Wine Country Trekking
Travel company unites walkers and wineries for splendor among the grapes

By Susan Rich

Wine-loving walkers take notice: Now you can blend your passion for vineyard hopping with a healthy hike. San Francisco-based Wine Country Trekking offers self-guided tours that take you from city streets into the heart of California wine country.

Tours are designed for walkers and runners, from the fabulous fit to the weekend day-tripper. There are several options to choose from, including the company’s signature tour: Start at Fisherman’s Wharf, stroll across the Golden Gate Bridge, spend the night at an inn in a quaint coastal town, and then head for the hills!

Your objective: During daylight hours, walk inn-to-inn along well-marked, safe trails that ease through national parks. There are plenty of uphill runs and downhill slopes. You’ll bring along a gourmet picnic lunch, and your luggage will be delivered to your evening destination while you are on the trail.

It’s a self-guided tour, meaning it’s just you, your partner, or your closest friends. No strangers. No clock-watching tour guide. You can walk or run at your own pace — there aren’t too many miles to cover on any given day. Wine Country Trekking knows this is your vacation, and they’ve planned every trek to give you plenty of time to pick wildflowers, admire stands of magnificent redwoods, take pictures of rolling hills, and, well, think about a nice glass of wine at the end of the day.

One-of-a-Kind Walking Trip
To date, Wine Country Trekking is the only touring company in the US that packages inn-to-inn hikes with visits to exclusive wineries. Inn-to-inn trekking is common in Europe, and a favorite past-time of Mary Guerrazzi, Greg Guerrazzi, and Sheila Taylor, the three friends who started Wine Country Trekking.

“You see the world differently on foot,” says Taylor. Walking is a different way of experiencing things, it’s more intimate than biking, running, or going by car. Walking keeps you focused on what is going on around you.”

Your life on the road is simple. Each day ends at a new destination — a boutique inn with world-class accommodations. The trip’s ultimate reward: A series of exclusive tastings on the grounds of private estates.

“The wineries are public in the sense that people can call and go,” Taylor explains, “But these are private estates, so they don’t have public tasting rooms.” It’s Wine Country Trekking’s personal relationships with these vintners that makes this part of the trip possible. “Our guests are given very personalized attention. They’re really in the winemaker’s home — they’re on their property, strolling through 150-year-old vineyards, some of the oldest in the state.”

A Walk for All
From the company’s signature 10-day trek, to hikes that last as little as four days, Wine Country Trekking provides walkers with a unique experience that fits their timeline and fitness level.

For example, San Francisco to the Wine Country is a 10-day/9-night hike. At its most extreme, it covers 10 miles and a 2,300 foot ascent and descent in a single day. A two-night stay in a beach cottage, plus a guided kayaking trip, are included.

For the less intrepid – or more time-pressed – walker, the Tomales Bay to the Wine Country package combines one day of hiking, one day on a guided kayaking trip, and one day walking between private winery estates for exclusive tastings.

The shorter trips are no less popular, Taylor says. “It’s ideal for people who still want a walking vacation, but what they really want is a wine tour of Napa Valley.”

One of the advantages of an inn-to-inn walking vacation: You won’t need to rent a car. Other than transportation to and from the airport, the entire journey is made on foot.

“This was the best trip of our lives!’ is what we hear from our customers,” Taylor says. Most trekkers are couples; many are on their honeymoon. The tour is also popular with mothers and daughters and women traveling together.

If You Go:
Plan early. Taylor suggests making reservations six months in advance. High season is in March, the best weather is in April and May, and October is harvest time. For more information visit
www.winecountrytrekking.com.