Solvang: Wine and True Crime Tour with Drinks Included

Solvang looks like a cheerful Danish village, all windmills, bakeries, and half-timbered buildings. This tour takes the other road, pairing local drinks with stories of serial killers, murders, haunted mortuaries, and hidden tunnels. It is part wine tasting, part walking tour, and part spooky pub crawl.

I like the mix of three very different stops, especially the slasher-themed Final Girl Wines and the playful High Roller Tiki Lounge. I also like that the stories connect the town’s architecture and local past to the drinks in your glass, rather than treating Solvang as a backdrop.

The main consideration is pace. Two hours covers three venues and a guided walk, so this is not a long, quiet wine seminar. You may also finish feeling tipsy, and one past booking had a serious guide-delay problem, so keep your plans flexible.

Key points to know before booking

• Three drinks stops in two hours: Final Girl Wines, High Roller Tiki Lounge, and Cali Love Wine.
• True crime with a Solvang setting: Hear about 1970s serial killers, wine industry murders, a bar brawl, tunnels, and haunted mortuaries.
• A small-group format: The tour is designed for people who want social conversation as well as local stories.
• Guide quality matters: John received especially strong praise, while Ryan and Dan were also singled out for fun, involved hosting.
• Walking is part of the experience: Wear comfortable shoes and bring warm clothing for changing weather.
• Strictly for adults: You must be at least 21, and a designated driver is a wise idea.

Solvang’s cheerful streets, with a darker side

The tour begins at the Little Mermaid fountain outside Chomp. That is a useful meeting point in central Solvang, and the setting gets the joke started: a storybook Danish town is about to offer tales that are anything but sweet.

Your guide leads you through the historic streets while explaining the unsettling side of the town. The stories include 1970s serial killers, crimes tied to the wine industry, an infamous bar fight, haunted mortuaries, and ghostly energy connected to old buildings. You may also hear about haunted bakeries and windmills.

I like this approach because the walking is not just transportation between drinks. Solvang’s architecture becomes part of the subject. The tidy facades, old-fashioned storefronts, and Danish-style details take on a different mood when your guide points out the darker stories associated with them.

Still, keep your expectations clear. This is not a formal historical lecture, and it is not a full investigative crime tour. The experience uses local stories, spooky themes, and true crime material to create a lively evening. If you enjoy a good story told with humor, it should fit. If you want case files, long evidence discussions, or a serious academic treatment, this may feel light.

Final Girl Wines, where the first pour has a horror theme

The first tasting stop is Final Girl Wines, with about 45 minutes set aside. This is the longest stop, so it gives the group time to settle in, taste, and get into the theme.

The winery’s slasher design makes it different from a standard tasting room. The name and atmosphere fit the tour’s subject, and the horror styling gives your guide a natural way to move from wine into stories of crime and survival. You are not simply tasting local wine in a plain room.

The exact pours can vary, but wine tastings are included in the $115 price. You should treat this stop as a chance to enjoy the wine while listening, not as a private sommelier lesson. The supplied details describe local and award-winning wines, but they do not promise a fixed list of bottles or a set number of pours.

Final Girl Wines is also where the value of the tour becomes easier to judge. If you visited three places on your own, you would still need to find them, pay for tastings or drinks, and create your own route. Here, the guide provides a theme and keeps the evening moving.

The drawback is that 45 minutes can pass quickly. If you are the sort of wine drinker who likes to examine every vintage and ask detailed production questions, the true crime storytelling will share your attention. That is the point of the tour, but it is worth knowing before you book.

A guided walk through tunnels, murders, and haunted places

After the first tasting, the itinerary allows about 30 minutes for a guided walk through Solvang. This is the portion that gives the experience its local character.

You will hear stories about hidden tunnels and places with a reputation for ghostly activity. The tour also touches on haunted mortuaries and the town’s unsettling connection to past crimes. These subjects add an edge to streets that can otherwise feel almost too polished and picturesque.

I particularly like having the walking section after the first drink stop. You have already met the guide and the group, so the stories can become more conversational. Guides such as John, Ryan, and Dan were praised for keeping people involved and laughing, which matters on a social tour with a dark subject.

John was repeatedly singled out for making the town and crime stories entertaining. Ryan was praised for knowing both the subject and the town, even answering a question about Solvang’s birdhouses during the walk. Dan was remembered as an involved host who checked that the group was comfortable. The guide on your date may be different, but these comments suggest that personality is a major part of the experience.

You will be walking outdoors, and the tour operates in all weather. Bring comfortable shoes and warm clothing. A camera is also listed as a recommended item, though you should stay focused on the guide when the stories are being told.

High Roller Tiki Lounge adds a sharp change of mood

The next stop is High Roller Tiki Lounge, with about 30 minutes for a cocktail. This changes the tone from wine tasting to a more playful bar setting.

That contrast is one of the tour’s best features. Final Girl Wines supplies the horror-themed wine stop, while High Roller brings a quirky cocktail-bar atmosphere. The change keeps the experience from feeling like three versions of the same tasting room.

The cocktail is included as part of the planned experience, but the available information does not identify a specific drink. You should not assume that every person receives the same cocktail or that extra purchases are covered. Additional drinks and wine purchases are not included.

This stop also explains why the tour is more than a simple wine tasting. One booking specifically noted that the experience is not just wine tasting, and that is useful advice. You are paying for a guided evening built around drinks, stories, and company. The cocktail stop is part of that wider package.

