Wine Country Balloons

Fantastic experience: Had a fantastic flight in Sonoma Valley with Scott! The basket doors were essential for accommodating those of us old enough to not be climbing in and out of a basket. Great communication, and awesome crew. The whole morning was a beautiful experience, start-to-finish. Highly recommend!!

Fantastic experience: The best ever!!! Easy booking. On time fast responds Friendly and safe

Fantastic experience: This was a peaceful and breathtaking ride in a nice hot air balloon! Don’t miss out!

Fantastic experience: What an amazing experience. Reservations were easy and Scott promptly answered any questions. The day before and of the balloon ride texts were quickly responded to and exactly as expected as described in the detailed instructions. We arrived at the designated meetup location and Wine Country Balloons was already there. Scott even selected an island themed balloon for us as most of us riding that morning are from Hawai'i. Michael, who was our pilot (there were two balloons that went up that day, Scott piloted the other balloon) was equally as hospitable and knowledgeable as Scott, a wonderful experience flying with Michael. It was a glorious flight. As is the case in these types of activities, luck was completely on our side - we had perfect morning weather and perfect winds. The included champagne toast at Kaffe Mocha after the flight was wonderful. And Kaffe Mocha's breakfast options (not included) were extensive and really delicious. Overall, an absolutely amazing experience that I would gladly do again and highly recommend! Two thumbs up and definitely more than five stars!

Fantastic experience: What a fabulous experience!! We had the most special time on our hot air balloon flight. Scott was our balloon pilot and he was extremely knowledgeable, kind, and put everyone at ease! It was really great to know that he had so much flying experience. The views over wine country were incredible. I've already recommended your company to friends! Thank you again for the best morning!

Fantastic experience: Great flight. Beautiful. Michael Vargas, our pilot, was a great guide and very informative

Fantastic experience: Oh. My. Goodness. Thank you Scott and Crew for one of the most amazing times of my life. Floating in the Hot Air Balloon felt incredibly like I had dreamt numerous times in my life only now, WOW! There I was actually in the process of floating high above the ground in a rainbow colored Hot Air Balloon. WHEW! WEEEEEE! Scott is incredibly comfortable and at ease with his five decades of piloting experience and knowledge. His plethora of entertaining stories did not disappoint whatsoever as I was simultaneously intent on listening and determined to take in and absorb all the glorious views. This was my first 'Wine Country Balloons' Adventure and definitely not my last! YAHOO!! Miss Cheryl, Cheryl Teach Music July 2024

Fantastic experience: SO beautiful, so fun, and Scott really knows how to float! I had SUCH a good time, and Scott did a brilliant job. He knows how to make it REALLY fun, given his piloting and group hosting experience. It was just beautiful and the flight was as gentle as can be. We've got guests coming and I plan to bring them on a flight, because I know they'll love it, and so that I get to do it again! It was a truly unique experience.

Fantastic experience: Flight was perfect ! Thanks

Fantastic experience: Best experience ever! A absolute must try when in the area! Scott was very knowledgeable and you can truly tell he loves what he does!

Fantastic experience: We had a great experience with Wine Country Balloons! Amazing view and unforgettable emotions ❤️

Fantastic experience: awesome ballooning experience. Scott is a complete professional with decades of experience. Beautiful views of Russian River area.

Fantastic experience: a truly incredible perspective on our gorgeous home. capt scott was super professional and awesome! bucket list check!

Fantastic experience: Going up in the balloon with Wine Country Balloons was a beautiful experience! It was everything I had hoped it would be. Sonoma County is so beautiful, you have to see it from up there! Our pilot, Scott was awesome and had great stories to share.

Fantastic experience: Our family visited Sonoma Wine Country and had a fantastic time with ballooning and limo service from Wine Country Tours and Balloons. The service was outstanding and we had so Much fun on our ballooning adventure. Thank you Captain Scott for such a fantastic time.

Fantastic experience: The entire experience was beyond what I had imagined. Scott was a terrific pilot. He put us at ease with his good humor, his incredible knowledge of hot air balloon piloting, and his expertise at handling the balloon. His crew was also personable and professional. The presentation at the end of our adventure, complete with champagne, was the icing on the cake. It was a terrific way to celebrate turning 60 with my lifelong friends.

