Off-The-Beaten Path California Wine Country Vacation Tips from the Wine Institute
California has no shortage of wine destinations for an epic road trip or vacation, including some of the most famous wine destinations in the world. Go off-the-beaten path for some picturesque rural scenery, delicious wines, and maybe if you’re lucky, fewer visitors. This summer, join The Wine Institute for the California Wine Country Back Roads series, which highlights the best hidden gems in wine roads and regions. The five-part series begins with the back roads of California's North Coast.
The Wine Institute, the public policy advocacy group for California wineries, shares its tips for regions to explore and exciting tour opportunities:
Sonoma County
Home to nearly 500 wineries, rolling hills, redwood trees, and 55 miles of coastline, Sonoma County is one of the most well-known wine regions in California. Even so, there's always something new to explore along Sonoma's rural roads.
TASTE: Best known for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma has diverse climate and soils allowing vintners to grow dozens of other varieties. The country roads in Alexander Valley lead to more than two dozen wineries. Hidden treasures can also be found in nearby Dry Creek Valley and Russian River Valley.
TOUR: From June 22-23, 2019 Experience Alexander Valley invites groups of 20 or less to experience blending seminars with winemakers, ravioli-making workshops, or bocce ball in the vineyards. June 8 – July 14 is the Art of Wine with a Vintage Palette at the Healdsburg Center for the Arts, featuring 60 artists celebrating wine country culture of the North Bay. The opening reception is on June 8 and is free to attend.
For information on lodging, dining and events, visit Sonoma Tourism.
Napa Valley
Napa Valley is known around the world over for its acclaimed wines—primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Bordeaux varieties—and a culinary scene that includes Michelin star restaurants, delicious food truck fare, and every level of cuisine in-between.
TASTE: Bordered by two mountain ranges, Napa Valley has several less-traveled mountain roads to meander and discover. Spring Mountain Road, just a few minutes off busy Highway 29, is a rural respite of family-owned wineries and 1,000 acres of hillside vineyards. Likewise, Mount Veeder, Atlas Peak, Howell Mountain, and Diamond Mountain reward travelers with mountain vistas and limited-production wines.
TOUR: Festival Napa Valley takes place in July, featuring a full slate of concerts, operas, and winery parties. Free outdoor concerts will be at the St. Helena Concert Series, held on alternating Thursdays throughout June - August in Lyman Park.
For information on lodging, dining and upcoming events, head to Visit Napa Valley.
Mendocino County
50 miles north of Healdsburg lies Mendocino County, where more than 90% of the land is wild and undeveloped. The region has a small-town vibe and relaxed hospitality.
TASTE: Along Highway 128 in the Anderson Valley are more than two dozen small wineries producing everything from sparkling wines and Pinot Noir to aromatic whites. A high percentage of the wineries use sustainable, organic, or biodynamic methods.
TOUR: Celebrate Father's Day weekend June 15-16 with A Taste of Redwood Valley, a chance to sample library wines, and small-production lots. Anderson Valley wineries host their Barrel Tasting Weekend July 20-21.
For information on lodging, dining and upcoming events, check out Visit Mendocino.
Lake County
Bordering Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino counties, Lake County was named for the region's many picturesque lakes. Vineyards are planted throughout the valley to the rocky red soil around Mt. Konocti, a dormant volcano.
TASTE: Home to 30+ wineries, Lake County is known for its high-elevation Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc wines. Check out the mini-tours around Clear Lake.
TOUR: On June 16, the Lake County Beer, Wine & Swine Baconfest brings together dad-friendly favorites for Father's Day. Red, White, and Blues celebrates the best of Lake County wines on July 6 in Middletown.
For information on lodging, dining and upcoming events, check out Lake County Wineries.
Sierra Foothills Wine Region
The California Gold Rush from 1848-1855 occurred in the heart of the Sierra Foothills wine region which covers 2.6 million acres of rolling hills, old mining towns and several of the coolest and highest elevation vineyards in the state. The region is a haven for small, family-run wineries known for their rich history, 100-plus-year old grapevines and full-bodied red wines, located throughout eight counties—Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Mariposa, Nevada, Placer, Tuolumne and Yuba. Here, visitors can enjoy pairing the latest vintages with some of California's spectacular scenery, as this wine region has three national parks and 20 wilderness areas that include Yosemite National Park and Lake Tahoe.
TASTE: The Sierra Foothills region is home to more than 200 wineries and a diverse range of grape varieties. Amador County, tucked into the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, includes more than 40 wineries—many specializing in Zinfandel, Barbera and Rhône-style wines. In Calaveras County, where Mark Twain gave the county its claim to fame with his bestselling story "The Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," there are more than 25 tasting rooms on the charming Main Street of Murphys. El Dorado County, with its mountain vineyards perched high above the valley, features 70 wineries producing everything from Cabernet-based varietals to wines made from Rhône, German, Italian and Spanish grape varieties. Back-road gems can also be found in Nevada County, Placer County and Yuba County. For a taste of several sub-regions, take a scenic excursion up historic Highway 49. The road begins in Oakhurst, then winds its way north through several winery-rich counties, including Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Nevada and more.
TOUR: Celebrate local wine, food and agriculture June 20-21 during the Placer Wine Trail's Grape Days of Summer, a self-guided tour that features food, music and educational experiences at every stop in Placer County. Amador County's annual Barbera Festival in September during California Wine Month offers tastes from more than 50 local wineries, plus fabulous food, live music and artisan vendors. Also in September is the WineDerLust Renegade WineFestival in Placerville, a wine bazaar and concert showcasing the best of El Dorado wines.
For more information on lodging, dining and events, see Amador County Vintners, Calaveras Winegrape Alliance, El Dorado Wines, Go Nevada County and Placer Wine Trail.
For all the wine regions in this series, use the discovercaliforniawines.com interactive map to search wineries by events and amenities such as tours, gardens, and picnic areas.
[Source: The Wine Institute]
Lizzy Sherman is an award-winning digital content writer/editor. She has been a featured guest speaker at Cal State University Northridge, Digital LA and The National Association of Audience Marketing Professionals. When she's not writing, Lizzy enjoys yoga and playing guitar. Follow her on Instagram: @zillizy