Northern California draws wine lovers from across the globe to enjoy its renowned wines. While Napa and Sonoma are the biggest players on the California winemaking scene, there are plenty of lesser-known spots where you can sample fantastic wines as well, including the Yolo County town of Clarksburg.
Nestled along the Sacramento River, Clarksburg is a great choice for a wine country getaway in Northern California. Not only does it have amazing wines, it also has beautiful scenery. Visitors can take a drive along its winding backroads and take in the views of lush farmland, rolling vineyards and meandering waterways. Adding to the country ambiance are colorful, historic metal truss bridges spanning the river and adjacent sloughs.
The Wineries of Clarksburg
Warm nights and cool days make the Clarksburg region an ideal location to grow grapes, and there are more than a dozen wineries where you can sip everything from Albariño to Zinfandel. Many wineries offer behind-the-scenes tours, private tastings, live music, food, and other special events. Plus, you can taste wine in charming historic barns or leafy outdoor patios while enjoying the cool Delta breeze.
No talk of Clarksburg wineries would be complete without mentioning the Old Sugar Mill, a restored sugar beet refinery built in the 1930s. It now houses more than a dozen local tasting rooms, including award-winning wineries. The Old Sugar Mill also hosts special events throughout the year, including “Thirsty Thursdays” through September, with late hours, live music and food trucks; and “The Summer of Love of Wine” weekends through Aug. 11, with food and music from the ’60s and ’70s.
There are plenty of other wineries to explore in the Clarksburg area as well. Some to check out include Bogle Family Vineyards, which has picnic grounds and outdoor movie nights in the vines; Heringer Estates, which has food pairings and live music (not to mention a refreshing wine slushie), Miner’s Leap Winery, which hosts concerts through the summer and fall; and Julieta Winery, which serves small bites and flights at their dreamy, rose-laden estate.
Things to Do in Clarksburg
Although wineries are the main draw in Clarksburg, you can also sip local wine (and beer) aboard a boat. Sacramento River Cruise offers 2-hour wine tasting boat cruises, where you can take in the spectacular scenery from the river, complete with a cheese and charcuterie plate featuring local products. Not into wine? They now offer a guided tequila tasting cruise, plus Mexican-themed bites, in summer.
Outdoor Adventures in Clarksburg
If you need to get out and get the blood pumping during your weekend getaway to Clarksburg, consider one of the scenic biking or walking routes in the area. The Clarksburg Branch Line Trail stretches along a former railroad line through the countryside all the way to West Sacramento and is especially popular for wildflower viewing and bird watching. There’s also a popular cycling route that begins in West Sacramento, heads south towards Clarksburg, and follows levee roads through the lovely Clarksburg backcountry.
Plan Your Weekend Getaway to Clarksburg
If you’re ready to explore an undiscovered part of California wine country, consider a weekend getaway to Clarksburg. Idyllic farmland, sweeping vineyards, and quaint wineries make Clarksburg worthy of multi-day visit. Best of all, it’s a hop, skip and a jump from the many hotels in nearby Davis or West Sacramento. Book your Clarksburg getaway today!