Fantastic experience: Wonderful experience - I highly recommend it. The entire trip from getting on the tram to the launch site, watching the balloon get inflated, the actual flight itself with it's amazing views, the landing and post-flight celebratory glass of champagne and video of balloon history - all of it was definitely worth the price. Once in a lifetime memory I will cherish for years to come. Thank you to our fantastic pilot, Scott and his sense of humor and fantastic people and balloon flying skills!

Fantastic experience: A great experience overall. Fun and friendly staff. I was surprised how serene 1,500 felt. Go get high with Wine County Balloons!

Fantastic experience: Fantastic Experience all around! Scott and his crew were kind, confidently well-experienced, and highly funny - all of which made the experience far more comforting and seamless than I could have hoped for. The set-up process of was so fun to witness up close. You can learn about science, wine country, and lots more from Scott during the excursion, or just enjoy the views and jokes he throws in. The flight itself is beyond easy going and the views are incredible (well worth the early morning), highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: What a magnificent experience! I have never been on a ballon ride before and was nervous but excited! Scott made me feel safe and took us on the most amazing trip ever!! I would highly recommend and if I ever find myself back in California I will go again!!!

Fantastic experience: We enjoyed an amazing flight with Scott, at Wine Country Balloons, on Wednesday April 17th, floating over the Russian River Valley and seeing the vineyards and fields in all their Spring beauty. The flight was smooth and calm and allowed us to view all the hills on both sides of the valley. Scott was knowledgeable about the area and made our trip so enjoyable. Thanks too to the ground crew who helped to get everything set up and cleaned up. The champagne brunch finished our flight experience off perfectly. I would do it again! Joe and Brenda

Fantastic experience: Absolutely breathtaking! The team at Wine Country Balloons made our experience unforgettable.  It was as if I wasn’t even flying - so very gentle. The pilot made it all look so easy and he was quite knowledgeable about things to do in the area. The views of the Sonoma Wine Country from our basket were simply stunning. Thank you for making my whole family feel so very well taken care of

Fantastic experience: One of the most delightful experiences of our lives! We could not imagine a better pilot and crew to lift our spirits up to the sky and carry us safely and expertly over the glorious Sonoma county wine country for our anniversary. The flight was even more enjoyable than we expected! Special thanks to the Captain whose skill and expertise is exceeded only by his wit and warm personality.

Fantastic experience: After getting fogged out multiple times (darn weather!), we finally managed to get in the air with Scott and it was such a pleasure! Scott and his team were so much fun to fly with. We got to witness them set up and inflate the balloon and learn all about the flight process. Once we were up in the air, the wind took us for an incredible journey through the Russian River Valley and Scott shared decades of accumulated knowledge on the area. It was so lovely getting to fly and get to know Scott. He's an absolute delight and we highly recommend Wine Country Balloons for any special occasions!

Fantastic experience: The hot air balloon ride was joyful and extremely scenic to witness the breathtaking mountains, trees and farms on location. Scott is a wonderful man. His company is the only one that can accommodate disabled people like me. As a host, he is warm, erudite, and eloquent. He shows a true passion for flying balloons and educating others about flying. He also has cellphone holders to enable taking selfies in the air without dropping the phone. It was the highlight of 2023 for our family!

Fantastic experience: I had an amazing experience with Wine Country Balloons! Scott made the journey so memorable with his kindness, humor, and informative commentary. His knowledge of the region made it feel like a tour of Sonoma from the skies. His passion for ballooning was palpable, and it really elevated the entire experience. The breathtaking views are forever in my memory! I felt safe the entire time. The crew was super professional and kind as well. It was truly an unforgettable experience. Highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: Amazing Ballooning experience, they are the nicest and most knowledgeable staff. As a local I got to see parts of the county I didn't know existed!

Fantastic experience: This was one of those experiences you will never forget. I’m thirty and have done a lot so far in life and this is just such an beautiful experience seeing the land from a different perspective. Scott’s an amazing pilot and very knowledgeable of the surrounding area!! So it’s never a dull moment. Great for family and friends and a bit different than your regular Napa/Sonoma winery getaway!! See the vineyards from a birds point of view!!

