Spirit of Adventure Wine Getaways Can Make Next Vacation Something Different by Alan B. Nichols Do you want to spend your next vacation doing something slightly different from your usual trip to the beach or mountains? Would you like a learning experience as well as a fun outing? If so, California, Virginia and Maryland have just the thing to boost your spirits: wine getaways. While Californiaís Napa Valley is a well-known wine region, you may not realize that the Old Dominion and the Old Line State also produce great wines. Virginia and Maryland, with their variable typography and climate, provide ideal conditions for growing a wide range of grapes. For those who canít go on an extended vacation in wine country, many of these vineyards and wineries are close enough to visit on a quick weekend getaway. A trip to wine country is to partake in the education and history of wines from vintners who are eager to display their craftóa combination of art and science that dates back thousands of years. It is also a chance to see beautiful scenery, spend a night or two at quaint hotels, and enjoy horseback riding, swimming and a host of other amusements, including wine festivals held throughout the growing and harve st seasons. The Napa Valley: Breathtaking Visitors and residents of the Napa Valley might well say it is a little slice of heaven. Breathtakingly scenic, the valley measures 30 miles long and five miles at its widest, and is bordered on the west by the Mayacamas mountain range and on the east by the Vaca range. It lies northeast of San Francisco and is an hour and half by car from Berkeley, Calif. The valley contains ìvineyards as far as the eye can seeî and is ìimpassioned with food and wine,î according to Jean DeLuca, director of public relations and marketing at Merryvale Vineyards in St. Helena. With more wineries than you could see in a month, this tiny geographical Eden has abundant microclimates that support thriving populations of many grape varieties. DeLuca described it as a ìwarm Mediterraneanî climate tempered by marine breezes off the Pacific. Although it has what is considered a coastal climate, the valley is far enough inland that it can also get very hot. Having multiple microclimates, soil types and variances in sun exposure, the valley is very hospitable to producing grapes for different wines. The valley produces burgundy grapes that like intense heat as well as Bordeaux varieties that prefer cooler temperatures and may be grown in the valley or in the higher elevations. As for amusements, you can start with the Wine Train, which takes you on a three-hour, 36-mile round-trip excursion from the historic town of Napa through one of the worldís most famous wine valleys to the quaint village of St. Helena and back to Napa. In addition, there are tours of the many vineyards and wineries, visits to hot springs in Calistoga, golf, and shopping for antiques, gourmet food, jewelry, clothing and house wares. But the fun doesnít stop there. The list also includes music and nightlife, including live performances at the beautifully restored Napa Valley Opera House, as well as ballooning and skydiving, visits to farmerís markets and parks, hiking, horseback riding, bicycling, cultural events and exhibits. The tours of the many wineries offer classes in winemaking and, of course, tastings. During wine festivals throughout the year, you may even get the chance to lend a hand with your feet by crushing newly harvested grapes in large oak barrels. For accommodations, the valley has some of the most historic and quaint hotels in all of California and, last but not least, restaurants with world-class menus and wines. In its rich history, the Napa Valley was originally settled by the Wappo Indians, which was the name given by to them the Spanish and probably derived from the Spanish word ìguapo,î meaning ìhandsome.î The natives were here at least 4,000 years before the Spaniards arrived. In 1831, there were an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 natives living in the valley. Later most lost their lives to cholera and smallpox, as well as in attacks by white settlers. The first American settler in the Napa Valley was George Yount, who arrived in 1831, became friends with Spanish Gen. Mariano Vallejo, and was given an 11,000-acre Mexican land grant. He planted the valleyís first grapevines, which came from Mexico. It was not until 1860 that higher-quality European wine grapes were introduced to the region. The wealth of post-Gold Rush San Francisco created a huge demand for wine, and by 1891, there were 619 vineyards throughout the valley. The wineries survived economic depression and disease but couldnít overcome the effects of Prohibition, when many were shut down. The few that survived provided medicinal wine or sacramental wine for churches. Prohibition ended in 1933, but it was not until 1966 that a large new winery was finally built in the Napa Valley. Since that time, several hundred wineries have been built, and the valley was rediscovered as a premium wine region, recapturing its earlier pre-Prohibition fame. Today there are more than 200 wineries throughout the county. ìThe valley is truly beautiful,î said DeLuca, ìand itís a ëcanít missí as a travel destination.