Because this is the second drinking stop, pace yourself. The whole experience lasts only two hours, and one booking warned that you may be tipsy by the end. Eat beforehand or plan to have food afterward, since the tour information does not say that a meal or snacks are included.

Cali Love Wine finishes with a short champagne tasting

The final stop is Cali Love Wine, where the itinerary allows about 15 minutes for a champagne tasting. The tour ends here, rather than returning you to Chomp.

This is a brief finish, so think of it as a final toast rather than a full tasting session. The sparkling wine offers a clean change after the cocktail and earlier wine stop. It also gives the group a natural moment to wrap up the stories and say goodbye.

The short stop has a practical effect: you should not book a tight appointment immediately afterward unless you allow extra time. The advertised duration is two hours, but walking, group movement, and venue timing can affect the finish.

From Cali Love Wine, you are responsible for your next move. The end point is useful if you want to continue exploring Solvang on foot, but arrange a safe ride if you have been drinking. The tour does not include transportation or a designated driver.

Is $115 a fair price?

At $115 per person, this is not the cheapest way to sample Solvang wine. It can still be fair value if you would otherwise pay separately for drinks, tastings, and a guided walking tour.

The price includes an expert guide, tastings at three distinctive places, and the true crime stories. You are also paying for the route and the coordination between venues. That matters in a small town where the fun comes from linking several unusual places into one themed evening.

The strongest value is for someone who wants an organized social experience. You do not have to research bars, find the themed winery, or decide how to connect the stories to the town. The guide provides the structure, and the small-group setting gives you people to talk with as you go.

The value is weaker if you want a serious wine education or a large amount of wine. The tour is short, the final tasting is only 15 minutes, and extra purchases are your responsibility. You also may prefer to spend $115 on a longer tasting with more wine if true crime is not a major interest.

One practical cost is easy to overlook: a safe ride home. The tour itself does not provide one, and the combination of tastings and a cocktail can affect your ability to drive. If you are staying in Solvang, walking back may be simple, but the supplied information does not guarantee where any participant is staying.

Who will enjoy this unusual Solvang evening?

I would choose this tour if you like true crime podcasts, ghost stories, unusual bars, and light historical commentary. It suits couples, friends, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting other people in a small-group setting.

It is also a good choice if you have already seen Solvang’s standard attractions. One person who had visited before found new places and new stories through the tour. That is the main appeal for repeat visitors: the town’s familiar Danish facade becomes a setting for material you probably would not find by simply walking around.

The tour is less suitable for anyone seeking a quiet afternoon tasting. The guide talks throughout the experience, the subject matter can be grim, and the group moves between venues. It is also not designed for children, pregnant people, or anyone under 21.

The age information needs careful attention. The tour requires all participants to be at least 21, while the supplied restrictions also say it is not suitable for children under 12. In practice, the firm rule is that every participant must be 21 or older.

The accessibility information is not fully clear. The activity is marked wheelchair accessible, but the restrictions also say it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Since walking is part of the route, contact the provider before booking if you need step-free access or have trouble walking.

Timing, weather, and the late-guide warning

The advertised duration is two hours, with starting times depending on availability. That makes it easy to fit into a Solvang visit, but you should not treat it as a flexible drop-in activity. Arrive at the Little Mermaid fountain outside Chomp before the stated start time.

The tour operates in all weather. Comfortable shoes are essential, and warm clothing is a smart addition even when the afternoon feels mild. You will be outside for the walk, and the experience does not stop simply because the weather changes.

There was one serious timing problem in the available booking history: a guide arrived about an hour late, leaving the group unsure what to do. The group eventually went to the first location on its own and paid for its own time there until the guide arrived. That appears to be an exception, not the general pattern, but it is important enough to mention.

If you book, keep the first part of your schedule open and save confirmation details on your phone. If the guide is not at the fountain at the arranged time, contact the provider before paying for anything yourself. The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option, which helps if your plans are still shifting.

Should you book the Solvang wine and true crime tour?

Book it if you want a social, story-driven night rather than a traditional wine class. The mix of Final Girl Wines, High Roller Tiki Lounge, Cali Love Wine, and Solvang’s spooky tales is unusual, and the guide can make the difference between a good outing and a forgettable one.

The strongest signs are the praise for John, Ryan, and Dan, along with the high overall rating of 4.9 from 11 bookings. The one four-star account raises a useful warning about guide timing, while the rest point to an evening that is funny, engaging, and easy to recommend.

Skip it if you do not drink, dislike true crime themes, need a slow pace, or want detailed wine instruction. For everyone else, especially a returning Solvang visitor, this is a memorable way to see the town after the standard Danish village sights have lost their surprise.

FAQ

Where does the Solvang true crime wine tour begin?

Meet at the Little Mermaid fountain outside Chomp restaurant in Solvang.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour finishes at Cali Love Wine in Solvang.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts two hours.

What places does the tour visit?

The route includes Final Girl Wines, High Roller Tiki Lounge, and Cali Love Wine.

What drinks are included?

Wine tastings at three unique spots are included. The itinerary also includes a cocktail at High Roller Tiki Lounge and a champagne tasting at Cali Love Wine.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The live tour guide speaks English.

Do I need to be 21 to join?

Yes. All participants must be at least 21 years old.

Is food included?

No food is listed as included. Plan to eat before or after the tour.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card, comfortable shoes, warm clothing, and a camera.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.