Fantastic experience: Imagine being held aloft by the winds, hovering the carpeted landscape of Sonoma below. The wonder fills you as your pilot regales you with the history of the land you effortlessly hover above. Wine Country Balloons hosted us on a gorgeous autumn afternoon where Sonoma displayed her beautiful colors. The experience was absolutely breathtaking. Reservations were easy to navigate. Scott,our pilot, was a generous host who saw to our comfort, safety, and facilitated a beautiful flight! Much gratitude to the entire crew who welcomed me to my first flight. It will not be my last!

Fantastic experience: My flight with Wine Country Balloons wasn’t just a ‘ride’, it was mind-expanding adventure! The two person balloon is an extraordinary experience unlike anything you can imagine. One moment my feet were resting comfortably on the ground, then a blast of heat directed up into the colorful balloon by the skillful pilot, and suddenly the earth fell away and we were one with the Wind! I’ll never forget the patchwork of Sonoma County’s autumn colors gently rolling by far below…drifting gracefully around Fitch Mountain carried on an invisible river of cool morning breezes.

Fantastic experience: The wine Country Balloon ride was incredible. The pilot Scott was friendly, informative and a hoot. The entire experience was something I will never forget. Thank you Scott

Fantastic experience: What an amazing experience. The friendly and professional people at Wine Country Balloons made this such a memorable trip for my family and I. Our pilot, Michael, even put our slightly anxious passengers at ease with his friendly personality and sharing knowledge of decades long ballooning experience. He was terrific. The ride itself was so smooth and calm and it felt like we landed on pillows of cotton. I'd recommend this outfit to anybody. I look forward to booking another flight with them in the future. Do yourself a favor and book a trip now!

Fantastic experience: This is one of the most amazing bucket list experiences possible to get checked off! The owner of this company is incredibly knowledgeable, incredibly professional, and absolutely the best person to be guiding others through this tremendous experience! 5 stars does not fully represent the experience you get with this company/family. If you're considering this for yourself or your family, all I can say is that it will be worth it!

Fantastic experience: I have always wanted to go up in a hot air balloon, but until the other day, had not had the opportunity to do so. But when I did contact Scott with Wine Country Balloon Tours, I immediately knew that I had made the right choice. The booking was very straight forward, and I found the cost to be very reasonable. On the day of the flight I was a little nervous but mostly excited. The weather that day was perfect for ballooning, and the ride to the launch site was enjoyable. We traveled in style in a comfortable and upscale passenger bus through scenic wine country settings, and arrived at our launch site where we witnessed the inflation and pre flight operations of Barra, a grand hot air balloon. Once everything was ready, we lifted off gracefully , and the feeling of that was unforgettable. We soared above vineyards and scenic forests, and pilot Scott expertly navigated us to our landing site among the cabernet grape vines. The chase vehicle and crew arrived immediately to pack up the basket and balloon, and Scott then drove us back to the Kaffe from where we had started earlier that morning. All in all it was an incredible experience thanks to Scott and his amazing crew.

Fantastic experience: Excellent hot air balloon ride from start to finish. Our pilot Scott was outstanding. He has a ton of flying experience and his jokes and comments made the overall experience that much better. We took off from a beautiful vineyard and the feeling of peace and serenity while flying was unbelievable. We even got to assist with the inflation and deflation process of the balloon! Definitely a 5-Star experience for our group of five people.

Fantastic experience: Wine Country Balloons is the best! Captain Scott is a true Hot Air Balloon Pro! The take off and landing was flawless. Capt Scott made it fun and educational at the same time. The Champagne at the end was a bonus. Highly recommended!

Fantastic experience: That was a fantastic experience. Scott is very knowledgable about ballooning and about the area. He let us know about where and what we flew over. He let us know about what was going on as they set the balloon up and what and how they inflated and got everything set up. Then as I mentioned told us a lot about ballooning in general. Then also how he figured out where he would try to land

Fantastic experience: We enjoyed a fabulously beautiful balloon ride over gorgeous vineyards. Our pilot was funny and super experienced. We could see another balloon company and we were enjoying much more height. I highly recommend Wine Country Balloons!!!

