Ten Great Places to Hike, Bike and Sip in California Wine Country
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Now that the harvest rush has subsided, active wine lovers can take advantage of the good weather and enjoy vineyard landscapes with a hike or bike ride in California wine country and a wine tasting at the end. All of California's dozens of wine regions offer hiking and biking opportunities, as well as new "favorite" wineries and wines to taste and discover. Below are just a few of the many opportunities to get out and active among the vines suggested by Wine Institute.
For more information on California's wine regions, wineries and wines, go to www.DiscoverCaliforniaWines.com.
North Coast
Free Self-Guided Vineyard Walking Tours in Sonoma County Wine Country
Take a free self-guided tour with no appointment necessary at several wineries in Sonoma County, getting a healthy burn as you take in spectacular views. Stop in the tasting room to pick up a detailed walking-tour guide. You can finish at the tasting room and sample wines from the vines you just explored (tasting fee may apply). Tours offered at wineries including: Schug Carneros Estate Winery, Landmark Vineyards, Balletto Vineyards, Mauritson Family Winery, Stryker Sonoma Winery and Francis Ford Coppola Winery.
Guided Sip & Cycle Tours of Sonoma County, Napa Valley and Carneros Regions
Whether amateur or pro, the landscape in and around Sonoma County and Napa Valley is breathtaking. For those who prefer a guided experience, there are many options for bike rentals and guided tours that take you to wineries in and around Santa Rosa, some with picnic lunches or with tasting fees waived. Vendors include Ace It Wine Country Bike Tour, Getaway Tours Sip 'N Cycle Tour (Healdsburg, Santa Rosa, Calistoga, Carneros), Napa Valley Bike Tours, St Helena Cyclery and Wine Country Bikes' Cycle Dry Creek and Madrona Manor Tour Package (includes stay at the inn).
Hike or Bike Napa Valley on your Own
The Napa Valley Vine Trail offers a 47-mile path for exploring the world-famous region by foot or pedal at your own pace from Vallejo's Ferry Terminal to the foot of Mount St. Helena in Calistoga. For a packaged but still self-guided experience, Clif Family Winery at VeloVino offers bike rentals through Calistoga Bike Shop. Start the day at the winery's Clif bar for an espresso and a map of the winery team's favorite routes. End the day with a food and wine pairing experience and wine by the glass at the tasting bar displaying cycling memorabilia or at the outdoor patio and wine sensory garden.
Sierra Foothills
Hiking or Biking the Sierra Foothills Wine Region
Just a quick day trip from Sacramento and Lake Tahoe is the Sierra Foothills wine region, which encompasses the great wine sub-regions of El Dorado, Amador and Calaveras. These regions have been producing wine since the Gold Rush days. Most of the grapes are grown on rolling hillsides at elevations over 1,200 feet above sea level – making for scenic bike rides and hikes. The El Dorado Trail boasts 28 miles of mountains and vineyard views. If you'd like to ride but want someone else to do the planning, Giro D'Oro Cycling offers weekend and five-day trips through the area, as well as daily bike rentals.
San Franciscso East & South Bays
Livermore Valley Wine Tasting by Foot, Bicycle or Train
First-time visitors to Livermore are often surprised at the numerous, closely situated wineries surrounded by open space and gentle hills of vineyards in San Francisco's southeast bay. Cycling routes are plentiful and winery and bike path maps are available through the Livermore Valley Winegrowers. A good walking route is on Greenville Road where six wineries are within less than a mile, including Big White House Winery, McGrail and Bent Creek Winery. Another good hike is on Tesla Road where walkers can visit Wente, Steven Kent, Page Mill, Concannon and Retzlaff. Niles Canyon Railway offers a laid-back way to taste Livermore wines paired with hors d'oeuvres. The wine-tasting trains run alternate Sundays in the summer.
Hike, Bike and Horseback Ride through the Santa Cruz Mountains
Whether your favorite transportation is your own two feet, a bike or a horse, Fremont Older—a 763-acre open space preserve bordered by Garrod Farms Stables and home of Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards— is a great place to hike or ride. The oak studded hillsides are home to many native animals, from bobcats, coyotes and deer to a variety of bird species. Begin the trail in the Cooper Garrod Estate Vineyards parking lot, and end in the tasting room for wines from their Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing vineyard. Horseback riders can rent from the stables and book a tour of the chardonnay vineyard and estate.
South Central Coast
Bike Tours from the Vines to Coast in Paso Robles Wine Country
Named the 2013 Wine Region of the Year by Wine Enthusiast Magazine, Paso Robles has a lot to offer the biking fan. Take a self-guided tour from City Park town square through vineyard country up to J. Lohr Winery for a tasting and return to City Park to enjoy more tasting rooms, boutique shops, galleries and wine-centric eateries. For guided tours, Paso Bike Tours offers several wine country tours, including "On a Mission," where guests bike to the historic San Miguel Mission. Or sign up with Central Coast Outdoors for a Pacific Coast / Paso Westside guided biking tour where you'll pedal past stretches of coastline and rolling hills and enjoy a picnic lunch at a local winery, followed by tastings at wineries, such as Lone Madrone.
Hike, Bike and Sip in Santa Barbara Wine Country
Santa Barbara, known for surfing and the "Sideways" movie that made the wine region famous, is also a prime hiking region. Work up a sweat on the seven-mile Reyes Peak trail in the Los Padres National Forest. Reward yourself afterwards by checking out nearby Santa Ynez Valley wineries. Cyclists also can sign up with Santa Barbara Adventure Company for a full-day wine country bike tour. Cycle through vineyards along Foxen Canyon Trail or Santa Rita Hills, stopping at notable vintners such as Zaca Mesa Vineyards and Riverbench Vineyard & Winery. Tour includes a picnic lunch.
Inland Valleys
Hike through Nature Preserves near Lodi Wine Country
Surrounding Lodi are thousands of acres of nature preserves, a paradise to avid birders and nature lovers. The Cosumnes River Preserve is a favorite among visitors and offers year-round hiking trails and an educational visitor center. Nearby is the interactive Lodi Wine & Visitor Center where you can walk through the demonstration vineyard, learn about winegrowing and winemaking, find out more about local wineries and taste Lodi wines.
Southern California
Hike, Bike or Jog through Temecula Wine Country
Just 90 minutes from Los Angeles and San Diego is the Temecula wine region. Several wineries offer opportunities to walk among the vines. Eco-conscious travelers may want to book a stay at The Ponte Family Estate which offers AAA Four Diamond, sustainable accommodations. The winery and vineyard are third-party certified by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Program — one of the most widely adopted programs in wine for sustainable practices. The estate has 300 acres of scenic, sustainably-farmed vineyards, and is popular for guests who want to run, walk, cycle or hike. The winery also formed a marathon team of staff, locals and guests who meet weekly to jog through the vineyards at dusk. Celebrate your efforts by sipping wines in the tasting room or at the restaurant.
About Wine Institute
Established in 1934, Wine Institute is the association of 1,000 California wineries and wine-related businesses that initiate and advocate state, federal and international public policy to enhance the environment for the responsible production, consumption and enjoyment of wine. For information, see www.wineinstitute.org.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141030/155601
SOURCE Wine Institute
Share this article