Most of the hikes I lead via my website are easy to moderate-level, meaning that we'll do hikes that are within the 4-6 mile range, some flat and some with hills, but nothing overly hilly or strenuous. For this particular hike, I'm recommending the trails and wines of the Santa Cruz Mountains, with a picnic and pinot tasting afterward! More details to come.

I'm in of course and a NY transplant friend of mine is also interested.

Plenty warm in California already. Why not try innertubing down the Russian River? :-)

Hopefully Santa Barbara won't have burned down by then. :-(

Folks, here's the low-down on the June 20th winehiking adventure that Mark and I have planned:

Our day will be a simple affair in which we'll enjoy a 4-mile hike, a potluck lunch and a wine tasting, all at Picchetti Ranch & Winery in Cupertino. Picchetti charges a $10 fee for their tastings that is refundable on wine purchases; the hike is free. What's unique about Picchetti Ranch is that there's a hiking trail just outside the tasting room door!

Let's meet at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, June 20th for a 9:45 hike. We'll journey along the Zinfandel Trail through a classic local mix of cool woodlands and sunny chaparral, with views of Fremont-Older Open Space Preserve and Stevens Creek Reservoir. Folks young and old find Zinfandel Trail to be an easy and enjoyable walk. From the trail, we’ll see an assortment of plant communities ranging from lush chaparral brush and oak woodland to picturesque madrone and bay forests. We’ll even see a stand of nutmeg trees! If you like, I'll be happy to help you identify many of the other wonderful plants and animals that live and grow along the Zinfandel Trail. And, as an option on the return, we can hoist ourselves uphill to admire a small plot of gnarly 112-year-old estate zinfandel vines planted by the original Picchetti Brothers!

After the hike, we’ll share our potluck lunches on the Picchetti picnic grounds, then taste Picchetti's locally-produced Italian-style wines inside their charming brick tasting room. So pack your coolers and picnic baskets with tasty goodies to share - bonus points for homemade!

ABOUT PICCHETTI WINERY
Located on a historic ranch a short drive from Silicon Valley, Picchetti Winery is one of the oldest wineries in California, and is connected via the Zinfandel Trail to Stevens Creek County Park. Bring a picnic lunch to share on the Picchetti grounds and enjoy fabulous local wines, some from local 110-year-old vines originally planted by the Picchetti Bros.

GETTING THERE
Take Freeway 280 to the Foothill/Grant Road exit in Cupertino. Travel southwest on Foothill Blvd. 3.5 miles (Foothill Blvd. changes names mid-point to Stevens Canyon Road). Travel through a residential section, pass lower Stevens Creek County Park, then Stevens Creek Dam and Reservoir. After passing the entrance to the quarry, Montebello Road will appear on your right. Travel up Montebello Road 0.6 mi., and enter Picchetti Winery on your left. Park in the upper parking lot to your right, and look for my black Dodge Dakota pickup with its camper shell. Most likely I will be sitting on the tailgate sippin' a cup o' joe.

If you're running late, my cell is 408.306.2848.

~russ

I found some images of Picchetti to share.

Also check out their group page:

http://www.snooth.com/winery/picchetti-winery/