Fantastic experience: Being in a wheelchair I thought I missed out on a balloon experience until pilot Scott said we can make it work! It was easy and comfortable! They made sure I had a great spot to view from and the sights were unbelievable. We had a great flight with seeing a lot the wine country from the sky. Also loved the end with the champagne toast and history of ballooning! Everyone should do this as it once in a lifetime experience!

Fantastic experience: I’m really late in posting this review. We had an amazing experience for my momma’s birthday celebration. Mike was so thoughtful and accommodating, very knowledgeable in sharing experiences and answering all of our endless questions. I would most likely use this same company for future events. Thank you again for everything

Fantastic experience: Wonderful experience and fun family activity for all ages. My parents who are 83 and 79 also enjoyed it without any issues. Scott and his team are very professional and provided a fun and safe experience. Overall highly recommended to do this at least once. We came from the Bay Area and were staying nearby and this activity was one of the highlights. We met with Scott at 6 am and then we head off to the launch site by a van where we saw the inflating of the balloon. Very interesting. Then we took off. Take off is really like going up on a slow elevator. We spent around an hour on the balloon with all the beautiful Sonoma wine tree farms. The landing which was supposed to be the most exciting part was non eventful. Overall a very peaceful ride. Finally we finished with a champagne toast when we returned back to the starting point. Btw there is good breakfast place where they serve the champagne and if you want you can have a breakfast and even use the restrooms. We did not have breakfast there but the food looked good. Anyway Everyone had a good time. So thank you Scott. One thing I felt pressured was the tipping part. It felt like it was mandatory. Every place starting from the website to the waiver forms the gratuity part was mentioned several times. I have no issue tipping but why mention it everywhere, even in the waiver agreement.

Fantastic experience: Great time, Scott was awesome, truly a great experience

Fantastic experience: My fiancée and I had an absolute blast on our first hot air balloon flight on Feb 10, 2023. Sky conditions couldn't be more perfect and there were only us and another couple, besides Michael, the pilot! Larry and Perrin really worked their tails off to make this a day to remember! And having the chance to talk to Scott afterwards and share experiences made this day even more special. We'd recommend flying with these guys and maybe one day be lucky to come back with our kids and do a family flight with them! Thank you, Juliana and Rod

Fantastic experience: A hot air balloon ride has always been on my bucket list and Scott and his crew at Wine Country Balloon Rides made it an amazing experience. Lifting into the air and gliding on the air currents seemed effortless and so smooth. To see the countryside from that view was spectacular and Scott gives you lots of information about ballooning. Getting to help fill the balloon and then folding it up again was also a neat experience. Contact Scott for a ride of a life time.

Fantastic experience: Great pilot! Wonderful views!

Fantastic experience: Great Balloon Ride!!!❤️♥️with Wine Country Balloons This balloon ride with Scott van der Horst and team was spectacular. Beautiful views. The team provides such care for all participants. Scott is a top notch Pilot in that he assured everyone we would safe and have a blast. Admittedly I was scared about the ride, but Scott's reassuring and confidence of his 50+ years of ballooning and flying, with very calming statements about the risks left me with zero/zilch anxiety after boarding the balloon basket. It was quite surprising as I have a known fear of heights. I highly recommend the experience and encourage everyone to fly with Wine Country Balloons!! They are the best.

Positive experience: so sad to have share spaces with others in a tiny room. otherwise, it is a special experience.

Fantastic experience: One of the most wonderful adventures of my 81 year life! Very skillful and entertaining pilot.

Fantastic experience: Superb experience! We were fogged out the first two chances, but third time was a charm. Scott was a capable, informed, and hilarious host. His chase crew of Balloonatics were great. What a way to wrap our CA vacation!