î For more information on Napa Valley, please visit www.napavalley.com. Virginia is for Wine Lovers Imagine a beautiful midday in a pastoral country setting. A soft breeze is blowing and youíre sitting at a table under an umbrella canopy enjoying a glass of the delicious wine youíve just discovered, along with a plate of artisan cheese and sausage. A man strumming an acoustic guitar provides a perfect accompaniment as you gaze across a rolling landscape and rows of healthy grapevines. You and your companion exchange knowing glancesóthis is perfect. What youíve just imagined can easily be found at one of Virginiaís beautiful wineries. The state now boasts more than 90 wineries and each offers an opportunity to taste, learn, discover, enjoy and relax. Virginiaís wineries are scattered across the Commonwealth, but most are found in the northern and central regions of the state. The wineries range from large and prodigious to small and intimate. Some have excellent restaurants while others serve light fare and snacks to accompany their wines. Many wineries host special events that include live music, food and even old-fashioned grape stomping. Daily tours take you behind the scenes, where you can discover the secrets of the vintnersí craft in a cool and serene barrel room. Wines always seem to taste better when youíve wandered through the neighborhood in which they grew up. The best thing about Virginiaís wines and wineries is that you donít have to be a seasoned connoisseur to enjoy them. Virginia wineries are perfectly suited to both the expert and the novice. In fact, you can be a beginner and completely enjoy a relaxed learning experience as you are led through a wine-tasting exercise by friendly staff. Each year, the wines themselves add to an already enviable reputation. Whether itís red, white, dry, fruity or sweet, you will quickly find a new favorite. And Virginia wines are as affordable as they are delicious. Winery employees can help you find the best wines to accompany certain foods, and remember, there is no right or wrong when it comes to what appeals to your tastes. For those wanting an exceptional wine experience, there are special wine country tours by limousine. Book a tour and you can visit multiple wineries in one day and leave the driving to the chauffeur. You might even find yourself at an evening polo match complete with a picnic and a bottle of Virginia wine. ìA tour of Virginia wineries is a great way to spend a day trip or weekend outing,î said Alisa Bailey, president and chief executive officer of the Virginia Tourism Corp. ìVirginiaís diverse, scenic landscapes, unique culinary offerings and exceptional wines give our visitors memories that will be savored and enjoyed for years to come.î All of the information you need to plan your visit to Virginiaís wineries is at your fingertips. Visit www.Virginia.org/wine for a list of wineries as well as suggested driving tours and other travel resources. The world of Virginia wines is waiting for you. All that stands between you and this excellent local experience is a corkscrew. For more information on Virginia wineries, please visit www.virginiawines.org/wineries. A Toast to Maryland Wineries There are 15 wineries scattered throughout Maryland, each with its own unique charm. ìWe have absolutely gorgeous wineries,î boasted Anthony Aellen, whose family owns the Linganore Wine Cellars at Berrywine Plantations near Mt. Airy, Md. The plantation is open to the public seven days a week, noted Aellen, who comes from Italian and Swiss ancestry. ìI come from a long line of winemakers,î he explained. ìOne side of the family produced white wine and the other side red wine.î Aellen said Maryland has microclimates and typographies suitable for a wide variety of grape species. The flat terrain on the Eastern Shore, which generally has a hotter climate, is complemented by wineries such as Berrywine Plantations in the Blue Ridge mountain region and the Appalachian region of far Western Maryland. For more information on Maryland wineries, please visit www.marylandwine.com. Alan B. Nichols is a contributing writer for The Washington Diplomat.