Group press trip showcases Highway 128

In late October, Visit California hosted a press trip showcasing the agricultural bounty, unique wineries and vibrant local businesses along Highway 128 in partnership with Visit Yolo, Visit Napa Valley, Sonoma County Tourism and Visit Mendocino County. 

The trip included nine culinary, travel and lifestyle media from six markets: Australia, Canada, France, Japan, Mexico and the U.K.

The trip kicked off in Yolo County, where the group stayed at the beautiful Hotel Winters. Itinerary highlights included a tour of Park Winters, a railbike experience with River Fox Train and an education session with Martinez Family Orchards about root grafting. The group also enjoyed several tastings, including a honey tasting at The HIVE in Woodland, wine tastings at Great Bear Vineyards and Turkovich Winery, an aperitif tasting at L'Apéro les Trois and a Highway 128 wine pairing dinner with Corinne Martinez at Berryessa Gap.

Next up, the group journeyed to Napa Valley, where they were greeted by the Instagram-worthy Napa Valley Grape Crusher statue before lunch at Mustards Grill and a tasting at Beringer Vineyards. After settling into the newly renovated Dr. Wilkinson's Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs, the group continued to Four Seasons Napa Valley for a toast at Elusa Winery and dinner at TRUSS Restaurant + Bar. The next day featured stops at Silver Oak Cellars, Castello di Amorosa and Sterling Vineyards, showcasing the diverse wineries that make Napa Valley world-renowned. Between tastings, the media had time to explore the charming town of St. Helena and a picnic lunch from Oakville Grocery – the oldest continually operating grocery store in California.

The group’s whirlwind adventure through Sonoma County’s portion of Highway 128 began with a stunning e-bike tour of Alexander Valley with Getaway Adventures. The ride took the group past scenic vineyards showing hints of fall color and featured tasting stops at Robert Young Estate and Zialina. After checking into Geyserville Inn, the media enjoyed a kitchen tour of Cyrus, Geyserville’s Michelin-starred restaurant, and an Italian feast at Catelli’s. The majority of the group opted for a brief detour from Highway 128 the next morning for a walk through Armstrong Redwoods State Park before a farewell lunch at Rustic Restaurant and a tour of the memorabilia found throughout Francis Ford Coppola Winery.

The Highway 128 portion of the trip concluded the next day as the group tasted their way through Anderson Valley in Mendocino County. Stops included wine and cheese tasting at Pennyroyal Farm, cider tasting with Sharon Gowan at the historic Gowan's Heirloom Cider and wine tasting at the hilltop Roederer Estate. Just in time for sunset and a farm-to-table dinner, the group arrived at The Stanford Inn in Mendocino. The next day, the group kicked off the day with an excursion along the Big River with Catch-a-Canoe, lunch at Noyo Fish Company and a tour of Noyo Harbor. During the tour with harbormaster Anna Neumann, the media also enjoyed an urchin demonstration and tasting. After a free afternoon exploring Mendocino Village, the group enjoyed a farewell dinner at Café Beaujolais and rode the Skunk Train from Fort Bragg to Glen Blair Bar.

From innovative makers and stunning natural scenery to world-class wine and Michelin-starred dining, Highway 128 is a perfect representation of the abundance that makes California the Ultimate Playground.