Negative experience: Please go see yelp reviews. I can't believe Groupon still has this on there. My review explains it all. SINCE I CANT REPLY TO HIS COMMENT, I DECIDED TO EDIT MY REVIEW AND RESPOND THAT WAY. He is a liar and in this comment he says that I received all my money back which I did through my credit card company NOT through him but on my yelp review he says that I didn’t. I know I didn’t get a Groupon but I have Groupon and I keep seeing the voucher for this place. I am glad I did it on my own through my credit card because I received all my money back! These people are rude and make you meet up for no reason. They will ruin your special day if you book with them. Please go to yelp reviews and don’t do the same mistake we did. If you see that a lot of the yelp reviews say the same thing it’s because ITS TRUE!!! They won’t fly and if they do, you’ll have a bad experience. And this guy who replies always waits for a long time until we forget about the review.

Fantastic experience: We had the an awesome experience! The weather was absolutely perfect and we could not believe how much it felt like we were just floating so peacefully along! Our balloon “barra” was very knowledgeable of the countryside as we floated along, not to mention his expertise experience and qualifications. Scott was also very personable and funny! We had a great time!!!

Negative experience: Terrible customer service and responses. Booked an initial flight and it was cancelled due to weather and was told semi last min but that happens. So then proceed to book a make up flight and confirmed date and got stood up by the Company. Tried calling and texting with chief pilot Scott and no responses. Worst part is there are other couples at the pick up spot that have also been stood up multiple times from this company. Do not book with this company.

Fantastic experience: Great Hot Air balloons service, very efficient. Great views of the wine country Vineyard and mountains all around.

Fantastic experience: Great experience!

Fantastic experience: A fabulous, professional and fun experience from beginning to end. Despite being blown in an unexpected direction where landing options were few and far between, the whole team managed to pull off a perfect landing in unfamiliar territory. Loved it!

Negative experience: Worst experience dealing with a business ever. We drove from bay area , stayed at night in a hotel in napa and they cancelled our booking in the morning at the last minute.Over that they won't issue a refund. They were also very rude when asking for reschedule. Don't waste your money and time. Had to eventually dispute charges with the credit card company.

Fantastic experience: Had a wonderful trip with Wine Country Balloons, floating over the Russian River area. All the logistics worked out well, and it was fun to come down in a grower's back yard and make new friends with him. We were fortunate to have perfect weather and the flight and scenery were excellent.

Fantastic experience: A beautiful day up up in the air Our pilot Scott , funny , educational, director ( told us where we are). Totally , will go again! Husband and I are 84-93. A great day! Thank you Scott

Fantastic experience: What a fun ride! Scott is full of great wit and wisdom! Ask him anything about flying! It was a beautiful day. My mom and dad really enjoyed everything including the champagne toast and history video afterwards! We got that peaceful easy feeling ❤️

Fantastic experience: Trip was fantastic. Would go again in a heartbeat. Every effort was made to ensure that we were prepared, comfortable and had a good time. You can't go wrong with Scott and Wine Country Balloons.

Fantastic experience: Highly Recommend! A hot air balloon ride has been on my bucket list for a long time. The whole experience of inflating the balloon, flying over the beautiful vineyards, and landing at the airport exceeded my expectations!! Scott and his crew were great ~ friendly, knowledgeable, humorous, and professional.

Fantastic experience: Our experience with Scott and his crew from pick up to drop off, launch off to landing and such a beautiful and peaceful flight was perfect and memorable. We truly recommend looking these guys up for an awesome and safe balloon ride. Scott was very entertaining and informative to say the least. Thank you Scott for a memorable ride!!

Negative experience: This is the first time I have ever written a negative review for anyone and it makes me sad to do it, but our experience was truly terrible. We were charged $1500 and then they cancelled 3 times in a row due to "weather", and then wanted to charge us more money to "reinstate" our flight certificates. The person scheduling, Scott, was super rude and unhelpful. I would recommend against booking with Wine Country Balloons.

Fantastic experience: We had a wonderful time riding with Wine Country Balloons in Sonoma Valley for our honeymoon! Scott was an excellent pilot and we enjoyed beautiful scenery in the valley as well as a very calm 'elevator' style landing. Could not have asked for a better trip!

Fantastic experience: Had a absolute blast. Definitely recommend. Scott extremely professional and perfect landing

Negative experience: These guys are horrible, they love to wake people up people sleeping in their homes at 730 in the morning on SATURDAY. Waking up to what sounds like flamethrowers outside your house is lovely.

