I received this piece in the mail today. Looks like something worth checking out.

A new tour company is in town -- one that will show visitors a side of the capital city often overshadowed by Napa Valley. More than 200 wineries operate within 60 miles of the capital, and now locals and visitors alike can enjoy tasting tours at the area's most popular wineries and discover intimate hidden gems along the way. Sacramento Wine and Nightlife Tours will showcase wineries within Amador, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Nevada, Placer, El Dorado and Calaveras counties.

Customer interest prompted entrepreneurs Grady and Gina O'Bryant to start this new venture. Before moving to Sacramento, the O'Bryants operated G.O. Transportation Services, Inc., which catered to tourists visiting Alaska. They decided it was time visitors became familiar with the wineries of the Central Valley after receiving a phone call from two women visiting from Mississippi. The women wanted to enjoy an afternoon of wine tasting in the Sierra Foothills. "We called the Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau and asked about tours to local wineries and were told they didn't have any tour company to recommend," Grady O'Bryant said. "We were also told to call a limousine company, but every limousine company recommended a trip to Napa Valley wineries. The ladies decided to pass on the trip. Gina and I decided to investigate the reason why no local company was promoting local wineries. That's when we decided to jump on board and start our tour company."

The O'Bryants' main goal is to make sure that both their customers and the wineries have a pleasant experience with Sacramento Wine and Nightlife Tours. "Wineries want quality customers, and often limousine companies will bring in anyone," said Grady. "They don't qualify their customers beforehand, and often bring large groups without making reservations."
Grady and Gina have developed relationships with winery owners, working closely with them to create an ideal wine experience for their customers. "We post wine tasting etiquette on our Web site and on all our printed material," said Grady. "More importantly, we fit the right group with the right winery. And we'll make reservations as far in advance as possible."

Sacramento Wine and Nightlife Tours has partnered with one of Sacramento's largest limousine companies. With a fleet including sedans, limousines, limo-buses and motor coaches, they can provide service to any size group.

For more information about Sacramento Wine and Nightlife Tours, contact Grady or Gina O'Bryant at 916-443-8741 or visit www.sacramentowinetours.com.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive