central Coast are well aware of the Paradise we live in. But how many of us pass our local wineries day after day without taking the time to really experience what they have to offer? With the many wonderful wineries nestled in our scenic hills, we need to stop and experience what tourists from all over the world travel here to enjoy. With the high price of a DUI and the higher price of risking an accident while driving under the influence, limousines provide the ultimate opportunity to experience Wine Country in luxury and safety. Limousines, once reserved for the very wealthy and extravagant, are now available and affordable for the average citizen. Limousines of every size, shape, and amenity can be found all over the Central Coast. However, this recent development has brought with it a dilemma for the inexperienced limousine client. How does one choose the right limousine service? Size? Model? Price? Color? Amenities? Safety? Experienced drivers? Finding the right limousine service is well worth expending a little effort. And when it comes to renting a limousine service for your wine tour you want the very best.
The first thing to remember when selecting a service is that you are doing just that. You want to select a company that places a priority on service. What types of services are offered? Does the reservationist assist with planning your trip? Does the company offer pre-trip planning, such as, lunch arrangements, winery suggestions, and a meat and cheese tray? Will the driver assist you with carrying your purchases? Does he/she offer curbside service? Will he/she greet you at your door and escort you in and out of your destinations? Does he/she offer you a cell phone number to notify him/her when you are ready for pickup? Is there a hostess? Does the vehicle have a satellite navigation system to assist in finding destinations? Do they provide complimentary beverages on board, what are they and how much do they provide? At Stardust Cruises Limousine Service we provide an onboard hostess on our larger limousines, we have red carpet service, we take digital photographs, we send you a CD of your photos, and each passenger receives a photo magnet of their group picture.
Once you have determined a limousine company will provide the service you demand, you need to check their safety record. How much insurance do they carry? What kind of a safety record do they have? How often do they have drug testing? What kind of training do they provide for their drivers? Have they won any awards in their industry? Do they belong to any local and national livery associations? Stardust Cruises Limousine Service belongs to the Greater California Livery Association and the National Livery Association. Are they members of local Chambers of Commerce? Stardust Cruises belongs to 8 different Chambers, and we belong to the Paso Wine Country Alliance and the San Luis Vintners and Growers Association. Do they contribute to the community? Does the hourly rate start at your door, or do they charge a travel charge? All limousines must include their Public Utilities Commission number (usually preceded with TCP) in advertisements and display that number on their vehicles. Call the PUC’s Consumer Services Division, License Section (800.877.8867) to verify that the limousine company has a PUC permit number, insurance and a license. The PUC has an excellent website with tips on selecting a reputable limousine service. Their address is www.cpuc.ca.gov. Click on Consumer Help Desk, then on Transportation in the right side bar. Choose Consumer Advisory. Suggestions for selecting a service, contact numbers, and a complaint number can all be found there.
Once you have found a reliable service you need to determine how long you want to spend on your wine tour and where you want to go. I recommend allowing 1 hour per tasting room. Limit the tasting rooms to no more than 4, but three is ideal. After several samplings at each tasting room you will no longer have a discerning palate. It is usually best to stay in one geographical area. That way you spend most of your time in the tasting rooms and not on the road. For instance, instead of visiting one of the Far Out Wineries on Hwy 46 West and then one of the wineries far to the East, try to target one area or the other on your trip and save the other area for another day. For safety sake, try to line up your tasting rooms so that you are not crisscrossing the highway multiple times.
With the vast selection of wineries on the Central Coast it can be a daunting task to choose which ones to visit. It is a sure bet to return to a tasting room where you have had a pleasant experience in the past. But don’t be afraid of trying some new tasting rooms. Tasting rooms provide the perfect setting for learning about wine and experimenting with wines you are not familiar with. Most tasting rooms offer wines you won’t find at your local grocery store. Be prepared for tasting fees. Most tasting rooms charge $3.00-$12.00 per person for their tasting fees, and some include a souvenir glass. Don’t forget to check out the wine clubs, the perfect way to receive their wine year round.
What are you looking for in a tasting room? Do you want a fun, relaxed atmosphere where you can socialize? Or are you really interested in good wine and learning about how it is made and how to pair it with a meal? Do you want a tour of the facility? Limit your facility tour to one. Your guests will get bored if you combine a tour with a tasting at every facility. Do you have guests that enjoy shopping? Most tasting rooms offer gift shops that make shopping a breeze for that hard-to-find gift. Are you looking for spectacular scenery or unusual architecture? Central Coast wineries offer everything from sail boats to castles!
Regardless of what you are looking for in a tasting room, remember to respect the facility and the other tasting room guests. A wine tour is not a “drunk run”, and tasting rooms are not a pub. And by all means, don’t indulge in hard alcohol, often found in limousines. Remember the old saying, “Don’t mix your grapes and grains!” Do not bring alcoholic beverages onto winery property. Wineries are licensed for their label only. Be aware of tasting room etiquette. Never pour your own wine, listen attentively to your server, be patient, and considerate of others. Drink plenty of water, as wine can dehydrate you, especially in the heat of summer. Plan a picnic lunch, but be sure to ask permission from the winery to use their picnic grounds in advance. They often have special events planned and they may not be able to accommodate you. . There are many wonderful caterers and restaurants in the area that will provide anything from a gourmet sandwich in a box to a candlelit table in the caves.
With all the tasting, shopping, touring, and sightseeing to do at each stop you need to allow plenty of time. Depending on the size of your group, plan on anywhere from 4 -6 hours to fit it all in. You’ll be amazed at how fast your day will speed by. Most importantly, call each tasting room you plan to visit in advance and make an appointment if your group is larger than 8 people.
It may take a little more time and effort to find a good limousine service and to plan your wine tour, but it will be well worth it. You will meet new friends, discover wines you never knew existed, and enjoy it all aboard a luxurious vehicle.
We at Stardust Cruises Limousines strive to uphold the reputation of the Livery Business on the Central Coast. If you have any questions about choosing a limousine service, would like a copy of our Wine Tour Policy, or if you would like to find out more about Stardust Cruises, call Ken Martin at 805-938-0018.
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