Fantastic experience: Scott was an excellent host, superb pilot and made everyone on the tour laugh most of the time. The experience was really pretty amazing. We went up to 1300ft back down again, over neighborhoods and businesses then back up again. It was a really interesting ride. We ended up landing at the airport. I was very impressed with Scott. He has the process of ballooning down to a science but is so casual and funny that you do not even notice. He is also very interested in his clients and I watched him relate to many different kinds of people. I will most likely go up with Scott again this fall

Fantastic experience: I thought Scott was GREAT ! WE felt very confident with him form the first moment we met.The wind picked up a lot faster and stronger than anyone predicted so therefore we had the added bonus of a longer flight! It was gorgeous. We had a bumpy landing due to the aforementioned wind change but it was handled very well and we all are safe and sound. Very exciting adventure for certain I am up for anther one for sure :-)

Fantastic experience: It was an awesome experience. We have thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a smooth ride from the take-off to landing. Worth the price. I highly recommend it.

Fantastic experience: Scott is 1st class! What a spectacular adventure. A true Sonoma County wine country must have experience.

Negative experience: **Edited after seeing the response- Besides the fact that your response was totally unprofessional, you also proceed to gaslight literally anyone unhappy with your service. A quick search through your reviews and you can tell that these guys are not receptive to any criticism. There’s no need to be condescending because at the end of the day, I’m fine. Though it was annoying to deal with the processes of disputes for a refund, I got my money back. I’m just leaving a review of my experience so that other people don’t go through the same situation. If that upsets you so much, try taking some of that feedback and learning from it. End of update** I wish i could put O stars, but unfortunately that's not possible. For 2.5 months, we still were not able to schedule a date. We've been cancelled on three times because of weather (which is fine if not mere hours before we're supposed to arrive). When we asked for earlier notice, scott responded with a generic, obviously copied-and-pasted response basically saying "no, we only need to notify you an hour beforehand at most." I didn't need the additional gas lighting either just because i wanted more of a notice before we got on the road for a 2 hr drive. He went ahead and also marked our vouchers as redeemed before we had even set foot. He is incredibly rude and constantly refers to the contract for simple things that people would do due to ethics, like honestly how hard is it to notify us 12 hrs ahead if you're going to cancel our date. When the renewal day was coming up, and he was trying to scam us out of more money by forcing us to pay a renewal fee. Despite the reason being because of the weather and the constant rescheduling, these guys are firm about not waiving the fee. I ended up getting my refund back after an annoyingly long dispute period because Scott and Mikael kept trying to fight us on it. This is one of the most ridiculous exchanges I've had to deal with. DO NOT ride with them. They preach about being a local business yet aren't understanding of others. (check yelp and you'll find some way more horrible exchanges with this company.) Also, I'Il be expecting a response from the owner lol. He loves to embellish stories lmao but check yelp i promise you the reviews are much more accurate there. (I’ve attached a few of them below. They literally wouldn’t refund someone whose mom was having health issues-she had cancer…)

Negative experience: DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THEM!! Horrible customer service experience… Never actually got a chance to fly with them since they kept CANCELLING on us! After several months of disputing, I finally got my refund. If you are in a similar experience I highly recommend you all to file a dispute with your credit card company as well as filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. Check out their Yelp reviews :P has a better representation of how they run their business…

Fantastic experience: Scott is a wonerful, humorous and experienced balloon pilot. Our trip was enjoyable, relaxing and informative. Good champagne at the end!

Fantastic experience: Scott was a great captain! Loved every minute of it.

Fantastic experience: I highly recommend taking this flight with Wine Country Balloons. Scott was fantastic and shared some great stories about the history of the balloons. The views were amazing over Sonoma County. The weather was great at the end of March although California can be so unpredictable. The ride ended with a champagne toast and you are welcome to enjoy breakfast at Kaffe Mocha if you choose. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!!

Fantastic experience: A+, above and beyond experience. We flew with pilot Scott, who later shared that he and his father were one of about a dozen people in the world to start flying modern propane fueled balloons in the 1970s. Everything started on time and Scott checked in with all attendees leading up to the flight to confirm safe weather conditions. The crew was professional and Scott was not only entertaining but also shared the history of how hot air balloons came to prominence. A+ experience. Request Scott for the pilot!

