{"id":13695,"date":"2021-05-20T14:39:10","date_gmt":"2021-05-20T18:39:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.winetraveler.com\/?p=13695"},"modified":"2022-06-12T16:00:57","modified_gmt":"2022-06-12T20:00:57","slug":"10-wine-experiences-napa-sonoma-wellness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.winetraveler.com\/california\/10-wine-experiences-napa-sonoma-wellness\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Wine & Wellness Experiences in Napa and Sonoma"},"content":{"rendered":"

After a year of lockdown, we\u2019re all eager to get out and about. Pundits are already predicting 1920s-esque decadence, which is easy to understand given the absence of in-person socialization for so long. But if the pandemic has taught us anything, it\u2019s that good health is irreplaceable and maintaining balance is becoming a stronger focus for many of us.<\/p>\n

Perhaps it\u2019s not a coincidence, then, that many wineries are rethinking how we wine. Americans are moving past over-indulging and reaching for lower-alcohol wines and other beverages. Thankfully, we\u2019re collectively embracing wine as part of a healthy lifestyle instead of a contradiction of one.<\/p>\n

And, it just makes sense! Wine country tends to be among the most beautiful locations in the world, which means there are vistas aplenty to explore on foot or by bicycle. Wine country also tends to be cultivated by those who love really really<\/em> good food, which means that fresh fruits and vegetables beyond grapes proliferate. What could possibly be better than a day exploring wine country on a bicycle that ends with a fabulous meal with friends?<\/p>\n

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RELATED:<\/strong> 15 Tips To Plan the Perfect Wine Country Experience<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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Here, we have a look at experiences throughout Napa and Sonoma<\/strong> that embrace wine and fitness as a more holistic approach to wellness.<\/p>\n

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Wine & Wellness Experiences in Napa<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Napa is stunning and it will likely stay that way due to the Napa Valley Agricultural Preserve<\/a>. Established in 1968, the Ag Preserve ensures that land designated for agriculture can only be that. In other words, we\u2019re not likely to see a sprawl of McMansions springing up in Napa anytime soon. This means that the expanse of scenery ensures plenty of land to explore. (That said, Napa is very busy during high season so please do exercise caution when cycling along main routes.)<\/p>\n

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RELATED:<\/strong> The Best Times of Year to Visit Wine Country<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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Clif Family Winery<\/strong><\/a> has long embraced health and wellness \u2013 after all, it was founded by the creator of Clif Bar! Owners Gary Erickson and Kit Crawford are adamant about sustainable agriculture as well as personal physical fitness and support the Napa Valley Marathon and numerous cycling events year-round. Wine club members at Clif can participate in cycling and hiking adventures before heading back to the tasting room to relax with some wine and nibbles off Clif\u2019s farm-fed food truck.<\/p>\n

The Napa Valley Vine Trail<\/a><\/strong> is another way to combine wine and wellness. The goal is to complete a 47-mile hiking and cycling trail system that runs the length of Napa. And while it\u2019s currently only 12.5 miles long, it terminates at Yountville which just happens to have some of the top restaurants in the world. Not really a coincidence, is it?<\/p>\n

To make an event out of your cycling aspirations, consider CampoVelo<\/a><\/strong> weekends. Held throughout the year, CampoVelo weekends combine cycling, hiking, yoga, spa time\u2026 and of course, food and wine!<\/p>\n

Another way to embrace holistic wellness is to check out Active Wine Adventures<\/a><\/strong>. They offer a variety of hiking adventures that finish with wine and meals served at top wineries throughout Napa and Sonoma. Some tours are pre-set but others are customizable, which means they\u2019re perfect for any level of difficulty or adventure.<\/p>\n

Before leaving Napa, pop into Napa Olive Oil Manufacturing Company<\/a><\/strong> to load up on that heart-healthiest way to cook. Located in an old barn in St Helena, Napa Olive Oil Co has been dishing out some incredible oils and Italian specialties since 1931. Shopping here truly is an experience.<\/p>\n

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RELATED:<\/strong> Earn Rewards Using the Grand Reserve Mastercard at Wineries Across Napa and Sonoma<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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Wine & Wellness Experiences in Sonoma<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Sonoma is bigger than Napa \u2013 about twice as large and very spread out. It\u2019s also less hurried, which allows us space to really decompress. It\u2019s nicknamed \u2018Slownoma\u2019 for a reason, right? Thankfully, Sonoma offers ample opportunity to downshift, whether it\u2019s with long hikes in coastal pine forests or recharging yoga among vines.<\/p>\n

Kunde Family Winery<\/strong><\/a> offers perhaps the best health-building experience of all: hiking with dogs. It\u2019s a fact that dogs improve our quality of life anyway so let\u2019s show them how much we appreciate them by hiking through the beautiful vineyard terrain together! Enjoy a glass of wine in the tasting room afterward, though your best friend will probably have to stick to water.<\/p>\n

Bartholomew<\/strong><\/a> and Seghesio<\/a><\/strong> have also historically offered gorgeous vineyard hikes. Please be sure to check current offerings as wineries have been scrambling to keep up with ever-changing pandemic regulations. Assuming both will be back to full capacity soon, they\u2019re worth the wait!<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re more inclined to focus on yoga, check out Molly Vogel\u2019s offerings<\/a><\/strong>. Yoga classes in some of the most beautiful vineyards in Sonoma are sure to feed the mind, body, and soul. A class-ending glass of wine and cheese pairing can\u2019t hurt either.<\/p>\n

Emeritus Winery<\/strong><\/a> also offers yoga in the vines at Hallberg Ranch in beautiful Sebastopol. Not only will participants \u201cexhale their troubles\u201d but they\u2019ll sample world-class Pinot Noir after class with some snacks. After that, the day is still young and Sebastopol still has plenty of wineries, so the sky\u2019s the limit.<\/p>\n

Despite the very difficult year we faced in 2020, there is indeed light ahead. Employers have realized that many jobs can shift to remote, which means we have more flexibility in our scheduling. Let\u2019s do ourselves a solid by taking time to take care of ourselves by balancing out our love of wine with our love for our bodies.<\/p>\n

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