Nestled between Sacramento and Napa, Yolo County has quietly become a farm-to-fork mecca for local and international visitors.
Sixteen hundred square kilometres of agricultural land interspersed with historical small towns, wineries, and outdoor recreation less than thirty minutes from the tree-lined streets of Sacramento, the State’s capital and a two-hour drive from San Francisco.
Yolo County is an ever-changing landscape of colour and aromas from February to October. Throughout the region, fairs and festivals celebrate the harvest of fragrant almond blossoms in late winter and lavender in spring. As the sun warms the earth, the valleys and hills become alive as fields of golden sunflowers, interlacing groves of olive trees, and vineyards cover the land as far as the eye can see.
Our destination is the historic town of Winters at the heart of wine tasting in Yolo County. A perfect locale to “stay awhile” and explore what this Northern California region has to offer. As the tourism acronym infers, in YOLO – YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE!
Home is Where the Wine Lives
YOLO County is an award-winning wine-producing region boasting over thirty wineries. Winters is the perfect locale to begin your adventure to discover an incredible variety of wines; Chardonnay, Syrah, Zinfandel, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, and new varietals, such as Viognier, Malbec, and Albariño. Many of the wineries feature beautiful vistas, all within an easy drive of Winters.
Of note: Berryessa Gap Vineyard produces numerous award-winning wines. They host a tasting room at their winery and a small quaint shop on Main Street. This winery is also the starting point for the Wine to Waves route, two hundred kilometres of wineries, along Route 128, through Napa and Sonoma, to the coastal town of Mendocino.
Matchbook Winery is a family-owned business with over 1600 acres of vines. A wonderful patio overlooks a music amphitheatre where you can taste their estate wines while enjoying live music amongst the vines.
Turkovich Family Wines is just outside of Winters in the Vaca Mountain foothills. One can appreciate the quality of small-lot wines in this beautiful setting. On the property, a welcoming tasting room serves the family’s classic wines and other new varietals, which can also be enjoyed at their charming Main Street location in Winters.
Grindstone Winery in nearby Esparto provides a perfect setting to experience their variety of grapes. With its wraparound veranda and large patio, the Farmhouse provides a perfect setting on a bright California day to take in the views of oak-lined arroyos and distant hills.
Play a Tune in Winters
Founded in 1875, Winters has a special place in the history of California as the commercial hub for agriculture and rail services. As passenger rail services diminished, the town’s vibrancy declined until local entrepreneurs began to see its potential as the centre for farm-to-table cuisine.
There are few places on earth where one can experience so much diversity in agriculture and enjoy the “fruits” of the land as this small town, said USA Today in recognizing Winters as one of America’s “Top Ten Best Small Town Food Scenes.”
Eclectic and celebrated restaurants, coffee shops, and craft breweries now showcase the area’s agricultural diversity. Historical buildings are home to small galleries and shops, adding to Winters’s quaintness.
Whether breakfast at Putah Creek Cafe or Steady Eddie’s, dinner fare at Buckhorn Steakhouse, Preserve or Carboni’s or fresh baked goods at Upper Crust Bakery, there are dining choices to suit every palette.
Music and outdoor patio choices are on every block, adding to the town’s attractiveness; Hooby’s Brewing is a favourite among locals and visitors. Berryessa Gap recently opened L’Apero les Trois where one can sample orchard-fresh aperitifs, creating another reason to explore downtown.
As you tour the area, take a moment, and play a tune on the permanent piano on Railroad Avenue.
The Richness of the Land
Floating across the countryside in a hot-air balloon is a beautiful way to observe the colours and richness of the land, but you need to take a drive to appreciate what the land truly gives forth. There is no better place to start your road trip than the Davis Farmers Market in nearby Davis, one of America’s original markets started by the sixty’s hippy generation. This market championed the “buy-local” movement and is open every Saturday and Wednesday throughout the year.
Outside of Winters, you can pick your own flowers on the grounds of a beautifully restored 1865 Victorian Farmhouse. Park Winters is an award-winning wedding venue offering amazing farm dinners and farm and garden tours.
A pioneer in varietal honey, The HIVE in historic Woodland is where you can sample thirty unique selections. There is an outdoor courtyard to enjoy farm a fork meal, taste some of the best mead and meander through the expansive pollinator gardens.
There is something magical and memorable about old trains. Just across the Rio Sacramento is the River Fox Train which offers unique “ride the rails” excursions: the Old Vine Express or the Happy Hour Express. For the family, [the kids will love it] Boba Tea tasting excursion where nostalgic railcars travel through the Yolo countryside and try their hand at gem mining. For more adventure and a lot of fun, try the two-person railbikes.
Experience wildlife close-up at the YOLO Basin Wildlife Refuge. Located in the heart of the Pacific Flyway, this Waterland attracts more than two hundred species of migrating birds.
Arrive and Stay
Sacramento is a modern well-served airport and “not too large,” so baggage retrieval is always quick. Car rental companies are well-represented. Exiting the highway for the short drive to YOLO County and Winters is simple.
California is a favourite destination for Canadians, with numerous airlines providing direct and one-stop flights to Sacramento.
Air Canada, United and Delta offer direct two-hour flights to Sacramento from Vancouver, and Air Canada recently announced four direct flights per week from Toronto.
Sacramento and YOLO County have a wide variety of accommodation options that suit every budget, from five-star to bed and breakfast.
The Abbey House Inn is a beautifully restored Victorian home built in 1905 with many rooms featuring fireplaces and jacuzzi tubs. Downtown Winters is one block away.
Park Winters is a luxurious bed and breakfast hotel situated on ten beautiful acres of flowers with unobstructed views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Hotel Winters is a four-star boutique spa hotel in the heart of dining and wine tasting.
Marriott’s Fairfield Inn and Suites has recently opened and is ideally located off the exit to Winters on Highway 505.