Fantastic experience: Incredible experience! Scott was a great guide.

Fantastic experience: After seeing hot air balloons fly above me for most of my life, I can happily say that my family and I were finally able to experience it for ourselves. Our pilot, Scott, at Wine Country Balloons made sure we knew exactly what to expect and answered all of our questions. We felt thoroughly safe the entire time, which is what mattered the most to us. Our flight was smooth, peaceful, and unforgettable. The only thing I would caution is for anyone living out of town. With weather being so unpredictable, we had to reschedule our flight a couple of times at the last minute. Scott was very accommodating, however, and was able to easily reschedule us each time. Flying when conditions are safe was obviously the most important thing, so we didn't mind waiting. Very pleased that we can finally check this off of our bucket list!

Fantastic experience: We had the most amazing experience in the sky thanks to Wine Country Balloons! Scott was so helpful to work with while planning our flight and Michael was an amazing pilot, so much fun! His calm, confident demeanor made us all feel safe when weather changes made for a rough (but very exciting) landing. Both Scott and Michael were so knowledgeable and kind, making the entire experience one we will cherish forever! The champagne brunch was amazing, giving us time to talk to them one on one, listening to stories and learning more about hot air balloons. Thank you Wine Country Balloons! We had a fabulous and memorable time!!

Fantastic experience: Had a great experience with Captain Scott - he was a great tour guide to the area in addition to being clearly very experienced and safety focused. Highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: It is not scary at all. We had a lot of fun. The view was fantastic and the pilot Scott was a lot of fun. Enjoyed it a lot!

Fantastic experience: My group was looking for a last minute balloon reservation in Napa, but all of them were booked up. I reached out to Wine Country Balloons expecting they wouldn’t have an opening for the next day, but they did! The instructions for where to meet, what to bring, what to expect, etc. were all very clear. Not to mention, the most important part is that the pilots were very experienced and engaging with the group. We never once felt unsafe. I will say the scenery is a bit underwhelming since you fly over mostly residential/business areas. However, you can still see the mountains in the background and we really enjoyed the experience.

Fantastic experience: Amazing experience. Made everyone feel very comfortable and ride was out of this world!!

Fantastic experience: The hot air balloon was very smooth, safe and relaxing. The scenery was spectacular. Plus, Scott responded quickly to my last minute reservation and kept me informed. Thank you such a wonderful and therapeutic experience!

Fantastic experience: This was awesome and the highlight of our trip to Wine Country. Scott was so knowledgeable and talked to us about the hot air balloon process, it’s history and many of his adventures. If you wanted to help with setting up the balloon you could/and I did! His crew were all nice and insured we had a good trip! Highly recommend this to anyone.

Positive experience: After getting our flight cancelled for a couple times due to inclement weather conditions, which would be the case most of the times in the Bay Area I guess, we were finally able to take the ride we were long waiting for..And I must say it was an amazing ride and with a pilot like Scott it got even better…would highly recommend it…

Fantastic experience: Scott was hilarious and so knowledgeable and the experience was like nothing else I've ever done. So peaceful and serene. I have a fear of heights but it was totally not scary! I loved it! Problem is that I'm not satisfied.... Now I want to go again and again. Honestly I think this should be on everyone's bucket list.

Fantastic experience: My girlfriend and I recently took a private ride with Scott. Let me tell you it was the most amazing experience ever. We were both scared of heights and didn't know what to expect. It was exactly as smooth as he described. The views were gorgeous and his history and knowledge was amazing. He and I spoke prior about a midair proposal. He recorded the entire thing and we have a great video to now look back on. That day was perfect in every way. Thank you Scott and if you were wondering she happily said yes.

Fantastic experience: We had great time riding the balloon over Sanoma vineyards. Our pilot, Scott, was professional and courteous. This is a must do activity!

Fantastic experience: We first "sailed" with Wine Country Balloons when I met proprietor Scott van der Hosts in the '80s. I have been on several balloon rides since, and compared to others I've taken, this is the BEST possible ride. Safe, fun, informative, personable, relaxing, spectacular, AND reasonably priced. A MUST-DO experience.

