Kenwood’s Kunde Household Vineyard provides dog-friendly property hikes that embody lunch, wine tasting and unbelievable wine nation views. (Kunde Property)
Winter in Wine Nation is a wonderful affair, a approach to escape the drearies whereas soaking in a bit of extra sunshine within the Sonoma Valley. With heat climate beaming practically all yr spherical, it’s by no means a foul time to step out into nature earlier than moving into the tasting room. And the tiny city of Glen Ellen is the right place to do each.
Certainly one of California’s most well-known authors as soon as referred to as this village within the Valley of the Moon house. Right this moment, Jack London State Historic Park is known as after him. Heed your personal name of the wild and begin your morning with a trek by way of the park, the place ruins and outdated gravesites beckon the curious.
Two fast trails supply a take-it-easy strategy, beginning with a 1-mile path that begins on the museum parking zone and winds its method all the way down to the Wolf Home ruins, all that’s left of a 26-room property destroyed by fireplace in 1913, simply earlier than London and his spouse, Charmian, may transfer in. A rickety staircase permits for a more in-depth take a look at the house, which boasted 9 fireplaces and plenty of giant rooms for entertaining.
Jack London’s gravesite is on a spur simply off the primary path. Close by, you’ll discover the graves of two youngsters who died on the property earlier than London took it over. Regardless of by no means having identified the kids, London felt a kinship to their spirits and requested to be buried close to them.
The second historic path, dubbed Magnificence Ranch, takes guests to a number of buildings, together with the Pig Palace, constructed to carry 200 hogs, in addition to barns, silos, a cottage and the ruins of the Kohler and Frohling vineyard constructing.
Put up-hike, head to Glen Ellen’s Benziger Vineyard and get off your ft. Whereas there are a number of tour and tasting choices at this biodynamic property, the 75-minute tractor tour is probably one of the best ways to be taught concerning the property’s progressive farming practices, which incorporates planting a backyard of vegetation designed to maintain bugs away from the vineyards. The tractor tram tour rides by way of the vineyards, proffers panoramic views of the close by mountains and ends again on the vineyard for a tasting of 4 wines.
If exploring Jack London’s literary historical past is on the high of your to-do record, however you need another person to do the planning, Energetic Wine Adventures provides a Sonoma Name of the Wild mountain climbing tour that features stops at London’s ranch, vineyards and different historic websites with a concentrate on tales from his life. It’s a simple hike, about 3.5 miles roundtrip. And the tour ends with a wine tasting and winery lunch.
Extra hike + wine choices
If you happen to favor your hikes on the floral facet, moderately than the literary facet, head for the 25-acre Sonoma Botanical Backyard — previously referred to as Quarryhill — the place the year-round blossoms signify the flora of California, in addition to China, Japan, Tibet, Yunnan, India and Nepal. Greater than 90 p.c of the Asian assortment was grown from seeds collected throughout yearly expeditions into these areas.
Afterward, cease off at Mayo Household Vineyard, a scant half mile away, to pattern a flight of six wines. Or, when you’ve labored up an urge for food, Les Pascals Patisserie is the place to go. The genuine French bakery, owned by Pascal and Pascale Merle, serves decadent pastries (the chocolate croissants are divine), sandwiches (prosciutto and brie!) and quiche.
A tougher hike awaits in close by Kenwood at Kunde Property, the place fourth era wine grower Jeff and Roberta Kunde and their canine, Cooper and Kalie, will be part of you for a trek by way of the property and winery, passing oak woodlands, native grasslands and chaparral as you head up the Mayacamas Mountains. The reasonably strenuous, four-hour hike concludes with a wine tasting and wine nation lunch. Canines are welcome on leash.
And the parkland surrounding Sonoma’s Bartholomew Property Vineyards & Vineyard provides a windmill, a full of life duck pond and a three-mile path for company to walk on their very own. The path, which is rated reasonable to troublesome, weaves by way of mature oaks, madrones, redwoods and vineyards earlier than cresting at a view of the San Francisco Bay. Afterward, cease into the tasting room to style wines sourced from the winery’s certified-organic vines.
If You Go
Jack London State Historic Park: $10 per car entry charge. This historic park is open from 9 a.m. to five p.m. day by day at 2400 London Ranch Highway in Glen Ellen; https://jacklondonpark.com.
Benziger Vineyard Tractor Tram Tour: This vineyard property tour ($10-$35) is obtainable at 11 a.m. and a pair of p.m. Friday-Sunday on the vineyard, 1883 London Ranch Highway, Glen Ellen; www.benziger.com.
Energetic Wine Journey: This tour firm provides guided wine hikes, together with a Sonoma Name of the Wild Tour yr spherical. The tour is $169 per particular person (plus lunch and tasting charges); www.activewineadventures.com.
Sonoma Botanical Backyard: Admission is $8-$12. The gardens are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. day by day besides Tuesdays at 12841 Freeway 12 in Glen Ellen; https://sonomabg.org.
Mayo Household Vineyard: Tastings are $25 per particular person. Open from 10:30 a.m. to six:30 p.m. day by day at 13101 Arnold Drive in Glen Ellen; www.mayofamilywinery.com.
Les Pascals Patisserie: Opens at 7 a.m. weekends, 6 a.m. weekdays (closed Wednesdays) at 13758 Arnold Drive in Glen Ellen; www.lespascalspatisserie.com.
Kunde Household Vineyard Property Hike: This vineyard on Freeway 12 in close by Kenwood provides dog-friendly property hikes that embody lunch and wine tasting ($90) and extra informal property hikes ($40, BYO sack lunch) all year long. Discover 2022 hike dates posted quickly at www.kunde.com.
Bartholomew Property Vineyards & Vineyard: The park and trails are open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. day by day at 1000 Winery Lane in Sonoma. Guide a wine tasting reservation at www.bartholomewestate.com.