Napa Valley Drifters Hot Air Balloon

 

4

11

Corinne R.

Oakland, CA

We took a balloon ride with Napa Valley Drifters this morning. It was really an amazing experience being above everything and just floating along with the wind. The whole trip took about 2 hours. Jason was our flight pilot and it was just me, J, and Jason. Jason grew up in the area and is a seasoned balloon pilot so he had lots of interesting things to point out and the whole experience was just perfect. We saw the balloons of other companies' flying about and they were certainly larger, less nimble, and had more people packed in.

Some things to be aware of with NVD:
(1) Unlike other companies there is no pre-flight or post-flight food, so eat breakfast beforehand, and bring water if you get thirsty.
(2) You will receive a bottle of champagne after the flight to celebrate being done, you can drink then or save for later
(3) As with all the balloon companies, you will be standing for the whole flight, so wear comfy shoes. Also, wear layers: it's cold in the morning but can be warm up in the air.
(4) You get a very wonderful personal experience with NVD that the other companies do not offer... It is highly recommended!

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Elite '08

70

282

kimi w.

El Cerrito, CA

We had a fantastic time with Napa Valley Drifters!! Highly recommended. We chose this company based on the great, glowing yelp reviews and were not disappointed at all. It's a small company in that they don't take 15+ people out at once. Rather, they keep it small and intimate (just the way I like it). My husband and I lucked out because it was just the two of us along with Terry (the owner and awesome balloon bum guide who probably understands weather patterns much more than many weather forecasters).

Anyway, you're taken up right before sunrise and go for about an hour or so across Napa Valley. You literally float in the air and take in the beautiful scenery...(don't forget to bring your camera)! They'll pick you up from your bed & breakfast or if you're local you can meet at a location in Napa.

I loved the facts and local history that Terry was able to share with us like the history of ballooning, the relationship between ballooners and the vineyard owners, and the insider tips of the all of the wineries. He knew a lot since he's grown up in Napa all of his life and has been ballooning since the 80s.

Basically, we felt like we were in great hands from the beginning. The whole crew (3 total) was exceptionally friendly. You end the day receiving a complimentary bottle of already chilled champagne.

So I have always wanted to do some hot air ballooning and we've finally experienced it. If you've never hung up 1,000 feet above the air in a wicker basket, and you're not too scared of heights, and you enjoy a lovely perspective on a beautiful landscape, I think you'd totally enjoy this experience and I would go with Napa Valley Drifters vs. one of those larger balloons, unless you want to be packed like sardines or you are with a big group of people.

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7

144

Silvio D.

New York, NY

I recently went on my first hot air balloon ride and it couldn't have been a more enjoyable experience.  I was so glad that I didn't go with another company that had 6 or more people in the balloon.  The staff was very friendly.  They came to pick my girlfriend and I up at the bed and breakfast the morning of the ride and gave us a free bottle of champagne at the end of the ride.

The ride itself was unbelievable - it was just my girlfriend, the pilot, and myself.  How great is that?  We passed by other hot air balloons that had at least twice as many people in their basket.

Terry was a great pilot - he told us all about the Napa area and pointed out various vineyards, houses and restaurants as we flew over them.  It was beautiful to see the Napa valley at sunrise.  The best way to see Napa is 2,000 feet above it.

I highly recommend this company for your hot air balloon experience.

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0

4

Dave T.

Pasadena, CA

We had a great balloon ride with Terry of Napa Valley Drifters on the day after Thanksgiving.  We arrived in Napa at 6:45 and we were drifting gently over wine country by sunrise.  I can't imagine a better way to see the beauty of Napa in the fall than gently floating with the birds in a silent balloon (interrupted only by the occasional blast of hot air).

Terry is both the owner and main pilot.  He grew up in Napa so he was a great guide to all the little things we could see below us.  The ground crew was professional and friendly.  The experience was very personal, unlike many of the large "cattle car" balloon operators in the area.  Napa Drifters only has small (4-6 passenger) baloons so it's always an intimate experience.  Terry was great about providing weather updates in advance so that we could plan appropriately (and could have avoided the drive up if the weather was inclement).  Overall I give them an "A+" -- I could not have asked for anything better!

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6

9

Brady F.

San Francisco, CA

I wrote a thorough review and over 70+ photos of the event:
todo.bradyjfrey.com/20...

But to paraphrase our experience was fantastic. We found the crew to be professional and personable - very caring and unique in their adventure. The girlfriend has been excited still for over a week now, and I highly recommend it. A brief description of our trip without spoiling the ending:
"With relaxed company, we reached the site (followed by 2 other passengers on our trip who's names escape me). Another balloon company is on site (apparently the locals are friendly in their competition), and all of the teams prep for launch.
After signing the typical life waiver forms for this type of event, Terry mounts the propane jets on the top of the basket with haste so Jeff and Luis can shift the basket from the truck bed onto the tarp covered grass field. They lay the basket sideways and stretch out the elegant 120,000 capacity balloon for what they call a 'cold inflate': filling the balloon with cold air in preparation of filling it with hot air.
Sheryl takes the farthest side away from the fan, and I'm placed on the side closest to the fan (my body weight will offset more pressure than Sheryl easily). The gas powered fan is bucked into action, and begins to fill the balloon for the next 5+ minutes until the basket finds itself standing upright and ready for the hot air. We break for a quick pit stop prior to launch (yest ye find yourself stuck in the balloon for the next hour) in the airstrips yellow public bathrooms (complete with shower, and at this morning, someone in that shower).
Quickly returning, Sheryl and I hop into the basket, next to our 2 new companions, and Terry as Pilot. He hits the triggers above and starts firing the burners (warm enough that even at high altitudes, you don't need a jacket - and lucky I brought a hat for my shaved head). Before you know it, you've lifted 10 feet off the ground and you hadn't noticed.

For the duration of the trip, Terry tells us the details of flying a Hot Air Balloon, and explains the intricacies of the land. The baskets are heavily inspected and hand woven - with the current capacity of our trip being 6 bodies, where some of the alternative baskets can be as large as a bus for their 16 people crew. The wind shifts more in the low altitudes and can stop you flat when you go further up (as we experienced) with little to no movement. Lighter than air, the balloon flight is a peaceful 5 mile journey over beautiful field..."

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