Fantastic experience: If you've ever dreamed of floating in silent beauty, do it! This is a life changing experience! We have chosen Wine Country Balloons for over 30 years now, and Captain Scott is the most expert, safe, professional and fun pilot flying in the wine country. When flying with other pilots, the experiences just don’t compare - whether in Sonoma or other parts of the world. From booking to landing, we felt tenderly cared for; it’s always delightful. We have flown in family groups with other wonderful passengers or just two of us, and it’s all good. Flying with WCB has been a perfect present for birthdays, graduations and honeymoons! Be prepared for an early morning experience; there is nothing like the sunrise over wine Country! (leave your grumps at home!) If you’re travelling from other areas, stay flexible to reschedule if weather conditions aren’t right for hot air ballooning. This company will fly only if it’s safe, and luckily Wine Country generally has spectacular weather! We send our hearts to all affected by fires, but we were so happy that in less than a year after such damage, everything was green again and the skies were perfectly clear. Take a deep breath and enjoy the sublime beauty in the sky!!

Fantastic experience: We had a great experience. Scott is an extremely experienced balloonist and made us feel safe the entire time. He is very courteous, professional, and had a story to tell during every part of our trip. I would highly recommend him for a balloon ride in Sonoma!

Fantastic experience: Our family had a wonderful experience! Scott was a fantastic pilot and really made the flight one to remember. Take-off and landing were flawless with breathtaking views throughout. We highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: While checking items off of my Bucket List, I happened to fly in a hot air balloon with Scott Van Der Horst from Wine Country Balloons. Wow, am I glad that I did!! What a fantastic experience from beginning to end! Everyone was gracious, things happened right on time, and most importantly, the view from the balloon of Sonoma County was beyond belief!! (Things were so spectacular that I might have to add another trip with Wine Country Balloons to my bucket list again!)

Fantastic experience: My Husband and I did a private balloon ride, It was a Blast, Michael our Pilot was Awesome! The view was Spectacular! I highly recommend this experience, and Wine Country Balloons, super Fun!

Fantastic experience: Scott and Christine are awesome. She picked us up and dropped us off right on time. He is an experienced pilot who made our flight safe, fun, and really memorable. If a balloon ride is on your bucket list, Sonoma CA is the place and Wine Country Ballooning is the company to fly with. RG.

Fantastic experience: I had the most amazing balloon ride ever! Scott, our pilot, was professional, responsive, funny, and accommodating (had to reschedule for better weather so I could get the experience I most deeply desired). Fog threatened our flight but he was patient and it turned out to be a gorgeous day where we flew higher than usual to catch some moving air and saw from the mountains to the ocean!!! This was my bucketlist item 40th birthday celebration and Scott made it a very smooth, entertaining, and unforgettable ride! We even had to jump a fence in the balloon at the end... now that's something you don't see or do everyday!!!! Our group can't wait for our next ride with him! It was simply spectacular!

Fantastic experience: Wine Country Balloons is one of the best adventures to make time for, if you are visiting Sonoma county, or even if you live there. Scott is an experienced pilot and always makes everyone comfortable. I really enjoyed the information he shares on the ride about how the air currents move and he is well versed in the geography also! The flight is well worth the cost, and the early morning air is refreshing. So call Scott and get in the basket…it’s bigger than you think!

Fantastic experience: We had a beautiful morning overlooking the Healdsburg Valley! Our accomplished pilot, Scott was great and shared many fun facts on hot air balloon history, as we floated along... high above the beautiful vineyards. We enjoyed a champaign toast at the end and breakfast at Kaffe Mocha. From start to finish we had a wonderful time, including our landing in a family's backyard who showed us true hospitality! Thank you, Scott and crew!

Fantastic experience: Scott and his team made a long standing birthday surprise worth the wait! Incredibly professional and dedicated so that all of their guests have a wonderful and safe soar through the skies over Sonoma. His navigation into the world of ballooning and the landscapes we were flying over was insightful without being intrusive. His communication about weather conditions were spot on and we were so exited to be able to fly (when so many other companies could not that day). Cannot recommend Wine Country Balloons enough.