My trip to wine country last weekend had all the makings of a miserable
outing. As I pulled up to my first destination, a well known winery where
I was having lunch with the operation’s owner and some friends, the ominous-looking
clouds overhead made good on their threat and it started to rain.
It didn’t stop until after I left two days later.
Normally, a California gal like me (I spent eight blissfully sunny years
in LA) would’ve been completely dismayed. But, perhaps because this was
my first visit to wine country in months, or maybe because the trip marked
a much-needed break from writing my book, I didn’t care. I was in wine country,
after all, and about to spend a couple of glorious days soaking it all in.
Soaking in the ambiance, that is, not the moisture – if I could avoid it!
Seriously Wet in Wine Country
As anyone who’s visited wine country in winter knows, it’s a typically
wet, cold place. The gorgeous vine-covered hills are often indistinguishable
behind thick banks of fog, and getting into most tasting rooms requires
the skillful handling of a trusty umbrella and the deft navigation of
the mini floods that take over most winery parking lots this time of year.
But a recipe for disaster? Hardly.
Although wine country in winter presents a unique set of weather-induced
challenges, they’re hardly insurmountable. In fact, it’s possible to find
wine country absolutely delightful at this time of year, provided you arrive
prepared and keep an open mind. Read on for some of my top suggestions for
activities that needn’t be dampened by something as silly as a bit – ok,
let’s be honest, a lot! – of moisture.
Cook Up Some Warmth of Your Own
There’s nothing better than being inside a warm and welcoming kitchen
when it’s raining outside. At Napa Valley’s Cakebread Cellars, this is
precisely where guests find themselves during the winery’s monthly cooking
classes. One of the few places in Napa to offer hands-on classes – in
which guests learn to cook alongside the winery’s pro chefs – Cakebread
also offers customized small group classes if you’d prefer a more intimate
lesson. To learn more, contact event coordinator Allyson at allyson@cakebread.com
or call 1-800-588-0298 ext. 230.
Multi-Tasking in Wine Country: Learn, Shop, Dine & Drink
at Copia
Copia: The American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts, is a virtual treasure
trove of cool indoor activities in wine country. Located in downtown Napa,
the 80,000 square foot facility offers interactive multi-media exhibits
about wine and food, cooking demonstrations, wine tasting classes and an
always-changing roster of exhibitions. Part cooking demo, part feast, the
spot’s weekly Taste of Copia lunches are a great way to enjoy delicious
food while picking up tips you can try at home. Stop by the Wine Spectator
Tasting Table afterwards if you’re still hankering for some wine and food
101, or check out Forks In the Road, an interactive exhibit that looks at
American culture through food and drink. Either way, you’ll stay dry.
Copia, 500 First Street, Napa, CA 94559 (707) 259-1600 copia.org
Tricks of the Trade
Arriving in wine country armed with the appropriate wet weather
gear will dramatically improve your experience, whether you’re puddle
jumping in parking lots or eluding the deluge under a giant umbrella.
To that end, I suggest a good umbrella and sturdy shoes that’ll keep your
feet dry at a minimum (it probably goes without saying, but these should
be shoes you don’t mind getting mucked up – so leave the Tod’s loafers
and anything with heels at home). A hat will help with the chill, as will
a warm sweater and a rain coat.
You may not look like a million bucks, but that’s exactly how you’ll feel
when you arrive home rested, rejuvenated and – most importantly – DRY after
your delightful mid-winter wine country romp.
