Julie F.
Los Angeles, CA
10/21/2009
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 :-)
John P.
Chicago, IL
10/1/2009
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.
Zach S.
Redwood City, CA
2/16/2010
My wife and I just returned from a visit to Napa Valley where we were celebrating her birthday and Valentine's Day. I booked a wine tour with Gordy for Saturday about a month ago after reading reviews here and on tripadvisor. We had high expectations for the day, but Gordy managed to exceed them all.
He picked us up at 10am and returned us to our hotel around 5:30pm. In between we visited 4 wineries and a tasting room, most of which I'm sure we never would have visited on our own. We let Gordy choose our destinations and he did a great job of mixing things up and giving us a sense of Napa history. Three of the tastings were private and at one we got a tour of the winemaker's operation and even taste barrel samples. In between tastings Gordy took us to a couple of beautiful spots we're looking forward to revisiting on a future trip.
Meeting Gordy and spending the day with him was one of the highlights of our weekend. He's personable, down-to-earth, honest and has a great sense of humor. He's lived most of his life in Napa, seems to know everyone, and has more stories than time to tell them as landmarks go whizzing by his Ford Expedition.
I would highly recommend Gordy's Eye on Wine Tours for anyone looking for a personalized, full-service tour of boutique Napa wineries. Cheers Gordy!
Heather S.
Englewood, NJ
12/27/2009
My first trip to Napa was such an experience thanks to Gordy!!! A journey so beyond my expectations that nobody can ever duplicate. Gordy offers a full service day that balances unique vineyards, awesome varietals, and priceless knowledge into an incredible fun filled day.
The heart of Napa lies within Gordy's tours so book your tour ASAP to fully experience Napa beyond the traditional tourist traps and come away with varietals that will truly blow you away.
Kelly F.
Chicago, IL
3/9/2009
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.
Rachel H.
Seattle, WA
4/6/2009
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.
Marc R.
San Diego, CA
12/31/2009
Gordy does an amazing job with his tour. I will call him every time I visit Napa. We went to places I would never have gotten to see on my own or with other tours. I appreciate his vast knowledge of Napa, including the wineries, restaurants, and markets. I could not have been happier with the tour.
We'll see you next year Gordy.
Kris C.
San Jose, CA
5/6/2008
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.
Samantha S.
San Francisco, CA
5/29/2008
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.
Mike D.
Chicago, IL
6/17/2008
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.
Polly M.
San Francisco, CA
7/14/2008
Amazing! The whole experience is very thought out. There is a huge process in making fine wine. Gordon takes the time to design a fine tour for you. I don't want to spoil the surprise but his tour is an art form at its greatest. He hand selects wineries for each of their individual merits. It comes together beautifully. All you have to do is enjoy it. No thinking on your part. Just the experience. With Eye on Wine it is not just about the wine. Its about the entire experience. A feast for all your senses.
The warm, friendly and knowledgeable guide is the icing on the cake!
Alexis B.
Pleasant Hill, CA
11/11/2008
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!
Tara L.
Livermore, CA
11/4/2008
This past weekend my husband and I were in Napa with 3 other couples. I found Gordy through the reviews here on Yelp and I can assure you that they are all correct---he gave us the best wine tour ever! We have been to many wineries and done the standard tastings, and this was so far above and beyond it that we were blown away at every stop we made. We did everything from barrel tasting to private tours to enjoying wine in an owner's living room. while playing fetch with his dog. All the wineries were "off the beaten path", yet all the wines were top notch for the price. He kept us laughing the entire day. I don't think we even saw another group or person at any of the places we went.
The grand finale was tasting of 7 or 8 wines at a beautiful art gallery (too tipsy to count at that point!), paired with cheese, crackers and dried fruit. He didn't even bat an eye when we asked him to make a pit stop for ice and pizza on the way back to our house. He made our weekend an amazing trip.....as one of my friends kept saying all day "I feel like a Rockstar"...and we all did..... (until he explained that celebrities tour napa in Helicopters!).
I will definitely use Gordy next time we need a tour, and would advise you all to book early because he is only going to get more booked as time goes on!
Michelle K.
Chicago, IL
10/27/2008
After finding Gordy through a Yelp search, there was no doubt in my mind that we picked the right person to lead us through wine country. He is an incredibly gracious host and knows all of the right people. The people we met and the vineyards we visited will be memories not soon forgotten. His tour was thoughtfully well planned..right down to the weather. We drank on a mountain, on a deck, while eating grapes, from the barrel and in a tasting room.
I highly suggest you make Gordy your first call whether it is your first time to that area or your hundreth. He'll make it worth your while.
Monica R.
Oakland, CA
2/21/2009
I had the opportunity to meet Gordy about 7 years ago at the winery he worked at. My husband and I are waaaay into wine, so we are in Napa often. We have always kept in touch with Gordy and would sometimes call him when we were around. One thing that is for sure, a good time will be had! He is so well connected and educated about every inch of the valley.
The best part though is his personality, you will laugh and have a great time, I guarantee it.
Laura B.
Brandon, MS
2/12/2009
My husband and I just got home from an incredible trip to Napa Valley to celebrate our 20th anniversary. This was our first trip to the wine country and after doing days of research on Trip Advisor, I began to feel very overwhelmed. I had no idea how to decided which wineries were worth touring. When I came across a review on Gordy Larum's company Eye on Wine, I decided this was the way to see the wine country. The reviews did not disappoint!
Gordy planned out a wonderful day that could not have been better. We started our day tasting wine out of the barrel and getting to know the wine maker. The day continued with tasting/tours at 4 other wineries and a great lunch from Sunshine Foods in St. Helena. Each stop was special in different ways. Not only did we get to taste lots of great wine and learn about the wine making process, we got to know the local people and see the wine country through their eyes.
Our only disappointment of the day was that the weather did not cooperate for our visit to Diamond Mountain. The vineyard was at the top of the mountain where the owner has a beautiful deck overlooking the valley. Even with the cloud cover, it was beautiful! Gordy, this just means we will have to plan another trip just to see the view. On the way down the mountain, we stopped at an amazing Redwood garden that is a "Must See". Truly, there were no disappoints of the day except that it had to end so soon. As Gordy drove us back to our hotel, we ask him to give us some suggestions for seeing the countryside the next day. He recommended we make the drive to Bodega Bay and drive up the coastline.
We took his suggestion and had another great day. The drive took a little over an hour and was worth it. When we hit the Shoreline Hwy, the views were beyond amazing. We drove until sunset and then had to head back.
Thanks Gordy for giving us such a memorable trip. We will be back one day to see you!