Sporting’s Hidden Haven

TUCKED AWAY IN WINE COUNTRY, WING & BARREL RANCH EMBRACES A NEW KIND OF SPORTING LIFE

When most people think of California’s Bay Area, traditional sporting pursuits may not immediately come to mind. At a burgeoning property in the heart of Sonoma, however, a world-class hunting lodge is exactly what you’ll find,

accented by Wine Country’s timeless traditions. The only place quite like it in the nation, Wing & Barrel Ranch offers more than a premier shooting experience; its presence among local vineyards

(and its partnerships with their esteemed winemakers) affords members

a robust experience of the region—and a taste of its many delights. As one of the area’s few prominent hunt clubs, Wing & Barrel warmly receives members of all skill levels, from seasoned sportsmen to eager newcomers. The staff takes pleasure in watching a new generation fall in love with the lifestyle, though Wing & Barrel is still a place for more advanced hunters. With a state-ofthe-art sporting clays course and more than one thousand acres of upland bird fields, fast-paced quail hunting and

challenging clay shoots are the club’s bread and butter. Beyond its field offerings, what really sets the lodge apart is the close relationship it has fostered with local vineyards. Wing & Barrel’s connection to Wine Country runs far deeper than its geography. A number of Napa’s and Sonoma’s most celebrated vintners are themselves club members; their wines are served in the dining room and at special events, and they gather regularly to hunt and enjoy the

grounds. A lifelong sportsman, Bo Barrett, the winemaker of Napa’s celebrated Chateau Montelena, was one of Wing & Barrel’s earliest advocates—and its eleventh member. “At the winery, quality

and loyalty are everything,” he says. “Wing & Barrel is no different. Our partnership came to be because they

were pursuing that same level of quality with such unquestionable integrity. It was a natural fit from the start.” Robert Mondavi, chief winemaker at Napa’s Michael Mondavi Family Estate, was another of the club’s founding members. “I love the hunting aspect—both birds and sporting clays—but what’s most fun is the camaraderie among the people,” he says. “When we winemakers get together at Wing & Barrel, there’s this wonderful dialogue among us.” Barrett agrees. “You know what they say, birds of a feather flock together,” he adds with a laugh. The second-generation owner of Silver Oak and Twomey wineries, David Duncan is also a dedicated member. A Colorado native who grew up hunting

and fishing, the vintner relishes the opportunity to tap into those passions

once more. “The combination of people who love wine and also love shooting makes Wing & Barrel totally singular in Northern California.” he says. “Among our team, we’ve been able to introduce a number of people to the sport

here.”At Wing & Barrel, a slew of special experiences emphasize the integral role of these vintners. One example is the Winemakers Shoot series, which allows members to join the club’s vintner partners on an upland bird hunt or a sporting clays shoot on the revered Vintner Shooting Grounds. Each excursion ends with a celebratory meal and wine

pairings, as well as a winery tour and dinner at one of resident chef Charlie Palmer’s two Wine Country restaurants. At the clubhouse, the fruits of these partnerships are also on full display. Special luncheons and dinners spotlight bottles from Wing & Barrel’s partners, while the dining room wine list features

a rotating selection of fine local vintages. Still, it’s the uniqueness of Wing & Barrel’s mission that draws many in. At its heart, the club exists to connect its members to the beauty and heritage of the surrounding landscape. “Our job as winemakers is to make people’s lives

a little better, which is essentially the same as Wing & Barrel’s,” Barrett says. “A great day in the field just makes you feel better, especially among so many like-minded folks.” This, after all, is the club’s great accomplishment: the seamless integration of sporting culture into the Bay Area’s treasured way of life.