There’s a famous Spanish proverb, “With wine and hope, anything is possible.” Romance, rekindling friendships, celebrating with family, or simply sipping and savoring a good wine while watching the sun set…the world seems to slow down as you appreciate a wine’s distinct qualities.
One of the best ways to experience wine is to tour a vineyard. A new study from the Wine Market Council, as reported by The Press Democrat, states that wine tourism is increasing among diverse consumers. And both tourists and club members want more than just a regular wine tasting when visiting wineries. More than 50% of survey respondents said that they want “a variety of tasting experiences,” with 48% expressing an interest in tasting older or rare wines.”
Explore West Coast Wineries in Style
Whether you are a wine connoisseur who seeks to add a noteworthy bottle of wine to your collection, or you enjoy learning about the winemaking process, consider renting a luxury motorcoach so you can explore the exquisite wine regions along the West Coast.
These Class A motorcoaches are the most extravagant RVs on the market, ranging from 39 to 45 feet long. Some people refer to them as a “hotel suite on wheels” since they feature all the comforts of home including the convenience of an expansive kitchen, comfortable beds, multiple bathrooms, washer and dryer and even a dishwasher. And there’s plenty of room to store new bottles of wine safely inside the motorcoach, so you can transport them home yourself and not bother with shipping costs and other logistics.
Let Us Handle the Wine Tour Transportation
Fortunately, when you rent a luxury motorcoach from LiTRV, you can have peace of mind knowing that you’re working with a full-service firm. We help you assess which luxury RV option is best for your family or friends, plan your itinerary, and we can also arrange for a private driver so you can relax, sample multiple wines along your journey, and not worry about a designated driver.
Our professional drivers are committed to your safety, comfort and convenience. And when there’s an overnight stop, we arrange for the driver to stay nearby so you can enjoy your privacy.
Our team of concierge specialists can also make reservations at wineries and arrange for you to stay at nearby luxury RV resorts. For example, you might decide to visit a few wineries in California and then make your way up north to Oregon.
Here are three wineries you may consider visiting:
Premier Wines and Stunning Views
California produces 89% of all U.S. wines. Its long growing season with warm days and cool nights makes for an ideal climate for grapevines. The state also has a diverse range of microclimates, which allows growers to produce a wide variety of wines.
You might start your wine adventure at Justin Vineyards & Winery in Paso Robles in San Luis Obispo County. Surrounded by rolling hills, Paso Robles is known for its vast wineries and olive groves, and it is considered one of California’s best-kept secrets. The award-winning winery produces Bordeaux-style blends that rival the best from Napa Valley. Their flagship wine, “Isosceles,” is a highly awarded blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, and it consistently ranks among the top red wines in the United States.
Justin Vineyards offers several unique ways to experience its wine. You can take an exclusive ATV tour, guided by a wine educator, and enjoy a premium tasting flight of wines while exploring the founder’s estate. Or you can tour the scenic property on a fun, electric bike ride. The winery also offers cave tours and barrel tastings. And, if you love chocolate, you can immerse yourself in a two-hour experience where you can design and paint your own custom truffles. The estate also offers private, by-appointment tastings and tours of their wine cave.
Our LiTRV team can also reserve accommodations at a nearby luxury RV resort, such as Vines RV Resort, a pet-friendly resort that features spacious, fully-equipped motorcoach sites, two pools, a spa, fitness center, general store, and a lounge that features local wines, beer and a billiards table.
Notorious Napa Valley
With more than 400 wineries that produce over 850 different brands, Napa Valley is considered one of the world’s premier wine destinations. With its rich history, breathtaking views that are dotted with castle-like structures and other unique architecture, Napa Valley is responsible for more than $50 billion towards the American economy, according to a 2014 study from the International Wine & Food Society.
After exploring San Luis Obispo, sit back and enjoy a scenic half-day drive north to this beautiful section of California. Depending on how much time you have, we can include stops along the way or drive straight through to Napa Valley.
One exclusive winery worth exploring is Opus One Winery in Oakville, a charming town that could easily be missed with its small population of 71. A collaboration between two wine legends—Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Robert Mondavi, Opus One’s single proprietary wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. The wine is prized for its balance, structure, and aging potential, often fetching high prices at auction.
In 2019, abundant spring rains, nearly double the annual average, saturated the soil and provided ample water for the growing season. The Opus One 2019 has intense aromas of black plum, blueberry, black currant, and dried rose petals, accentuated by mineral undertones. The creamy, satiny texture is framed by fine-grained tannins. The freshness and soft glow of acidity create a subtle tension with dark fruit flavors, savory herbs, espresso, and cocoa. A delicate dark chocolate bitterness lingers on the finish.
Wine tastings and experiences are by appointment only and range from tours with a personal Estate Ambassador to a guided tasting of two vintages in the courtyard. Our LiTRV concierge specialist can secure reservations at Opus One Winery and also reserve accommodations at a nearby RV resort, such as Vineyard RV Park in Vacaville, about 45 minutes from Opus One, or Napa Valley Expo RV Park, in Napa, about 20 minutes from the winery. Or, for a more luxurious experience, we can reserve a few nights at a nearby high-end resort and spa, such as the five-star Auberge du Soleil. Our LiTRV private driver can drop you off and pick you up when you are ready to continue your journey.
Venture North to Oregon
Once you have fully explored the beauty of Napa Valley, consider traveling further north about nine hours across the state boundary. While our LiTRV private driver can drive all day, we can recommend stopping along the way so you can stretch out and see some other sights, such as Redding in northern California, where you can stop by Turtle Bay and walk over the famous Sundial Bridge, or Medford in southern Oregon, home of the famous Harry & David pears and other gourmet gifts, or Eugene, a larger city in Oregon along the Willamette River.
Oregon is the third-largest wine region in the country, known for its Pinot Noirs, which are comparable to the famous French wines. The Willamette Valley is a leading wine region in the world, producing award-winning wines and two-thirds of Oregon’s wineries and vineyards. It is particularly known for its Pinot Noir, but also produces other cool-climate grapes like Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Blanc.
In Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Domaine Serene is synonymous with world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Located in Dayton, the winery’s commitment to quality has earned it numerous awards and critical acclaim, making it a must-visit for any serious wine collector.
Our LiTRV concierge specialist can arrange for a 90-minute visit to the winery’s beautiful tasting room at The Clubhouse at Domaine Serene to enjoy The Estate Tasting while overlooking rolling hills and sweeping vineyard views. The tasting includes a curated selection of five wines from a range of their collections.
Or, if you have a party of four or more, we can arrange for a more intimate experience with a personal Sommelier who will guide you through a flight of limited-production wines in one of the winery’s private spaces. This experience is available on a limited basis and with advance booking only.
Just 15 minutes away is Dundee Hills Resort, a pet-friendly luxury RV resort that also features quaint cottages. Our LiTRV can explore availability here and other nearby resorts.
Ready to start planning your wine adventure? Give us a call at 847-833-6768, email us info@litrv.com or click on the “Get a Quote” button at the bottom of our home page.
Recent Comments