Sip & Stay (& Eat)
With over 30 wineries, it’s easy to imagine why you would need a couple nights (or more) to sip just a handful of the unforgettable wines yielded in Yolo County. We put together a three-day experience to highlight the region and our outstanding variety of flavors. Each day is meant to take you throughout the county but feel free to checkout our wineries and tasting rooms by location if you’re interested in staying put in one area.
Where to Stay
No matter which direction you’re coming from, there are plenty of options of places to stay depending on what you’re looking for. Both Davis and Winters are centrally located in Yolo County and can make good jumping off points. The Hilton Garden Inn and Aggie Inn are located in Downtown Davis and leave plenty to do within walking distance when you’re taking a break from wine tasting. Or if you’re looking for more of a small town vibe, Hotel Winters or Abbey House Inn in the heart of downtown Winters are great places to stay the night. You really can’t go wrong – Yolo County has something for every traveler.
Day 1
For a day of wine tasting, you’ll definitely need a hearty meal in your belly. We start our morning (or mid-day if you please) at Savory Café in Woodland. With a passion for freshly harvested ingredients sourced from local farmers markets, Savory Café puts their own twists on traditional American breakfast and lunch plates. And if you’re having the latter, there’s no rule you can’t start the wine tasting early! Then head over to Matchbook Wine Company for views as enjoyable as their selection. With a wine bar constructed with repurposed wood from a local barn, and a 400 square-foot patio overlooking Matchbook’s estate vineyards and the coastal mountain range, you’ll definitely want to linger here for a few tastings or more.
Next up is Capay Valley Vineyards, which is open Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 5pm. And if you see the “give us a call to open the door” sign, do give them a call, you’ll be glad you did. Their Sparkling Tempranillo alone is something to toast to – it starts like a bubbly and ends like a glass of red. Okay, by now you’re probably needing a little sustenance, so head over to Seka Hills. Their tasting room is located inside a 14,000 square-foot olive mill and offers tours and tastings of their award-winning extra virgin olive oils, their honey, beef jerky, seasoned nuts and wine, of course.
Last on our list for day one, is Turkovich Family Wines tasting room located in Historic Downtown Winters. They have over 20 varietals of red, white and sparkling, along with cheese tastings. On Thursdays through Saturdays, they are also open till 9pm and offer food plates and wine by the glass, bottle or flight. Also around the corner is Berryessa Gap Vineyards downtown tasting room where you can sample award-winning wines. Check their website calendar for food and music events that happen throughout the year. And if you didn’t get too loaded up on cheese, mosey on over to Buckhorn Steakhouse on Main Street. Joe the Butcher has been with this family-owned operation for over 37 years and this place is widely known for their beef, lamb and fresh fish.
Day 2
If you didn’t make it through all of yesterday’s wineries, don’t fear, you can always catch up today. Be sure to grab a cup of joe first and a pastry at Mishkas Coffee & Tea Lab – a friendly and cozy public meeting place that takes its cues from the old cafes of Europe. Their Pastry Chef, Alison, creates delicious baked goods on site every morning. Then head to Zia’s Delicatessen to grab a bag lunch to go. Choose from a sandwich, salad, chips and dessert! All three places are located in Davis and on the way to our next winery – Bogle.
Bogle Vineyards is a popular spot which features exclusive reserve selection of wines only available in their Clarksburg Tasting Room. Their picnic grounds are also a great place to enjoy your bag lunch before and after you enjoy your tastings. Bogle has a variety of events throughout the year and it’s worth checking out their schedule to see if any hit during your timeframe. There are also a few other vineyards and wineries in the area by appointment only, if you want to maximize your time in Clarksburg.
Ready for bite? Head to The HIVE in Woodland. This honey and mead tasting facility also boosts a kitchen with farm to fork dishes.
Day 3
It’s been a busy couple days, so why not head back over to Clarksburg and check out The Old Sugar Mill, which encompasses fifteen wineries in one location! Have friends in Sacramento? Invite them to meet you there for a leisurely visit while trying out any wines you missed or resampling some of your favorites from the area. And if it’s the weekend, you’ll find food trucks and Deli areas open, plus there is usually always something going on there – check out their calendar here.