Exercise and wine-tasting are not mutually exclusive, believe it or not. With gorgeous weather and picturesque scenery, why not lace up your hiking boots (or really, just a comfy pair of sneakers) and get yourself to a winery? Even better, you’ll be rewarded with wine tasting at the end of your exercise.
Alexander Valley Vineyards
You’ll need reservations for Alexander Valley Vineyards’ hikes, which are hosted year-round, starting at 10:30am for strolls across the Healdsburg estate. Diverse trails stretch from the banks of the Russian River up onto the hillsides; you'll taste wines right where they're grown – primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Merlot, plus a few of Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc and Syrah. The $50 price tag includes a box lunch and hikes are run rain or shine.
8644 Highway 128, Healdsburg, avvwine.com
Alexander Valley Vineyards
You’ll need reservations for Alexander Valley Vineyards’ hikes, which are hosted year-round, starting at 10:30am for strolls across the Healdsburg estate. Diverse trails stretch from the banks of the Russian River up onto the hillsides; you'll taste wines right where they're grown – primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Merlot, plus a few of Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc and Syrah. The $50 price tag includes a box lunch and hikes are run rain or shine.
8644 Highway 128, Healdsburg, avvwine.com
Seghesio Family Vineyards
Fourth and fifth generation vineyard managers Jim and Ned Neumiller will take you on an adventure through 120 year-old-vines and up to the top of Rattlesnake Hill on the Home Ranch estate ($75). History is part of the experience on this century-old property specializing in old-vine Zinfandel and Italian varietals. Fuel up with wine tastings along the way, then reward your hard work with a wine-paired lunch at a scenic perch overlooking Alexander Valley.
24035 Chianti Rd., Cloverdale, seghesio.com
Bartholomew Park Winery
Likely the best known winery with a hike, this gracious, historic winery is surrounded by 400-acres of Bartholomew Memorial Park. Tastings include self-guided hiking excursions along three miles of gorgeous meadow-to-mountain trails. Stop in at the museum chronicling the history of grape-growing in Sonoma, then treat yourself to a picnic near a replica of pioneer winemaker Agoston Haraszthy's Palladian Villa, which was destroyed by fire around the turn of the century.
1000 Vineyard Ln., Sonoma, bartpark.com
Kunde Family Estate Winery
Enjoy a four-hour romp led by fourth-generation winegrower Jeff Kunde himself or Sonoma Valley docent and state/regional parks expert Bill Myers. Each host explains the distinct ecosystems and native habitats across the 1,850-acre estate framed by the Mayacamas Mountains, and explains the vineyards as you sip wines right next to the grapes. Kunde's hike offers a bonus - his dogs Cooper and Marley come along, there's a tasting and Wine Country lunch, and a portion of your fee is donated to Canine Companions and the Sonoma County Humane Society.
9825 Sonoma Hwy., Kenwood, kunde.com
Fourth and fifth generation vineyard managers Jim and Ned Neumiller will take you on an adventure through 120 year-old-vines and up to the top of Rattlesnake Hill on the Home Ranch estate ($75). History is part of the experience on this century-old property specializing in old-vine Zinfandel and Italian varietals. Fuel up with wine tastings along the way, then reward your hard work with a wine-paired lunch at a scenic perch overlooking Alexander Valley.
24035 Chianti Rd., Cloverdale, seghesio.com
Bartholomew Park Winery
Likely the best known winery with a hike, this gracious, historic winery is surrounded by 400-acres of Bartholomew Memorial Park. Tastings include self-guided hiking excursions along three miles of gorgeous meadow-to-mountain trails. Stop in at the museum chronicling the history of grape-growing in Sonoma, then treat yourself to a picnic near a replica of pioneer winemaker Agoston Haraszthy's Palladian Villa, which was destroyed by fire around the turn of the century.
1000 Vineyard Ln., Sonoma, bartpark.com
Kunde Family Estate Winery
Enjoy a four-hour romp led by fourth-generation winegrower Jeff Kunde himself or Sonoma Valley docent and state/regional parks expert Bill Myers. Each host explains the distinct ecosystems and native habitats across the 1,850-acre estate framed by the Mayacamas Mountains, and explains the vineyards as you sip wines right next to the grapes. Kunde's hike offers a bonus - his dogs Cooper and Marley come along, there's a tasting and Wine Country lunch, and a portion of your fee is donated to Canine Companions and the Sonoma County Humane Society.
9825 Sonoma Hwy., Kenwood, kunde.com
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