Yolo County is known the world over for its abundant agriculture, from fruits and veggies to nuts and honey. But it’s also known for its drinkable products: wine, beer, mead, and distilled spirits.
Award-winning travel writer Aaron Millar discusses Yolo County’s liquid tourism in the episode 6 of “Yolo County: Indulge in the Authentic.” In this episode, he and producer Jason Paton visit several spots throughout the county, including a winery, a brewery, a distillery, a mead tasting room, and a producer of French-style aperitifs.
One-of-a-Kind Yolo County Wines
During a visit to the Berryessa Gap Winery near Winters, co-owner Corinne Martinez told Millar that the soil conditions in Yolo County are ideal for growing wine grapes — so much so that the Winters Highlands have been named its own American Viticultural Area. Although close to the Napa and Sonoma areas, Yolo County produces wines that can’t be found anywhere else.
Unique Yolo County Craft Beer
In the podcast, the pair also visited Berryessa Brewing Company, where they sampled lagers, IPAs, and other craft brews. Like other spots in Yolo County, Berryessa Brewing uses locally sourced ingredients in their products, including their Free Kittens Rice Lager and Separation Anxiety IPA.
Locally Made Spirits in Yolo County
Next up, the hosts visited family-operated Patio 29 Spirits in Winters, one of a handful of craft distilleries in Northern California. Distiller Adam Boone explained that unlike other distilleries, Patio 29 sources nearly all of its ingredients from Yolo County, including corn, rye, wheat and barley. In fact, their mission is to take advantage of the local agriculture that surrounds them, leading to the motto “from grain to glass.”
Honey-Based Beverages: Mead in Yolo County
Another element of liquid tourism in Yolo County is mead, a fermented honey-based beverage. During a visit to the mead tasting room at The Hive in Woodland, Millar and Paton learned all about honey. On the podcast, co-owner Amina Harris and nectar director Josh Zeldner discuss the importance of honey bees to our environment and explained that Yolo County is central to beekeeping throughout Northern California, the entire West Coast, and beyond.
A Taste of France in Yolo County
Next on the agenda was a visit to L’Apéro Les Trois in Winters, where co-founders Georgeanne Brennan and Nicole Salengo described how they came to produce their French-style aperitifs: in Georgeanne’s kitchen, sampling backyard fruits and nuts. The result is flavor-forward aperitifs with varieties such as Meyer Lemon and Green Walnut, which are made from local fortified wine.
Yolo County: From Vine (and Grain) to Glass
If you’d like to find out more about liquid tourism in Yolo County, be sure to check out the sixth episode of “Yolo County: Indulge in the Authentic” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Learn more about Yolo County and plan your liquid tourism getaway today at visityolo.com.
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