Drink: From sails to rails, oysters and stomps, here’s how to celebrate the harvest.
California’s grape harvest is in full swing, and so are the wine-centric celebrations. It’s high time to head to points north, south and east to experience the full glory. From sails to rails, oysters and stomps, here are just a few ways to immerse yourse
1 Santa Cruz sail and sip
The Santa Cruz coastline is a lovely thing, but nothing beats the view from the water. A sailing excursion aboard the 70-foot Chardonnay II is a great idea at any time of year, but on Friday evenings from April through October, the yacht company’s special charters ($63) offer a chance to sip wine with the person who made it. You’ll hear the winemaker talking about the process from grape to glass on the open sea. Friday’s charter, for example, features wines from Santa Cruz’s MJA Vineyards, while the Oct. 26 season closer showcases Felton’s Hallcrest Vineyards.
DETAILS >> Chardonnay Sailing Charters, 790 Mariner Park Way, Dock FF, Santa Cruz; chardonnay.com
2 Saratoga vineyard walk
If you prefer your adventures on dry land, you can stroll the vineyards with a winemaker, as well. Saratoga’s Cooper Garrod Vineyards offers a Walk with the Winemaker on the first Saturday of each month, where guests join one of the Cooper winemakers — either Bill or Ben Cooper— for a walking tour of the vineyards, some storytelling and a tasting. The tour is free, tastings are $15. Bring a picnic to enjoy afterward.
DETAILS >> Cooper Garrod Vineyard, 22645 Garrod Road, Saratoga; cgv.com/tours#firstsat
3 Napa rails and sips
The Napa Valley Wine Train and the Napa River Inn have partnered on an “I Left My Car in San Francisco” hotel package that sends you to Napa sans car. The package, which starts at $1,114 for two people, includes two nights lodging plus ferry transportation from San Francisco to Vallejo and a ride to the train station. There, you’ll board the iconic red train for an upscale lunch as you roll through Wine Country. Fall is a perfect time to plan this escape, mixing a dash of autumnal color into your multi-transit adventure.
DETAILS >> Napa Valley Wine Train, 1275 Mckinstry St., Napa, winetrain.com; Napa River Inn. 500 Main St., Napa; napariverinn.com
4 Harvest boot camp
Napa’s 50-year-old Trefethen Family Vineyards offers an immersive way to learn about winemaking. Its annual Harvest Boot Camp ($150-$175) is a six-hour affair that begins with begins with an in-depth vineyard tour and grape picking, before moving into the winery to learn about winemaking and do a bit of barrel tasting. An al fresco lunch under an ancient walnut tree rounds out the educational — and delicious — festivities. This year’s boot camp will be Saturday.
DETAILS >> Trefethen Family Vineyards, 1160 Oak Knoll Ave., Napa; trefethen.com
5 Grgich grape stomp
Winemaker Miljenko “Mike” Grgich shot to fame when his 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay won the title of best white wine in the world at the legendary Paris Tasting of 1976. A year later, he and his partners, brother and sister Austin Hills and Mary Lee Strebl of the Hills Bros. Coffee family, opened Grgich Hills Estate. Head for the winery this harvest season — through Oct. 22 — and you can join one of Grgich’s favorite Croatian traditions. The winery has partnered with St. Helena’s Harvest Inn on a Harvest Package that gives guests an opportunity to kick off their shoes and crush their own grapes — and enjoy some wine tasting — at the estate, before heading back to the inn for the night. The tab ($359 and up) includes lodging and a breakfast buffet.
DETAILS >> Harvest Inn, 1 Main St., St. Helena; harvestinn. com; Grgich Hills Estate, 1829 Highway 29, Rutherford; grgich.com
6 Bernardus festivities
Nestled near the famous Santa Lucia Mountain AVA, the 28-acre Bernardus Lodge is a great home base for exploring the varied Monterey County wine regions. Plus a stay here gives you free tastings at Bernardus Winery. Bernardus winemaker Dean DeKorth and vineyard manager Matt Shea will host a Barbecue, Grape Stomp & Oyster Shuck ($85) on Oct. 6. which includes wine tasting and grape stomping, plus, live music and a family-style barbecue at Ingrid’s Vineyard.
DETAILS >> Bernardus Lodge, 415 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley; bernardus.com. Bernardus Winery’s tasting room is open daily at 5 W. Carmel Valley Road; bernarduslodge.com.
7 Carmel Bikes and sips
La Playa Carmel and Galante Vineyards are launching a four-day Ride, Wine and Dine adventure this month geared towards cycling enthusiasts. The all-inclusive package ($4,200 and up) is pricey, but it covers four nights of lodging, plus daily guided rides and all meals, including a winemaker dinner and tour with Jack Galante. Plus: A little ahhhhh time at The Refuge spa to soothe those cycling muscles. Mark Wednesday through Sunday on your calendar.
DETAILS >> La Playa Carmel, Camino Real at Eighth Avenue, Carmel; laplayahotel.com/packages/ride-wine-dine/. The Galante Vineyards tasting room is open daily off Dolores Street between Ocean and Seventh Avenues; galantevineyards.com.