Driving and tasting vs. hiring tour?

I haven%26#39;t seen this explicitly addressed on TA, but on another travel site a local expert posted a ';warning'; to hire tour companies for tasting instead of driving oneself. We are 3 days in Sonoma and 3 in Napa this September. We%26#39;ve rented a car. We certainly cant afford- nor would I want to- spend ALL our time with tour operators. We are older responsible wine lovers, not looking for a wine country ';party';, but looking to experience the wineries. We dont drive drunk at home %26amp; wouldnt do so on vacation, Ive read extensive tips on pacing, sharing, limits, spitting, eating etc...That being said, we know the DUI limits are rightfully very low. Are the police hiding in the bushes out there? Is there reason to be paranoid? What do the locals do?

Driving and tasting vs. hiring tour?

No need to be unduly alarmed--just take it easy, pace yourselves, and observe the speed limits. Having carefully mapped out a route will also save you from a great deal of uncertainty negotiating unfamiliar rural roads bet. the wineries. As I%26#39;ve stated to prev. posters on this subject, going with a tour guide or driving oneself is really to be based upon a personal level of comfort. For seasoned travelers and wine tasters, driving will allow much more freedom and flexibility. For those who are visiting for the very first time and/or are uncertain or overwhelmed by the winery tasting experience, a reputable local guide can make your visit both enjoyable and educational. Most of the Napa wineries are lined up along 2 routes: Hwy. 29 and the Silverado Trail, so driving to them would be pretty easy. In Sonoma County, wineries are much more spread out and there are a number of different appellations to visit. Driving some of the winding, rural roads may not be your preference, but it%26#39;s quite doable if you plan carefully--and have an excellent road map (see www.wineroad.com for some help). BTW, the wineries in the Sonoma Valley are quite easy to get to as most are lined up along or not far off of Hwy. 12.