California Wine Country Without Crowds

Above, a Napa Valley vineyard. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in the late 1970s and 1980s, I would try to get up to California's Wine Country (Napa and Sonoma Valleys) whenever I could.

I enjoyed sampling each years' vintages in the tasting rooms of several wineries and bring home boxes of different wines. During my college years, my mom and I would pop open a bottle two at home on weekends while my dad was out bowling. Good times!

I generally would go in the autumn months when there are less people crowding the tasting rooms. 

Speaking of avoiding crowds in Wine Country, that is the subject of a new article by Travel + Leisure.

They begin it with:

If you love sipping a perfect pinot on a sunny, 75-degree August day in California's wine country, you're far from alone. Literally. Because one unwelcome addition that idyllic day is practically guaranteed to come along with? Hundreds of other people — all vying for the same wine-tasting seats, the same coveted hotel rooms, and all waiting in the same endless lines for brunch at Bouchon. Over-touristed travel is rarely fun, and in the middle of a pandemic, it can feel downright dangerous. The good news: There is a way to do wine country without the crowds.

According to the Napa Valley tourism bureau, the area welcomes about 3.85 million visitors per year, the majority of whom come through during the area's busiest (and sunniest) months, from summer to early fall. Luckily, as wise travelers will tell you, high season isn't the only season — in wine country or elsewhere. 

One tip from me. If you have an RV, stay at Bothe Napa State Park in Napa Valley. I've stayed there a few times, even during rainstorms which can be frequent during autumn. The park has a nice campground.

Above, Bothe-Napa State Park campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read the full article, go here.

Wine Country Camping

Above, Bothe-Napa Valley State Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in the early 1980s, I headed north to the Napa and Sonoma Valleys of California for a little autumn vacation in wine country.

At the time, I only had a 1980 Toyota pick-up truck with a camper shell and carpet kit. I was quite comfortable as the carpet kit was nicely padded. Since the truck bed was a long bed, I had plenty of room for sleeping, extra clothes, cook gear and for my winery purchases. I stayed at one of the places listed in an article by Wine Enthusiast on camping in wine country.

They begin with:

Why settle for four-star accommodations when you could have the whole night sky? Forget the hotels, resorts and bed-and-breakfasts the next time you visit one of your favorite wine regions. Good old-fashioned camping, or newfangled glamping, lets you nestle right into nature. So, pitch your tent and build a campfire—it’s time to open a bottle and dream of the next day’s tastings. 

Here are some coast-to-coast suggestions for a summer’s worth of camping adventures.

To read more, go here. 

New Mexico Wine Country

There's an old (a very old) saying: "You learn something new everyday!"

Such is the case of what occurred today.

I was browsing through the literature racks at the Manuelito Visitor Center near the New Mexico/Arizona border this morning and I saw a brochure about New Mexico's Wine Country (pictured above). This came as a surprise to me as I am somewhat a wine fan (or some might say, wine snob) as I had made several trips up to California's Napa and Sonoma Valleys and I never heard of wine production in the state of New Mexico.

I started thumbing through the brochure and found that wine production in New Mexico predates any in California.

Above, the Manuelito Visitor Center. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

According to NMWine.com (it used to be NMWine.org):

Welcome to New Mexico wine country and the beginning of an incredible journey. Nearly 400 years ago, in 1629, the very first grapes were planted along the banks of the Rio Grande and American viticulture was born. These original vines were smuggled from Spain and planted by monks to produce wines for ceremony and sacrament. What began as a sacred tradition eventually grew into a thriving industry, and by the late 1800’s New Mexico was producing over a million gallons of wine annually. 

New Mexico’s modern day wine industry continues to evolve from traditional European roots, with over 50 wineries and tasting rooms throughout the state. It is not difficult to trace the influence of old Spain in our contemporary wines, but one can also taste the traditions of France, Italy, Germany and Central America in our present day vintages. We invite you to explore Americas most unique and independent winemaking region in the heart of the Southwest. Viva Vino!

The wineries appear to be concentrated in the Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos, Las Cruces, Los Alamos, Alamogordo, Ruidoso and...Roswell.

I am curious how New Mexico wines compare to those of the Napa and Sonoma Valleys of California. I did read that the grape growing season is of shorter duration in New Mexico due to the climate. This causes New Mexico wines to have less alcohol content (like European wines) than California's.

Looks like I'll have to go on a winery road trip! It would be an easier drive (a lot closer) than Napa and Sonoma Valley are in California.

There Goes Those Plans

Above, the Wine Country fires. Map by Cal Fire and Google Maps.

One of the things I was planning to do this fall was to go up to Northern California to visit Redwood National Park and the Wine Country of the Napa and Sonoma Valleys.

Well, since several wildfires broke out in and around the Napa and Sonoma Valleys, with much destruction and deaths, those plans of mine are up in smoke.

It has been about 30 years since I last was in Wine Country and was looking forward to going up there in November.

Maybe next year.