May 30, 2012
SAN FRANCISCO — Aside from good food, nothing pairs with wine better than spectacular scenery. Wine lovers will get that perfect pairing this summer when they combine one of California’s 25 beautiful national parks with a nearby iconic wine country experience.
With dozens of diverse wine regions and even more grape varieties across the Golden State, wine lovers can savor their favorite wines and explore new ones on their way to and from great parks from Yosemite in the High Sierra down to Joshua Tree in the desert. Like the stewards of California’s unique national parks, winemakers and growers also feel a deep connection to the land, making California a world leader in sustainable winegrowing – and making it easy for eco-minded travelers to find the perfect wine to complement their journey.
While in wine country, outdoor enthusiasts should make time to add an inspiring hike, bike ride or picnic in a stunning vineyard or valley. Or take it all in with a bird’s eye view on a sunrise hot air balloon ride followed by brunch with your favorite local wines. Below are some great wine regions to experience as part of a trip to some of California’s leading national parks.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Redwood National and State Parks and Mendocino County Wine
Country
Home to the world's tallest trees, these coastal redwood parks inspire visions of mist-laden primeval forests bordering crystal-clear streams. A perfect way to break up the drive and stay overnight is in picturesque and historic Mendocino, a great jumping point to the Mendocino County Wine
Region.
The county, which boasts a high percentage of acres farmed by sustainable, organic or biodynamic disciplines, grows a wide variety of winegrapes. If you’re a Pinot Noir lover, don’t miss the Anderson Valley Pinot
Noir Celebration
on Sept. 7, where you can taste wines and meet the winemakers from 25
outstanding wineries, located at the Little River Inn overlooking Pacific
Ocean.
Point Reyes National Seashore and Sonoma County Wine Country
One of the lesser-known but incredibly scenic parks, Point Reyes National Seashore is an easy 90-minute drive north of San Francisco, just south of the quaint town of Occidental and the dramatically beautiful Sonoma County Wine Region. Take the famous
Highway 1 along the coast to this park, featuring thunderous ocean breakers
crashing against rocky headlands and expansive sand beaches. Sonoma has many
distinctions, but here’s one to note: it grows more Pinot Noir than any other
county in the state. Gourmet farm and vineyard dinners are common here—a
fitting expression of the area’s great wine, homegrown culinary culture and
love of the great outdoors. This June 9-10, don’t miss the Russian River Valley
Passport to Pinot Weekend, featuring barrel tastings at nearly 30
wineries, as well as amazing food pairings, artist demonstrations, vineyard
tours and entertainment. The place to be for wine lovers on Labor Day Weekend is
the Sonoma Wine Country
Weekend,
featuring more than 200 world-class wineries and chefs showcasing their talents
at stylish winemaker lunches and dinners, a show-stopping Taste of Sonoma event
as well as the hugely popular Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction.
Muir Woods and Napa Valley Wine Country
One of the most celebrated redwood tree parks in the world, Muir Woods, a mere
half hour north of San Francisco and an hour to the legendary Napa Valley Wine Region, was once declared
by John Muir as the "best tree-lovers’ monument that could possibly be
found in all the forests of the world." Reward yourself after a hearty stroll in this nature preserve with a day or two in another natural wonderland: the Napa Valley. Recognized on the global stage at the Judgment of Paris in 1976, Napa Valley’s world-renowned wines have found an equal match in the region’s cuisine. If in town July 13-22, meander to the 7th Annual Napa
Valley Festival Del Sole, an event the New York Times calls a “feast
for the senses.” Featuring world-class artistry, gourmet cuisine, fine wines
and lifestyle programs this 10-day experience celebrates the art of life.
Tahoe National Forest and Sierra Foothills Wine Country/Lodi
This
800,000-acre national forest just east of Sacramento offers outstanding
recreation year-round including hiking, camping, skiing and nearby Lake Tahoe.
Pairing it with a visit to the Sierra Foothills Wine
Region makes
the trip even more special for wine lovers. Check out Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Nevada and Placer counties. Nestled in the heart
of California’s storied Gold Country, the regions are known for their rich
history and rich reds. This June 23-24 check out the 16th
Annual Passport "Wine" Weekend, featuring gourmet foods,
entertainment and special discounts at 23 Calaveras County wineries/ tasting
rooms. On the way to Tahoe, you can also stop by the Lodi Wine Region, home to 80 wineries
and an area known for Zinfandel.
CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
Yosemite and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks and Madera County/Fresno
Featured
on many bucket lists, Yosemite National Park stirs the soul of nature
lovers, with its soaring granite walls, cascading waterfalls and majestic
forests. Madera County is a great addition
to a Yosemite visit with its fertile farmlands and vineyards. Don’t miss the Madera Wine Trail, featuring local
wineries serving their highly acclaimed dessert, port-style and late-harvest
wines, among others. If
you’re going to Sequoia & Kings Canyon, visit the Fresno State Winery,the first university
in the U.S. to have a fully licensed winery. You can enjoy tastings or buy the
wine at the Fresno State Gibson
Farmers Market
where
you will find a variety of award-winning offerings all harvested, created or grown by
Fresno State students. The winery will be part of a 2012 Winemakers
Dinner
on August 25, featuring wines from several local wineries, dinner and dancing
under the stars.
Pinnacles National Monument and Monterey/Paso Robles Wine Country
Rising
out of the chaparral-covered Gabilan Mountains is Pinnacles National Monument, the
mighty remains of an ancient volcano with massive monoliths, spires,
sheer-walled canyons and talus passages. This impressive park is just over an
hour from Monterey County Wine Region and approximately 90
minutes from Paso Robles Wine Country, both wonderful
scenic areas to explore, wine and dine. While in Monterey, which along with the
nearby Santa Cruz Mountain Wine Region was also recognized
in the Judgment of Paris, check out Fisherman’s Wharf and the nearby tony shops
of Carmel-by-the-Sea, then head over to one of the area’s 85 wineries. If
around on June 9, you’ll want to stop by the 8th Annual Art & Wine Festival in Carmel Village, featuring pourings by
regional wineries of their latest vintages, local bands and family activities
from pony rides to arts and crafts. If exploring the Paso Robles wine region, a
hot spot for Rhône varietals and blends as well as many other grapes, don’t
miss the charming downtown square or nearby Hearst Castle on the coast. If
you’re visiting during the beautiful Indian Summer, don’t miss one of the
area’s iconic wine and food events, Sunset Savor the Central Coast in San Luis Obispo
County, Sept. 27-30.
Los Padres National Forest and Santa Barbara Wine Country
A
stone’s throw from Santa Barbara Wine
Country,
Los Padres National Forest offers 1,257 miles of coastal and mountain trails which
provide both day-use and extended backpacking opportunities. Celebrate a
morning of hiking with a tasting or picnic at one of the area’s many wineries,
immortalized in 2004 by the film “Sideways,” which celebrated the area’s
signature Pinot Noir. On June 30, celebrate another popular area varietal at The Chardonnay Symposium, featuring seminars
and samplings from more than 50 wineries, and paired gourmet foods provided by
local restaurants and caterers.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Viewed from the road, this desert park only hints at its vitality, with its beautiful Joshua trees. Closer examination reveals a fascinating variety of plants and animals that make their home in this land shaped by strong winds, unpredictable torrents of rain, and climatic extremes. Dark night skies for astronomy buffs, a rich cultural history, and surreal geologic features add to the attraction of this place. A visit to this park wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Temecula Wine Country, about 2.5 hours
southwest. Tempered by coastal fog, this warm region is best known for its
Italian and Rhône varieties—and its annual Balloon and Wine Festival, taking place this
year June 1-3. A
great way to sample the wines from this charming region is to check out the 3rd Annual Wine and
Culinary Showcase, CRUSH on Sept. 15 during
California Wine Month, featuring award-winning wines from 30 wineries.
Mojave
National Park and Cucamonga Valley
Singing sand dunes, volcanic cinder cones,
Joshua tree forests, and carpets of wildflowers are all found at this 1.6
million-acre park. A visit to its canyons, mountains and mesas will reveal
long-abandoned mines, homesteads, and rock-walled military outposts. A great
way to round out the trip is to stop and stay on the way to Los Angeles in the Cucamonga Valley, one of the oldest regions in the state and known for its
historic wineries specializing in Old Vine Zinfandels and port wines. A cool
happening this summer is the Los Angeles Food
& Wine event August 9-12, featuring incomparable
tastes from 140 celebrity chefs and nearly 300 acclaimed wineries.
For more information on California wines, wine regions and winery activities –
from tastings to tours, picnics, concerts, bocce ball and more -- go to: www.discovercaliforniawines.com.
About Wine Institute
Wine Institute is the association of more than 1,000 California wineries and wine-related businesses dedicated to enhancing the environment for the responsible production, consumption and enjoyment of wine. California is the fourth largest wine producer in the world, making 90 percent of all U.S. wine and two out of every three bottles enjoyed in the U.S. Each year, nearly 20 million tourists visit wine regions throughout the state to explore and enjoy the wines, the cuisine and cultural offerings associated with California’s signature industry. September, during California Wine Month, is a great time to visit to experience the annual winegrape harvest first hand. Go to: www.discovercaliforniawines.com for more information.
