Cycling, Hiking and Wine Tasting Napa and Sonoma Counties in California August 2007

Sonoma County sign post

Cycling the Napa Valley (& visiting 4 wineries enroute; Baldacci, Regusci, Laird Family & Hopper Creek)

(L to R) the tour group at Laird Family Winery, the group leaving Hopper Creek, the group leaving Regusci, Michael (and  yes, Lisa was riding while taking this picture), cruising up Oak Knoll, enjoying the afternoon at Hopper Creek

(L to R) Cabernet Savingon grapes ready for harvest, the wine cellar at Regusci, Laird has a pretty label, scenery, Michael makes a friend at Hopper Creek (who invited us to come back and help with the harvest in two weeks "it takes a lot of beer to make good wine.") artifacts at Hopper Creek

(L to R) our guide Andre, the entrance to Baldacci's  caves, the cave, Napa Valley's Appalachians, fermenting tanks at Baldacci, the coolest book ever.

Hiking & exploring the Sonoma Coast

(L to R) sun breaking over the coastal range, a cove off of Hwy 101 on the Sonoma Coast, Hwy 101 from the Vista Trail, Michael at Grestle Bay, more views from the coast

Check out the seals at Grestle Bay

(L to R) Michale and Lisa along the coast, Fort Ross, the pink flowers that are everywhere on the Sonoma Coast, Fort Ross Visitor Center, a cool kayak, Turkey Vulture

Del Dotto Caves

(L to R) sniffing a barrel to check the toast, the entrance to Del Dotto Caves (hands down the most awesome tour in the Napa Valley) Michael got some of these glasses, the cave entrance, using the "wine thief" to barrel taste, how barrels are toasted, "David" and one of our fellow tour members

Opus One

(L to R) Opus one didn't have the advantage of a natural hill or caves so the built the ground up for the cellar, Michael mauls Lisa in front of the entrance, some of the very cool Limestone arches, view from the terrace, awesome 16th century chair in the sitting room, modern laboratory

Chandon

(L to R) Entrance to Chandon, a closer view, Michael managed to get himself a name tag, a beautiful California Live Oak, Mmmm champagne, shiny, bubbly, yummy.... Lisa with a couple of Chandon's finest (and we wonder how Michael got that name tag)...

Mondavi

(L to R) one of Mondavi's finest saying, "This picture had better not show up on the internet!" (I guess he doesn't know me well does he?) mission style winery, Michale and Lisa tasting, the vineyards, art, the entrance

Ravenswood

(L to R) No wimpy wines here, a Segway tour, watch out for rattlesnakes, another beautiful California Oak, the patio (a great place to sip wine) Ravens

Sebastiani

(L to R) Sebastiani has fabulous architecture and vintage wine making equipment

Valley of the Moon

(L to R) Valley of the Moon is beautiful and makes some amazing wines; they grow all the varietals on their property too...

Benzinger

(L to R) the Benzinger estate, an outhouse turned phone booth, Michael and the "Door to Nowhere", bridge to Benzinger, a cool Eucalyptus tree, the tasting room (good stuff)

More piccies...  Somewhat in order...

more bike tour photos

check out all the seals

(click on thumbnail for full size image)