When you think of fall colors, I’m sure that New England comes to mind. But how about California? “Huh?” That’s right – California has its share of beauty in the fall. I won’t exaggerate and say that it rivals the display back east. But that doesn’t mean that we don’t have our own supply of golden yellow, intense red and vibrant orange-leaved trees dotting the area right in our own backyards: Wine Country.
In addition to the color that the trees in the area provide, you can also catch some of the leaves of the grapevines changing color. While opportunities are available, a disclaimer: The fall displays in California can be finicky in terms of quality and quantity and timing. We went up in mid-October this year and saw a mix of colors, but still quite a bit of green, suggesting that there would be plenty left to see in early November.
Another year we went up for Veteran’s Day weekend and some of the trees had lost a good amount of leaves. Unfortunately, I don’t know of a regularly updated website that keeps tabs on the fall foliage in these areas.
Here are a few routes we took and some of the places you might want to check out. They make great trips on their own or can be combined depending on how much time you want to spend. Included in the routes are a few places you may want to check out. Lastly, you may want to allot some extra time for wine tasting.
Note: there are several routes to take to get to the various areas. A suggested itinerary of the area begins after the asterisk (*)
Route 1: Traveling through Napa Valley
Take the 80E over the Bay Bridge to the 37W.
*Driving north on the 29, you will pass several wineries, the majority of them can be found north of Yountville. Take CA 29 (also called St. Helena Highway) for about 30 miles until you come to Calistoga. Return south on the Silverado Trail, a less traveled road with more wineries. Of the three suggested routes, this route has the fewest trees on view. However, each winery has plenty to see.
Places to check out:
Nickel and Nickel Vineyards @ 8164 St. Helena Highway, Oakville. Along with its 42 acres of vineyards, a collection of historic farmstead buildings from the late 19th century can be found on the grounds, including the Sullenger House and the Gleason Barn (see accompanying photograph by Raymond Ng).
COPIA @ 500 1st St., Napa. Mentioned not necessarily for the colors, but for the variety of activities offered here. From Winetasting 101 to daily food classes to art exhibits with a culinary focus, it has something for everyone.
Bothe-Napa Valley State Park. This park is known for its big leaf maples and black oak trees along its 10+ miles of hiking trails.
Route 2: Traveling around the Alexander Valley/ Dry River Valley
Take the 101N to Asti, just south of Cloverdale. Exit east on Therese Dr. and
*Head south on Dutch Creek Rd. and then go south on Dry Creek Rd. or West Dry Creek Rd. (which is joined by Yoakim Bridge and Lambert Bridge Rd.) Both roads have a handful of wineries. If you have time, take West Dry Creek Rd. south to Westside Rd. Go west until you hit Guerneville. You can then make it back to the 101 by going east on River Rd. This area has the most scenic drives of the three routes. Quiet two-lane roads take you past farms and vineyards with quite a few oaks and maples make this bucolic area a rewarding trip if you have the time and patience to drive under 35.
Places to check out:
Ferrari-Carrano Winery @ 8761 Dry Creek Rd, Healdsburg. Beautifully landscaped grounds include a 5 ½ acre garden complete with 2000 species of trees and shrubs, foot bridges over streams and waterfalls. The garden holds 10,000 tulips and daffodils in the spring.
Healdsburg Plaza. The heart of downtown Healdsburg looks like a throwback to yesteryear, though it is a Wi-fi hotspot. A nice quiet place to stop for a bite to eat or a bit of shopping or some art gallery browsing.
Route 3: Traveling through Sonoma Valley
Take the 101 N to the 37E. Then head north on the 121. At the fork, take the 12N towards Sonoma (or else you’ll end up going east on the 121 toward Napa).
*Once you get out of downtown Sonoma, you will pass several wineries on the 12. The 12 loops around and drops you off on Bennett Valley Rd. Take this south to Warm Springs Rd. Go south on Warm Springs Rd onto Arnold, which will bring you back to the 121. While this is the shortest of the three routes, it balances the number of wineries with the number of trees displaying their fall colors.
Places to check out:
The stretch of Arnold Dr. within the Sonoma Development Center. This area has some huge oaks that provide the most color you’ll see on this route. It is a short but concentrated stretch. Get out and stretch your legs with a walk under these beautiful trees.
Jack London State Park. If you’re a fan of the author, you might be interested in the land that contains the cottage in which he resided in the last decade or so of his life. It also holds his gravesite and some views of a nearby winery. Otherwise, you may want to keep the $6 parking fee.
Viansa Winery @25200 Arnold Dr., Sonoma. Situated on a hilltop, it affords a sweeping view of its vineyards and olive trees. It has also been noted for its 90-acre duck preserve. You can enjoy this over a sandwich or artisan offering from their marketplace.
A trip to Wine Country is always pleasant, but the temperate weather, the diminished crowds and the beautiful colors make a fall trip all the more enjoyable. Cheers!
Originally printed: www.ucsf.edu/synapse/articles/2007/Nov/15/winecountry.html
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