San Francisco Chronicle

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High: Calistoga Balloons: If you have a good imaginatio­n, it feels a bit as if you’re hanging from a giant, multicolor inflatable grape as you soar over Wine Country vineyards. And it’s your own private luxury grape, with a flight for two priced at $2,200. The day starts at dawn with coffee, tea and pastries. But the thrill begins when you watch the balloon rise from a giant, rip-stop polyester fabric pancake on the ground to a plump orb, as the setup team fills the beast with roaring, cold fan- and hot propane-powered wind. When the chariot is fully upright and tugging at its tether ropes, you clamber into the spacious, brown woven basket, and are released from your launch site in a Calistogaa­rea meadow. It’s magical to see the Napa Valley from the sky. Depending on the wind and weather, your balloon may float over natural hot springs, Old Faithful Geyser and Chateau Montelena winery. Or it may nudge you toward the Palisade Cliffs and Charles Krug Winery. Surprising­ly, there’s little movement in the basket, with no scary swaying, and most of the commotion comes from the rush of flames periodical­ly released to keep the air ship powered, plus the colorful stories told by the balloon pilot. The tour ends with a mimosa brunch at Solbar at Solage Resort. But Calistoga Balloons can coordinate other add-ons, too, such as limousine service to and from the balloon site, GoPro flight videos, tastings at nearby wineries and coming this spring, extras like mud bath treatments at Calistoga spas or wildlife safari tours at nearby Safari West animal park.

1458 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga. Reservatio­ns are recommende­d at least two weeks in advance. (707) 942-5758; http://calistogab­alloons.com. Basic group flight packages are also available from $239 per person, up to 16 people.

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