California Wine Country Trail Ride
2008 Itinerary

Day 1:  Collection from the meeting place in San Francisco. The group heads north across the Golden Gate Bridge past the Marin Headlands, stopping at the world renowned Kendall Jackson Winery in Sonoma County.  Continue up through the rolling hills past the Russian River and Alexander Valley appellations. The next stop will be Francis Ford Coppola winery presenting both Rosso and Bianco. The route then takes you east, winding past the Blue Lakes to the Cowboy Hideaway Ranch; your home for the week. The beautiful, newly built log home has very comfortable rooms, large inviting sitting areas with enormous fireplaces, and stunning views of Clear Lake (one of the west’s finest bass fishing lakes), woods, vineyards and beautiful sunsets from the outdoor decks. A discussion of the week’s activities over a local wine is followed by an exquisite dinner of local fresh ingredients.

Day 2: You will be introduced to your friendly and knowledgeable guide. Your first ride will be through vineyards and then on the mountain equestrian trails around Highland Springs reservoir. Broad trails allow the guests to visit and to learn first hand more about the many agricultural and natural wonders of the surrounding country side and about the viticulture of the grape growing region. A picnic lunch will be enjoyed underneath the spreading oak trees. Returning to the ranch guests will enjoy appetizers and beautiful views of the lake and sunset before enjoying another wonderful dinner prepared by the ranch staff.

Day 3: Guests will take a morning ride exploring the miles of trails and hills on the 750 acre ranch, past native chaparral, gnarly California oaks covered in Spanish moss, the abundant wildlife and beauty of Lake County. Unobstructed vistas of the lake and mountains and the acres of pear and walnut groves are enjoyed through the crisp clean air. The Cowboy Hideaway Ranch is home to a huge variety of songbirds, California black tail deer, quail and majestic American bald eagles.  Mid-day will include lunch at the ranch or a barbeque complete with lots of fresh fruits or salads. In the afternoon you and your merry band are invited to a wine tasting and a tour of the grounds at Jim Fetzer’s new winery, Ceago del Lago, on the shores of Clear Lake.  Experiencing superb wines and strolling through lavender gardens to the dock and a view of the lake and Mt. Knochti, the tour will explain the mission of Ceago; to craft small lots of wine from estate grown organic and biodynamic grapes using the best of old and new world winemaking techniques. Return to Cowboy Hideaway for a relaxing evening with dinner prepared from all the ingredients that California cuisine has to offer.

Day 4: Your day begins with an incredible tour of Charles Howard’s Ridgewood Ranch, final resting place of Seabiscuit, who lifted the citizens of our country out of the despair of the Great Depression. He became the greatest icon of his time, embodying the American spirit and winning the Santa Anita Handicap $100,000. You’ll see the place where Red Pollard, Seabiscuit’s “never say die” jockey, worked hard to bring them both back to shape so they could win at Santa Anita. After your tour and the viewing of a special movie, you’ll have lunch at Ridgewood Ranch. Then a very special ride has been arranged through your guides and the Foundation that is bringing this wonderful property back to its prime. Guests are given the rare opportunity to ride the same trails on Ridgewood Ranch through the redwood groves as Seabiscuit did.  Again, guests will return to Cowboy Hideaway for another gathering of merriment with food and new found friends.

Day 5: Arising early, you’ll ride along the Pacific Coast along the magnificent bluffs of the Mendocino Coast. Lunch will be in the picturesque town of Mendocino, also known as “Cabot Cove” of “Murder She Wrote” fame, with the opportunity to explore the numerous galleries and shops. Before returning to Cowboy Hideaway for dinner, guests will have the opportunity to sample Mendocino County wines throughout the Anderson Valley in the hamlet of Philo.

Day 6: After breakfast, your day begins with a vineyard ride into the quaint town of Upper Lake with charming antique stores and lunch at the classic Blue Wing Saloon. The Blue Wing was re-established in the tradition of the original saloon, which first opened in the 1880’s and remained a popular watering hole until the onset of prohibition in 1920. Returning to the ranch for a western barbeque, you will have the opportunity to curl up with a glass of wine and good book, or have a competitive game of horse shoes.

Day 7: Guests depart the ranch south past Clear Lake; winding their way through the mountains.  This circle completes the sampling of wines in the Northern California wine regions before returning to San Francisco by 4:00 PM.

*Note:  The route is subject to change due to daily conditions.